The Best Places to Eat in Hong Kong according to Michelin Star Chef Vicky Cheng

When he is not in the kitchen cooking his luxe take on Chinese-accented French cuisine, Vicky Cheng is often seen prowling Hong Kong markets for local edible treasures - as seen at his Instagram handle: @chefvickycheng.

Raised in Canada, Cheng trained with Daniel Boulud in New York before he decided to return to Hong Kong in 2011, where he was executive chef of three restaurants for the Liberty Group.

At his one Michelin-starred restaurant, VEA, perched on the eighth floor of The Wellington in Central, Hong Kong, Cheng serves up his French-anchored gastronomic tasting menu that pays tribute to his Asian heritage.

In this story, we ask Cheng, to offer up his tips and insights on where to eat in Hong Kong.

Breakfast

Trusty congee king

I really enjoy the congee here, I usually order the pork liver with scallop. I love innards, and their pork liver is really good. My 3-years-old daughter really loves their Chinese fried dough, as well.

Trusty congee king
7 Heard St, Wan Chai
Website

Bakehouse

This is one of the best bakeries in Hong Kong, there’s always a line up, really crunchy and delicious croissants, I particularly enjoy their cheese danish, their ham and cheese croissants, and sourdough egg tarts.

Bakehouse
14 Tai Wong St E, Wan Chai
Website

Shanghai Hong Kong Noodle Shop

Growing up in a Shanghainese family, every time I come here, I think of my grandmother. The sticky rice roll stuffed with fried dough, preserved veg and pork floss, tastes just like how my grandmother would make it. The savoury hot soy milk with vinegar is a traditional soup I always order. Similar process to making ricotta cheese, you can see the separation of the soy milk.

Shangai Hong Kong Noodle Shop
29 Jardines Bazaar, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Lunch

Samdor Noodle

This is a small restaurant in Central, always packed, so try to avoid peak lunch hours. This is my favourite place for noodles. I always order the same bowl of noodles with goose intestine and pork liver. And a side of fried fish balls with fermented clams. But everything is really good here, including there jumbo size wonton, and fresh black beef tripe.

Samdor Noodle
30 Pottinger Street,Centrall, Hong Kong

Yat Lok Restaurant (Roast Goose)

This already famous restaurant needs no introduction. But what I particularly like about their goose is the spices they use inside the carcass of the goose. So whenever I go there, instead of ordering the goose leg (which everyone orders) I always order the goose back, for me its the most delicious.

Yat Lok Restaurant (Roast Goose)
GF, 28 Stanley Street Central, Hong Kong

Ap lei chau cooked food market

I often bring friends and chefs here. As its where most seafood in Hong Kong gets distributed. So the best seafood is always available here. You can pick any seafood from the market (often I come and buy for the restaurant) and bring upstairs to the cooked food stalls, and have them cooked it the way you want it. You can come here alone, but its better to come with more people, and maybe with someone local (chef), to really take advantage.

Ap lei chau cooked food market
8 Hung Shing Street, Ap Lei Chau
Website

Dinner

Xin rong ji

The brands first branch outside of China, famous for its seafood. But it happens that they do one of the best (if not the best) peking ducks in Hong Kong. I always like to bring friends, chefs, and guest here. Their flavours are always spot on. Order their braised sweet potato noodles with sea anemone, silver pomfret with rice cake, squid sausage, fried pigeon, even their most humble vegetable dishes like braised radish and sweet potatoes are so delicious here.

Xin rong ji
GF, China Overseas Building, 138 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Website

Caprice

Recently awarded the 3rd Michelin star. Modern French cuisine with the slightest South East Asian touches once in a while. Had an incredible dish of Langoustine with mango recently. Their beautiful dining room with a stunning kitchen set right in the middle. Really top quality ingredients, top wine list, a wonderful place for special celebrations. Don’t forget to order their cheeses.

Caprice
8 Finance St, Central
Website

Megan’s kitchen

Hot pot is one of my comfort foods, and this is one of the best. Their different types of house-made meatballs and dumplings are very special here. There are many types of premium beef you can order here, but I always get there beef from Hong Kong, specifically the back of the neck. ordering a fresh fish from the tank is also a good treat, after, they will make a delicious congee with the bones.

Megan's kitchen
5/F Lucky Centre 165-171 Wanchai Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Website

Belon

The finest "simple" food you can find here in Hong Kong. My family and I love to come here together because it’s food that you don’t mind eating over and over again. Expect roast chicken, oysters, terrines and sandwiches, may sound simple, but they are really not! And absolutely delicious.

Belon
No.41 Elgin Street, SoHo, Hong Kong, China
Website

Late night

Yuet Wah Wui Seafood Restaurant

I often bring my team or guest chef here as it opens really late. A great seafood restaurant. Order their salt and pepper tofu, white pepper clam soup, steamed scallop with vermicelli and garlic, chilli crab. With local beer is perfect! You can order from their fish tank, they always have a big selection of live seafood.

Yuet Wah Wui Seafood Restaurant
2/F-3/F, Chung Wai Comm Building, 447-449 Loackhart Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Kozy - okonomiYaki Restaurant

Opens till 4 in the morning. I often bump into (Japanese) chefs here when I come. Really delicious and consistent okonomi-yaki. As the chef is always cooking most things himself. I always get their giant prawns, Waygu beef fried noodle omelette dishes are always delicious.

Kozy-okonomiYaki Restaurant
Circle Plaza, 9th Floor, 499 Hennessy Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong