Many argue that Wan Chai is where to go for Hong Kong’s best food, and we have to agree with that sentiment. Boasting some of the city’s top restaurants, Wan Chai holds an abundance of stellar F&B operations, existing along the spectrum of both Asian and Western cuisines.
We know that many of you (our great readers) work in Wan Chai and that others enjoy traipsing through the neighbourhood for window-shopping, exploring, or searching for your next bite. When the lunch rush hits, make sure to reference this guide to know where you should be eating lunch in Wan Chai.
The best restaurants for lunch in Wan Chai
Sour Dough
Pastry lovers and bread enthusiasts, you must head to Sour Dough in Wan Chai to feast your eyes on their legendary spread of sourdough-based pastries, Swiss-style desserts, meaty sandwiches, and vegan salads. The offerings at this bakery-café are colourful and very tasty. For lunch, we recommend feasting on sandwiches like the tikka chicken (HKD58) and Nordic smoked salmon (HKD67). Their barley and roasted vegetable salad and fregola green salad (HKD25/100g) are equally delicious and healthy lunch picks.
Sour Dough, Shop 2 & 3, G/F, Keen Hung Commercial Building, 80 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, 2571 8873
Sabah Malaysian Cuisine
Named after the northern slice of Malaysia’s vibrant island of Borneo, Sabah is Wan Chai’s (and maybe Hong Kong Island’s) answer to robust Malaysian cuisine, a rarity when searching for the authentic stuff. Orders come quick and lunch hours are busy, so grab yourself a seat and order lunch sets (HKD75) of Ipoh chicken soup, beef rendang with rice, nasi lemak, or seafood laksa (HKD75) for flavourful, salty bites.
Sabah Malaysian Cuisine, Shop 1, G/F, Pao Woo Mansion, 177–179 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, 5922 2218
Honbo
The holy grail of home-grown Hong Kong burgers, Honbo comes from humble beginnings in Wan Chai, serving up straightforward, no-frills American-style burgers to hungry mouths. The smashed burger you need to order at lunchtime is either the Honbo (HKD98) with two crispy, cheese-topped patties and all the trappings or the double cheeseburger (HKD158), which comes with thicker patties and even more cheese. For a salty side, go for the fries, sweet potato fries, or tater tots (HKD40).
Honbo, Shop B, G/F, New Sun House, 6–7 Sun Street, Wan Chai, 2567 8970
Kam Fung Restaurant
For those in the know, Kam Fung Restaurant is a mecca for Cantonese café-style food in Wan Chai. This cha chaan teng has operated for decades, nurturing a loyal fanbase. For your feed during lunch hours to fill you up, make sure you to have the egg tart (HKD9), pineapple bun (HKD9), luncheon meat sandwich (HKD21), satay beef instant noodles (HKD37), and ham macaroni soup (HKD35) on your hit list.
Kam Fung Restaurant, G/F, Spring Garden Mansion, 41 Spring Garden Lane, Wan Chai, 2572 0526
KIN KAO
Amongst Wan Chai’s crop of excellent Thai restaurants, KIN KAO stands out for a perfect lunch, well suited with its portion sizes, bold flavours, and speedy service. With two locations in Wan Chai and six options on their set lunch menu (HKD80), we recommend going for their boat noodles, poached Hainan chicken, or Chiang Mai curry soup. Start salivating now (you can thank us later).
KIN KAO, G/F, Tai Wong Building, 3 Tai Wong Street East, Wan Chai, 2529 3806
KIN KAO, Shop 10, G/F, Rialto Building, 2 Landale Street, Wan Chai, 2591 4741
Chef’s Meal
A newbie on the scene, Chef’s Meal is brought to us by the people behind Jeonpo Meat Shop – winner of our Foodie Forks 2024 Best Korean Restaurant award – serving up bento boxes of customisable kimbap (from HKD15) and tofu pouch rice (from HKD15). The Korean hole in the wall does great beef bulgogi (HKD88) and spicy stir-fried chicken (HKD68) cupbop for those seeking more protein- and carb-rich bites during lunch hour to fuel their day.
Chef’s Meal, 57 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, order here
24–35 Fusion Fast Food
If you’re straddling the border of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay searching for spice-rich, fiery South Asian food, 24–35 Fusion Fast Food is where we recommend heading for sumptuous Nepalese cuisine. For the uninitiated to Nepalese food, or those familiar and hungry at lunch, their top picks include the chicken jhol momo (HKD60/10pcs), pork fried momo (HKD65/10pcs), chicken roti set (HKD72), egg rice set (HKD62), and lamb rice set (HKD72).
24–35 Fusion Fast Food, Shop E1, G/F, Hung Yip Building, 234–236 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, 2646 7778
Lang’s Cafe
Lang’s Cafe is your answer to a sweet escape at lunchtime, when the Wan Chai restaurant invites guests inside the doors of its classic Cantonese eatery. This local haunt features a lunch menu of steamed rice rolls (from HKD49), BBQ pork puffs (HKD42/2pcs), steamed meat and rice sets (HK94), and refreshing ice-cold drinks.
Lang’s Cafe, Shop A & B, G/F, Vanville, 8 Tai Yuen Street, Wan Chai, 2668 4068, book here
Morty’s
If you’ve ever been to New York, you’ll soon figure out that Hong Kong doesn’t like to copy much about its North American cousin. Yet one thing is for sure – Morty’s is the answer to your Katz’s-Deli-Reuben-sandwich-American-diner addiction. Their Wan Chai location serves up Reuben (HKD145), Italian hero (HKD130), and classic pastrami (HKD130) sandwiches, hot dogs (HKD110) with the works, and juicy burgers (HKD135) on their newly updated menu. Have your lunch at Morty’s if you’re not worried about a food coma later.
Morty’s, 8–10 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai, 3665 0890
Banh Mi Nem
Launched in April 2024 around the corner from Wan Chai’s Blue House, Banh Mi Nem is where you need to head for your fix of truly authentic Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, made with love in Hong Kong from recipes straight from Saigon. Open till 7:30PM daily (though they often sell out by 3PM), get your feed of cold cut (HKD78), grilled chicken (HKD68), or tofu (HKD68) banh mi, paired with an order of double-crusted fried spring rolls (HKD68/4pcs).
Banh Mi Nem, 247–249 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, 9899 1247
Bengal Brothers
A stalwart of the Wan Chai food scene since it debuted a few years back, Bengal Brothers serves up the speciality kathi rolls of Calcutta in East India, flaky paratha wrapped around well-spiced fillings. From their lunch menu, be sure to fill your rolls with chicken tikka (HKD88), achari paneer (HKD88), or lamb seekh kebab (HKD118). Then top up with some Kerala fried chicken (HKD98) if you have the stomach space. Don’t leave without ordering a mango lassi (+HKD15) or chai (+HKD10) to serve your thirst.
Bengal Brothers, Shop D, G/F, Man Hee Mansion, 6 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, 9245 8774, book here
El Taquero
Some might say that Mexican food can’t be enjoyed for lunch without the pairing of tequila followed by a long siesta, but we disagree – because at El Taquero, you’ll be dying to try their trompo-grilled offerings. Their lunch menu features savoury and spicy chicken enchiladas (HKD168), a daily-changing taco set (HKD148), and the fantastic al pastor torta (HKD148), a Mexican-style sandwich starring roast pork.
El Taquero, Shop B–F, G/F, Yan King Court, 119 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, 2811 1998, book here
Chief’s Blend
Hong Kong’s first biltong-specialist cafe brings South Africa’s air-dried cured meat to the area, as well as African-inspired baps, sourdough sandwiches, and bowls. Chief’s Blend’s top picks are their boerewors hot dog and fries (HKD110), offering a robust and meaty bite, pesto & spinach omelette bap (HKD68), meat lovers (HKD68) wholegrain toasties, and classic acai (HKD125) bowl. Their offerings are light yet pack a salty punch. Make sure to order one of their smoothies.
Chief’s Blend, Shop No. 4, G/F, Corner of 17-21 Burrows Street, Wan Chai, 6998 5614
Passione
Passione came to Hong Kong from the same chef who founded Sour Dough, prompting Wan Chai’s health kick and sourdough addiction. Lunch items like their chicken tikka sour dough toast (HKD85), slow-cooked beef casseroles (HKD135), and their bountiful green nutrient bowl (HKD94) make for a healthy break in your day. During weekdays, their lunch delight set (HKD98) offers great value with one sandwich or quiche, any two choices of salad up to 200 grams, and one hot drink.
Passione, Shop G11, G12 & F12A, G/F, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, 2833 6778
