Kau Kee Beef Brisket Noodles
8.0Friend Score / 10#3 of 20 Restaurants in Hong Kong
Known forcurry beef tendon noodlesbeef cartilage noodlesyi meinegg noodles
A 90-plus-year-old Gough Street noodle shop that many Hongkongers still call the definitive beef brisket bowl — clear-broth brisket or curry beef tendon over springy noodles, in and out in 20 minutes. Worth the queue. Caveats: closed Sundays, cash only, and it takes ad-hoc breaks, so have a backup plan.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Sat 12:30–22:30 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Sheung Wan MTR Exit A2 or Central Exit D2, about 5-8 minutes uphill on foot |
| Time needed | 45 minutes to 1 hour including queue |
| Best time to go | Right at opening (12:30pm) or mid-afternoon between meal rushes |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.0/10- Value8.0
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level4.5
- Authenticity9.0
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is Kau Kee Michelin recognized?
- Yes — it holds a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 Michelin Guide, the award for great food at modest prices. It's had guide recognition for years, which honestly changed nothing about how it operates.
- Is Kau Kee good for vegetarians or non-beef eaters?
- Not really — this is a beef shrine, and the menu is essentially brisket, tendon, and noodles. If someone in your group doesn't eat beef, Gough Street has plenty of alternatives within a one-minute walk.
- How old is Kau Kee?
- The shop traces back over 90 years, starting as a street stall before settling on Gough Street. Same family recipes, same no-frills room — the queue outside is multigenerational Hong Kong.
- How long is the wait at Kau Kee?
- At lunch and dinner peaks, 20-40 minutes; the line snakes down Gough Street. Turnover is brutal-fast though — you'll share a table, eat, and be out in 15 minutes. Odd hours (3-5pm) often mean no queue at all.
- What should I order at Kau Kee?
- Two bowls define the place: clear-broth beef brisket noodles (ngau lam min) and the curry beef tendon noodles — the tendon in curry is the sleeper hit. Pick e-fu noodles or rice noodles for the curry; locals often get flat ho fun with the clear broth.
- How do I get to Kau Kee by MTR?
- From Sheung Wan Exit A2 or Central Exit D2 it's a five-to-eight-minute walk uphill into the NoHo/Gough Street area. It pairs nicely with a wander around PMQ and the antique shops on Hollywood Road.
- What are Kau Kee's opening hours?
- Roughly 12:30pm to 10:30pm, Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays and public holidays. It also shuts occasionally for maintenance or holidays without much notice, so it's worth a quick search before a special trip.
- How much does a bowl at Kau Kee cost?
- Expect somewhere in the HK$50-80 range per bowl depending on your cut and noodle — a full meal with a drink stays under HK$100. Cash only.
Nearby in Ask Hong Kong
- Sing Heung Yuen (Dai Pai Dong)Restaurant0.03 km · 0 min walk
- COABar0.07 km · 1 min walk
- Little BaoRestaurant0.08 km · 1 min walk
- The Chairman RestaurantRestaurant0.13 km · 2 min walk
- Bar LeoneBar0.15 km · 2 min walk
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