Sham Shui Po wasn’t always considered a cool spot to hang out at — until recently. As one of Hong Kong’s up-and-coming neighborhoods, the old district is now recognized for its abundance of delicious eats, which includes Michelin-starred dim sum, as well as its fascinating history. It’s also home to lots of hip new cafes and an art scene, bringing in creatives from all over. Here are our picks for things to see, eat and drink in the area.
Crowd Favorites
Apliu Street Flea Market
The grungy flea market at Sham Shui Po is a busy yet functional spot for cheap goods. Stroll along this bustling street to find anything electronic and digital in an open-air setting. It gets very hot in the summer though, so try to visit when the sun isn’t blaring, unless you can take it.
121 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po.
Eat here
YEARS
Stop by Japanese vegetarian restaurant YEARS for a range of modern sharing dishes in a chic setting. The eatery serves unique dishes like tom yum risotto and kimchi spaghetti, while the coffee scene is also noteworthy.
Shop 1, Fuk Lung Building, 191-199 Fuk Wa Street, Sham Shui Po, 6338-3719. Open every day 12:00pm to 10:00pm.
1968 Bistro
For Western dishes and pizza delights, head to 1968 Bistro for heftier portions ideal for hungry bellies during lunch hour or for evening dinners. The restaurant is perched on Yu Chau Street – AKA bead street – so you can browse the area before or after your meal to get a deeper glimpse into Sham Shui Po’s textile history.
200 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, 2728-7338. Open every day 11:00am to 10:00pm.
Tim Ho Wan
You’ve probably heard of Tim Ho Wan already – unless you live under a rock. The Michelin-starred dim sum joint features outposts all across Hong Kong, but its second opening sits here in Sham Shui Po, along with the accolade. Some items rotate every few months but the staples are always there so be sure to check it out to understand what the hype is about.
9-11 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, 2788-1226. Open every day, times vary.
Lau Sum Kee Noodle
Bib Gourmand-recommended Lau Sum Kee Noodle opened in 1956 and continues to draw in customers from everywhere. The third-generation-run eatery is famous for its delicious tossed noodles and dry shrimp roe. Venture around the corner to find the flagship branch too.
48 Kweilin Street, Un Chau, 2386-3533. Open every day 11:30am to 9:30pm.
Drink here
Café Sausalito
Specialty coffee shop Café Sausalito is a pretty place from which to get your caffeine fix. This bolthole gem keeps its menu simple, focusing on its signature coffee beans, which can also be purchased to take home.
201 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, 3689-3292. Open every day 9:00am to 6:00pm.
openground
Spanning over two floors, Overground is a café, bookstore and atelier. The creative-driven space is popular among artists and creators, with frequent collaborations taking place.
198 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, 3974-5098. Open Tuesday to Sunday 12:00pm to 7:00pm.
Do this
Go DIY shopping
Shop around Sham Shui Po to explore its once-thriving textile scene. While the district may not be as popular for its textiles as it once was, it remains a core part of its history and local creatives continue to flock here to buy leather goods, beads and fabrics. Go to Nam Cheong Street for lace and ribbons, Ki Lung Street for buttons and Yu Chau Street for beads. For leather goods, head to Tai Nan Street.
Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre
Jockey Club’s multi-disciplinary arts center is housed in a converted nine-storey factory estate. The arts-driven organization aims to promote local works, from painting and photography to glass art.
30 Pak Tin Street, Shek Kip Mei, 2353-1311. Open every day 10:00am to 10:00pm.
Around the Block…
Only a few stops away by MTR, Tsuen Wan is a modern metropolis for, well, everything. The district is home to an abundance of humongous shopping malls, places to eat and cool party rooms. After a day out in Sham Shui Po, head to this well-loved stop to continue the adventure from Kowloon to the New Territories.
Read our Tsuen Wan neighborhood guide
Getting here
