The Best Dim Sum Spots in Hong Kong: Restaurants Serving The Tastiest Dim Sums

Dim Sums have become a favourite for many people because they are extremely flavourful and the choices when it comes to picking a dim sum are endless. Besides, there is nothing more mouth-watering and comforting than a steaming hot tray of this classic Chinese dish on any given day but they are particularly great to eat on a chilly or rainy day. Considering the random rain showers that we are seeing in Hong Kong in the last couple of days, we have put together the best restaurants to eat dim sums in the city.

Awarded a one-Michelin star for three years in a row, the Chinese cuisine Man Ho is one restaurant where you can find Hong Kong’s best dim sums that have found a place in almost every foodie’s heart. The eatery is known for being popular among ex-pats for adding a Western approach to this otherwise oriental dish that is made with thoroughly hand-picked produce from the city’s local markets under the guidance of its Dim Sum Head Chef Leung Wing Pan. The highly-recommended dumplings here include the Baked whole-dried South African abalone puff with wild mushrooms and Steamed minced cod fish and shrimp dumpling with soy sauce.

Given the popularity of dim sums, most people have savoured the dish at least once in their lives but if you want to try something different while enjoying the rush of flavours that you experience when biting on a piece of dim sum, then you should try the ones from Bino ‘N’ Booze. The hot pot restaurant offers two soup bases that have alcohol mixed in them – The Signature Red Wine Oxtail and Tomato Soup and The Pig Tripe and Chicken in Beer Soup. When combined with the carefully hand-rolled dumplings, the dumplings melt right in your mouth to give a unique yet comforting taste. The must-try here are the Abalone and Black Truffle Dumplings and the Drunken Chicken Dumplings.

If this happens to be your first time trying a dim sum or you simply liked to be spoiled with so many choices then your go-to restaurant for dim sums should be Fox Glove. Offering nearly 30 options varying from seafood and meat to vegetable dumplings, this speakeasy restaurant allows you to try different and as many dim sums as you like. The newest addition is the Sichuan Peppercorn Xiao Long Bao which is inspired by the Shainghanese dumplings sold at a highly-raved street stall in Shanghai.

Perfect for meat lovers and vegans, Mott 32’s newly-updated Dim Sum menu puts taste at the forefront. In addition to the restaurant’s already existing steamed dim sum platters, its executive chef Lee Man Sing has collaborated with the plant-based food company Plant Sifu to launch a set of plant-based dim sum dishes that are only available until June 30. As expected from this contemporary Chinese restaurant, every ingredient is carefully picked from different parts of the world thus giving a contemporary twist to the traditional Chinese dish.

Seafood lovers can always count on D.H.K. Seafood Restaurant to devour pescatarian dim sums. What makes their dim sum or any other dish stand out is their cooking style which is a very traditional Guangdong way of cooking. You should definitely try one of their newest creations Plant-based Pork Siu Mai, Plant-based Pork & Shrimp Dumpling Soup and Plant-based Pork & Shrimp Bean Curd Roll in Broth.

The Roe Down: Handcrafted with feeling, Artifact presents artistic yet approachable caviar-infused Japanese cuisine

Tucked away below Central’s traffic horns and meandering pedestrians – along what has become the go-to canteen of people in stilettos and navy suits – is Artifact, a newly opened upscale chef’s table Japanese restaurant uniting the different variations of caviar with fine dishes. Paired harmoniously with jet-fresh ingredients flown directly from Japan, this whole caviar experience is savoured at a deep-blue upholstered 14-seat dining counter and ultra-sleek contemporary speakeasy bar set within a casual basement food hall. These diverse concepts converge in the creative mind of Chef Sato Kiyoshi, whose vision has brought eccentric Japanese cuisine to the energetic epicentre of Hong Kong – in the depths of BaseHall 02 in Jardine House.

It is the quality of food and ingredients presented in a delectable style that sets Artifact apart from the hundreds of other Japanese restaurants scattered around the city. In true Japanese fashion, calling in an artisanal expert like Chef Kiyoshi was an important puzzle piece in its realisation. Scrimping on quality is never an option for the head chef, who says of his edible masterpieces: “It’s a combination of texture, foundation, ingredients and balance. For me, a perfect dish is always driven by a feeling or an inspiration.”

artifact

The speakeasy bar offers separate and interchangeable menus; it is only at the chef’s table that a single menu is strictly adhered to, omakase-style. However, with an intricacy based upon ‘shun’ – the Japanese philosophy of seasonality – the menu adapts constantly to fold in the finest produce on the market. “We are an ingredients-focussed restaurant, so the menu changes according to what is the best for the season,” says Kiyoshi. “From the first menu to the next one, for instance, we changed chocolate and coffee dessert to milk and ginger, and wagyu to tenderloin.” It is often said that we eat with our eyes first. At Artifact, the food looks just as good as it tastes and all the dishes are pretty spectacular. And so, the caviar chronicle begins. With a name defined as a handmade object or the remains of one, Artifact takes pride in the craftwork that goes into the construction of each tasting menu – both for its four-course lunch and eight-course dinner.

Also Read: Omakase Code: Understanding is the key to enjoying Hong Kong’s hottest Japanese food fad

 

 

The four-course set embraces appetisers of Miso Cheese with Baerii Caviar, and Namerou, Goma and Kaluga Caviar, followed by a choice of entrée between Polmard Beef with Kaki Potato and Obsiblue Prawn with Ginger Orange Ponzu and Oyster. For the main course, there are options of Hokkaido Pork, Carrot and Wakami; Toothfish, Kabocha and Razor Clams; or Wagyu with Maitake and Soy, along with a traditional Tamago Kake Gohan (Japanese egg and rice) to accompany the meal and a seasonal dessert to wrap it up.

Caviar is central to the dinner journey, where the dégustation menu includes highlights such as Namerou and Goma with Kaluga; Takoyaki and Rakkyo with Ossetra; and Carabineros with Smoked Miso Cream and Baerii. Kinmedai, Kabu and Yuzu is another wonderful course. If the caviar rush becomes too much, a carefully curated wine list spans an international selection of Champagnes, rosés, whites and reds to cool racing minds and calm overworked taste buds.

 

The ambience is chic and bustling, catering to smart mid-towners in need of a Japanese fix. The act of sitting around a counter enhances the Artifact experience, as Kiyoshi elaborates: “We aim to offer the best dining experience as we can with the counter dining setting. It gives me and my team more opportunities to interact with customers. Diners can also see what’s brewing behind the kitchen and the preparation that goes into each dish.”

The truth of these words is evident as human connections extend from those relaxed at the counter enjoying their food to everyone labouring diligently within to create it. In a city like Hong Kong, where life whizzes by at almost twice the speed of a watch’s tick, Artifact stands apart because warmth, style and artfulness abound throughout the entire place. It lives in the buzzy dining room, the service, the interiors and, above all, in the sumptuous, well-considered meals. It is a scene and a dining room you want to lean into, linger over and – without question – indulge in.

artifact

Artifact, Shop 5 and 7, LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong. +852 6468 8762. artifactbar.com

(Text: Joseff Musa Photos: Artifact)

Where to eat in Kennedy Town? The Best Gastronomy in the area

Kennedy Town is a happening place with both locals and foreigners residing in the area, so it is not surprising that you can stumble upon a restaurant on almost every street in the area, and it goes without saying that there are so many different cuisines to pick from. To make things simple for your next dinner outing, we have put together the best restaurants in Kennedy Town.

Dough Bros

best restaurants Kennedy Town

Almost every foodie in Hong Kong will pick Dough Bros as the restaurant to go to if you are looking for tasty and freshly baked pizzas. Made right after you order, the pizzas which are straight out of the oven, first impress your olfactory senses with the flavours of the sauces and the smell of the warm dough hitting your nose. The best part, each pizza comes with a dipping sauce so every bite of the pizza – even the crusts – taste heavenly until the last bite. If you are a sweet tooth you may want to opt for one of their doughnuts that are loaded with cream fillings. More details are here

Sheung Hei

best restaurants Kennedy Town

What are the tell-tale signs that an eatery serves the best food? It has people queuing in front of it. Cantonese restaurant Sheung Hei falls under this category too with locals and sometimes foreigners seen waiting to dine at the spot. Most people come here to try Sheung Hei’s Michelin-recommended Claypot rice which is cooked with a charcoal stove that gives the dish its unique smoky flavour. The other delicacies to try here are the Pan-Fried Prawns with Soy Sauce, the Peking Ribs and more.

Clay Oven

best restaurants Kennedy Town

Clay Oven gives the vibes of a traditional home in India with its predominantly brown-coloured interior decorated with indo-style paintings. Even the serving vessels mimic the silverware seen in the subcontinent. Much like getting the set up to the point, Clay Oven also delivers diverse flavours from India through its foods. There are a variety of popularly-loved delicacies like biriyanis, tikkas and many more. P.S.: When ordering, remember to inform your spice level. More details are here

Smash’d

best restaurants Kennedy Town

With a confined and cosy setting, Smash’d is a resto-bar that is particularly known for its burgers which are made with organic beef, but of course, their other dishes are as great too, and so is their service. The staff think way ahead of you and provide you with anything you will definitely want during your meal. Ordered a wings platter? They will give you a cup full of tissues and a sanitised wet wipe. Also, their regularly-ordered and loved dish is the Classic Smash’d Cheese Burger. If you like blue cheese, you may want to try Le Fromage Burger. More details are here.

Shoreditch

best restaurants Kennedy Town

Shoreditch is always buzzing with crowds with both locals and ex-pats coming here for the lively atmosphere and the mouth-watering food. In order to give this award-winning modern British restaurant its authenticity, its chef, Eddie, went to the top restaurants in the UK to bring to Hong Kong, the best dishes served there. Some of the commonly-appreciated foods at this resto-bar are its Tomahawk steak and selection of traditional roasts that are only available during lunchtime. More details are here.

Also Read: Steaks don’t come any finer than Buenos Aires Polo Club

Blend & Grind

best restaurants Kennedy Town

Initially opened by fitness enthusiast Jonny Rees as a smoothie spot, especially for athletes and health buffs, Blend & Grind has now extended its business menu-wise and geographically. Today, their menu provides you with a wide range of options in terms of food and drinks. Blend & Grind is particularly talked about for its variety of Espresso martinis. Moreover, the eatery also has a pet-friendly space in the front for pet owners who want their pawed children near them. More details are here.

Alvy’s

best restaurants Kennedy Town

A restaurant that will make you feel like you are eating in Manhattan, Alvy’s has quite a rustic vibe to it and serves the best range of craft beers and pizzas in the town. A perfect diner for large groups, Alvy’s boasts more than 20 bourbon varieties and 14 different craft beers on tap. So, if you are looking for a place to go for drinks and dinner with friends, then this ought to be your first pick. More details are here.

Pici Pasta Bar

best restaurants Kennedy Town

For all those Pasta fans out there, Pici is a literal haven given their varying kinds of pasta that are all equally amazing. Their food dominates in terms of quality because they use fresh portions of pasta that are handmade every day. For that authentic Italian experience, it is recommended that you pair your pasta with a glass of wine. Their menu changes on a monthly basis, and there is even a special Easter menu that will be served from April 5 to 10, 2023. More details are here.

Also Read: Six most expensive local delicacies in Hong Kong