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While Kennedy Town might be known for its laidback waterfront bars and chic Aussie-style cafés nowadays, it’s not just big bills and brunches here. There are tons of cool neighbourhood noodle spots, authentic eats, and reasonably-priced snacks to be found around these parts—read on for our favourite sub-$100 lunch spots in Kennedy Town!
Ho Ho Dim (known almost exclusively by its Chinese name, 可可店) is a favourite with local students, especially for the signature cheung fun (腸粉; rice noodle rolls), which come slathered in peanut sauce and sweet soy sauce. A thoroughly filling meal can be had here for less than $100—for a combo of Ho Ho Dim’s best-sellers, get the oyster & pork bone congee ($23), with a side of fried cheung fun ($20) and fried pork chops ($33).
Ho Ho Dim (可可店), Shop E & F, G/F, 136–142 Belcher’s Street, Kennedy Town | (+852) 2818 3658
If you’ve ever found yourself longing for handmade dim sum in the middle of the night, you may be surprised to know that there is actually a place in Kennedy Town to satisfy your cravings. Popular yum cha spot Sun Hing, which has been around for more than 60 years, is a favourite among shift workers like cab drivers and bartenders, as well as hard-partying students, thanks to its 3 am opening time. Don’t worry, even with its early hours, you will still have plenty of time to sample Sun Hing’s delicious dumplings—this tiny restaurant stays open until 4 pm every day. Don’t leave without trying the famous har gow (蝦餃; prawn dumplings) and lau sa bao (流沙包; molten salted egg buns), which will only set you back $23 and $21, respectively.
Sun Hing, Shop C, Markfield Building, 8 Smithfield Road, Kennedy Town | (+852) 2816 0616
With its wallet-friendly menu and authentic Vietnamese fare, this bare-bones eatery has quietly become a Western District favourite, with three branches opening across Soho, Sai Ying Pun, and Kennedy Town. As per their name, the speciality here is the bún chả Hànội ($85)—white rice noodles topped with grilled pork patties, served alongside herbs and a spicy-sweet dipping sauce. For something a little more zingy, try the bún thịt cổ ($85) which is the same, but with lemongrass pork neck.
While we can’t get to Taipei right now, we can go to Yuan is Here, where a multi-dish spread of authentic night market fare comes in at under $100 easily. We’re big fans of Ah Yuan’s signature braised pork rice ($42), which you can pair with salt & pepper green beans ($20) and wash down with a honey green tea ($21).
Yuan Is Here, 31 North Street, Kennedy Town | (+852) 3579 2460
In case the name wasn’t enough of a giveaway, this cheap and cheerful spot serves lip-smacking hot and sour noodles. We’re fans of the Yunnan-style Ah Yat’s pork chop hot & sour rice noodles ($41), but the numbingly spicy shredded chicken crystal noodles ($46) are also a crowd favourite. Between the toppings, carbs, and delightfully tangy soup, a bowl of noodles at Ah Yat works out to be a surprisingly filling—and economical—lunch.
Ah Yat Pork Chop Hot & Sour Noodles, Shop C1, G/F, 7–11 Belcher’s Street, Western District | (+852) 2884 1090
Come wintertime, this long-standing claypot rice restaurant draws snaking queues and thousands of Instagram posts, and with good reason—there’s a massive menu of comforting claypot rices, almost all of which come in under $100. The classic lap mei (臘味; preserved meat) & spare rib rice ($88) is a classic choice, but the more adventurous eaters among us may be interested in trying the eel & frog claypot rice ($88), which is also a best-seller.
Sheung Hei, 25 North Street, Kennedy Town | (+852) 2819 6190
No matter how many bowls of ramen or boat noodles we slurp down, fish ball noodles will always rank as one of our favourite comfort meals. The fish balls here are delicately flavoured, bouncy, and thoroughly addictive—which is just as well, since a bowl of fishball noodles will only set you back $30. You can even customise the exact type of noodle you get—we’re partial to the classic ho fun (河粉; flat rice noodle), but you can also choose from rice noodles, vermicelli, thin egg noodles, and thick egg noodles.
Boat Dweller Fish Balls, 135 Belcher’s Street, Kennedy Town | (+852) 2816 7822
This cute little yōshoku (洋食; Japanese-style Western food) restaurant is proof that fresh pasta doesn’t have to come at a premium price. Every single day, Kuru Kuru whips up bowl after bowl of Japanese-style pasta for seriously affordable prices. Try the spaghetti arrabbiata ($65), which is made with San Marzanos (a.k.a. “the king of tomatoes”), or the briney mentaiko cream spaghetti ($59), which comes topped with mentaiko (明太子; pollock roe) and seaweed.
Kuru Kuru Homemade Fresh Pasta, 108 Belcher’s Street, Kennedy Town | (+852) 2784 0138
Annette is an editor and copywriter with a lifetime of experience in hunting out the most interesting, odd, and delightful things about her beloved home city. Having written extensively about everything from food and culture to fashion, music, and hospitality, she considers her speciality to be Hong Kong itself. In her free time, you can find Annette trying out new dumpling recipes or playing Big Two at her favourite local bars with a cocktail in hand.
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