[Hong Kong Dining Guide] Tim Ho Wan (K11 Art Mall)This branch of Tim Ho Wan at K11 Art Mall offers a slightly different concept

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）

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）

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)

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)、Tea（HK)

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!