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On our first day in Hong Kong, we arrived at our hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui around 2:00 PM.
The first place we headed to was the “K11 Art Mall,” a shopping mall directly connected to Tsim Sha Tsui Station.

A popular dim sum restaurant located inside the K11 Art Mall, directly connected to MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station.

K11 Art Mall is a uniquely conceptualized shopping mall located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.
With the theme of “Harmony among Art, People, and Nature,” it offers a space that blends art with shopping.
Its distinctive layout felt a bit challenging to navigate at times.

While looking for a place to have a late lunch, I came across the sign for “Tim Ho Wan.”

Tim Ho Wan’s first concept restaurant themed around “Hong Kong Flavors”

Tim Ho Wan earned a Michelin star in 2010 and became known as the “world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant” at the time.
Today, it has grown into a popular restaurant with over 60 locations worldwide, including in Asia, New York, Las Vegas, and Hawaii.

It was around 3 PM, an odd time for dining, yet the restaurant was still fully packed, with a small crowd waiting outside.
When I asked a staff member, they said, “If you’re dining alone, we can seat you in about 15 minutes.” So, I decided to wait.

I received a receipt with a number, and there was an electronic display at the front of the restaurant. Just as I was wondering how to spend the 15 minutes, my number was called almost immediately.

Extensive Menu: Viewable via QR Code on Your Smartphone

The restaurant interior was reasonably spacious. While physical menus were available on the tables, you could also scan a QR code on the table with your smartphone camera to browse and order directly.

What surprised me when I looked at the menu was how extensive it was for a Tim Ho Wan location.

I later learned that this branch at K11 Art Mall, which opened in October 2023, is Tim Ho Wan’s first concept restaurant themed around “Hong Kong Flavors.” In addition to their traditional dim sum offerings, they also serve iconic Hong Kong dishes, making it a unique dining experience.

So, it’s highly recommended not just for dim sum but also for other menu items!

Dishes I Ordered

Signature Baked BBQ Pork Buns (HK$40）

The first thing I wanted to try was Tim Ho Wan’s signature Char Siu Pineapple Bun.

In fact, I had once tried a char siu-filled pineapple bun at a local dim sum restaurant during a previous trip to Hong Kong. I’ve also always been a fan of “Char Siu Bao” (steamed barbecue pork buns), and the sweet-savory flavor of char siu is one of my favorites.

What surprised me upon tasting it was that the flavor wasn’t as rich as I had expected.
It’s true that the combination of the pineapple bun’s sweetness and the char siu’s sweet glaze could make it a bit heavy for some people. However, this version had a perfect balance—not too rich, not too mild—which resulted in a refined and elegant taste.

BBQ Pork Rice Rolls （HK$45）

Another dish I always crave when having dim sum in Hong Kong is cheong fun (rice noodle rolls).

Cheong fun is a signature Cantonese dim sum dish made by wrapping ingredients like char siu in a thin rice flour sheet.

Although it’s generously drizzled with sauce and might look strongly flavored, it’s surprisingly light and very easy to enjoy.

Every time I visit Hong Kong, I’m reminded that many dishes here aren’t overly seasoned despite their appearance. Instead, they emphasize the natural umami of the ingredients. The fact that they can create such delicious food without relying heavily on seasonings is truly impressive.

Bean curd roll filled in Oyster Sauce (HK$38)

The Ho Yau Sin Juk Gyun (Steamed Bean Curd Roll in Oyster Sauce) is a dish made by wrapping ingredients like minced pork, shrimp, and shiitake mushrooms in tofu skin and cooking it either by steaming or frying.

The rolls were infused with the rich flavor of oyster sauce, and while the seasoning was light, it was still a satisfying and flavorful dish.

Rice（HK$18)、Tea（HK$12)

Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos, but I also ordered plain rice and a pot of tea.

Soft drinks and similar beverages were listed on the smartphone menu, but tea wasn’t included. Instead, I looked at the physical menu and ordered it directly from a staff member.

As for payment, the staff provided a QR code receipt, which you take to the counter at the entrance to settle the bill.

A Popular Restaurant Chain Worth Visiting with a Wide Selection Beyond Dim Sum

Tim Ho Wan has several locations in Hong Kong and can also be found in places like Macau.

While I’m not an expert, this particular Tim Ho Wan at K11 Art Mall stands out for offering a menu that goes beyond just dim sum. The variety is impressive. Since I was dining alone, I couldn’t try much, but if you’re traveling in a group, you can enjoy a range of dishes, from main courses to bite-sized dim sum, which adds to the overall value.

The prices are somewhat on the higher side, but as a popular restaurant chain, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Plus, since K11 Art Mall is directly connected to MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station, it’s a convenient option when deciding where to eat.

Do note, however, that during peak hours, there’s likely to be a significant wait time, so plan accordingly!

The hotel we chose for celebrating New Year’s Eve in Hong Kong was the “Delta Lounge” located in Chungking Mansions. There wasn’t any particular reason behind the choice—we simply compared photos of the interiors from various hotels within Chungking Mansions and picked this one.

Chungking Mansions is a place that sparks a lot of curiosity and conversation. While its central location is a major plus, it also carries an image of being somewhat challenging. However, I found it to be surprisingly pleasant. Let me share why, along with my experience.

The A Zone, located right near the main entrance, is a safe and convenient area to use.

Chungking Mansions is situated right next to the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station, with its entrance along Nathan Road. Its excellent location also means you can walk to Victoria Harbour in just a few minutes, making it an incredibly convenient base for exploring the area.

Chungking Mansions is quite large, with sections seemingly ranging from Zone A to Zone D (though I’m not entirely sure about the specifics). Delta Lounge is located in Zone A, which is right near the main entrance.

As soon as you enter, you’ll find the elevators for Zone A on your immediate left. This setup means there’s no need to venture deep into the sometimes less well-lit interior of the Mansions at night, which adds a sense of security.

There are two elevators in Zone A, one servicing odd-numbered floors and the other servicing even-numbered floors. A staff member was stationed near the elevators to provide guidance, which was helpful and reassuring.

Even within Zone A, there are numerous hotels and guesthouses.

The hotel I stayed at was listed as “Delta Lounge” on the booking site, but the directory near the elevator labeled it as “Delta HK Hotel,” so it’s worth noting this discrepancy. However, I had checked the address carefully when making the reservation, so I didn’t encounter any confusion.

The front desk staff were friendly and provided a simple but clear explanation of the room’s features.

When you exit the elevator, the entrance is immediately to your right, making it easy to find.

Upon opening the double doors, the front desk is located right inside, providing convenient access.

The front desk staff appeared to be Indian and were very kind. They guided me to my room and provided a brief explanation of the facilities.

Unlike the previous hotel I stayed at, where no such guidance was given, this level of attentiveness made a positive impression. Small gestures like this can make a big difference.

However, I was asked to pay an additional service fee of around 60 HK$, which wasn’t mentioned during the booking process. I paid it since I didn’t want to cause any hassle, but it’s something to be aware of.

Additionally, a deposit of 100 HK$ in cash is required upon check-in. This deposit is refunded when you check out.

The room was basic but functional, with no issues or malfunctions during my stay.

As expected for a budget hotel, the room included just a bed and a shower-equipped toilet. However, there was no refrigerator.

Overall, the room left a clean and tidy impression, which was a pleasant surprise.

The shower was equipped with a water heater that had a button near the entrance. Once pressed, a light indicated when the hot water was ready to use.

The “Delta Lounge” is located on the 16th floor, the highest even-numbered floor.

This makes it convenient when using the elevator, as you’re the first to get on when heading down, which can be a relief.

The elevators in Chungking Mansions are quite small, accommodating only about six people at a time. During peak hours, such as in the evenings, the elevators can get crowded, and those on intermediate floors may find it difficult to get on. It’s something to be mindful of.

On New Year’s Eve, I returned around 1:30 a.m., and there was an “elevator traffic jam,” causing me to wait over 10 minutes! (It was quite amusing, in hindsight.)

Incidentally, near the elevator, there was a small kiosk-like shop where you could buy drinks and snacks, which came in handy.

On New Year’s Eve, the area in front of the entrance was lively, with people creating quite a chaotic atmosphere. However, even late at night, the large crowd provided a sense of security.

Morning Checkout Was Smooth and Reassuring

The next morning, around 8 a.m., there were two staff members at the front desk, making the checkout process quick and easy. I’ve read reviews of other hotels in Chungking Mansions mentioning the absence of front desk staff early in the morning, so having someone present was definitely reassuring.

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This was my first time staying at a hotel in Chungking Mansions. Although I felt some apprehension after reading reviews and watching YouTube videos beforehand, this hotel offered the essential services and allowed me to stay with peace of mind.

The front desk area was relatively spacious and seemed to sell some drinks as well.

I also noticed a lot of suitcases lined up, so it appears they provide luggage storage services for guests checking in or out.

If I ever visit Hong Kong again for a solo trip, I think I’d consider staying here again for a short stay.