Sham Shui Po: The Ultimate Neighbourhood Guide For Families in Hong Kong

We like to think of Sham Shui Po as an emblem of Hong Kong culture – the cheap eats, local vendors, nostalgic toy street and a mix of chaos all make this buzzy neighbourhood a gem.

Where else in the world can you find street vendors selling miscellaneous computer hardware next to Michelin-recommended restaurants, a prestigious art university just a stone’s throw away from local street-food vendors, and flea-market clothes stalls next door to a craft-a-holic’s dream? Sham Shui Po is truly one of a kind, and this busy district is anything but boring. So put on a pair of comfortable shoes and get ready to explore! Keep in mind this area isn’t particularly pram-friendly and can also get very crowded during weekends.

Read More: West Kowloon Cultural District – Restaurants & Things To Do

Jump to:
Where To Eat In Sham Shui Po
Where To Shop In Sham Shui Po
Places To See In Sham Shui Po

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Where To Eat In Sham Shui Po

Tomato C Hing

The long lines in front of Tomato C Hing are worth braving for a taste of comforting tomato-based soup noodles. Given the popularity, there’s a time limit for dining so it’s not the place to go to if you’re looking to lounge! Do note that the menu is all in Chinese so you’ll need a helping hand for translation.

Tomato C Hing, G/F, 255 Ki Lung Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 9165 0670, www.instagram.com/tomato_c_hing

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Poke Go

The poke chain with its other locations in Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai is a popular spot to get your Hawaiian rice bowl fix. Pick from six of the ready-made bowls or have the kids build their own and choose their protein.

Poke Go, G/F, 211 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3563 8137, www.pokegohk.com

Read More: Where To Find The Freshest Poke Bowls In Hong Kong

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YEARS

Designed with a minimalist, Japanese aesthetic in mind, we’re all ears for YEARS when it comes to lighter and healthier food options. Everything is vegetarian and can be made vegan upon request – from burgers, pastas and smaller bites, there’s something for everyone in the family.

Sassy Mama Tip: Drop by the next door boutique, Shop At Years, for Hong Kong-made goodies and more!

YEARS, Shop 1, G/F, Fuk Lung Building, 191-199 Fuk Wah Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 6338 3719, www.www.yearshk.com

Read More: Vegetarian Restaurants In Hong Kong To Try With The Family

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Oi Man Sang

If you’re after a classic dai pai dong experience in Sham Shui Po, this is where to go. From saucy steamed fish to Typhoon Shelter-style prawns and deep-fried oyster, this is a seafood haven that comes reasonably priced with unbeatable flavour. We suggest going in a bigger group so you can order more dishes to share!

Oi Man Sang, Shop B-C, G/F, 1 Shek Kip Mei Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2393 9315

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Tim Ho Wan

Nobody does Char Siu Baos quite like Tim Ho Wan, and this branch may possibly serve up the best. We’re not sure if it’s the hunger that inevitably kicks in after a day of exploring Sham Shui Po or whether it’s the little open kitchen where you can watch your dumplings being steamed, but something about this particular Tim Ho Wan makes dim sum just taste extra good. Be prepared to wait – but it will be worth it!

Tim Ho Wan, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2788 1226, www.timhowan.hk

Read More: Dim Sum In Hong Kong – The Best Yum Cha For Kids

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Heritage Tea House

Just a short walk from downtown Sham Shui Po and with an atmosphere so tranquil it’s a bit like eating in a zen spa, the Heritage Tea House is your best bet for a moment of peace and quiet in one of Hong Kong’s busiest areas. The real winner is this restaurant’s homemade dumplings and noodle soup, served with healthy iced herbal tea. This spot is best with older children.

Heritage Tea House, Unit L1-06, Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, 30 Pak Tin Street, Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2779 1030, www.facebook.com/Heritage-Tea-House

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Hop Yik Tai

While Mong Kok is famed for its street food, Sham Shui Po offers just as good a selection in a slightly less hectic environment. This particular stall is famed for their cheung fun, or rice noodle rolls, which are made fresh every day and rather than stuffed (as you might find in a dim sum restaurant), they are served up with a variety of rich sauces. This popular little eatery was recommended in the Michelin Guide, so prepare to queue – but trust us when we say it’s worth it.

Hop Yik Tai, 121 Kwelin Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong 

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Cafe Sausalito

While other areas in Hong Kong are admittedly more hailed for their coffee shops, Sham Shui Po does offer a pretty good cuppa to those who seek it. Café Sausalito offers all the usual suspects as well as single origin pour over coffee and a few original concoctions. We love that they also work hard to protect the environment and add to the local community by encouraging customers to bring their own cups, providing free water for those who want to refill bottles, and work with partnerships to minimise food waste and host live music on weekends.

Cafe Sausalito, 201 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3689 3292, www.cafesausalitohk.com

Read More: Best Coffee Roasters In Hong Kong – Where To Buy Coffee Beans

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Where to Shop In Sham Shui Po

Apliu Street

Throwing a party and looking for fairy lights? Or, planning a weekend of serious home improvement and need an antenna, a jackhammer or a shower head? Or perhaps you’re looking for a last-minute gift idea and have your heart set on a drone? Head to Apliu Street! The market here can be a bit of a shock to the system at first, but for those with a keen eye and serious stamina, it will quickly prove to be a treasure trove of electronic trinkets. Located directly outside MTR exit A2, the stalls lining Apliu Street are overflowing with electronics, so whatever it is you’re looking for, this is a pretty good bet.

Apliu Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong

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Fuk Wing Street Also Known As Toy Street

The sense of nostalgia Fuk Wing Street brings is unparalleled, from mini Hong Kong taxis to Barbie dolls and cute collectibles, these shops are almost frozen in time from the late 1990s. Drop by during festivities like Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival and Christmas and thank us later! Keep an eye out for tinsels and lanterns hanging from above as you walk past shops!

Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Read More: Toy Stores In Hong Kong – Where To Buy LEGO, Jellycat, Fidget Spinners And More

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Tai Nan Street For Hong Kong-Made Leather Products

There’s no shortage of leather stores in Sham Shui Po, and one of our favourites is Alri Star. With the tell-tale smell of leather drawing you in, this high-ceiling shop holds everything you could ever need for leather crafts, including some lovely handmade items. If by some ill fate you can’t find what you’re looking for, try one of the other stores in the area: There’s The Lederer, where you can pick up DIY leather stitching packs or the Teepee Leather Workshop, where you can learn the craft itself.

Alri Star, 236 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3791 2217, www.instagram.com/alricraft

The Lederer, 219 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2614 5221, www.thelederer.com.hk

Teepee Leather Workshop, 217 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2488 9101, www.facebook.com/Teepee-Leather-Workshop

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Golden Computer Centre and Arcade

Have your kids been nagging you for the latest gaming console? Or perhaps you want to pick up a new dehumidifier? Whatever tech needs you have, it’s all taken care of at the Golden Computer Centre and Arcade where you can snag decent bargains (see our guide to computer centres on our sister site, Sassy for more details!). 

Golden Computer Centre, 146-152 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong

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Dragon Centre

One of those untouched malls where you can find anything and everything in reasonable prices too! From the Sincere department store to cute stationery at Apple Mall (yes, a mall within a mall!) and a food court, a children’s arcade and an ice rink on the top floors, you can easily spend the day here finding little gems.

Sassy Mama Tip: Stop by Relax Zone Professional Blind Massage Center (the names are all in Chinese) at the 7th Floor where the masseuses are from the visually impaired community and massages cost $60 for 15 minutes!

Dragon Centre, 37K Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.dragoncentre.com.hk

Read More: Where To Go Ice Skating In Hong Kong – Ice Hockey And Skating Rinks

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To Yuen Beads

The kids will go a little nuts here! Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but a small, humble family-run shop full of beads in all colours and materials. You can learn to make lanterns, necklaces and figurines for free if you purchase at least 100 beads!

To Yuen Beads, G/F, 261-263 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.instagram.com/_toyuenbeads

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Savon Workshop

There are all sorts of ways to get crafty, so why not pick one that allows you to smell good too? A family-run business, Savon Workshop is the place to head for soap-making enthusiasts, stocked from floor to ceiling with deliciously fragrant oils, dried herbs and flowers, and handmade soaps and skincare. Not ready to experiment at home by yourself? The store also runs soap-making workshops.

Savon Workshop, 191 – 193 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2677 8173, www.savonworkshop.com

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Lucky Weaving Lace Co.

For crafty DIY-ers, stores like Lucky Weaving Lace Co. are a veritable goldmine. Anything that can be tied into a knot is sold here – there are rows upon rows of ribbons and strings, from old-fashioned lace and floral embroidery to leather cords and strands of pompoms; they have it all! Rather than spending a fortune on gift wrap, why not dress up presents with a little visit to Lucky Weaving?

Lucky Weaving Lace Co., 122 Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Read More: Best Stationery Stores In Hong Kong

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Bead Box Ltd.

If DIY jewellery is more up your alley, head to Bead Box instead. You can’t miss the store – just look out for the fake and slightly dusty European-style brick walls with windowsills overflowing with plastic greenery. The shop itself boasts a huge selection of pendants, beads and pretty much anything else that can be hung from a piece of string; you’ll find everything from animals, snowflakes, skulls and the whole alphabet, as well as googly eyes in all sizes (because you can never have enough googly eyes!).

Bead Box Ltd., 221 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong

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Vinyl Hero

Music lovers, this one’s for you. With records from the vinyl heyday of the seventies and eighties, Ah Paul’s (the owner who is a true enthusiast and a bit of a legend) tiny space is chock-a-block full of musical gems, stacked high from floor to ceiling. Prepare to spend some time browsing, and digging!

Vinyl Hero, 239 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 9841 7136

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Places To See In Sham Shui Po

Garden Hill Hike

If you have older kids, catch the sunset with a short, 15-minute climb right in the middle of the concrete jungle! Garden Hill is short, easy and well-paved. From Sham Shui Po MTR Exit D2, walk along Kweilin Street towards Mei Ho House. When you reach, you will see a path just in between the Po Leung Kuk Community Services Center and Mei Ho House and a flight of stairs at the end, this is the starting point of the hike.

Read More: The Best Trails To Go Hiking In Hong Kong With Kids

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Ex-Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir

This century-old historic structure served as the main source of public water supply on the Kowloon Peninsula but ceased operation and was later discovered in 2020. The Roman-style granite piers and red brick arches are a rarity in Hong Kong so don’t miss it with the family! The Ex-Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir is open from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm on Mondays to Sundays (closed on Tuesdays).

Ex-Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir, Woh Chai Shan, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong

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JCCAC

If you’re keen on exploring some local arts and crafts, follow the quiet Pak Tin Street to the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre. This multi-storey former housing estate has a courtyard in the middle and is best described as a multidisciplinary arts ‘village‘. The charity-run space provides studios to the local arts community and is a great place to soak up the creative spirit. Visitors are welcome to stroll around at any time and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch an exhibition day.

Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, 30 Pak Tin Street, Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2353 1311, www.jccac.org.hk

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Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum

Discover some of Hong Kong’s ancient history at the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, which was uncovered in 1955 during construction work and is believed to be from the Eastern Han dynasty ca. 25-220AD. The tomb can be seen behind glass panelling, and the exhibition hall next door is full of pottery and bronze artefacts excavated from the tomb.

Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum, 41 Tonkin Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2386 2863,  hk.history.museum/lei-cheng-uk-han-tomb

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Editor’s Note: “Sham Shui Po: The Ultimate Neighbourhood Guide For Families in Hong Kong” was most recently updated in September 2024 by Fashila Kanakka, with thanks to Melissa Albarus for her contribution.