Here, we put together a guide of where to go for claypot rice in Hong Kong.
15 Temple Street
Yau Ma Tei Kowloon Hong Kong
It might look a bit intimidating at first, with its tentages and massive space that spans a few shopfronts. But brave the crowds and you’ll be rewarded with a delicious bowl of piping hot claypot rice. Here, there are options that range from classic to innovative (think claypot rice with spicy chicken tip that cater to adventurous palates). Our pick is a traditional bowl of chicken claypot rice, speckled with plump slices of Chinese sausage and coated in a dark sauce.
Four Seasons
46 Arthur Street
Yau Ma Tei Kowloon Hong Kong
Just a couple minutes away from Hing Kee, Four Seasons is one of those rare places where everything about their claypot rice is still done from scratch. The dish is cooked over a charcoal-fuelled flame, and slowly coaxed into yielding its rich, bold flavours. Our pick: The eel and pork ribs claypot rice, an interesting combination that doesn’t detract from the fluffiness of the rice.
Kwan Kee
263 Queen's Road West
Sai Ying Pun
Reservations are a must at this original branch of Kwan Kee. The claypot rice here is made upon order, so expect a half hour long wait for your bowl. There are over 25 different types of claypot rice to choose from here, with the option to personalise your own dish by adding Chinese sausages or salted fish. Make sure you get to the end for the best part of this dish — the crispy bits of rice stuck to the bottom of the claypot.
Wing Hop Sing
360 Des Voeux Road West
Sai Ying Pun
You might have seen pictures of this dish on Instagram, but if you haven’t, here’s the one must-order when you visit this restaurant — Claypot Rice With Beef and Egg. The raw yolk atop a bed of dark, saucy beef and fluffy rice makes for a hearty picture, and it tastes as good as it looks. Mix in the raw egg with the beef and rice before digging in.
Seung Hei
G/F, 25 North Street
Sai Wan, Kennedy Town
Opened by a chef who used to work at Kwan Kee (see above), this claypot rice joint is frequented by families living in the area. You’ll recognise similar dishes to Kwan Kee’s, and our pick is the eel and field chicken claypot rice. Mix it all up for a bowl of oozing tastiness. Bonus: Seung Hei claims to not use MSG in any of their dishes here.
