Tim Ho Wan — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

酥皮焗叉燒包 Baked Bun with BBQ Pork = HKD33.00 香煎蘿蔔糕 Pan-Fried Turnip Cake = HKD28.00 香滑馬來糕 Steamed Egg Cake = HKD28.00 黃沙豬潤腸 Rice Noodle Rolls with Pig's Liver = HKD32.00

瑰麗堂皇 Rose Lychee Black Tea = HKD10.00 (Mandatory) No Service Charge

This was a Big Place and was Quite Crowded when I was there in the Morning at around 10.30am although there weren't any queues. I'm quite surprised that THW is actually patronized by the Locals and is not just a Touristy Place.

The Staffs seems to be all Local HK Folks. I didn't see any Foreign Staffs. They were Polite and Courteous and mostly keep to themselves, but I was Amusingly Disappointed that they don't know what are their 四大天王 "Four Heavenly Kings" Dishes.

It took a total of 10mins for all the Dishes to be served up, with each Dish taking about an Average of 2mins each.

瑰麗堂皇 Rose Lychee Black Tea = HKD10.00 (Mandatory)

This Tea does have a Slight Lychee Smell and taste not bad. Not Overly Diluted but also Not Too Strong. Drinking this was nice as a Palette Cleanser in between Meals. It's quite a Big Pot too.

酥皮焗叉燒包 Baked Bun with BBQ Pork = HKD33.00

When compared to SG THW version, I feel that the Pastry Skin for HK version is Even Softer and Flakier! No questions about it, Hong Kong THW version is much better. This is a Definite Must-Order if you come to THW!

香煎蘿蔔糕 Pan-Fried Turnip Cake = HKD28.00

Fresh Strong Turnip Smell for this one and its Beautifully Fried and the Cake Meat is Absolutely Amazingly Melt in the Mouth Quality. In fact, I feel HK Version may even be Softer and Creamier than SG Version. Once again, Hong Kong wins this one for me.

香滑馬來糕 Steamed Egg Cake = HKD28.00

Unfortunately, THIS DISH was Surprisingly Much Worse than SG THW Version. If you look at my Photo Comparison between HK version and SG Version. There is Simply No Fight. Hong Kong's Version looked so DEFLATED in Comparison!

Bite feel was Very Much more Denser compared to Singapore's Version and even the Gula Melaka taste also felt Very Much More Subdued. Its so bad, I feel this is not even as good as the type we can find in our SG Hawker Centres, let alone as part of their Famous 四大天王. No Good. SG THW Overwhelmingly wins this Round.

黃沙豬潤腸 Rice Noodle Rolls with Pig's Liver = HKD32.00

This was the 四大天王 dish that is not available in SG THW. Unfortunately I found it Underwhelming.

The Rice Roll itself is Soft, but not as Soft or Melt in Mouth that I expected it to be. Compared to some of the Better Tasting CCF I had in JB, I thought this tasted Shockingly Average in Comparison.

The CCF Filling itself was also Very Underwhelming. Its literally just Slices of Pig's Liver and some Scallion / Parsley Leaves. I had thought they would at least minced the Pig's Liver instead of just using Whole Pieces like this. This to me is Too Culinarily Simplistic and even Lazy for a Michelin Starred Restaurant like Tim Ho Wan.

Using Slices of Pig's Liver like this also somehow gave it a Very Cheap Sort of Taste if it makes any sense. The taste of Pig's Liver simply was Too Overpowering and in my opinion sort of destroyed the Delicate Nature of a Cheong Fun. The Whole Thing tastes Exactly like how you imagine it to taste. Its just Slices of Pig's Liver wrapped in an Average Quality Cheong Fun Roll. This is not a Quality I expect to be ranked as a "四大天王".

Conclusion and Closing Thoughts:

Their Baked BBQ Buns and Turnip Cake was Absolutely Amazing but the other 2 Dishes were Crushingly Disappointing. Especially their Steamed Egg Cake was an Absolute Embarrassment!

At a Total Combined Price of HKD131.00 (S$23.00), I can't confirm but think it is actually more affordable to eat in Hong Kong than in Singapore?

While I can certainly recommend Hong Kong Tim Ho Wan, it definitely cannot get my Highest Score.

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Recently experienced a planned lengthy layover in Hong Kong whilst traveling between continents . It’s a fabulous way to break up a rather lengthy flight and a means of experiencing another countries culture, vibe, cuisine, and of course shopping!, albeit briefly. My advise would be should you truly wish to absorb ( and spend more $) look for a flight for a lengthier stopover should Hong Kong not be your actual destination point. You won’t want to feel rushed whilst trying to navigate your way they their rather efficient transport service - train NOT taxi!! And before you know it you’ve made it from airport directly to one of the major upmarket shopping centers with the throng and beat of the city markets bustling below, which, btw, is where we ventured for our lunch. We based our choice of venue on the queue of people lined up, having taken their ticket to await seating. Seemed like a good sign ; and it was !! You share tables with strangers and yes it’s crowded and noisy but as with everyone and all the est we encountered during our stay everyone was courteous and helpful and at this particular “hole in the wall” the food was authentic and divine! Shopping was mind boggling with the shopping mall hosting all the known international and local labels. The place itself was massive with several floors that each spread out like tendrils in various directions. Did we get lost ? Well perhaps a few times:) but if you take note of shops like “ oh yes we came out at the apple store and turned right at Cartier then upstairs is Dior” you’ll be fine ! As I mentioned we did venture out into the streets to check out the market stalls and local street shops, and it can be somewhat confronting wending your way they the foot traffic crowds . But once you’ve made it into the bowels of the markets you can relax a bit and meander thru the tiny alleys and arcades. There’s a lot of the same meeting tailors who will guarantee you a complete bespoke tailored suit delivered within the day , the “wannabe” Jewellers and food stalls that I have no idea what was in the packages lining those shelves .! Brief but a positive adventure and I’d definitely back up again, and as we did book into the Regal Airport Hotel as a base....

Tim Ho Wan is the first dim sum restaurant in the world to have achieved a Michelin Star for its old restaurant in Mongkok. This branch in the Hong Kong Station podium level, which is directly below the flight airport check-in area, serves pretty good dim sum and is a fun place to try.

The branch is a bit difficult to find. If you can locate the flight check-in area at Hong Kong Station, then go down one more flight of escalators. You'll notice the Tim Ho Wan by the massive crowd standing just outside the restaurant.

Even first thing in the morning when all other shops remain closed, there will be a crowd outside Tim Ho Wan. The good news is that many waiting around have actually ordered take-away so you might only have to wait 10-20 minutes for a table, unlike the legendary long waits that visitors used to experience outside the original Tim Ho Wan in years past.

Interestingly, the take-away option is actually a good choice as there is a nice 3rd and 4th floor, rooftop garden, with views of the harbour that you can find at the podium location in the IFC shopping mall. It is around 5-6 minutes to get there from the Tim Ho Wan but your dim sum will still be warm and fresh and its nice to eat while looking over Victoria Harbour.

Recently had the char shui bao (bbq pork bun) that is served with a sweet pineapple bun topping that was very good (rating 4 of 5). This version of the classic bbq pork bun is very sweet so won't work for everyone but if you like the sweet top version, this is a good one. Also, sampled the Har gow (shrimp dumpling) served in a set of 4 that was also very good (rating 4 of 5). Take-away is given with chili sauce, soy sauce and disposable chop sticks.

Overall, this Tim Ho Wan branch serves up very good dim sum and it is doubtful that many will try and be disappointed.

Is Tim Ho Wan the best in the city? Not really, you can find very good to excellent dim sum all over Hong Kong. This one just happened to secure a Michelin Star so everyone wants to try it. The good news is the dim sum at Tim Ho Wan...