So what do you do when you have a 22hour layover in Hong Kong? Well, I trust Sister Parikh to have a fun plan in mind!
Despite the long and tiring overnight flight back from Dubai, I reached Hong Kong on a Friday morning and clearly wasn’t going to spend my transit hours at the airport. So, I swiftly left the airport, hopped on to Airport Express and made my way towards Hong Kong Station to meet Sister Parikh.
Hong Kong is a bustling metropolis, I admire the city for its hustle and liveliness. It has an urban landscape that’s hard to beat, with harbors, mountains and skyscrapers, all in one city.
While there’s always something to do here, one thing you will never run short of are the food choices. When you have endless restaurants to chose from, you are in for a good food indulgence. With that in mind, I was set to binge at three of my most favourite restaurants, all located in Tsim Sha Tsui.
So yes, the entire day did revolve around a lot of food but also a fun surprise by Sister Parikh.
Lunch at Namo
If you love Thai food, Namo would be your go-to restaurant in Hong Kong.
Located very conveniently in East Tsim Sha Tsui, the restaurant serves excellent Thai food with a gorgeous harbor view of Hong Kong island. With a good selection of vegetarian options and very friendly staff, the ambience of the place is what makes this a completely satisfying dining experience!
My favorite thing on the menu has to be their Thai basil tofu and som tam salad. My forever state of hungriness has got me salivating as I type this.
Shoutout to Harshil from @eatravelovegram for the divine mango sticky rice dessert!
Dim Sums at Din Tai Fung
Although we have Din Tai Fung in Tokyo, there are NO vegetarian options. Yes, this makes me very angry.
So whenever I’m in Hong Kong, this is a go-to even if its just for dumplings. So while we were filled from our lunch at Namo, we still had space for steamed dumplings, you know just to snack on, nbd. Hands down, they serve the best dumplings and I always want sum dim sum.
If you’re at DTF definitely try the vegetarian dumplings (duh), spicy pickled cucumber, fried rice and stir-fry spinach with garlic.
Harbour Cruise on a Red-Sail Junk Boat, Aqua Luna
Sister Parikh and I have been wanting to do this for the longest time. And this time around, she surprised me with Aqua Luna’s evening harbor cruise. We couldn’t have chosen a better day to do this (not that there was another time we could on this trip tbh). Soaking up the gorgeous sunset views and sounds of Hong Kong’s harbour and skyline, the 45 minute cruise was just the right wind down activity to do.
Hong Kong, hands down has the most beautiful skyline in the world and floating along Vitctoria Harbour on this red junk boat was the highlight of this sweet and short trip.
*Highly suggest to get on at Tsim Sha Tsui terminal to get yourself a good seat for the whole experience.
Sichuan Cuisine at Qi Nine Dragons
Deliciously spicy Sichuan cuisine with a harbor view. Qi – Nine Dragons is the sister restaurant to Wan Chai’s Michelin starred Qi-House of Sichuan that serves fiery, flavorful Sichuan dishes. This one’s been a go-to ever since Sister Parikh took me there and we without fail dine here once or twice whilst I’m in Hong Kong. With a really good selection of vegetarian options on the menu and a profound love for spicy food, Qi – Nine Dragons is where we overindulge, with no regrets.
Chili oil wantons, vegetarian string beans, flaky scallion pancake, kung pao tofu with peanuts, mapo tofu and vegetable chili fried rice are our top picks here!
I can’t recall a city I’m more passionately familiar with than Hong Kong after having visited over a dozen times.
To more food frenzy trips and adventures with Sister Parikh in Hong Kong! ♥️
Well written post with beautiful pics. Every dish looks divine. Sounds like you had a great time during your layover.
Author
It was a great layover, thanks Poovanesh!
Wow! You really made the most of your time in Hong Kong. The food looks delicious, and the scenery is gorgeous. The red sail junk boats look like such an adventure.
Author
The red sail boat is such a lovely way to see the city’s skyline in a different perspective!
Oh wow, how very lucky and blessed! Hong Kong has been on my bucket list for a very long time now, my dream is to travel the world, at least once (I have never in my twenty-three-years have traveled outside of my country and it is quite disappointing)!
Author
Thank you Chantel! I hope you get to travel overseas soon. You will surely love the vibe of Hong Kong!
That looks amazing! I love Thai food, and the harbor cruise looks like a definite must-do. Glad you enjoyed it!
Author
It sure is! Thank you Lauren.
Great and enjoyable read! You explain your trip very well. Love your photography and food looks really delicious especially that sticky rice dessert and dumplings.
Author
So happy to read this Sarah. Thank you!
I would be happy to be a layover in Hong Kong. It is on my bucket list of places that I need to go to, its so beautiful and rich in culture.
Author
Completely agree. Hong Kong is a beautiful place to visit!
These pictures are incredible! Love them and i hope to one day visit Hong Kong
Author
Aww thank you, Sofi!
22 hours is such a short trip, but looks like you had a nice time. The food looks fantastic!
Author
It really isn’t enough but it made for a good layover nonetheless 🙂
This looks like such a amazing adventure the red sail junk boat ride would have been such a highlight for me, it looks like a fairytale boat, how cool. The food all looks amazing too which I am sure it was, what a wonderful experience.
Author
Yes definitely the red sail junk boat is a must do!
I am sure that 22 hours in Hong Kong weren’t enough!
Author
Absolutely not enough! Can’t wait to travel back soon.
I hope that you can do this soon! 🙂