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Thin or thick, long or short, knotted or loosely wrapped—the traditional churro comes in many shapes and forms, all of them delightful. This fried-dough pastry, native to Spain and Portugal, is commonly eaten for breakfast and dipped in hot chocolate, dulce de leche, or even café con leche, but these days, Spanish restaurants around the world have also opted to include churros on their dessert menus, often with a side of cooling ice cream.
While the true origins of churros are unclear—one story suggests that they were brought to Europe from China by the Portuguese, and another suggests that the churro was created by Spanish shepherds to substitute for fresh baked goods and keep them sated on long mountainous treks—it can be agreed on that they are an alluring snack that’s difficult to put down. If you are under the impression that you can’t get a good churro in Hong Kong, we’re here to prove you wrong. Let’s take a look at which restaurants around Hong Kong offer this sweet, sweet treat.
This might not be an obvious one, but it’s a good one nonetheless. Tai Wo Tang, a nostalgic café in the heart of Kowloon City, presents a menu filled with fun, modern updates to local favourites and Western classics alike. Converted from an old traditional Chinese medicine shop that spanned three generations of physicians, the historic family business now slings coffee instead of bitter herbal brews, but much of the original décor was retained and repurposed for a retro vibe.
Nestle yourself between rusted metal shutters and a medicinal cabinet that is almost a century old and dig into Tai Wo Tang’s sugar-dusted Happy Churros ($78), served with a pot of warm hot chocolate and Ovaltine ice cream. Deep-fried, crunchy ridges give way to soft, doughy interiors, and the sugar-coated crust creates a trifecta of perfection with the malty and bitter flavours of the chocolate and Ovaltine sides.
Tai Wo Tang, G/F, 24 Nga Tsin Long Road, Kowloon City | (+852) 2623 2006
Espuma, in our opinion, does a little bit of everything: It offers modern Asian-Spanish fusion cuisine and delicious roasted coffees done the Barcelona way, all in modern European interiors designed to encourage a sense of comfort and home. It’s no wonder then that we find their deep-fried Churros the most comforting part of their menu, served with a miniature cup of chocolate sauce and a whole lot of love. Shaped in a long oval, with the ends so neatly tucked together that they look like large throwing hoops, it’s hard to deny these sugary treats.
Neighbourhood tapas bar La Paloma dishes up some of the most mouthwatering paellas around, and together with its warm hospitality and vibrant atmosphere, it’s one of our favourite places to hit up for a weekend brunch session. When it comes to dessert, well, you already know what we’re going for. Generously doused in a dry mix of sugar and cinnamon, their winning Churros ($70) are fried until crispy and served with a side of ice cream and warm chocolate sauce. The team at La Paloma recommends it both “for breakfast or for dessert after some tapas”—but we personally would recommend it for all hours and meals of the day, wink wink.
La Paloma, 1/F, Soho 189, 189 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun | (+852) 2291 6161
Don’t knock 65 Peel as a one-trick pony with its neon-lit vibes, eccentric murals, and Hong Kong-inspired cocktails—their small bites and shared plates pack a delicious punch, too. Keeping with its concept, 65 Peel does a Cantonese spin on its Churros ($98), creating a localised blend of Spanish sweetness and Hong Kong flavours with peanut chocolate sauce and a caramelised condensed milk that is impossible to say no to. Why not nosh on the perfect afternoon or late-night snack and wash it all down with a local brew, freshly pulled from the tap?
65 Peel, G/F, 65–65A Peel Street, Soho, Central | (+852) 2342 2224
Helmed by chef Esdras Ochoa, the acclaimed “Taco King” of Los Angeles, 11 Westside brings a taste of phenomenal Mexicali tacos to the urban jungle of Hong Kong. Aside from its popular tableside guacamole, handmade corn tortillas and tacos, and authentic salsas, 11 Westside also dishes up remarkable desserts. Among them, the Churros III Ways ($88) is especially noteworthy, a sweet treat that is drizzled in thick globs of caramel and served on a bed of popcorn and vanilla ice cream.
11 Westside, 1/F, The Hudson, 11 Davis Street, Kennedy Town
With 10 successful years under its belt—it’s their tenth anniversary this year!—FoFo by el Willy came to our shores following chef Willy Trullas Moreno’s popularity in Shanghai. As a contemporary Spanish restaurant serving up masterful takes on dishes such as Ibérico ham, scallop ceviche, Galician octopus, Spanish red prawns, and more, it would almost be criminal not to feature the traditional finisher of sugary churros. FoFo’s Churros ($88) come tightly stacked in a ramekin with sides of warm chocolate and vanilla ice cream, best enjoyed on the restaurant’s open terrace with gorgeous views of Hong Kong’s skyline.
FoFo by el Willy, 20/F, M88, 2–8 Wellington Street, Central | (+852)
You may know Cassio more intimately for its eclectic lounge and bar that comes alive at night but among their superb cocktails and quality Spanish tapas, you can find delicious, delicious desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth. After a filling meal of classic dishes from land and sea, park yourself in Cassio’s lush alfresco terrace and indulge in their Churros ($68) with hot chocolate sauce, crumble, and a dollop of their homemade ice cream!
Cassio, 2/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central | (+852) 3792 0129
Born out of a simple desire to combine all kinds of beach-worthy cuisines under one convenient roof, Limewood is the only spot in Hong Kong where you’ll be able to tuck into an array of family-friendly dishes influenced by an eclectic mix of Southeast Asian, Hawaiian, South American, and Caribbean recipes, complemented by creative, invigorating cocktails. Fortunately for us, we’re making a beeline to this beachside eatery for their irresistible Hand-piped Churros ($105), served with a scoop of refreshing coconut ice cream and salted caramel sauce, coconut sauce, or chocolate honeycomb sauce. What better way to spend a lazy Sunday than with a Yuzu Cooler ($110) in one hand and a churro in the other?
Limewood, Shop 103 & 104, G/F, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay | (+852) 2866 8668
If the churro options on Hong Kong Island aren’t doing it for you, hop on over to Lai Chi Kok and bask in the warm glow of Rustico’s charming and homely Mediterranean-style cottage. A comfortable mix between a tapas restaurant and wine bar, Rustico specialises in traditional Catalan favourites with a modern twist, courtesy of head chef Carlos Salvador Asenio. Rustico’s Spanish Churro ($65) is one of the more affordable and decadent options around town, presented with a side of vanilla ice cream and chocolate mousse in a cute wire basket. Worth the trip!
Rustico, Shop G01, G/F, D2 Place One, 9 Cheung Yee Street, Lai Chi Kok | (+852) 2743 4511
Last but not least, let’s not forget the OG Spanish restaurant in Hong Kong: Olé. Opened in 1998, this stalwart has withstood the test of time to peddle authentic Spanish fare among lemon-yellow walls, glazed terracotta tiles, and decorative potteries. It should come as no surprise then that the Spanish Churros with Hot Chocolate ($80) is one of their most beloved dishes, a perfect combination of bitter and sweet to round off your lively Mediterranean meal.
Olé Spanish Restaurant, 1/F, Shun Ho Tower, 24–30 Ice House Street, Central | (+852) 2537 8856
Born in Hong Kong, raised in Germany, and educated in the U.S., Jen is an award-winning creative with a background in illustration, communication design, art direction, and content creation. When she’s not getting lost in a good book, you’ll find her doing crosswords, eating dim sum, covering both sides of a Disney duet, and taking naps.
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