Kam Wah Cafe & Cake Shop — Restaurant in Kowloon

A Slice of Authentic Hong Kong

If you're craving a true Hong Kong-style café experience, look no further than Kam Wah Café. Nestled in the heart of Mong Kok, this charming eatery offers a delightful mix of classic comfort food and an unmistakable local vibe. From the moment you step inside, you're immersed in the cozy, bustling atmosphere that embodies the essence of Hong Kong’s tea café culture.

One of the standout items here is their Pineapple Bun with Butter – a must-try for any visitor. The combination of the soft, slightly sweet bun paired with a generous slice of cold butter creates a simple yet incredibly satisfying treat.

Theur Beef Curry Fried Rice is another crowd favorite. With tender beef and a rich curry flavor, the rice is perfectly fried with a slight kick of spicybess.

Meanwhile, their Fried Ramen with Pork Chops is a savory delight—an exciting dish that combines crispy pork chops with flavorful ramen noodles, perfectly stir-fried to bring out that irresistible umami flavor.

For a lighter option, their Chow Fan(fried rice) delivers the right amount of wok hei, a smokiness that only a seasoned stir-fry can offer. The balance of ingredients in this dish keeps you coming back for more with each bite.

But the real highlight, especially for fans of Hong Kong’s iconic beverage culture, is the iced milk tea. Kam Wah’s milk tea is the real deal—rich, smooth, and just the right amount of sweetness. It’s the kind of milk tea you dream about, with a robust tea flavor that pairs perfectly with their rich food offerings.

What makes Kam Wah Café truly special is the Hong Kong vibe it exudes. The restaurant is busy and lively, with the constant hum of conversation and the clattering of plates, giving you a real taste of the city’s dynamic café culture. Whether you're a local or a tourist, dining here feels like stepping into a quintessential Hong Kong experience.

However, there are a few downsides to mention. Firstly, the language barrier is a bit challenging for non-Cantonese speakers, and this led to some confusion with both the bill and the menu. The bill was not itemized, making it hard to understand exactly what we were being charged for. In addition, the set menu was advertised to include one drink, but we were charged for three extra drinks, despite asking the server about the discrepancy. Unfortunately, the language barrier hindered us from fully understanding the charges, leaving us uncertain about the total bill.

Moreover, while the food is great, the service could use improvement. The servers were somewhat rude, which detracted from an otherwise enjoyable experience. A little more courtesy would certainly make a big difference, especially when communicating about billing concerns.

Overall, Kam Wah Café is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in authentic Hong Kong café staples. Whether you’re enjoying their comforting dishes or sipping on a cup of perfectly brewed milk tea, every moment at Kam Wah feels like an invitation to savor the vibrant flavors and bustling ambiance of Hong Kong. Just be prepared to navigate some potential service and communication issues...

I had never tried a pineapple bun nor Hong Kong milk tea. Everytime I googled best pineapple bun in Hong Kong or read an article, this place came up. However, the reviews on Google and Tripadvisor made me a little sceptical. I came, and glad I did. Little surprised by some of the negative reviews, or maybe I was lucky. I walked in a few minutes before noon, expecting there to be a long line. I was seated immediately on my own small table designed for two. Staff were pleasant, not overly friendly but I think this was more a cultural thing, a language barrier. The kindness came through their actions. I did stand out like a sore thumb as a solo female traveller and the only foreigner in there! Small but busy restaurant filled with locals. A place to eat and go. Don't linger! Minimum spend requires you to purchase at least one hot or cold drink per person. I knew what I wanted and I think the server guessed this as well! The menu is in English too. I didn't look at everything. I am guessing the pineapple bun and hot or cold drink set is very popular! The set offers are very good value and cheap. December, 2024 and 33 HKD is pretty cheap. Slightly more for a cold drink. I had SET A, which included the pineapple bun with butter and then you choose either a hot or cold drink. Most people were having savoury items and sharing the pineapple bun. I would suggest doing the same if you are with others. Although it was absolutely heavenly for all the wrong reasons, I could not finish it. Some noodles would have been good now to add a little spice. You can't taste pineapple. The bun was soft and warm and the top was crispy and sweet. Melted in your mouth with the salty slab of butter. Unlike anything I have tasted before. Divine. I am of Indian origin and the hot milk tea tasted like Indian tea with the milk heated, less the spice. You can add sugar, but I would probably suggest not doing this if you are having the pineapple bun, unless you want to give yourself diabetes! As I said, I had never tried a pineapple bun nor milk tea before so it was difficult for me to compare it. I enjoyed it. I would recommend it. Ticked it off my list. Tried it. Not something you could eat everyday unless you want to give yourself high cholesterol! The restaurant was reasonably clean. Staff were actively cleaning tables as diners left. Floors however, needed a sweep. Have cash to hand. The server will leave the bill on your table. When you have finished, just take it to the counter and pay. Less than a 5 minute walk from MTR...

My friend and I visited Kam Wah Café on 5/21/25. We were excited to try some of the local favorites – and food-wise, it met expectations. We ordered the hot milk tea, milk tea with red beans, egg tart, pineapple bun with butter, and stir-fried rice noodles. The egg tart was your classic Hong Kong dan tat: silky-smooth filling with a flaky-meets-shortcrust pastry. The stir-fried noodles were the perfect savory balance after a sweet dinner.

However, our dining experience was unfortunately overshadowed by the service. We had just landed in Hong Kong earlier that evening and assumed, mistakenly, that AliPay and WeChat Pay (which are widely used in Mainland China) would be accepted. Mid-meal, around 9:30 PM, we were unexpectedly asked – quite abruptly – to pay, even though, to our knowledge, the restaurant was far from closing.

When my payment attempts via AliPay and WeChat failed, the cashier became grew increasingly irritated and demanded cash. We kindly explained in Cantonese that we didn’t have cash on hand, and my friend immediately understood the assignment and informed the staff that she'd step out to exchange some.

What followed was completely uncalled for. As I sat waiting, the cashier loudly and repeatedly made sarcastic remarks to her coworkers, saying, “Is your friend going to America to get cash?” – not once, but three separate times, spaced minutes apart. It was awkward, humiliating, and far from humorous. No one laughed, and the atmosphere turned uncomfortable for everyone. Luckily, a lovely couple behind us saw what was happening and graciously offered to cover our bill until we could reimburse them – a gesture that made our first night.

TLDR: While the food was fine, I wouldn't recommend Kam Wah Café if you're looking for a cha chaan teng with decent hospitality. The cashier’s rude, mocking behavior was not only unprofessional, but needlessly uncalled for. For a place with over 50 years of history and renown, you’d expect better hospitality – especially when we clearly had no intention of dining...