Tim Ho Wan, Hong Kong

Awarded a Michelin star in 2010, Tim Ho Wan (添好運) is one of the most affordable Michelin Star restaurants in Hong Kong. Although there are 3 outlets in Singapore (Plaza Singapore, Toa Payoh & WestGate), the queues are ridiculously long. While planning for our Hong Kong vacation, Evans was asking if we should put Tim Ho Wan in our “things-to-eat” list since we would be there for a week. We decided that we would go only if we had to queue for less than 30 minutes.

Lucky us. We arrived at the outlet in IFC at around 11.50am on a Friday. We got a queue number of 41 with the current number at 35. We got a seat after waiting for less than 15 minutes. After getting seated, service and serving of food was prompt.

Siew Mai – HKD 25
How can anyone not order Siew Mai and Har Gao when having Dim Sum? Really love the succulent prawns used in these 2 dishes. Both Har Gao (Steamed fresh shrimp dumplings) and Siew Mai (Steamed pork dumplings with shrimp) come in 4 pieces per basket. Both are priced at HKD 25.

Fried Shrimp Wrapped in Beancurd Skin – HKD 25
Next up was fried shrimp wrapped in beancurd skin. Being a fried-food lover, yes I liked this. It was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside with the sweet prawns and some veggies fillings. Each basket consists of 6 half pieces.

Baked Buns with Barbecue Pork – HKD 19
One of the must-have and I really mean MUST-HAVE at Tim Ho Wan is their legendary baked buns with barbecue pork. Unlike the typical white fluffy pork bun, the ones at Tim Ho Wan have salty-sweet thin crispy crusts instead. Combined with the tender and juicy pork filling inside, these are really OMGGG. One of the best we have ever tasted. Although visually not that appealing, I can bet you will want to gobble the whole bun down after your first mouthful. Each tray comes with 3 buns. Really MUST TRY!

Barbeque Pork Rice Roll – HKD 20.
Look at the glossy rice roll, it is thin and silky and you can partially see through to the greens and meat fillings within. Pour your preferred amount of soy sauce and you have your delectable dim sum dish! Besides BBQ pork, the rice roll also comes with prawn, beef and pig’s liver. Prices differ slightly for each respective filling.

Phoenix Talons with Abalone Sauce – HKD 26
We ordered this because Evans likes to eat chicken feet (eww). The most expensive among the ones we ordered. Evans was anticipating this but unfortunately he wasn’t very impressed. It was ok but we weren’t wowed by it. It could have been better if the meat were softer and the flavor stronger.

Tonic Medlar & Osmanthus Cake – HKD 12
We decided to finish off our meal with their Tonic Medlar & Osmanthus Cake (3 pieces). You can taste the sweet aroma of the Osmanthus flower along with the numerous medlar seeds. Relatively refreshing dessert to end off the meal.

Overall, the dim sum is good and affordable. We spent about HKD 50 – 70 (S$9-12) per person. Tim Ho Wan has a few outlets in Hong Kong. We strongly encourage you to go early to avoid the long queue.

MTR Hong Kong Station, Exit A1
Shop 12A, Hong Kong Station (Podium Level 1, IFC Mall), Central
中環香港站12A鋪(IFC地庫一層)
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm daily
Tel. 2332 3078

MTR Olympic Station, Exit D3
Shop 72, G/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Tai Kok Tsui
大角咀海庭道18號奧海城二期G樓72號舖
Opening Hours: 10am – 9.30pm daily
Tel. 2332 2896

MTR Sham Shui Po Station, Exit B2
G/F, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
九龍深水埗福榮街9-11號地下
Opening Hours: 8am – 9.30pm daily
Tel. 2788 1226

MTR North Point Station, Exit A1
Shop B, C, & D, G/F, 2-8 Wharf Road, Seaview Building, North Point
北角和富道2-8號嘉洋大廈地下B,C及D鋪
Opening Hours: 10am – 9.30pm daily
Tel. 2979 5608