In simplest geographic terms two separate halves create Hong Kong. Intersected by the Victoria Harbour you have Kowloon to the north and Hong Kong Island to the south. This breakdown continues past geography with Kowloon as the shopping region and Hong Kong Island is where you go when you are hungry. Except to say Hong Kong Island is only a place to eat is an oversimplification. Hong Kong Island is where you feast on scrumptious dishes made to break your palate and not your wallet.
The largest concentration of restaurants on Hong Kong Island is within the Wan Chai District. You reach the Wan Chai District by taking the Star Ferry to the Wan Chai Ferry Pier or on the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and exiting at Wan Chai Station.
Entrance to Wing Wah Noodle Shop
Wontons at Wing Wah
Wing Wah
If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat and are craving noodles Wing Wah is the place to go. The restaurant is tiny so be prepared to share tables with the locals. Menus printed in English and Chinese contain photos of the dishes and prices. Portion sizes are not enormous but what Wing Wah lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. Wing Wah boasts they make their noodles by hand using bamboo sticks. The truth of this statement is found in how fresh and soft the noodles taste. For over fifty years Wing Wah has been making their dishes from scratch and the customers get to reap the benefits of that cooking knowledge. The best dish to get to experience this cooking mastery is the noodle soup with shrimp wontons.
BBQ pork at Hay Hay Kitchen
Meat hanging in Hay Hay Kitchen
Hay Hay Kitchen
One of the more popular meals to get while in Hong Kong is a traditional rice plate. The dish consists of your choice of meat and rice. Restaurants specializing in these dishes, such as Hay Hay Kitchen, are the ones you pass by that have roasted poultry hanging in the window. Hay Hay Kitchen’s generous portions are enough for two people to get full off of eating an order for one. The BBQ pork is sweet and succulent. Include an order of the Chinese broccoli as it tastes good and you’re being healthy by having vegetables. Hay Hay Kitchen is near the nighttime action in the Wan Chai District and they are open late to accommodate the night crowd. Any time of the day that you are in the mood for a meat and rice plate you’ll know Hay Hay Kitchen will be ready to receive you.
Sign for Joyhing
Roasted duck with rice at Joyhing
Joyhing
Joyhing is another restaurant in the Wan Chai District that serves roasted meat rice plates. Once seated, you tell the waiter who takes your order the meat you want. Choose between roasted duck, BBQ pork, or steamed chicken. You will receive your meat along with a scoop of rice. Keep in mind that Joyhing is not a restaurant to bring a romantic date. The restaurant is tiny, gets packed, and stays busy but service is fast and efficient. Turnover is quick and you won’t have to wait long to get seated and eat. Get cozy with the locals as space is at a premium and nibble on your roasted meat with glee. If you enjoy the sauce poured over the meat that same sauce is available at each table. Grab that bottle and drizzle the sauce over the meat and rice.
Xiao Long Bao at 3.6.9. Shanghai Restaurant
Front of 3.6.9. Shanghai Restaurant
3.6.9. Shanghai Restaurant
As the name implies 3.6.9. Shanghai Restaurant specializes in Shanghai style cuisine. The restaurant is spacious and with many large round tables a great place for big groups. The staff is very welcoming to tourists and locals frequent the restaurant. English menus are available upon request. Regardless of what dishes you select be sure to include an order of the Xiao Long Bao. Xiao Long Bao, or steamed buns, is a specialty of Shanghai cuisine. The dough used to make the steamed buns is soft and the perfect density, not too thin and not too thick. The soup inside the steamed buns is mouth-watering delicious.
Wok fried sliced pork with flat rice noodle in black bean sauce at Harbour Kitchen
Sauteed string beans and minced pork at Tasty HK
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
If you are attending a conference at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre chances are you won’t have time to venture too far into Wan Chai for a meal. Two restaurants are nearby enough that you can stop by for a bite to eat. Harbour Kitchen is a Hong Kong style cafe that serves traditional dishes in a relaxed environment. Menus are in Chinese and English and the menu has a large variety of dishes. Select from noodle dishes, rice plates, porridges, local specialties, and desserts. Besides Harbour Kitchen, another nearby restaurant is Tasty HK. Located across the street from the Convention Centre, use the connected walkways to cross over the busy streets. Tasty HK cooks up dishes that will be familiar to those who eat at local Chinese restaurants back home. Tasty HK’s dishes will fill you up and have you back at your conference in no time.
Chana Masala at Aladin Mess
Lamb Curry at Aladin Mess
Aladin Mess
Aladin Mess is the only restaurant on this list not in the Wan Chai District but still on Hong Kong Island. If you enjoy dining on Indian dishes you will find a great meal at Aladin Mess. This restaurant is to the east of Wan Chai District in Causeway Bay. Aladin Mess is not a restaurant you chance upon randomly as the restaurant is upstairs on the second floor of a building. Yet you will want to ascend to the second floor for authentic Indian cuisine. Aladin Mess is open for lunch and dinner. Menu items include traditional Indian dishes such as masala, biryani, and a variety of curries. Add rice and naan to compliment your selections.
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 |  Hong Kong Eats Part 1: Wan Chai Wing Wah Noodle Shop, Hong Kong |
| Hong Kong Eats Part 1: Wan Chai Lockhart Road, 86, Wan Chai, Hong Kong |
| Hong Kong Eats Part 1: Wan Chai 再興燒臘 (Joy Hing Roasted Meat), Hong Kong |
| Hong Kong Eats Part 1: Wan Chai 3.6.9. Restaurant Shanghai Food, Hong Kong |
| Hong Kong Eats Part 1: Wan Chai Harbour Kitchen, Hong Kong |
| Hong Kong Eats Part 1: Wan Chai Harbour Centre, Harbour Rd, 25, Wan Chai, Hong Kong |
 | Hong Kong Eats Part 1: Wan Chai Russell St, 60, Hong Kong |
