Tim Ho Wan and its History in the Michelin Guide
In the restaurant world, there is no higher recognition than the Michelin star. Chefs strive for their entire lifetime pursuing this ultimate acclaim. Only the very best restaurants, replicating their dishes consistently year after year, achieve this Olympian feat. It is with much honour that Tim Ho Wan’s top Hong Kong dim sum sits among the ranks as one of them.
Tim Ho Wan was started by Chef Mak Kwai Pui, formerly of the prestigious three Michelin starred Lung King Heen restaurant in Hong Kong’s Four Seasons Hotel, alongside Chef Leung Fai Keung. In 2009, the two chefs joined forces to open their first 20-seater top dim sum restaurant in Mongkok. A year later, they would earn their own one Michelin star. More branches opened, each earning its own Michelin star. The accolades for serving superb food at affordable prices soon followed. Indeed, Tim Ho Wan is often called the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant in the world!
Take a peek into this humble and unpretentious restaurant. You will be greeted by its old-school and simple design philosophy – from the open concept kitchen to adorning dim sum baskets on the walls. This tradition and simplicity extends to the food, which utilises elementary condiments and uncomplicated ingredients in its dishes, evoking and recreating the golden era of the old Silk Road teahouses where dim sum is said to have its origins. Today, customers need not journey quite as far to enjoy the award-winning Hong Kong dim sum in a more modern setting.
