Best wonton noodles in Hong Kong
There are few things more delicious and comforting than this Hong Kong stapleIt’s no stretch to call wonton noodles the quintessential Hong Kong comfort food. Simple yet immensely satisfying, a good bowl should consist of a clear and flavourful broth, al dente egg noodles and, of course, plump prawn dumplings in silky smooth wrappers. While a lot of restaurants in town offer this iconic dish, only a handful truly do it well. If you want to get your wonton noodle fix, these are the best places to hit up.
Read more: Your guide to dim sum in Hong Kong
Mak’s Noodles
Open since 1920, Mak’s is arguably the most famous spot for wonton noodles in Hong Kong. The dumplings here may be on the smaller side but what they lack in size they make up for with quality ingredients since every wonton is plumped up with a whole fresh prawn. If a bowl of the signature wonton noodles doesn’t fill you up (and let’s be honest, it won’t), be sure to get the spicy soupless noodles with minced pork sauce as well as an order of the pork and shrimp dumplings.
Mak’s Noodles, 77 Wellington Street, Central, 2854 3810 and other locations
Lau Sum Kee
This beloved Sham Shui Po eatery is best known for being one of the few places in town that still makes its own noodles using the traditional bamboo pole method. With duck eggs added for flavour, the resulting strands are taut, firm and utterly delicious. They’re the perfect vehicle for the restaurant’s hefty, hand-wrapped wontons, which are filled with shrimp and a touch of pork. We also love homemade noodles when they’re tossed with a generous amount of dried shrimp roe. Don’t forget to enjoy these with the complimentary pickles on every table.
Lau Sum Kee, 48 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, 2386 3533 and other locations
Ho Hung Kee
At less than $60, a bowl of wonton noodles here is one of the cheapest Michelin-starred meals you can get in this city. Ho Hung Kee has been perfecting its signature dish for more than 70 years and the result, comprising springy noodles and expertly wrapped dumplings, lives up to the hype. Thanks to its noodle-fuelled success, the brand has undergone various upgrades and expansions over the years. Having started off as a small shop in Wan Chai, Ho Hung Kee now boasts a branch at the Hong Kong International Airport, as well as a sleek flagship store in Hysan Place that offers an expansive, crowd-pleasing menu that also includes congees, dim sum and even traditional sweet soups.
Ho Hung Kee, Shop 1204-1205, 12/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, 2577 6060 and Terminal 1, Arrivals Level (L5), Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, 2323 6690
Tsim Chai Kee
Tsim Chai Kee may not have the history of Mak’s Noodle across the street but many say it’s just as good, if not even better, than its rival. For starters, the prices are cheaper and the portions are bigger. Then there’s the near-flawless execution of all the components – the noodles have a satisfying bite; the amber-hued soup is sweet, flavourful and exceptionally well balanced; and the shrimps in the wontons are fresh and firm while the wrappers are smooth and glossy. You can order your noodles with two or three toppings and we highly suggest getting the fresh minced fish balls along with your wontons. Another suggestion? Come here at off-peak hours if you want to avoid the massive lunch queue.
Tsim Chai Kee, 98 Wellington Street, Central, 2850 6471
Mak Man Kee
This noodle shop in Jordan may not be fancy but that hasn’t stopped it from amassing a loyal following (even Richard Ekkebus, culinary director of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental and executive chef of Amber, has professed to be a fan). The restaurant is best known for its cheap and cheerful wonton noodles, which are served the old-school way with massive, all-shrimp dumplings on the bottom and taut, golden noodles swirled on top to prevent them from getting prematurely soggy in the soup. If you’re hungry for more than wontons, the tender beef brisket in chu hou paste and the pork knuckles marinated in fermented bean curd are also fan favourites.
Mak Man Kee, 51 Parkes Street, Jordan, 2736 5561
Mak An Kee
Tucked away on a quiet street just off Des Voeux Road, this tiny restaurant is actually operated by the eldest son of Mak’s Noodle’s founder. Made for those who prefer bold flavours, the soup here is darker and stronger than what you’ll get at other places – this is definitely not a place for those who get fainthearted around MSG. The stars, of course, are the shrimp-filled wontons, which are best enjoyed with a lick of chilli oil. You can order the wontons over a bed of al dente egg noodles but it’s a better deal to order them on their own in soup.
Mak An Kee, 37 Wing Kut Street, Central, 2541 6388
Good Hope Noodle
Satisfyingly springy with a distinct al dente bite, the noodles alone at Good Hope are worth the visit. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to enjoy these golden strands with a serving of wontons. These are filled with a combination of prawn and pork and swim in a simple yet delicious broth. The noodles also shine when tossed with the restaurant’s special zha jiang sauce and shredded pork. If you’re not opposed to offal, we also recommend the boiled pig’s liver, which can be ordered with Good Hope’s noodles or equally famous congee.
Good Hope Noodle, 18 Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, 2384 6898
Feature image from City Foodsters via Flickr.
