10 of the best new Hong Kong restaurants to try in May 2024, from Japanese and Korean to Singaporean and Malaysian
May has begun with hot and humid weather in Hong Kong, and it’s enough to make us wish we were somewhere else – like Japan, where the yen has hit its lowest value against the US dollar in 30 years.
But even if you cannot get away, there are plenty of new Japanese restaurants opening in the city, including one serving succulent grilled meat and sweet sukiyaki, and a famous hambagu (hamburger steak) chain; their first branches outside Japan.
In Causeway Bay the popular Korean chicken chain BHC has launched its first Hong Kong branch, on Russell Street, while new “sushi tacos” are on offer in the basem*nt of department store Sogo.
Read on to see what else might tantalise your taste buds this May.
1. Sukiyaki Nakagawa
Opening in Causeway Bay’s Cubus building, Sukiyaki Nakagawa brings the rich tradition of Kansai-style sukiyaki to the heart of Hong Kong.
Under the guidance of chef Kazuyuki Itagaki, the restaurant offers an omakase-style menu that features a selection of Wagyu beef. The spotlight is on three premium varieties – Matsusaka, Oita, and Jinnai Wagyu Aka – each of which has a distinct texture and flavour.
Shop B, 3/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay
2. Hikiniku To Kome
Popular Japanese hamburger steak specialist Hikiniku To Kome is opening in IFC in Central. Founded in 2020 in Kichijoji, Tokyo, by Shouhei Yamamoto, the restaurant strives to deliver the ultimate hamburger steak experience; steaks of freshly ground 100 per cent Japanese beef are grilled over charcoal and served with freshly cooked rice from a traditional earthenware pot.
It has branches in Kyoto; Imaizumi, f*ckuoka; and Shibuya, Tokyo; and it is expanding to Taipei and Seoul, and now Hong Kong.
Shop 4011, 4/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central
3. BHC Chicken
South Korean fried chicken chain BHC Chicken debuts in Hong Kong on May 10. Known for its crispy fried chicken, BHC will be launching boneless chicken as a Hong Kong exclusive.
Dishes include its signature Bburinkle chicken (with a cheese, onion and garlic coating), cheese balls and Bburing fries (sprinkled with cheese seasoning).
For those who like a spicy kick to their chicken, there is also a hot and spicy Bburinkle, also exclusive to Hong Kong diners.
1/F, Plaza 2000, 2 and 4 Russell Street, Causeway Bay
4. Sonny’s Pizza
Singapore restaurant Sonny’s Pizza has opened its first international outpost, in Elgin Street, Hong Kong. The takeaway joint offers options from slices starting at HK$45 (US$5.75) to whole 12-inch or 16-inch pizzas. Try exclusive toppings such as Steak n’ Cheese and Kowloon Kid.
Also, do not miss Sonny’s beef hot dogs and soft-serve ice creams.
1 Elgin Street, Central
5. Servo
Moxie in Alexandra House, Central, presents Servo, a new takeaway concept and coffee counter. Inspired by Australia’s “servos” (service stations), the new grab-and-go concept sells brewed coffee by barista Kim Oelrichs, alongside an array of house-made pastries, salads, and savoury bites.
Shop 203, 2/F Alexandra House, Landmark, Central
6. Tiffin Kopi House
Newly opened Malaysian restaurant Tiffin Kopi House, in Mong Kok, specialises in authentic Nyonya cuisine. The menu features dishes such as Kapitan chicken with lime leaves, banana leaf coconut rice, clay pot e-fu noodles, bak kut teh (pork ribs in broth), and pandan toast, all at affordable prices.
The restaurant’s ambience is enhanced by intricate hand-painted murals by Hong Kong artist Gan Shengxin that capture the nostalgic essence of Malaysian alleys.
G/F-2/F, Wingco Mansion, 36-42 Soy Street, Mong Kok
7. Yakiniku Yamagyu
Yakiniku Yamagyu, a Japanese grilled beef rice bowl, or don, specialist, is set to debut at Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre, in Wong Tai Sin. With 24 locations across Japan – including Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo, Chiba and Shizuoka – Yakiniku Yamagyu is famous for its high-quality beef, freshly cut on-site and grilled over charcoal.
The menu features a variety of meat bowls, including charcoal-grilled short rib don, beef tongue don, and steak don.
Shop 1-3, Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre, 23 Yuk Wah Street, Wong Tai Sin
8. Wagyu Boss Concept
The basem*nt of Sogo department store in Causeway Bay welcomes a new addition – Wagyu Boss, a takeaway that focuses on premium Wagyu dishes. Originally a high-end ingredient store, Wagyu Boss now offers a variety of Australian Wagyu meals.
Highlights include Australian Wagyu taco sushi, sukiyaki Wagyu sirloin taco, and green curry slow-cooked Wagyu tongue taco.
Also on the menu are teppan Wagyu sirloin bento and red wine slow-cooked Wagyu rib bento.
A must-try for beef lovers.
Shop 14B, B2/F, SOGO, 555 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay
9. Seeyalater
Seeyalater, a popular restaurant with a Taiwanese night market theme, has recently opened a branch in Mong Kok. The new location features its famous lemon tea and favourites such as eight-hour stewed beef noodle soup, cheese pork floss omelette, and a night market platter.
The menu also introduces exclusive dishes such as stir-fried Taiwanese noodles and oyster omelette. For HK$198, diners can enjoy an all-you-can-eat Taiwanese hotpot dinner.
Shop 802, 8/F, Gala Place, 56 Dundas Street, Mong Kok
10. Banh Mi Nem
There’s something about a crusty Vietnamese sandwich that makes people queue up, and just landing in Wan Chai is Banh Mi Nem, which promises an authentic Ho Chi Minh experience.
The signature Special Bread B, with its filling of Vietnamese char siu, pork floss, liver pâté, pickles, cucumber, coriander, cucumber, spring onion and fresh chilli, promises a satisfying experience. You would do well to top it off with some fried spring rolls.
247-249 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
