Hong Kong: Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum(添好运点心专卖店)

Maureen
Maureen
August 21, 2011
Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum @ Mongkok, Hong Kong
Tim Ho Wan @ Mongkok

 

Tim Ho Wan, which means “Add Good Luck”, was started by chef Mak Pui Gor, who used to work at the Four Seasons Hotel in their three starred restaurant. He branched out on his own to serve his exquisite dim sum at bargain prices. In 2010, Tim Ho Wan was awarded a Michelin Star.
 
Chef Mak came to Singapore not long ago and I had the chance to try his dim sum dishes at Feng Shui Inn, Resort World Sentosa. Then I told myself, I would definitely make a visit to his dim sum restaurant when I visit Hong Kong. And here I am!
 
If there is one thing you must try in Hong Kong, it will definitely be Tim Ho Wan. But if you want to eat here, be prepared to take a number and stand in line for a very long time.
 
We were actually planning to wake up at 6am to queue at Tim Ho Wan main. Thankfully, we were smart enough to call the restaurant the day before and realized they were only opened at 10am. By the time we reached there, it was already very crowded. The receptionist told us to wait for 2 hours. Alternatively, we can take a taxi to their new branch at Sham Shui Po. We took the second option.

 

Photos taken with Sony NEX 5 and Canon 450D.
Tim Ho Wan: Crispy Char Siew Bun
Crispy Char Siew Bun(酥皮焗叉燒包,HKD 14 for 3) is Tim Ho Wan’s specialty. It can sell up to 750pcs per day. The sweet crust, pillowy soft bun with a savoury char sew filling is definitely “worth dying for”!

 

Tim Ho Wan: Siew Mai
The prawns used for Siew Mai(鲜虾烧卖皇,HKD 20)is succulent and crunchy.

 

Tim Ho Wan: Har Gao (prawn dumplings)
In Singapore, the Har Gao (prawn dumplings) we tasted has only one shrimp in each. But here, their Har Gao(晶莹鲜虾饺,HKD 20)has 3 fresh shrimps wrapped in each. Mind you, not one, not two, but THREE succulent and fat prawns.

 

Tim Ho Wan: Fried Savoury Fritters
I love the crispy and chewy glutinous skin of Fried Savoury Fritters(家乡咸水角,HKD 12). The delicious mushroom and pork filling gives it an extra oomph!

 

Tim Ho Wan: rice rolls
Tim Ho Wan offers four different varieties of rice rolls (HKD 15 each) — BBQ pork, shrimp, beef, and the pig liver. Their vermicelli roll is made on the spot, hence it is very soft and packed full of flavour. Swished around in soy sauce gave it that kick that made this dish a winner.

 

Tim Ho Wan: Pan Fried Turnip Cake
Pan Fried Turnip Cake(腊味萝卜糕,HKD 10)was tasty but too soft for my liking. I would prefer less water in it, or the solid turnip cubes would be drowned.

 

Tim Ho Wan: Steamed Chiu Chow dumplings
Steamed Chiu Chow dumplings(潮州蒸粉果,HKD 10)is filled with chopped peanuts, garlic chives, ground pork, dried shrimp, dried radish and shiitake mushrooms, very crunchy!

 

Tim Ho Wan: Steamed Beef Balls with beancurd skin
The Steamed Beef Balls with beancurd skin(陈皮蒸牛肉球,HKD 12)were very memorable, too. I can actually smell the orange zest and herbs coming through the bamboo slats. The beef is very tender, succulent, bouncy and soft.

 

Tim Ho Wan: Fried prawn dumpling
Fried prawn dumpling(鮮蝦腐皮卷,HKD 19), a perfect blend of shrimp and crispy beancurd skin. Where’s my mayonnaise?

 

Tim Ho Wan: Glutinuous Rice with Chicken
It was a killer to order Glutinuous Rice with Chicken(古法糯米鸡,HKD 20). The portion is so generous that the four of us struggled to finish it. If we didn’t order this, we would have tried more of other dim sum.

 

Tim Ho Wan: Chicken Feet in Black Bean Sauce
Chicken Feet in Black Bean Sauce(豉汁蒸凤爪,HKD 14)was soft and slightly saggy, the chicken feet was well braised.

 

Tim Ho Wan @ Sham Shui Po
Tim Ho Wan @ Sham Shui Po

 

This is probably the most hyped restaurant in Hong Kong. My suggestion to you is, don’t waste time to queue for hours at their main outlet (which only has 20 seats). Go straight to their branch, it has a seating capacity of 80. I think the quality difference in both is minimal.
 
 

Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum(添好运点心专卖店)

Main: Flat 8, G/F Phase 2, Tsui Yuen Mansion, 2-20 Kwong Wa Street, Mongkok
Tel: 2332 2896
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
 
Branch: G/F, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po
Tel:2788 1226
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm