[Hong Kong] There are only a handful of places in Hong Kong that still maintain the push-cart style of serving dim sum, and Lin Heung Kui 蓮香居 is one of them.
This is not to be confused with Lin Heung Tea House 蓮香樓 – which was threatened with closure recently but managed to renew their lease at the last minute.
A forgivable mistake since the names are so similar, and both are located in the Central/Sheung Wan area.
An interesting thing to note is that Lin Heung Kui is actually awarded with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, despite being the newer outlet.
The first time I visited Hong Kong as a tourist, I envisioned myself having piping hot dim sum from push trolleys, an experience right out of a Lonely Planet guidebook.
However, it was not to be, since these trolley-style dim sums are apparently a dying art.
The main dining hall is located on the second floor, with a flow-over floor on the third.
I took the lift up to the third floor to have a look and it was a much more subdued environment.
Looking for the authentic “yum cha” experience, I headed back down to the bustling second floor which was full of hungry patrons waiting on the next trolley to come by their table.
Unlike the usual dim sum restaurants that have a menu for you to tick off what you want, at Lin Heung Kui, little old ladies in trolleys are serving the dim sum here.
So it is really a game of chance what is being served out from the kitchen.
If you cannot understand Cantonese, it will be tricky since the servers are shouting out what’s available but that makes the experience authentic.
The first trolley that whirled by had the Leaf Wrapped Glutinous Rice (HKD30, SGD5.20), which I quickly grabbed.
The sticky glutinous rice was flavourful and filled with nice bits of chicken and mushroom.
My friend chased down (yes, chased) a plate of Steamed Rice Flour Roll With Prawn (HKD32, SGD5.60).
Alas, the hesitant-us took too long trying to decide, and the trolley has passed us by.
And so, the rice roll was on the thicker side, quite average tasting.
I also tried the Steamed Beancurd Sheet Roll With Meat and Vegetable Stuffing (HKD30, SGD5.20), which was really good.
Then an interesting trolley came by which had an attached pan for frying the Radish Cake and Taro Cake on the go.
First you let the lady know which item you would like and she would pan fry a plate of them for you.
I ordered the classic Radish Cake (HKD26, SGD4.50), which was not too starchy and nicely done with the texture of shredded radish in every bite.
Service here was nice (surprisingly!), with friendly trolley ladies who gladly slowed down to accommodate you if you can’t quite figure out what’s being served.
Basically, expect a very spontaneous dining experience here since you have to “go with the flow”.
Do decide on your food choices quickly since it is kind of hard to know what’s going to be served.
Compared with Lin Heung Tea House 蓮香樓, which has a reputation for “dim sum death match” whereby you have to fight for your dim sum, Lin Heung Kui is a milder, friendly version.
Definitely a recommended local experience if you would like to try authentic dim sum without getting into a brawl.
Lin Heung Kui 蓮香居
2/3F 46-50 Des Voeux Rd West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong (Sai Ying Pun MTR Exit A2)
上環德輔道西46-50號2-3樓
Tel: +852 2156 9328
Opening Hours: 6:00am – 11:00pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Lin Heung Kui
Other Related Entries
Lin Heung Tea House 蓮香樓 (Central, Hong Kong)
One Dim Sum 一點心 (Prince Edward, Hong Kong)
Famous Dim Sum 名點心 (Prince Edward, Hong Kong)
Dim Dim Sum 點點心 (Mongkok, Hong Kong)
Tim Ho Wan 添好運 (Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong)
Click HERE for other HONG KONG Food Entries
* Written by DFD’s Hong Kong Correspondent @kara_the_explorer, who is the Singaporean “tai tai” living the foodie dream in Hong Kong. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
