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Originally published by Ngai Yeung. Last updated by Alisa Chau
Sandwiched between Prince Edward, Nam Cheong, Olympic, and Mong Kok all at once is this antiquated gem of a neighbourhood. Though the area may be small compared to its next-door neighbours, don’t underestimate the number of good eats and activities that can be found here. Whether you’re here to appreciate the historical tong lau, go restaurant-hopping, or to let yourself run wild at the famous SuperPark, here’s your guide to all Tai Kok Tsui has to offer.
Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the quiet neighbourhood is Olympian City, the retail hotspot of the region. With nearly 300 shops, the sprawling shopping arcade has every type of brand and restaurant that you could bring to mind. Attached to the Olympic MTR station, the mall is easily accessible and can double as a gateway to more inner parts of Tai Kok Tsui, though be prepared to spend a full day just at this one-stop-shop!
Olympian City, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Mong Kok | (+852) 2740 4108
Who said only kids get to have all the fun? Branded the friendliest all-in-one indoor activity park in the world, the 45,000-square-foot SuperPark in Tai Kok Tsui boasts three themed zones, each with its own smorgasbord of activities for kids—and big kids.
The game arena features competitive sports such as super-bowling and a modernistic I-Wall, while the Adventure Area has a pedal car track, a tube slide, and an indoor zipline. Alternatively, test your skateboarding, trampolining, or even (virtual) skiing skills in the freestyle hall. The carnival of activities that is SuperPark is sure to guarantee fun for all ages.
SuperPark, Shop G03, G/F, One SilverSea, 18 Hoi Fai Road, Kowloon | (+852) 3611 0139
Note: SuperPark may be temporarily closed because of COVID-19. Please check their opening times.
It’s not hard to see why Tai Kok Tsui’s Municipal Services Building is a favourite congregation place for locals. The multi-purpose building contains an impressive array of facilities, from the wet market on the ground floor to the library on the third floor and even a neat indoor pool on the fourth floor.
For the athletically-inclined, the sports centre includes two indoor climbing walls with ten lanes. After the workout, head down to the cooked food centre for some bargain local fare, or head out to explore the many restaurants in the area.
Tai Kok Tsui Municipal Services Building, 63 Fuk Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui | (+852) 2393 1084
Around half of Tai Kok Tsui didn’t exist before as it’s all built on reclaimed land, and without it, there wouldn’t be a breezy promenade in the neighbourhood today. Take a break from the bustle of the city and stroll along the serene promenade for some new views of Kowloon’s landmark International Commerce Centre, with a part of the Victoria Harbour visible in the distance. When you’re tired, relax by the sea or take a nap in one of the small gardens that dot the shore.
Hoi Fai Road Promenade, Hoi Fai Road, Tai Kok Tsui
Lard noodles (豬油渣麵) may not sound the most appetising, but don’t judge until you’ve had some! Locals and nostalgic Hongkongers alike flock to Ying Kee’s for a decadent and filling bowl of the fragrant Lard Noodles (starting from $20). Chewy rectangular noodles are topped with a generous helping of mushrooms, crunchy bits of lard, and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly before being submerged into a bowl of clear pork bone soup. Ying Kee Noodle is so well-known for this signature dish that it doesn’t even have a menu as that’s all customers come for, but don’t fret; the dish is highly customisable with many add-on options.
Ying Kee Noodle, 4 Lime Street, Tai Kok Tsui | (+852) 2390 7397
Despite a sizeable ageing Chinese population, Tai Kok Tsui has its own fair share of Western restaurants and cafés. We recommend the cosy La Vigne, known for its well-rounded menu of risottos, pasta, and seared meats.
Try their signature Pumpkin Risotto with Soft-shell Crab ($106), savouring the contrast of the creamy risotto and the light and crispy soft-shelled crab. If you have time to spare, consider around half an hour for the juicy Spanish Ibérico Pork Chop with Brown Sauce ($178). More adventurous eaters who wish to deviate from the usual menu should try the exclusive Salted Egg Yolk Ice Cream with Popcorn ($76) for a pleasant surprise.
La Vigne, 6 Tsi Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui | (+852) 5744 7216
Meat lovers unite and gather at Das Bier for hearty plates of German fare. Don’t miss out on their glorious German Pork Knuckle with Sauerkraut & Potato Salad ($218), baked to crispy perfection. For sides, be sure to order the classic German Sausage with Sauerkraut & French Fries ($162) to sample a smattering of premium German sausages. If you’re lucky, you may even catch the umami Salted Egg Pork Knuckle ($248) before they run out—only in Hong Kong will you find such a crossover between a German dish and Chinese flavours!
Das Bier, 15 Pok Man Street, Tai Kok Tsui | (+852) 2219 9938
If you’re starving but in a hurry, Chef de Singapore is your place to go. Have a plate of their robust Chef Recommend 8oz Pork Chop with Rice ($60); the set comes with Singaporean curry, and the satisfying crunch of the thick-cut pork chop will not disappoint.
Want something a bit different from your usual fare? Order their Malaysian Bak Kut Teh with Rice ($68); or if the rich, medicinal broth is not to your taste, try the Iced Teh C Peng ($25), a charming concoction made from coconut sugar, evaporated milk, and tea.
Chef de Singapore, 57 Tai Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui | (+852) 3590 3326
Many authentic and traditional Chinese cuisine restaurants in the city are hard to find, including this cheerfully-named Guangdong cuisine restaurant. Before you come, you must order their signature dish, the National Treasure Duck, in advance. The crispy duck is stuffed with different kinds of beans and dried scallop, then slow-cooked for four hours. To go along with the meal, take a sip from a pot of their Almond Pig Lung Soup; the silky, smooth will amaze you. Remember to bring family or friends along to share the large portions!
Joyful Peace Restaurant, 10–12 Li Tak Street, Tai Kok Tsui | (+852) 5199 3895
Craving something sweet? Then you can’t miss on the OG purveyors of cinnamon rolls, Cinnabon. The popular American brand opened its first Hong Kong outpost in Tai Kok Tsui earlier this year and has been doling out piping hot buns ever since. Must-tries include the Classic Rolls (starting from $38) and Bon Bites (starting from $108)—made with trademarked Makara cinnamon from West Sumatra and topped with their signature frosting—in flavours of Classic, Chocobon, and Caramel Pecanbon.
Cinnabon, G06, G/F Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Tai Kok Tsui
Maybe you didn’t expect to find a hip burger place in the middle of the old district. You’d be surprised to find out that Burgerman has since become a minor sort of local icon in the area, in part because it has a little something for everyone.
Ravenous passers-by would delight in the loaded double-decker Trucker Burger ($88), while those with finer tastes may want to try the Crispy Foie Gras Wagyu Burger ($138). Customers can also choose burgers based on beef patties made from the likes of Hidagyu, Wagyu, or Kobe beef, while those with bolder tastes may want to sample the tantalizing Danish Blue Cheese Burger ($68). Don’t pass up the opportunity to chow down on some crispy buns and juicy insides!
Burgerman, Shop C, G/F, 95–97 Ivy Street, Tai Kok Tsui | (+852) 2331 3973
Though it’s not exclusive to Tai Kok Tsui, we just can’t not mention “the world’s cheapest Michelin-star restaurant” when it’s right here in the neighbourhood! Tim Ho Wan’s Tai Kok Tsui branch was awarded its Michelin star in 2015; queues outside the restaurant have since become a daily phenomenon. While you can’t go wrong with any of the dim sum you order here, we would highly recommend the fluffy Puff Pastry Barbeque Pork Buns ($21) with its signature pineapple bun exterior.
Tim Ho Wan, Shop 72, G/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Tai Kok Tsui | (+852) 2332 2896
A little slice of peace in a bustling neighbourhood, this Japanese style eatery and café is a haven for you to catch your breath at. Replete with hipster vibes, a short poem is shone against the wall near the entrance, and books are available for loan while waiting to get seated a table. The bared concrete, First Ferry green, and wooden chairs are strangely reminiscent of a local secondary school assembly hall, complementing the welcoming vibes and light comforting meal sets. For luncheons, you can choose from a combination of tiny plates that include a small main dish, two onigiri, and two side-dishes ($78). A range of hand pour coffees are also available, though the fragrant orange dark chocolate coffee ($58) and white chocolate coffee ($48) are special flavours worth trying. The item that deserves to be raved about, however, is definitely their matcha roll ($48) which is generously filled with a dense slab of mouth-watering green-tea cream.
Café Wander, G/F, 8 Anchor Street | (+852) 5445 6004
A place that’s a real bang for your buck, My Meat Run Buddy serves buffet-style vegetarian food for as low as $68 per head during lunchtime! Serving a variety of classic Chinese dishes like Szechuan chilli mock chicken and vegetable spring rolls, grab a plate and load up on some hearty and affordable plant-based deliciousness. Vegetarian recreations of traditional Chinese festival food—such as poon choi (盆菜, a festive meal of many auspicious ingredients served in a wooden bucket-like basin) —are also on offer for takeaway during holidays, giving many more people a chance to dig into their red-letter day favourites. Be warned, however, that there is a dining time limit during lunches of 60 minutes on weekdays, and 90 minutes on weekends and public holidays. Prices also differ for dinnertime, which is $125 for adults and $95 for children from Mondays to Thursdays, but $150 for adults and $120 for children for the rest of the week and on the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month (the latter due to a Buddhist tradition).
My Meat Run Buddy, G/F, 28-30 Pok Man Street | (+852) 2388 6280
Ngai was born and raised in Hong Kong and is currently studying at university in the United States. You can find her wandering around the city, experimenting with egg recipes and nerding out about the news.
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