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Tim Ho Wan (Sham Shui Po)Photo: See-ming Lee (SML) · BY-SA 2.0

Tim Ho Wan (Sham Shui Po)

7.1Friend Score / 10

#9 of 20 Restaurants in Hong Kong

G/F & M/F, Ka Wui Building, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong$
Known forBaked BBQ Pork BunsPan Fried Radish CakeSteamed Egg CakeSticky Rice in Lotus Leaf
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The Sham Shui Po branch of the dim sum shop once crowned the world's cheapest Michelin-starred meal — still serving the famous crispy baked BBQ pork buns at prices under HK$40 a basket. It's now a global chain, so temper expectations of discovery, but this working-class branch keeps the queues local and the food honest.

Key facts

Hours
Mon–Fri 10:00–21:30
Sat–Sun 09:00–21:30
Price$
Phone—
Website—
Nearest transitSham Shui Po MTR, Exit B2 (about 2 minutes)
Time needed1-1.5 hours including queue
Best time to goWeekday mid-afternoon; weekend brunch hours draw the longest lines
Last verifiedJuly 12, 2026

Friend Score

7.1/10
  • Value9.0
  • iconic7.5
  • Freshness9.2
  • Crowd level5.5
  • Authenticity8.0
  • Accessibility9.0
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Frequently asked questions

How long is the wait at Tim Ho Wan Sham Shui Po?
Weekend brunch can be 30-60 minutes; weekday afternoons often mean walking straight in. Grab a number, mark your order sheet while you wait, and turnover moves quickly.
Is Tim Ho Wan Sham Shui Po still Michelin starred?
This branch has appeared in the Michelin Guide for years and made its name as the cheapest starred meal on earth; star status has shifted between branches and years, so don't hang your visit on the plaque. The pork buns taste the same either way.
Is Tim Ho Wan good for vegetarians?
Options are thin — most of the menu involves pork or shrimp. The steamed egg cake, spinach dumplings with garlic, and sticky rice can cobble together a meal, but strict vegetarians will find better choices elsewhere.
How much does a meal at Tim Ho Wan cost?
Most baskets run roughly HK$20-40, and two people eat very well for under HK$200. It remains one of the best food-per-dollar plays in Hong Kong.
What must I order at Tim Ho Wan?
The baked BBQ pork buns (char siu bao with a sweet, crumbly polo-style crust) — three to a basket and the single item that built the empire. Back them up with the pan-fried turnip cake, steamed egg cake, and vermicelli rolls with pig liver if you're feeling local.
Why go to the Sham Shui Po branch instead of the others?
It's the roomiest of the classic Hong Kong branches and sits in the city's best cheap-eats neighborhood, so you can build a whole grazing afternoon around it. The Central and North Point branches serve the same menu with more tourists.
What are Tim Ho Wan Sham Shui Po's hours?
Weekdays 10am to 9:30pm, weekends from 9am. Dim sum all day — no need to play the traditional morning-only game here.
What else should I eat in Sham Shui Po after Tim Ho Wan?
This is Hong Kong's street-food heartland: Hop Yik Tai for cheung fun, Kung Wo for tofu pudding, and Lau Sum Kee for bamboo-pressed noodles are all within a ten-minute walk. Come hungry and treat Tim Ho Wan as course one.

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