Wilson Mak takes a number and waits a whopping three hours to get a table at the world’s cheapest star-restaurant.
By Wilson Mak
Craving for a one Michelin-starred quality dim sum with affordable price? With the price as low as 10HK$ or 1.28US$ per dish and as high as 20HK$ or 2.57US$, Tim Ho Wan sure attracts not only the locals but food lovers from all over the globe. Since they got their first one Michelin star back in 2010, this small 20-seats restaurant soon became notoriously known for it’s long lineup.
The chef behind Tim Ho Wan is Mak Pui Gor, a former dim sum chef at Lung King Heen ( Four Seasons Hotel ) – a three Michelin-starred restaurant in Hong Kong. It was during the economic crisis Chef Mak decided to open his own dim sum restaurant so that the locals could enjoy a high quality dim sum with bargain prices. 
Steamed spareribs with black bean sauce
For my recent visit to Tim Ho Wan, me and my friend had to wait for 3 hours to get in. The good thing about the wait was that we didn’t need to wait outside the restaurant under the glaring heat. The maitre’d told us if we return to the restaurant and our number has been called and passed, our number will be put back to the top of the waiting list. The reason behind this is they don’t want to create a large lineup which could disturb the businesses next doors.
 |
 |
 |
| Steamed shrimp dumpling | Steamed pork dumpling w. shrimp | Steamed egg dumpling filled w. shrimp and pinenuts |
 |
 |
 |
| Pan-fried turnip cake | Steamed rice with beef and pan-fried egg | Congee with lean pork and preserved egg |
 |
 |
 |
| Vermicelli roll stuffed with BBQ Pork | Chilled sago cream with coconut | Osmanthus flower jelly with wolfberries |
So, was it really worth my 3-hour wait ? I would say yes.
Tips:
1. If you plan to visit Tim Ho Wan, I suggest you come at 10am to pick up your number and come back around lunch time.
2. Tim Ho Wan now have a new branch at Sham Shui Po and you can make reservation at this new location. However, they only take reservation from Monday to Friday only and you have to walk-in and lineup during weekend.
3. If you come in a big group ( 4 and up ), it will take longer for them to get a table for you.
Tim Ho Wan
2-8 Kwong Wah St
Mong Kok, Hong Kong
I doubt i will ever get to Hong Kong but thank you for taking us along with you even if it is on virtually.
The food looks incredible and those prices are amazing.
Bookmarking this for my trip to HK in August! Thanks for the recommendation and tips.
This sounds almost too good to be true- thanks for the tip, there’s so many good HK eats it’s nice to pluck out a few solid recs. Will definitely check this out on my next HK trip!