Central, Where Top-Class Restaurants Line the Streets. Three Unique Noodle Spots in Hong Kong

Central, lined with luxury hotels and shopping malls, is home to many stylish Western restaurants. At the same time, Central is also a business district, and there are affordable noodle and congee shops beloved by the local people of Hong Kong.
You might enjoy a glamorous dinner, but for lunch, why not join the locals over a bowl of noodles? That too can become a memorable, quintessentially Hong Kong experience. Here, we introduce three recommended noodle spots in Central.

1. Tsim Chai Kee

The first noodle spot is Tsim Chai Kee. On the hillside of Central, old streets still remain, and nestled among the crowded local shops is the immensely popular noodle house, Tsim Chai Kee. Despite being a local noodle shop, Tsim Chai Kee has even earned a Michelin star!
Although there is a Japanese menu, ordering is simple since you just choose from three toppings. The “shrimp wontons” will first surprise you with their size—they’re even bigger than a ping pong ball, with a springy texture. The filling is packed with shrimp, seemingly without any fillers. The “fish balls” are also huge, and the “beef” is served in generous portions. One topping costs 17 HK$, two for 22 HK$, and all three for just 25 HK$. Only at Tsim Chai Kee can you enjoy Michelin-level taste for such a price. It’s a bit of a distance from Central Station, so taking a taxi is recommended—it’s worth the fare.

2. Kau Kee Beef Brisket

The second spot is Kau Kee Beef Brisket. It’s one of the most popular noodle shops in Central, with lines forming even before opening. Some customers even wait with suitcases in hand, prepared to share tables with strangers. A Japanese menu is available, but ordering is easy: choose between two noodle types and two soup flavors.
The noodles are either “ho fun” (flat rice noodles) or Hong Kong-style egg noodles. The soup comes in either curry flavor or a clear broth rich in beef tendon flavor. Both are exquisite! The aroma of curry that fills the shop already hints at its deliciousness, but once you taste it, the complex blend of spices brings out a harmony of spiciness and savoriness—pure bliss. The beef tendon broth, on the other hand, has a richness that is rarely found even in Japan. Sheung Wan Station is actually closer than Central Station—about a 10-minute walk from Exit A2.

3. Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop

After two local-style shops, the third is Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop. Located in Central’s main area, it’s easy to access, with a more refined interior, yet still reasonably priced. Although its official opening time is 11:30 am, they start seating customers a bit earlier. A renowned restaurant that won Hong Kong’s Culinary Award in 2001, it sees long lines at lunchtime. Many customers order the shrimp wonton noodles.
The broth rich with shrimp flavor, the silky wonton skin, and the plump shrimp inside—this combination embodies the essence of Hong Kong. Another standout is the beef chow mein: homemade noodles stir-fried with tender beef and coated with a secret house sauce recipe.
Located on the 3rd floor of Central’s landmark IFC Mall, it’s very accessible. You can even check in your luggage at Central Station (Hong Kong Station) and enjoy one last meal here before leaving the city.

◎ Summary

This time we focused on affordable noodle dishes and introduced some recommended spots. For gourmets, Hong Kong is a paradise, and the Central area is full of famous restaurants. It can truly be hard to decide where to go.
Be aware that lunchtime is particularly crowded, and lines are inevitable at popular spots. If possible, try adjusting your mealtime to avoid the rush, and fully enjoy the culinary delights of Hong Kong.

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Central, Where Top-Class Restaurants Line the Streets. Three Unique Noodle Spots in Hong Kong