13 affordable lunch spots in Sheung Wan

Photo credit: @taku_sw (via Instagram)

This newly opened Japanese restaurant does have seating, but considering how limited it is, we recommend grabbing one of their refined lunch boxes to go if you happen to live or work nearby. For something fresh, we like the negi toro rice box ($75) which comes topped with diced raw tuna belly and spring onion, or one of the excellent mixed sushi boxes (starting from $88). If you’re in the mood for something hot, try the grilled chicken or unagi rice box (starting from $85).

Taku, 36 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 5104 7178

Photo credit: La Rotisserie

This little takeaway has drawn in local office workers for years with the irresistible scent of roast chicken—seriously, you can just follow your nose along Hillier Street instead of looking up the shop number—and turned them into regulars thanks to the affordable lunch sets. For $88, the best-selling set classic comes with a quarter of roasted chicken, a side dish, and either soup or iced tea; throw in an extra $10 and you can swap the chook for roast duck. Sharing with friends? Opt for the half or whole birds (starting from $148), which come with two or four side dishes respectively. For an easy, filling lunch on the go, the roast chicken sandwich ($62) is an excellent choice.

La Rotisserie, 33 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 9791 9045

Photo credit: 啫喱糕 (via OpenRice)

While we love Japanese food, the range in quality can be pretty vast, especially if you’re working within a limited budget and time-frame. But you don’t have to necessarily shell out the big bucks for a high-quality donburi (rice bowl) or sushi platter—just look at Sushi Masa. The daily lunch specials at this lovely little restaurant start from $128 and comprise delicious sets like grilled miso cod ($175) and tempura donburi and soba noodles ($158), which come with miso soup, salad, and chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し; steamed egg custard). Dining with a friend? Try the deluxe sashimi rice bowl set for two ($260).

Sushi Masa, 105 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2886 9009

Photo credit: Electric Ave (via Facebook)

Though Sai Ying Pun burger joint Electric Ave is due to close its doors soon, the team’s spin-off concept, Smashed, is still going strong. The focus at this little takeaway shop is smashed burgers—a.k.a. burgers with patties that have been smashed down on the grill to get a deliciously crispy, browned crust while retaining a juicy centre. Besides the classic American burger (starts from $58) with the usual toppings of lettuce, pickle, tomato, and red onion, there’s also the Hangry Bird ($68) burger, featuring a deep-fried chicken schnitzel, spicy mayo, shredded lettuce, maple syrup pickled onions, and hot sauce. Don’t forget to leave space for Electric Ave’s famous rosemary fries ($35)!

Smashed, Shop 1A, G/F, 31 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 5919 1560

The menu at this underrated neighbourhood spot is a mix of Sichuan and Shanghainese—meaning you can enjoy Chongqing spicy and sour tapioca noodles in soup ($48) and steamed or fried Shanghainese buns (mántóu; $28) in the same meal, which is a win-win in our books. If you can take the heat, the chicken in spicy sesame sauce ($52) is a favourite for its fragrant (and extremely fiery) sauce.

Mrs Vinegar, G/F, Wing Hing Commercial Building, 139 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2470 9070

Photo credit: @myyleung (via OpenRice)

For a quintessential Hong Kong meal, head to this no-frills siu mei (燒味; Cantonese roast meat) joint on Bonham Strand. For a taste of pure comfort, go for the classic combo of barbecued pork & suckling pig ($53) on rice, or try the roast duck rice ($60); don’t forget to ask for a pot of ginger and scallion sauce (薑蓉; geung¹ yung⁴) to drizzle over the barbecued meat. You can get about $10 knocked off if you order your food to go, but remember to bring your own container as typical rice boxes (飯盒; faan⁶ hap²) come in styrofoam packaging with single-use plastic bags and cutlery.

Dragon State Kitchen, 38 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2342 3189

Photo credit: @byfoodie (via OpenRice)

This beloved yum cha spot doesn’t have a massive range of dim sum, but the ones that are available are done well. Our go-to choices are the crab roe siu mai ($29), glutinous rice balls with shrimp and pork stuffing ($20), pan-fried turnip cake ($20), and the spring rolls wrapped in rice rolls ($26).

Dim sum is obviously a meal best enjoyed in a group, so bring your colleagues or friends, and you can also split a chicken and mushroom steamed rice pot ($32). Seating is pretty tight, and diners are expected to share tables with strangers, but we think it just lends to the authenticity of a dim sum experience.

Dim Sum Square Kitchen, LG/F, Tern Center Tower 2, 78 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 3521 0868

Much loved by both locals and expats in the know, Ma Sa is so famous that it’s even been featured in Stephen Chow’s classic film God of Cookery. Their absolute must-try dish is the triple egg char siu rice ($35), which has people flocking to Sheung Wan for lunch from all across Hong Kong.

Make sure you arrive early to beat the crowds because they will often run out of char siu during lunchtime, in which case you’ll have to swap to luncheon meat or ham—still tasty as heck, but not the classic after all. There’s something so satisfying about popping the egg yolks and letting it run over the soy sauce-drenched rice, then digging in with the perfectly half-fatty char siu. If you’re wary of the protein overload, rest assured that Ma Sa has an extensive menu full of other traditional Hong Kong eats. This really is local no-frills fare at its very best.

Ma Sa Restaurant, G/F, 23 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2545 9026