Gough Street, also known as “NoHo”, is a street located in the middle of Sheung Wan that offers great food options for both locals and tourists. Before it became a popular food destination, the street was filled with printing presses. Nowadays, it has become one of the must-visit places for tourists to taste the amazing food of Hong Kong.
Getting Here
Gough Street is a 7-8 minute walk from Sheung Wan MTR, and you can get there via Hillier Street or Wellington Street. If coming from Hillier Street, please note that you will have to take a flight of stairs. On the other hand, if coming from Wellington Street, the road is flat with a slight incline.
Option 1: via Hillier St and Queen’s Road Central (Stairs involved)
- Take the Island Line MTR to Sheung Wan Station
- Look for Sheung Wan Station Exit A2
- Turn right to Wing Lok Street toward Hillier Street
- Turn left onto Hillier Street, walk until you reach the end of the street
- Turn right onto Queen’s Road Central, cross the street
- Turn left, walk for 100 meters, and take the stairs up to Gough Street
Option 2: via Wellington Street
- Take the Island Line MTR to Sheung Wan Station
- Look for Sheung Wan Station Exit A2
- Turn left to Wing Lok Street towards Man Wa Lane
- Walk for 50 meters and turn left onto Bonham Strand
- Cross the street and turn left onto Wellington Street
- Turn right onto Aberdeen Street
- Turn right onto Gough Street
Restaurants in Gough Street
There are many restaurants and unique shops located on Gough Street. Over the years, these establishments have undergone significant changes, possibly due to high rent prices. Unfortunately, one of my favorite shops, Hakawa Chocolate, recently announced its closure in February of 2024. Despite this, I still have some favorites that I would like to recommend.
A Little Happiness (UPDATE: Permanently Closed)
Located at the end of Gough Street, this local dessert shop sells puddings and puddings with cheesecakes. Besides puddings, they also have one of the best Caramel Palmier cookies. Their palmier cookies even won a Gold Monte Selection award. The palmier cookie packaging contains a little wooden owl engraved with simple wishes such as “good health”. If you are looking for souvenirs to give to family and friends, the palmier cookies are a great option.
UPDATE: The shop in Gough Street is now permanently closed. If you wish to try their puddings, you can visit their shop in Yuen Long, you can find the address here.
Sleep More Eat More Gelato
If you love desserts, especially gelato, you’re in luck! A new gelato shop has opened on Gough Street, featuring the local Hong Kong brand SleepWellEatMore Gelato. Located at the end of Gough Street, it has taken over the previous site of “A Little Happiness”.
The gelato flavors are not permanent, so you may find a different menu when you visit. They change their offerings based on what is in season. During our visit, we noticed that flavors like matcha and kabocha were no longer available. Instead, we tried eight flavors: olive oil, tofu, pistachio, peanut, strawberry, pink guava, tea, and chocolate with whisky. The flavors were quite interesting!
The olive oil flavor was a bit bland, and I struggled to find the right words to describe it. The tofu flavor tasted like soybean or tofu pudding. Both the peanut and pistachio flavors had rich, intense tastes. I found that the chocolate with whisky had a stronger whisky flavor than I expected, which somewhat overshadowed the chocolate. Personally, I preferred the strawberry and the oriental beauty tea flavored gelato; they were quite good!
This brand also operates a cake shop in Sai Ying Pun, where they occasionally offer cakes for pre-order, available for pick-up on special occasions.
For more updates, you can follow their Instagram at @sleepwelleatmore_gelato.
The Ice Cream and Cookie Co.
A new ice cream sandwich shop has opened on Gough Street, and it’s gaining attention for its signature ice cream sandwiches. This Singaporean brand is known for its tempting ice cream sandwiches, although the prices can be a bit high. Their signature desserts include ice cream sandwiches (HKD 98), warm cookie skillets (HKD 118), and sticky date pudding (HKD 138).
In addition to cookies and ice cream sandwiches, the shop also serves coffee, tea, and specialty drinks like matcha lattes and matchagato. They feature a variety of interesting ice cream flavors, such as Peanut Butter Mochi, Pistachio, Miso Maple Walnut, and Blue Cheese Pear. Customers have the option to sample the ice cream before making their selection.
Zagin Soba
The ramen here is one of the best I’ve had in Hong Kong, although it’s a bit pricey. The chicken broth is rich and creamy, and they have a limited edition ramen that changes on occasion. When I visited, I ordered their Hokkaido pumpkin soba. Although I’m not fond of pumpkin, this one tastes really good. The restaurant is smaller than expected, so make sure to arrive early.
If the ramen shop is full, there are other nearby Japanese restaurants. However, this area is expensive, so expect meals to cost at least HKD 90 or more.
Kau Kee Food Cafe
Kau Kee has to be the most famous restaurant in Gough Street. Almost every tourist I encountered while walking in Sheung Wan asked me for directions to go to Kau Kee. It is famous for its beef brisket noodles, which are soft and tender with a rich soup broth. Don’t be surprised to see that there is always a long queue outside the restaurant.
Sing Heung Yuen
Located just across from Kau Kee Food Cafe, Sing Heung Yuen is a Dai Pai Dong (open-air food stall) that serves traditional Hong Kong dishes. It is famous for its tomato-based soup noodles and crunchy bun with condensed milk. Most of the food on their menu can be found in other cha chaan teng, hence I find more locals come here rather than tourists. Nevertheless, there is always a long queue during weekdays because it is one of the most affordable meals in Sheung Wan and Central district.
Shanghai Lane
Shanghai Lane is one of the restaurants in Gough Street that serves authentic Shanghai cuisine. I like the ambiance of the restaurant and they have a generous amount of food serving that is good for sharing. Don’t forget to try their popular dishes such as pork soup dumplings, drunken chicken appetizers, and sour and spicy soup. They also have a special menu for vegetarians.
Pa Shih
Pa-Shih is a dessert shop that serves Taiwanese desserts. They have hot and cold desserts, shaved ice, and drinks. Note that there is a minimum spending amount of $45 per person for dine-in. Located just beside Kau Kee, it is a very good dessert place if you fancy a Taiwanese-style dessert.
Shops in Gough Street
Le Labo
Besides food, you will also find Estee Lauder’s Le Labo personalized perfume shop in Gough Street. Apart from personalized perfume, you can also explore their classic perfume collection, face lotion, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and other beauty products. Give your senses a treat and indulge in the heavenly fragrances of Le Labo.
Marco Visconti
Another notable shop in Gough Street is Marco Visconti. This feminine clothing store is a haven for those who are looking for affordable luxury and sustainable fashion options. The store offers a wide range of products including clothing, jewelry, and accessories, all of which are crafted with utmost care and attention to detail. With a commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion, Marco Visconti is a go-to destination for fashion-forward individuals who want to look good and feel good about their choices.
Gough Street Nearby Attractions
One constant on Gough Street is change. The shops and restaurants here have undergone many transformations, likely due to high rent. I do my best to update this blog post to share interesting shops and dining options whenever I get a chance to visit Gough Street. However, I recommend checking OpenRice for restaurant reviews and visiting shops’ official websites or social media pages (if available) to confirm whether they are still operating on Gough Street. Happy eating and shopping!
While you’re in the Sheung Wan district, don’t miss the chance to explore nearby attractions. The area is home to several historical sites, including Man Mo Temple, PMQ, and Tai Kwun. After your meal, consider visiting these attractions, as there are no entrance fees to enter these places.
Man Mo Temple
Man Mo Temple, a historic religious site situated in Hong Kong, is renowned for its age-old tradition of worshipping two deities – the God of Literature (Man) and the God of Martial Arts (Mo). Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage and gain insights into the traditional beliefs and customs of the Hong Kong people.
PMQ
PMQ, or the Police Married Quarters, is a historic building in Hong Kong that used to serve as a residential complex for police officers and their families. However, in recent years, the building has undergone a remarkable transformation and has been repurposed into a bustling creative hub that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Tai Kwun
Tai Kwun is an old police headquarters in Central. After opening its door to the public, visitors can now visit the prison yard, and the old courtroom and check out the workshops, art exhibitions, and programs.
Sheung Wan & Central Walking Guide
If you are interested in exploring the neighborhood in Sheung Wan and Central, check out this walking guide to help you plan and navigate the nearby attractions.
