A foodie's guide to the best authentic Cantonese cuisine in Hong Kong

If you're a foodie looking for the real deal on Cantonese food in Hong Kong, keep reading.

A foodie's guide to the best authentic Cantonese cuisine in Hong Kong
Source: Pexels/Mikhail Nilov

Hong Kong just isn't itself without its Cantonese cuisine. But, narrowing down the best authentic Cantonese food in the city might still be a challenge. So, we’ve curated a list of high-end Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong that have won the hearts of locals. These spots offer iconic Cantonese dishes you would usually find in street-side stalls, such as rice rolls and roasted meats – but they also bring a contemporary twist that makes them stand out. So, if you're a foodie looking for the real deal when it comes to Cantonese food in Hong Kong, keep reading. 

Chinesology

Chinesology takes a journey to the past with its Dim Sum Spring brunch. Chef Saito Chau revives a nostalgic Cantonese-inspired menu, offering a free-flow dim sum selection with 11 creations, including Quail Egg, Har Gow and Handmade Rice Rolls. But that’s not all. They also feature main dishes such as Free-Range Chicken with Wild Mushroom, Lotus Root and Chives, and Wild-caught Mattled Spinefoot with a 15-year-old Congee. On weekends, you can enjoy a special edition of Egg Yolk Corn Starch Pudding, a staple popular in the 50s.

Quick facts 

  • Where – Shop 3101-3107, Level 3, IFC Mall, 1 Harbour View Street, Central
  • When – Monday to Sunday, noon - 3 p.m. and 5 - 10 p.m.
  • Price – $$$
  • Phone – +852 6809 2299
  • Menu
  • Website

Ying Jee Club

Located in the Nexxus Building, Ying Jee Club takes classic Cantonese dishes and adds a contemporary twist. This high-end restaurant is a favorite choice for family dinners and corporate events, seating 104 guests and with four private rooms available. Ideal for gatherings, Ying Jee Club offers a unique selection of Cantonese dim sum, including Shark’s Fin Dumpling with Dried Seafood in Bouillon and Rice Flour Rolls with Barbecue Pork. The chef also recommends signature dishes such as Braised Crab Claw with Pomelo Peel in Abalone Sauce, Pan-fried Toothfish with Yuzu and Honey-Glazed Barbecued Pork.

Quick facts 

  • Where – Shop G05, 107-108, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road, Central
  • When – Monday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 6 - 11 p.m.
  • Price – $$$
  • Phone – +852 2801 6882
  • Menu
  • Website

The Chairman

At The Chairman, authenticity is at the heart of every dish. They meticulously prepare Cantonese cuisine using the most traditional methods. Experience the unique flavors of their 10-year-aged lemon in the Razor Clams Steamed, or savor the Smoked Baby Pigeon with Longjing Tea and Chrysanthemum. For a classic choice, opt for The Chairman Soy Sauce Chicken, where the herbs used are more expensive than the chicken itself. Conscious of their environmental impact, The Chairman doesn't offer dishes that include shark fins, sea cucumbers or bird’s nests. 

Quick facts 

  • Where – 3rd Floor, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central
  • When – Monday to Sunday, noon - 3 p.m. and 6 - 11 p.m.
  • Price – $$$
  • Phone – +852 5501 5102
  • Menu
  • Website

Ho Lee Fook 

After honing her culinary skills abroad, Chef ArChan Chan returned to her city to bring a fresh touch to her favorite Cantonese dishes. And the Michelin Guide has noticed. From the mahjong tiles, red interior and pop art to the 80s Canto-pop playing in the background, this spot is a tasty trip down memory lane. Try the Ho Lee Fook Roast Meat Platter for a bit of everything. Other standouts include the Wok-Fried Wagyu Short Rib, Smoked Crispy Skin Three Yellow Chicken or the Ho Lee Duck, which is marinated for three days. For drinks, they offer a variety of cocktails, such as the Gin and Spice, Rock and Rye, Mahjong Marg and El-gin Street. For something simpler, opt for their selection of Chinese red and white wines.

Quick facts 

  • Where – 3-5 Elgin Street, SoHo, Central
  • When – Sunday to Wednesday, 6 - 10 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday, 6 - 11 p.m.
  • Price – $$$
  • Phone – +852 2810 0860
  • Menu
  • Website

Lei Garden

Opened in 1973, Lei Garden has built a reputation among locals for its luxurious dining experience. Renowned for their excellence and sophistication, their dishes have won numerous awards and accolades. Signature dishes include Steamed Lobster with Egg White, Sauteed Lobster Body with Scallion, Braised Fish Maw, Stir-fried Shark’s Fin with Crab Meat and Braised Bird’s Nest with Crab Meat and Minced Chicken.

Quick facts 

  • Where – B2, Houston Centre, 63 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
  • When – Monday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 5:30 - 10 p.m.
  • Price – $$$
  • Phone – +852 2722 1636
  • Menu
  • Website

Rùn

Led by Chef Hung Chi-Kwong, Rùn delivers an exquisite Cantonese fine-dining experience in Wan Chai and has earned two Michelin stars. Their Seasonal Specialties include star dishes such as Tossed Brown Rice Vermicelli with Cuttlefish and Spicy Sauce, Grilled Chicken Fillet with Fermented Bean Curd and Fried Lobster with Capsicum, Onion and Pepper. Don’t miss their signature dish, the Barbecued Iberico Pork with Honey, which features tender roasted pork marinated in honey.

Quick facts 

  • Where – 2/F, The St. Regis Hong Kong, One Harbour Drive, Wan Chai 
  • When – Monday to Sunday, noon - 2:30 p.m.; 6 p.m. to midnight
  • Price – $$$
  • Phone – +852 2138 6808
  • Menu
  • Website

Yat Tung Heen

Located in the neighborhood of Jordan, Yat Tung Heen has been awarded a Michelin star for its Cantonese dishes. After eight years of receiving this prestigious accolade, the restaurant has curated a special menu featuring the dishes that earned them the star. The 8-course meal, priced at HK$928, begins with their Signature Appetizer Trio of Barbecued Pork, Chilled Tomatoes and Marinated Scallop and concludes with their Baked Puff Pastry with Egg Yolk and Osmanthus Pudding. For those not opting for the course meal, there is an extensive à la carte menu with a wide selection of Cantonese delicacies. From main dishes such as their Signature Roasted Pork Belly to sweet treats like Pan-fried Glutinous Pancakes with Grounded Peanuts, you'll find a variety of choices that may make it difficult to decide.

Quick facts 

  • Where – Level B2, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan
  • When – Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and 6 - 10:30 p.m.; Saturday to Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and 6 - 10:30 p.m.
  • Price – $$$