Sham Shui Po is an old neighbourhood with a lot of character. By the early 20th century, this district located in the northwest of the Kowloon Peninsula had already shifted towards industrial and commercial development. Textile, garments, and hardware industries thrived in this area, which led to a gradual increase in population. By the early 1980s, Sham Shui Po had the highest population density in Hong Kong.
With manufacturing having moved north, Sham Shui Po may have lost its former industrial and commercial prominence; but nowadays, as you set foot in this district, you cannot help but to be captivated by its charm and charisma deeply rooted in its historical development. The crowded streets, dense population, and old tenement buildings, together with MICHELIN-recommended eateries tucked away in alleyways, collectively paint an urban landscape that is unique to this neighbourhood. Despite its many dilapidated buildings, Sham Shui Po’s hidden gems make it an alluring place to explore.
Check out our recommendations below and experience Sham Shui Po and Hong Kong culture in the most authentic way.
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Where to Stay
Looking for accommodation near Sham Shui Po? Tsim Sha Tsui, just a few MTR stops away from Sham Shui Po, has several MICHELIN-listed hotels. Located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, The Langham Hong Kong exudes a refined ambience with its British-inspired décor and design. Apart from guest rooms equipped with modern technology and a two-storey fitness centre, the hotel is also home to three-MICHELIN-starred Cantonese restaurant T’ang Court. With signature dishes like Peking duck and baked fresh crabmeat in crab shell, the dining establishment remains extremely popular even 30 years after its opening, so be sure to book in advance.
Along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Rosewood Hong Kong offers breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour. Artworks from around the world are displayed throughout the hotel, marrying contemporary aesthetics with elements of local culture. Guests can join the complimentary “Artistic Journey of Discovery” tour led by Rosewood’s resident art ambassador to explore the hotel’s stunning art collection. The hotel’s one-MICHELIN-star restaurants, The Legacy House and Chaat, offer refined Shunde cuisine and Indian fare respectively, so guests can indulge their taste buds during their luxury hotel stays.
Another MICHELIN-recommended hotel near Sham Shui Po is The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. The highest hotel in the world occupies floors 102 to 118 of its building, and its rooms feature large windows so guests can admire spectacular views of the Hong Kong cityscape and harbour. The hotel also houses the two-MICHELIN-starred Cantonese restaurant Tin Lung Heen and one-MICHELIN-starred Tosca di Angelo, both located on level 102. Diners can savour the restaurants’ exquisite food and beverage offerings, while feasting their eyes on the captivating vistas of Victoria Harbour.
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Another notable accommodation option is the K11 ARTUS serviced apartments, where all room types are equipped with private balconies offering unparalleled harbour views. Cultivating a strong sense of culture, the residence also houses a collection of renowned literary works at The Library and artworks at The Living Salon.
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Where to Eat
Sham Shui Po is home to a treasure trove of hidden culinary gems. If this is your first visit, be sure to make a trip to Lau Sum Kee (Fuk Wing Street), a noodle shop that has been in Sham Shui Po for an impressive 68 years. Awarded a Bib Gourmand, Lau Sum Kee (Fuk Wing Street) is a third-generation family business that still uses Canadian flour, duck eggs, and lye water to handcraft their signature bamboo noodles. Kneaded with a bamboo pole, the dough makes springy and smooth noodles with a rich egg aroma. Other house specialties include their Doumen shrimp roe noodles and house-made wontons. Placed on each table are jars of complimentary house-made pickled radish — sweet, tart, crunchy, and not to be missed. RELATED: Best Wonton Noodles In Hong Kong
In the mood for street food? Tucked in the corner of an alley, Hop Yik Tai offers a variety of traditional Hong Kong-style snacks such as fish balls, pork skin, and radish. However, their most popular item is undoubtedly the silky-smooth rice rolls (cheong fun) which are crafted fresh daily in-store and best are enjoyed with soy sauce, sesame sauce, sweet sauce, chilli sauce, and sesame seeds. Dig in with a plate in hand while standing in the back alley for an authentic experience.
Another Bib Gourmand recipient is Tim Ho Wan (Sham Shui Po), where all their dim sum items are prepared in-house and steamed only upon ordering to ensure exceptional quality. Highlights include their baked buns with barbecue pork, shrimp dumplings, and steamed beef balls. (Right Photo: Tim Ho Wan Limited/Tim Ho Wan Sham Sui Po)
Need to rest your legs after all the walking? Stop by Kung Wo Beancurd Factory for a bowl of velvety tofu pudding that boasts a rich soy aroma. For many years, the shop has been making their tofu, soy milk, and tofu pudding in-house in their workshop at the back of the store. Their tofu pudding recipe has remained unchanged all these years— soy beans are ground into soy milk using an electric stone grinder; the soy milk is then filtered, boiled, stirred, and added with gypsum powder. If you are still hungry, order their pan-fried stuffed tofu and golden fish tofu.
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Other MICHELIN-recommended eateries not to be missed include Man Kee Cart Noodle, known for their large selection of noodle toppings and house-made chilli sauce; Glorious Cuisine, which attracts diners with fresh chicken dishes such as Double-Boiled Chicken Soup with Conpoy and Yunnan Ham; as well as Shum Shum Desserts, which offers classic Hong Kong-style and Taiwanese-style sweet soups.
Where to Shop
Leather Street
Sham Shui Po was once the centre of Hong Kong’s textile industry, and Tai Nan Street was a hub for leather tanneries. Today, there are still leader shops here that have withstood the test of time. With the rise of DIY crafts and the opening of new leather stores, Tai Nan Street has made a comeback as Leather Street and is very popular among hipsters and designers.
Established in 1948, the veteran Luen Cheong Leather supplies locally-made tree bark leather, as well as Italian cowhide and sheepskin, with their entire shop filled with rolls of leather. The Lederer, a subsidiary of Shui Hing Tannery founded in 1985, is also located on Tai Nan Street. In addition to selling leather, they also offer leather tools, classes, and DIY leather craft kits to promote leather-craft culture. Other leather shops include Alri Star Leather and Teepee Leather Workshop.
Toy Street
If you ask for “Toy Street” in Sham Shui Po, everyone would know that you are referring to Fuk Wing Street. The street is lined with over 30 toy shops with all kinds of toys displayed at the shopfronts, adding a burst of colour to the already bustling street. Model kits, boxed games, building blocks — you name it. During Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas, and other special festivals, the entire street is decked out in festive decorations and ripe for celebration.Apliu Street
Step into Apliu Street and you will find yourself surrounded by street stalls and permanent booths selling electronics and camera equipment. There is a wide selection of goods here, and the prices are comparatively cheaper than other places. Plus, Golden Computer Arcade is nearby, making this an especially convenient spot for those looking to buy digital products.Hero image: Shutterstock
This article is written by Mandy Li and translated by Iris Wong. Read the original article here.
