In a city that loves a soupy dish – be it ramen, hot pot, or soup dumplings – you know that Vietnamese
restaurants are going to be another favourite. While Pho, the delicious, heart-warming noodle and meat in soup dish might be most popular, there is a lot more in Vietnamese cuisine. From Banh mi (a baguette sandwich) to rice paper rolls (healthy spring rolls), to Banh Xeo (sizzling pancakes), there are tons to discover on the menu.
We put together our the best vietnamese restaurants in Hong Kong, so that you can get your fix before you travel to Vietnam.
Xuân — Wan Chai & Tsim Sha Tsui
Whether you’re on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon side, you can’t go wrong with Xuân. It was named after a national icon – a 18th century female poet, Hồ Xuân Hương. Inspired by her forward thinking work, Xuân aims to showcase a side of Vietnam you’ve never seen. With innovative cuisine that has a northern influence and their drinks menu that takes inspiration from Vietnamese signature flavours, this is a great spot, day or night. They serve a beef pho as well as a chicken pho and both (HK$158) have that extra northern spice and decadence. And if you’re in their Wan Chai branch you MUST try one of their craft cocktails such as My Ke Time (HK$128) or Calamansi Mojito (HK$128).
Wan Chai: Ground Floor, 24 Lun Fat Street | +852 2891 1177
Tsim Sha Tsui: Shop 2307A, Gateway Arcade| +852 3702 3399
Bun Cha — Multiple locations
If it’s a light lunch you’re looking for, Bun Cha, with branches in SoHo, Sai Ying Pun or Kennedy town, is your go to. They have been serving authentic Vietnamese bun cha and more since 2015! So, a bun cha is basically a grilled pork and noodle dish served with herbs and a side of dipping sauce. The restaurant serves a number of bun dishes including beef, shrimp, chicken, and of course pork (or cha). Prices range from HK$65 to HK$92 for a bun dish. You can also enjoy their pho bo (HK$78), rice paper roll (HK$72), or a banh mi (HK$73).
Soho: King Ho Building, Shop 1, G/F, 49 Aberdeen Street | +852 2858 1900
Sai Ying Pun: 45 High Street | +852 2661 0022
Kennedy Town: Full Harvest Building, Shop A&B, 6-18 Hau Wo Street | +852 2788 2155
Tim Kee French Sandwiches — Jordan
As you may know, the banh mi’s are inspired by the French cuisine and has been adapted to the Vietnamese palate. Bringing that to Hong Kong in the early 90s was Tim Kee French Sandwiches, serving the authentic pork belly, pate and pickled carrots and cucumber in a baguette. It might not seem like much from the outside, but Tim Kee has several loyal customers who claim that this is the best banh mi in Hong Kong. Plus, prices start at only HK$42 for the small sandwich and only an extra HK$10 for more meat. We’re definitely visiting again and again!
Shop A, G/F, Man Yiu Building, 30 Man Yuen Street, Jordan | +852 2385 7939
Ăn Chơi — Sheung Wan
Newly awarded as Michelin Bib Gourmand 2024, this Vietnamese establishment captures the liveliness of Vietnamese street stalls, in the heart of Sheun Wan. Their bánh mì sandwiches come in an array of fillings, and varying versions of phở are made according to different regional traditions. For drinks, try their egg coffee or Vietnamese beer. Get there early, or you might need to queue at lunchtime!
15-17 Mercer Street, Sheung Wan | +852 5286 1517
Soho Banh Mi — Central
Soho Banh Mi presents a perfect replica of Vietnamese street food, bringing you back to your last Ho Chi Min trip. It offers not just its namesake, Bahn Mis (HK$78) which comes with mayo, cucumber, scallion oil, pickles, chilli jam, jalapeños plus a secret sauce, but also Bun Salads (HK$98), Rice Paper Rolls, and Spring Rolls. The Bahn Mi and the Bun Salads have meat options including the signature pork, chicken, fish and veggie.
1/F, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central | +852 6715 7380
De Viet Son — Mong Kok & Sha Tin
Another great option for a quick but hearty meal is De Viet Son, out in Mong Kok and Sha Tin. Taking the Vietnamese cuisine and adding a little Hong Kong love is what makes this place so special. In addition to beef pho (HK$88) and lemongrass roasted chicken (HK$69) you can also find interesting flavours such as the De Viet oyster and vermicelli noodle in coconut sour soup (HK$108). Unlike most food from Vietnam that we are familiar with, De Viet also offers curries including a Pork Special in Soup (HK$148). The portions are known to be big so make sure you build up your appetite!
Mong Kok: 6 Kwong Wa Street | +852 2488 9191
Sha Tin: Shop 1, G/F, Lai Shing Garden, 1-7 Sha Tin Wai Road | +852 2337 0075
Pho Viet Authentic Hanoi Cuisine — Mong Kok
One of the best beef pho’s in town, this one is worth the hike to Mong Kok and inevitable wait at the store. It is priced a little over the regular across Hong Kong. But, HK$98 for the beef combo, which includes super tender beef filet and juicy beef balls, is not too bad at all! They serve Hanoi cuisine, which is a little different from the southern phos we more familiar with. The beef is marinated and cooked, and it doesn’t come with fresh herbs and spices as they are already added to the broth. Another must try is their Bun Nem Nuong, the grilled pork with cold vermicelli (HK$80), which is served with dipping sauce. We also love their drinks especially the Vietnamese tangerine iced tea (HK$29) and Vietnamese Passionfruit with Soda (HK$29).
G/F, 99 Portland Street, Mong Kok | +852 6884 8898
Banh Mi Chung — Tai Kok Tsui
For an affordable price and a friendly face, head over to Banh Mi Chung in Tai Kok Tsui, where you will be greeted by the lovely owner This take away spot doesn’t have a ton of choices, but that’s how you know what you have is VERY GOOD. It is the authentic sandwich and has Vietnamese sausage, roasted meat, carrot, radish, liver pate, mayo, scallion, herbs and pork floss. It comes in two sizes, half (HK$30) and full (HK$50) and you can add on soup or two portions of veggies, or both. All banh mis are made to order, and so are fresh, delicious – and run out quickly!
G/F, 52 Beech Street, Tai Kok Tsui | +852 3590 5561
Chôm Chôm — Central
If you are looking for a more elevated experience, check out Black Sheep’s Vietnamese spot, Chôm Chôm. It is inspired by Hanoi’s lively bia hoi (fresh beer) tradition which consists of sipping drinks on busy street corners. With the perfect spot on peel street, you can grab a bite and then take the drinking to the street. The food consists of classic street foods such as VFC (Vietnamese Fried Chicken) Wings (HK$118) and skewers including grilled prawn ($158) and pork belly (HK$128), which pair well with their diverse selection of Vietnamese beers. For a larger dish, do try their Short Rib Lettuce Wraps (HK$98 per piece). And you can’t complete the meal without the Chef’s favourite dish, the side of Sate Okra for just HK$78.
58 Peel St, Central | +852 2810 0850
Header image credits: Bun Cha
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