Tim Ho Wan: cheapest Michelin starred restaurant in Hong Kong

I’ve read from several blog posts about this new Michelin starred dimsum restaurant in Mongkok, Tim Ho Wan. This made Tim Ho Wan included in our lists of “to-do” things, Lin Heung (which is also a Michelin starred restaurant) is also included in the list but Tim Ho Wan is closer to TST. Coming from the warnings of other bloggers, the waiting time is 2 hours, so to avoid this, come before the place opens at 10 am. We arrived past 10 am, so the first batch of lucky diners were already munching their dimsum inside. We were handed an order slip by the attendant, scribbled number 11 on it and hastily said “half hour!”. We roamed around the area for around 20 minutes and when we came back, we’re surprised with the crowd in front of the place:

people waiting for their queue at Tim Ho Wan

certified Michelin starred restaurant

Fortunately, some of the first batch finished eating and numbers are rolling. While waiting for the number 11 to be called, we ticked our order slips to be handed out before we were seated.

Number 11!

Finally, we found ourselves squeezed elbow to elbow with a group of Chinese teenagers already occupied with their tower of steamers and baskets of dimsum. Don’t be a diva and ask for a separate table because this restaurant only sits 30 people.

inside Tim Ho Wan

kitchen area of Tim Ho Wan

We are clueless on what to order because aside from the order slip and some newspaper clippings in the restaurant, we just have to base our orders on what other diners are eating. What we ordered:

Steamed fresh shrimp dumplings, 19 HKD

The shrimp is very fresh and succulent, the skin is very thin. The whole dimsum is very soft I have to carefully pick them without breaking them apart.

Steamed Beef Ball with Bean Curd Skin, 12 HKD

Just an okay dimsum, didn’t eat the bean curd at the bottom. But the meat itself is soft.

Chicken Feet, not on the menu but we saw other diners order this so we pointed it from other table

A little overcooked, the black bean sauce is flavorful though. But I prefer the chicken feet from Causeway Seafood restaurant.

Vermicelli roll stuffed with shrimp, 17 HKD

I had a hard time picking these babies up with my chopsticks. Just like the shrimp dumplings, shrimps used in this one is fresh and melts in your mouth.

And for the star of our Tim Ho Wan experience:

Baked Bun with BBQ Pork, 14 HKD

These three pieces of bread may seem unappealing, look like ordinary breads. But wait till you catch its smell of sweet freshly baked bread. The top is crunchy and sweet, and the best part is the filling!

inside the pork bun

The filling tasted like asado, but the pork meat is so soft that blends well with the delicate texture of the bread. Melt-in-your-mouth asado. I want to take home some to Manila.

UPDATE: Tim Ho Wan is now in Manila!

When you’re in HK and you’re in the vicinity of Mongkok, Tim Ho Wan is worth the visit and the wait! Just come early and eat fast.

Tim Ho Wan
2-8 Kwong Wa St.
Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong

How to go there: Take Exit A2 of Yau Ma Tei MTR Station.