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If art is about expressing one’s inner self, then what better canvas than the body itself? Hong Kong’s underground tattoo scene has slowly gained more traction over the years, particularly on the skin of millennials and members of Gen Z. From the inking days of Jimmy Ho, the godfather of Hong Kong tattoos, the tattooing industry has expanded from gangs to an extensive and mixed clientele list of students, office ladies, and soccer dads.
And whilst there’s still debate around the professionalism of having a full sleeve or even a tiny souvenir piece, the work of Hong Kong’s tattoo artists and studios to champion the cause of tattoos and the removal of stigma around ink is slowly paying off. We’ve compiled a list of some of Hong Kong’s best tattoo studios for you, whether you’re looking for your first or tenth piece! If you can dream it, someone on this list can probably make it a reality.
First established in 2010, Blackout Tattoo reflects founder Rob Kelly’s belief that tattoos are born out of a partnership between tattoo artists and clients, with each piece being original and one-off concepts. In contrast with the bustling streets of Sheung Wan where the studio is located, Kelly’s self-proclaimed germaphobe tendencies mean the equipment and platforms of the studio are kept to the highest standard of sanitation and cleanliness.
Also looking outside Hong Kong, Blackout regularly invites international collaborators and artists to develop and showcase their skills. Blackout has become a hub of innovative tattoo concepts and helped shift old assumptions into a form of self-expression and aesthetics.
On a more personal level, Kelly believes that passion for one’s job will naturally draw people in. Given the studio’s extensive clientele list, there’s no doubt that Kelly and his superstar team—consisting of Marjung Lama and Stephanie—are in love with their craft.
Blackout Tattoo, 102 Hing Tai Commercial Building, 114 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 9247 3522
The Dragons Lair Tattoo was founded by Jonny D, a former apprentice of Jimmy Ho, the godfather and legend of the Hong Kong tattoo industry. Having spent a handful of years under Ho’s tutelage, he then trained in traditional Chinese and old-school tattooing before traversing the globe to attend seminars by top artists to train in a wide variety of styles.
Now with his own studio and working alongside Evita Lopez and freehand lettering specialist Norman, he pushes creativity and imagination at the intersection of orthodox and unconventional styling. The Dragons Lair Tattoo operates on the belief that tattooing is more than just art, but also an extension of each person. Thus, artists and clients work intimately to figure out the best way to design a unique piece that strongly reflects their beliefs and values.
The Dragons Lair Tattoo, Room 201, 2/F, Sunwise Building, 112–114 Wellington Street, Central | (+852) 2337 7969
With a star-studded clientele list like David Beckham and Lebron James, Freedom Tattoo HK will give you the celebrity treatment you want and deserve. Whether it’s your first or gazillionth ink, Gabe Shum and his multi-talented team of tattoo artists and apprentices will help you figure out the best interpretation of your dream tat. Freedom Tattoo HK imports the highest quality of ink from North America and Europe, and mainly uses disposal needles.
Shum is also the founder of the Hong Kong China International Tattoo Convention, playing a massive role in pushing the boundaries and limits of tattoo artistry. So when you get a tattoo from Freedom Tattoo, you know your ink is coming from the core of tattoo innovation.
Freedom Tattoo HK, Room B3A, 10/F, Luen Ming Hing Factory Building, 36 Mok Cheong Street, To Kwa Wan
The first words that come to mind when you scroll through any of the online portfolios for Hello Tattoo artists are “cute” and “dainty.” And Hello Tattoo is just that—a quick glance at the studio reveals a cosy space filled with light and a few Instagram-worthy corners. Cheery pastel colours are coupled with whimsical décor (a pink Christmas tree? Yes, please!) to give off the taste of having macarons and some very sweet pink lemonade.
With the neon signs that adorn its office walls, there’s no denying that Hello Tattoo is targeting the growing market of younger millennials. Unlike its older counterparts who favour big sleeves with the dramatic flair of dragons and tigers, this upcoming group is not trying to make a statement about status or beliefs, but rather, simply looking for Korean-style aesthetic pieces that reflect the small things that bring them happiness: pets, desserts, anime—you name it, they got it.
Hello Tattoo, Room 5, 10/F, Crown Industrial Building, 108 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong
At first glance, you may miss the entrance to Mofo Tattoo, situated at basement level. But after ducking down a flight of stairs, you will be greeted by a Midwest-salon-meets-barbershop vibe. Under the soft ambient lights from a neon signage, patrons and tattoo artists can chat and work comfortably. The careworn, homey vibe of the studio reflects the decade the studio has been killing it on the Hong Kong inking scene, firmly establishing their work in terms of quality and originality.
Mofo Tattoo houses a plethora of quirky and funky artists with very distinctive interpretations across all major tattooing styles, so you will be guaranteed to never find a similar-looking tattoo elsewhere. Whether you are looking for a dog sandwiched in a croissant, Yoda in a pink dressing gown, or an astronaut-turned-scribble, Mofo tattoo artists are ready to “flesh out” your ideas.
Mofo Tattoo, 560 Canton Road, Causeway Bay
Star Crossed Tattoos is all about old-school American and traditional Japanese styles. Ever since 2005, the tattoo shop has been providing custom-designed tattoos, with free tattoo touch-ups within the first year, and has vegan or hypoallergenic ink on hand upon request. With an all-female team, there is an extra sense of security for ladies looking to get inked.
Each artist has a rich portfolio, with Rika lining up classic but vibrant American tattoos, and Takco also working on classic American tattoos, using a more muted palette, with red and black taking centre stage. Yahel is known for her delicate designs, which work well whether you want a traditional full sleeve or something smaller.
Star Crossed Tattoo, 1/F, 1 Sun Street, Wan Chai | (+852) 3427 3820
Gone are the days of trawling on Instagram and Pinterest for tattoo inspirations or feeling too embarrassed to share the personal meaning behind your tattoo idea with your artist. Tennin Tattoo, founded by Mike Kam, where he works alongside fellow tattoo artist Jonathan Tsang, is a by-appointment-only studio, with the goal of creating pieces that will be loved forever.
After training for a handful of years at Star Crossed Tattoo, the high quality of his work and relationships with clients allowed Kam to establish his own tattoo studio in Causeway Bay. His work is imbued with themes of Japanese motifs and features an array of funky mythical creatures and legends. The finesse and delicacy he has with his detailing work translate into his creative process with clients to craft the perfect piece together.
Tennin Tattoo, 20/F, United Building, 447–449 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay | (+852) 5544 1836
Are you a fan of the mythical and occult? Psychopomp Tattoo can help you make your dreams come true—if your dreams are made of eldritch beings, skulls, and manga characters.
Psychopomp Tattoo’s founder, Anubis (named after the Egyptian god of the dead), specialises in dark aesthetics, with most of her creations representing demons, eldritch creatures, and other horrifying monsters, typically in hues of black and red only. For something occult but more traditional, tattoo artist Yiu is an expert in drawing and tattooing skulls, both human and animal. If you want something less startling, Psychopomp’s junior tattoo artist Tears is known for smaller, softer designs focusing on the fine details with small needles. Alternatively, tattooist Fish’s work is manga-inspired, and he often incorporates sketching lines and dots into his designs, giving the final result a unique hand-drawn look. The team operates on an appointment-only basis, so make sure to book prior to your visit.
Psychopomp Tattoo, Unit 2009, Metro Centre 2, 21 Lam Hing Street, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 9442 6516
According to the well-known adage, it’s “not the destination, it’s the journey” that matters, and we find this is true of getting tattooed, too. At Friday’s Tattoo, you can enjoy a Friday-esque, stress-free experience, where the team embraces both creativity and customer comfort. The flashy neon sign, dim lighting, vintage posters, books, and miniature collectibles scattered across the shelves all create an inviting vibe for customers to relax in while getting inked.
For a tattoo that feels like it’s about to come to life, Jamie’s skill in contrasting colours and typography design infuses multi-dimensional effect into his creations. For a more line-based and bold tattoo, Ken creates stunning large-scale drawings, while Dasha’s work is micro-realism-focused, with illustrations so realistic that it looks like you have postcards embedded into your skin. Friday Tattoo’s team consists of 10 artists, each of them with a different style, so you’ll definitely find somebody to bring your tattoo visions to life.
Friday’s Tattoo, Unit 9A, G/F, Lei Court, 13–15 Haven Street, Causeway Bay | (+852) 5595 0130
If you’re a watercolour enthusiast, Meiyee Tattoos can help ink your favourite artwork, or a custom design of your choice, onto your skin. Meiyee’s tattoos are perfect for those who want to get tattooed, but don’t want anything dark or too bold. Unlike most tattoo artists, Meiyee’s work doesn’t always have outlines, making for a more vibrant yet delicate look. While she specialises in custom-designed tattoos, she can also adapt or add to tattoos, so if you ever want to refresh your body art, you know where to go.
Meiyee Tattoos, Sai Kung | (+852) 9735 6962
Open for nearly two decades, Zink Tattoo Shop has proved to be one of the most trustworthy tattoo studios in Hong Kong, providing inked designs of the best quality. The private tattoo atelier believes that tattoos should be unique to each customer, so each tattoo is a custom manifestation of how Zac, the award-winning founder, is inspired by a customer’s story. Despite the majority of monochrome pictures on the website, Zac is happy to do coloured tattoos, too.
Zac’s designs are all hyperrealistic, in the style of photorealism, surrealism, or both blended together. His realist portfolio shows exceedingly accurate recreations of pets, family portraits, or even cultural artefacts, whereas his surrealist works are often epics inspired by pop-culture myths, legends, and movies.
Zink Tattoo Shop, 3/F, 30A Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 6677 2271
True to its name, Mini Tattoo provides small-scale tattoos. However, unlike the majority of cutesy tattoo studios, Mini Tattoo’s doesn’t necessarily focus on Korean-style creations, but rather opts for traditional and colourful designs. These mini tattoos can go from realistic mini headshots of pets, plushies, and flowers to any dainty custom design you can think of!
Mini Tattoo, 3 Wing Ming Street, Lai Chi Kok | (+852) 5542 2050
When you step into Mark Tattoo’s studio, you’ll be transported to an environment akin to traditional Chinese homes. Complete with lanterns, grey brick walls, and traditional Chinese window frames, the interior is a perfect reflection of the Asian-inspired styles of its tattooists.
Master Yip, the in-house Taiwanese tattoo expert, deals with monochrome large-scale traditional Japanese tattoos. Mark also does traditional Japanese tattoos, but offers more colourful designs. Denfok focuses on hyperrealism, with larger-than-life portraits of humans and animals that sometimes have Chinese elements blended into the mix. Anki sticks to traditional Chinese themes with watercolour-like abstract landscapes, as well as calligraphy that looks like it was written with an actual Xuan writing brush.
Mark Tattoo, Shop 409, 4/F, Sincere House, 83 Argyle Street, Mong Kok | (+852) 6744 7327
First published on 12 April 2020. Written by Grace Chong. Last updated by Punita Chan.
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