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Header images courtesy of O’taste (via Facebook)
Home to Hong Kong’s iconic Ladies Market and Sneakers Street, Mong Kok’s streets are full of hidden gems. As a buzzing area recognised for its trendy dining places, there is an undoubtedly huge selection of affordable and tasty eats. From cha chaan tengs to cool fusion restaurants and all-you-can-eat buffets, Mong Kok has it all. Good food doesn’t need to hurt your wallet, so here are eight affordable lunch spots in Mong Kok for your next visit.
Originally founded in North Point, Ahimsa Buffet has since opened up in four more neighbourhoods, including Mong Kok. As a vegetarian buffet restaurant serving mainly Chinese cuisine, you’ll also be able to find an array of fusion options to satiate your cravings. With an extensive selection of rice, noodle, vegetable, salad, and bread dishes, each plateful will leave you wanting more delicious food.
Go for the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet (starting from $70) for the most bang for your buck. Ahimsa also has an à la carte veggie takeout box option. Some must-order dishes from the menu include the black truffle fried udon with fixed mushroom ($58) and the dry-fried string beans served with rice ($58).
Ahimsa Buffet, 2/F, 88 Sai Yee Street, Mong Kok | (+852) 2889 2938
One Dim Sum is a popular local dim sum spot known for its cheap prices and delectable bites. While the cha chaan teng (茶餐廳; Hong Kong-style tea restaurant) is officially located in Prince Edward, it would be a shame not to include it in our Mong Kok guide, as it’s situated at a walking distance from Mong Kok East.
Like most dim sum places, the restaurant has a wide range of delicacies beyond dim sum itself. Their must-try signature dishes include the shrimp & vegetable dumplings ($24) and siu mai ($30). Before you leave, be sure to indulge in the steamed custard buns ($18)—the perfect end to a delightful meal.
One Dim Sum, 209A–209B, Tung Choi Street, Prince Edward | (+852) 2677 7888
With a few branches dotted around Hong Kong, O’taste is a casual Korean restaurant known for its budget-friendly menu. Specialising in Korean cuisine, the food is exceptionally tasty with reasonably-sized portions that are guaranteed to fill you up. O’taste’s menu encompasses a variety of Korean delicacies with many meat options, but they also serve vegetarian alternatives that are just as tasty!
If you're looking for something hot, the spicy pork bibimbap ($60) has the perfect balance of flavours. The chicken bulgogi lunch box with five sides ($70) and original kimbap ($40) are also popular choices amongst customers. We recommend getting takeout as the restaurant is always jam-packed with limited seating spaces.
O’taste, Shop G12, The Forest, 17 Nelson Street, Mong Kok | (+852) 2868 5888
Just as their name suggests, Chicken Wings Mountain specialises in fried chicken, and it’s famous for having a slew of interesting chicken wing flavours. Opt for the six-piece set ($48), which comes with six pieces of tender and crispy chicken wings with your choice of flavour. You can also choose to add a beverage to the set for an additional $18—the iced peach tea is the perfect drink to balance out all the flavours.
While they have many classics available, their menu is filled with creative fusion chicken wing flavours. If you’re feeling adventurous and in the mood for something sweet, the bubble tea-inspired chicken wings with brown sugar tapioca pearls & lemongrass is definitely a creative option.
Chicken Wings Mountain, Shop 14, T.O.P. This is Our Place, 700 Nathan Road, Mong Kok | (+852) 2310 2055
Dignity Kitchen is a Singaporean-style restaurant that aims to serve and better their local community. As a social enterprise, the restaurant employs differently-abled staff to cook, and also assists in giving them the opportunity to work while providing a stepping stone towards financial independence. As stated in their mission statement “Made with love, served with dignity,” their food is just as heartwarming as their intentions.
From this hawker-style restaurant that serves homey Singaporean fare, you’ll love the nasi lemak with curry chicken ($65), bak chor mee ($50), and shrimp laksa ($58). Made with love, a visit to the Dignity Kitchen will surely warm your heart while also filling your stomach with delicious food. To end your meal on a sweet note, get a slice of the pandan cake ($25), served with a side of childhood nostalgia.
Dignity Kitchen, 2/F, 618 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok | (+852) 2561 2633
Aroy Khao Man Gai is the restaurant for people looking to indulge in authentic Thai street food. In Thai, “aroy” (อร่อย) literally translates to delicious, and the dishes at Aroy Khao Man Gai definitely live up to the translation!
While they are known for their impeccable Thai cuisine, the restaurant is also popular for their remarkably cheap lunch sets (starting from $48). It includes a decent selection of Thai classics like the golden spicy minced pork fried noodles and their signature Thai chicken rice, served with a drink of your choice.
Aroy Khao Man Gai, 97 Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok | (+852) 2398 9918
Another dim sum spot? Well, we believe that there’s no such thing as too much dim sum! Dim Dim Sum is a local restaurant that serves traditional Chinese food at an affordable price. Their specialities include the BBQ pork buns ($20) and the crispy rice flour rolls with shrimp ($33). A must-try delicacy is the Shanghainese soup dumpling ($25), otherwise known as xiaolongbao (小籠包). If you’re craving something sweet after the fulfilling meal, the pineapple buns with pineapple custard filling ($24) are perfect to finish off the grand feast.
Dim Dim Sum, 106 Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok | (+852) 2615 1609
You’ve never seen instant noodles served like this! Noodlemeen takes your regular pantry staples and elevates them while adding an unexpected twist to spice up the dish. Let the drools come on as you browse through their extensive menu of creative fusion noodles, like the dan dan instant noodles ($58) and the carbonara instant noodles with bacon & onsen egg ($78). Noodlemeen also has snack options like the fried veal sausage ($48) and black truffle fries ($48) that are definitely worth pairing with your mains.
Noodlemeen, Shop 26–27, B2/F, Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mong Kok | (+852) 3168 6242
Kriti was born in Mumbai but raised in Hong Kong and shares a strong bond with both places. As a current journalism student, she is keen on writing, sharing stories, and has a growing interest in photography. When she is not reading (Harry Potter, or anything really), you’ll find her exploring the city, attempting to skateboard, and finding new dumpling places.
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