3 Best Restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

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.

This Hokkaido-imported chain offers authentic Japanese ramen, with thick, glossy, and al dente noodles and savory broths. 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.

For the best Japanese kakigori (shaved ice dessert), head to Shari Shari where ice is imported from Japan and shaved in-store into airy, flakey pieces. The snowflake-textured shaved ice is then mixed or topped with a range of delicious flavors, such as Earl Grey, pistachio, tiramisu, and mango.