Kau Kee Food Cafe image

Kau Kee Food Cafe

Restaurant Chinese restaurant Asian restaurant Chinese noodle restaurant

One of the Most Reviewed Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong Island


Address

Ground Floor, 21 Gough St, Central, Hong Kong

Contact

+852 2850 5967

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

3.70 (3.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 12:30 to 10:30 pm
  • Friday: 12:30 to 10:30 pm
  • Saturday: 12:30 to 10:30 pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: (Christmas Day), 12:30 to 10:30 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: (Boxing Day), 12:30 to 10:30 pm, Hours might differ
  • Wednesday: 12:30 to 10:30 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: beef (28) noodles (20) brisket (18) soup (13) curry (12) noodle (11) Beef (10) long (9) Hong (9) Kong (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 朱伯駿 5 years ago on Google
    This famous restaurant provides delicious Brisket (I am not sure whether this word points the correct part to the "牛腩", which is a meat near the belly with the tendons and fat). The brisket is very tender and the flavor is thick. Looks like the chief spends lots of time stewing. This specialty causes the long long queue in front of the door in every mealtime. You have to prepare to wait for a long time. The waiter and waitress are unfriendly and impatient like most of service in other restaurants in Hong Kong. Never mind and don't let it affects the appetite.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Stephanie C. 4 months ago on Google
    4 years ago this place was place was the bomb for beef curry noodles. Unfortunately the quality has really gone down hill. There are still long lines but honestly it’s not worth it anymore. Ordered beef brisket only (no noodles) which I also tried many years ago. This time the brisket was super tough. Sad, especially given the price. HKD165/ USD21 Service actually improved. I felt they were ruder many years ago. Floor is super slippery be careful. It’s an efficient local place so they will prioritize customers by party size. Cash only so be prepared !
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ali C. 1 year ago on Google
    Delicious curry beef brisket noodles with a generous portion of meat. Go for the ee noodles 伊面,matches the sauce perfectly. Less crowded nowadays, didn't have to wait at all. Might try the dry one next time!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Saroot L. 6 months ago on Google
    Great beef noodles if you don't mind the service and packed seating arrangements. You definitely get the authentic local restaurant experience. Worth a try if you haven't had this kind of meal before. Within walking distance of the bus and metro.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Wong Choo W. 1 year ago on Google
    With over 90 years of history in Hong Kong, Kau Kee Restaurant 九记 is famous of their Beef Brisket Noodles served in clear broth and Beef Curry Noodles. This restaurant almost always had a long line, but this time, it was only half full. The beef was still very soft and tender, but I felt that the broth was not as good as before. They ran out of hor fun 河粉, so it came with 伊面 noodles instead. Still yummy, but no longer mind-blowing. If going there, use A2 exit at Sheung Wan MTR. Walk about 400m towards Gough Street. #choowai2022 #wongchoowaieats #wongchoowai #beef #kaokee #beefbrisket #beefnoodles #beefnoodlesoup #hkfoodie #hkfood #hkfoodblogger #hk #sgfoodinfluencers #sgfoodbloggers #sgfoodies
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Andrew OT H. 1 year ago on Google
    Most renowned street food type beef brisket noodle in Hong Kong! Often seen bosses send their chauffeur in RR line up for take out, so you can imagine the taste. Come try my favourite Curry beef brisket tendon e fu noodle, unbelievable 😋 One of HK pride!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Dayoon K. 1 year ago on Google
    Really not sure what the hype is about. Was really looking forward to trying it but the noodle is blend and lacks flavour….
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Giami L. 1 year ago on Google
    came here at slightly later than dinner time, after my happy hour around the area. this is a very famous shop but i always wonder why. ordered the very basic signature beef brisket noodle soup, cost $60. it was something normal, usual, so why does it cost $60? just because it's at a busy area? because of its fame that some artists came often? i do not get it. spent 20 minutes to think about it, while eating, with no conclusion. eat and go.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Alvin L. 1 year ago on Google
    Good to try at least once. There is quite a bit of MSG but hey once is fine 😀 I preferred the e-mee with tendon curry. The queue, not a problem as I was the first before the shop opens sharp at 1230pm 😅 but have to share table, at least 5 a table. Okay to eat and dash…
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ian C. 4 years ago on Google
    Se ordered brisket flat noodles and curry noodles for $55 per bowl. And the size of the bowl appeared small but it is enough if you are not hungry. Perhaps like having bowl of Japanese ramen. There some options to get same bowl of noodles for $168 but if think it must be a jumbo size. Think it's better to go for the smaller bowls options and taste different styles of noodles. They serve two kind of variation of brisket soup bas and curry base. We tried both and both were delicious! The texture of slow and low cooked beef in curry was excellent. And the brisket was so tender and it almost melts in your mouth. Add some vinaegar in the brisket soup and it will lift the soup a notch. The soup tend to be a bit too fatty. It's like a whole in the wall place and they only accept cash for payment. Further down the road we diacovered a ramen place that got recommended in Guide Micheline for four year in a row. Going there to have some ramen too. Hehe. Ah, the noodles are places at the bottom of the bowl so need to dig it up!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 劉昕和 5 years ago on Google
    Very good place to go for a quick soup or after drinking. Beef and soup very very good. Recommend noddles rather than rice noodles. However, the service could go rude when you cannot speak cantonese and the long waiting line could really be a discouragement.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 William T. 3 years ago on Google
    This restaurant that has been around since the 1930s and is recognized as a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. So I went out there to check it out myself! This was definitely a bowl of delicious beef brisket worth praising. The beef brisket was absolutely tender and amazing... truly the highlight and worth coming alone for! The soup was flavorful and just right! This is a must-visit food destination in Hong Kong!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michelle (. 1 year ago on Google
    The best 咖喱牛腩伊麵 (Curry Beef Tendon E-Fu Noodles) in Hong Kong🇭🇰🍜 While others are complementing how good Kau Kee’s curry beef tendon tastes, their E-Fu noodles (伊麵) also deserves a shoutout by itself. I can guarantee this is not your normal E-Fu noodles! Unlike your regular 龍蝦伊麵 (lobster yee mein), the one at 九記 is more on the thinner and al dente side and it absorbs the curry broth very well. Their beef curry is worth mentioning as well!!Super flavorful, rich, and thick broth with a kick that makes you keep slurping the E-fu noodles🍜🥵 The only downside to it (not me) is that their portion is relatively small so the gentlemen might have to order a second bowl🙈 What we ordered: 🍜 Curry Beef Tendon E-Fu Noodles 咖喱牛筋腩撈伊麵 $87✨ 🍜 Curry Beef Tendon Rice Noodles 咖喱牛筋腩河粉 $60 ✨= highly recommended Bon appétit! 📱@infoodwetrustmi
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yi-Hsiang W. 5 years ago on Google
    Kau Kee is definitely the place to go for a meal when you are in Hong Kong island at central. Very close to LKF. Very kind service and lovely food. It’s very authentic and delicious. I personally love it a lot. Will go again. Highly recommended for anyone to go solo, with friends or family. Must pass by for this. Have fun!

  • 4/5 biyan t. 1 year ago on Google
    Popular among the locals. Tried beef brisket with noodle. Soup tasted sweet, and quality of meat is reasonable. Ordered take-away, and the food still did not disappoint.

  • 2/5 C C. 1 year ago on Google
    MSG laden broth, the beef was tough to chew, and the price was waaay too expensive for what it is and where it is. The thick egg noodle was tender though, thus the 2 stars. It's unfortunate that they haven't kept up with the quality of yesteryear. Frankly, I'm surprised this was a 2022 Michelin Star. The counter also tried shorting me 60 hkd in change. Will not be back.

  • 5/5 Yil V. 4 months ago on Google
    I've walked by this place countless times to see a super long line of people waiting. Finally, passed by with no one around and immediately got it. I think it's definitely well worth the wait. The beef brisket and the soup broth were delicious! The servers were also very lighthearted and kind too. I would definitely come here again!

  • 4/5 Alvin T. 3 months ago on Google New
    Two notable things to mention before I review the food, and that is parking is inaccessible, and you would need to pay by cash only. I like the noodles but I’m not sure if it’s the instant noodles kind. Seats are a little cramped but it suits the ambiance. I think the place had a little revamp so it’s nicer now. The food standard dropped a little and the soup isn’t that tasty as before. The beef is fresh and the tendons are nice. The ratio of the beef and tendons is not defined.

  • 5/5 Dr Toey N. 3 months ago on Google New
    Best beef noodle I've had in HK so far. But way too long line at lunch hr on a weekday. Getting a to go bowl is quite convenient and it took like 5 mins. Curry beef tendon is a must try dish.

  • 5/5 Lift_Run_Eat_ 3 months ago on Google New
    Kau Kee Kau Kee Food Cafe has a simple but excellent menu. You pick your type of Beef and you pick your type of noodle. You can go for the curry option but it’s not as good as the standard Beef Brisket with Noodle in Soup. Stick to this dish: 10/10 - 上湯牛腩粗麵/ Beef Brisket with Cumain Noodles A small bowl for the price but it’s worth it for the brisket. Thin strips of tender beef wrapped in a flavoursome fatty coating it 10/10. You can choose between vermicelli, flat noodles or a thicker style. I’d recommend going for the 粗麵 ‘Cumian’ - it’s a Hong Kong style flat noodle. It adds a little chewiness to the melt in your mouth beef. It’s definitely the best 粗麵 I’ve had in any cart noodle shop. 8/10 - 咖喱牛筋腩河粉/ Beef Brisket with Rice Noodle in Curry A very average Hong Kong style curry soup. Normally you get the concentrated curry flavour finished with a thicker coconut milk. This one is a little too watery and lacking in any kind of concentrated punch. The beef brisket and tendon is excellent but you could just get that in a normal soup dish. The tendon is 9/10 - very thin pieces soft and slowly cooked past the point of chewy and into glutinous. If you like tendon but have been put off by some places with pieces that are very thick, chewy and almost crunchy then this is a great place to start.

  • 4/5 Peerapol T. 3 months ago on Google New
    There was no queue when I got there around 3pm. One of the best beef noodles I had in Hong Kong. The soup is smooth and tasty, beef is very tender.

  • 5/5 matthew l. 2 years ago on Google
    Infamous beef noodle shop in HK that needs no introduction. Long queue. Zero service. Wonderful brisket. Quick in out. Yet I love it!

  • 5/5 Mr J. 5 months ago on Google
    Extremely long queue in non descript shop front. Hectic pace of service in a crowded place, but definitely worth the wait. Tender beef noodles in tasty broth.


Call +852 2850 5967 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Difficult to find a space
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Quick bite
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway

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