13 Best Restaurants in Hong Kong, China

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We've compiled the best of the best in Hong Kong - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Ronin

$$$ | Central Fodor's choice

Hidden behind a signless gray door, Ronin is an ultraslick izakaya-style restaurant that serves some of the most creative seafood dishes in town. The menu is market driven and always features a selection of fresh sashimi. Most dishes are designed to share. Be sure to try the deep-fried fish karaage, which is perfect for pairing with the bar’s extensive selection of Japanese whiskies, sake, or shochu. Word of warning: there are only 14 seats at the bar, and reservations are only accepted via email. You could also head down a few blocks and check out Ronin’s sister restaurant, Yardbird, which serves delicious yakitori (grilled chicken) to an eager, walk-in crowd.

Bridges

$$$ | Causeway Bay

You may be familiar with mainstream Japanese sushi and sashimi, but Okinawan cooking is something completely different. Dishes from the Ryukyu Islands carry Chinese and American influences, and you’ll find plenty of chanpuru (stir-fry) dishes, as well as obscure delicacies like salt and cookie ice cream. The islands are also credited for their bountiful fresh produce; be sure to try the umi budo “green caviar” sea kelp and the bitter gourd melon. Carnivores, don't fret—Okinawa’s Motobu Wagyu beef and Aguu pork are delicious, well-marbled versions that work well in everything from grills to shabu shabu.

En Tsim Sha Tsui

$$ | Tsim Sha Tsui

Unlike some of the more common Japanese eateries, Rakuen serves authentic Okinawan cuisine. Start with the umi-budo—an interesting variety of sea kelp shaped like bunches of grapes (the bubble-like appearance has also won it its “green caviar” nickname). Other regional specialties include the homemade peanut tofu, which, despite the name, is not a tofu dish but a gelatinized mixture of peanuts that has a chewy but firm texture and discerning nutty flavor, which is drawn out by a drizzling of soy sauce. Okinawan ingredients—such as bitter gourd and squid-ink noodles—are found throughout the menu, and the melt-in-the-mouth grilled ox tongue is a definite must-order.

38–40 Cameron Rd., Kowloon, Hong Kong
3428–2500
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Credit cards accepted

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Inakaya

$$$$

On the 101st floor of the ICC building, Inakaya flaunts a jaw-dropping, bird’s-eye city view and an equally extravagant interior, the highlight of which is a robatayaki (Japanese equivalent of barbecue) room, where a long counter is adorned with baskets of fresh ingredients. Because robatayaki is served in bite-size morsels, prices can add up, but it’s a fun and unique experience.

1 Austin Rd. W, Kowloon, Hong Kong
2972–2666
Known For
  • Unforgettable grilled dishes prepared on long wooden paddles in front of your eyes
  • Top-notch whiskies, wines, and sakes to sip among the clouds
  • Teppanyaki A5 Wagyu, multicourse kaiseki meals, deluxe sushi platters

Iroha

$$ | Causeway Bay

Expert in the art of yakiniku (grilled meats), Iroha stocks top-quality ingredients for its tabletop grills. Many go for the premium Wagyu beef selection, but the seafood choices are also worth trying. The thick-sliced salted beef tongue is legendary.

Nan Tei

$ | Causeway Bay

This izakaya offers plate upon plate of yakitori and kushiyaki (Japanese-style skewered and grilled items) in a decidely relaxed atmosphere. The ox tongue is exceptional—succulent, soft, and flavored with just the right amount of salt. Kushiyaki staples, such as chicken wings and shiitake mushrooms, are also excellent. Nightly specials are displayed on a chalkboard. And in true izakaya fashion, Nan Tei offers a well-ranging sake list to accompany the bite-sized noshes. This is a great place for a casual Japanese meal with good food and a couple of drinks.

38 Yiu Wa St., Hong Kong, Hong Kong
3118–2501
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun., Credit cards accepted

Santouka

$ | Eastern

This Hokkaido-imported chain offers authentic Japanese ramen. The noodles are thick, glossy, and al dente, but it’s the savory broths that set Santouka apart. The signature shio (salt) broth is delicious, as are the soy sauce- and miso-flavored options. Each bowl is served with slices of fatty chasiu (Japanese roast pork) and kelp, but we recommend adding a Japanese-style poached egg to your order.

2 Kornhill Rd., Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2967–4044
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards

Sushi Hiro

$$$$ | Causeway Bay

Uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), o-toro (the fattiest of fatty tuna) . . . if these dishes make you drool, then make a beeline for Sushi Hiro, hidden in an office building but quite possibly the best place in town for raw fish. Dinner can be pricey, but lunch sees some fantastic deals.

42 Yun Ping Rd., Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2882–8752
Known For
  • Fresh fish filleted in front of you
  • Truly Japanese minimalist interior
  • Intimate seating perfect for couples and small groups
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted

Sushi Sase

$$$$ | Central

Helmed by veteran chef Satoshi Sase (who hails from the much-lauded Sushi Zen in Hokkaido, Japan), this high-caliber Japanese restaurant offers some of the freshest fish in town set against a tranquil and sophisticated setting. Omakase is the way to go here, which means you leave your meal in the hands of the chefs, allowing them to dictate the menu according to the best ingredients of the day. The omakase menu is designed according to the seasons and usually consists of sashimi, appetizers, and a wide array of nigiri sushi.

Tonkichi Tonkatsu Seafood

$$ | Causeway Bay

This restaurant specializes in tonkatsu—pork cutlets that are dipped in panko and deep-fried. When it’s done right, as it is here, the pork is crispy on the outside but remains tender and juicy on the inside. The fillet is sliced up and served with an appetizing, tangy sauce, and goes perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice.

Xenri D'zen

$$$$ | Causeway Bay

A hidden gem in this always-bustling neighborhood, Xenri D’zen follows a strict philosophy of seasonal eating that’s inspired by Japan’s traditional kaiseki formal dining. The experience is interpreted in a modern manner without detracting from the quality of the food. The multicourse menu usually includes the season’s freshest sashimi and sushi, followed by various cooked dishes. The prices aren’t necessarily cheap, but a meal here will cost less than most other Japanese restaurants of a similar caliber.

Yardbird

$$ | Western

This bustling Sheung Wan eatery is one of the hottest places to eat. Chef-owner Matt Abergel plates perfectly cooked yakitori (Japanese-style grilled chicken) as well as a repertoire of salads and small plates designed for sharing.

154–158 Wing Lok St., Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2547–9273
Known For
  • Korean fried cauliflower (dubbed KFC)
  • Bar stocked with house-brand junmai sake, Japanese beer, and whiskey
  • Long waits and a no-reservations policy
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch. Closed Sun., Reservations not accepted

Zuma

$$$$ | Central

This funky izakaya has a hip but relaxed feel. The open kitchen serves up authentic Japanese fare with a modern twist, including miso-marinated black cod wrapped in hoba leaf. You can also enjoy jet-fresh fish from the sushi bar, as well as a range of innovative desserts. Another bonus is the outdoor balcony, which allows you to take in the surrounding Central night view.