Kinki Yakitori 近畿 (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★★☆

The delicious Japanese skewers from Nishiki Yakitori (錦) apparently never really left my mind even more than a year after its closure. More than a decade ago, it was a place I used to frequent whenever I craved tsukune (Japanese chicken meatballs) and other charcoal-grilled goodness. It was also there that I developed my spoiled palate for Japanese skewers. Few places have ever matched its prowess, but ever since Master Kei (基師傅), the heart and soul of Nishiki, left the kitchen, things were never the same.

It was almost the same time that I stopped visiting local Yakitori shops. I only do so whenever I travel to Japan these days.

Over the last weekend, however, I accidentally stumbled upon an article about my old friend, Master Kei. One thing led to another, I found out that he has opened his own place in To Kwa Wan (土瓜灣) a couple of years ago. I guess it was time to bring my little one along to spoil his palate.

Situated just a quick two-minute walk from To Kwa Wan Station, Kinki Yakitori (近畿) is Master Kei’s playground, where he showcases some of the best Japanese skewers in town.

I would love to sit at the bar table just like the old days but with little one around, it would be impossible to enjoy dinner there.

Beef udon (牛肉烏冬) ($88) — Something for little nugget to chew on while he waits for his skewers.

Quail egg (鵪鶉蛋) ($33) — Less charred than I would like but not bad for a start.

Chicken wing (一骨手羽先) ($42) — One of the three skewers that I absolutely love from Master Kei. Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside. I love the fact that the seasoning was kept to the minimal.

Three yellow chicken wing (新鮮三黃雞翼) ($48) — This came with the drumstick as well.
I wasn’t able to taste the succulent fat content but did thoroughly enjoy the crispy skin and tender, deeply flavorful meat.

Stuffed minced chicken in mushroom with mentaiko (明太子雞肉釀冬菇) ($48) — 

The minced chicken was stuffed inside the mushroom and finished off with mentaiko as the main seasoning. Not bad, but like the quail egg, the golden char marks were slightly missing for that extra smoky flavor.

Kinki minced chicken skewer (近畿雞肉棒棒) ($58) — The second of Master Kei’s signature dish. 

The juicy, airy interior combined well with the deeply caramelized, savory-sweet glaze on the outside. It was the perfect match with the egg yolk and homemade sweet soy. The only thing I felt was missing was soft bones in the middle of the minced chicken, for some extra texture.

Beef tongue (牛舌) ($52) — Jelloman's favorite dish tonight. I liked the overall flavors but the texture was a little more chewy than I would like.

Pork belly (純豚五花腩) ($48) — Very succulent just like the old days. But back in those days, I was young and less health-conscious. The alternating layers of fat and tender meat were really nice, but these days I'd try to avoid the fattier parts a bit.

Bean curd chicken roll (腐皮雞肉卷) ($48) — I never had this before and for a fan of bean curd, I'd say it was pretty tasty. 

Oyster wrapped with bacon (煙肉蠔卷) ($48) — Somehow Master Kei always kept this one as the last item to wrap up a meal. I remembered that I had asked him about this before, and he briefly said it was the richness of the dish (the oyster?). The third of his signature skewers didn’t disappoint. The thick-cut bacon worked wonderfully with the slow-grilled oyster, creating quite a symphony of enticing flavors. I’m a happy man….

It was nice to see Master Kei again (There he was!) and it was just extra special to have little nugget with me tonight. 

He’s a big yakitori fan, and it wasn’t surprising that he couldn’t stop talking about how delicious these skewers were all night long. In fact, he has already asked for an encore.

Food Rating: 6.9/10

Price: $$$

Address: G/F, 10 Maidstone Road, To Kwa Wan, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: To Kwa Wan

Tel: +852 8404-1123

Opening Hours: 12:00pm - 3:00pm, 6:00pm - 10:30pm (Tue - Sun)

10 of The Best Cheesecake in Hong Kong (2026)

Just like Italian tiramisu, Hongkongers seem to have a love-and-hate relationship with cheesecake. We love it for the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth textures and unforgettable flavor combinations — yet we hate the calories that pile up after every slice. Different restaurants and cafés in Hong Kong offer their own version of this beloved dessert, and here are the best cheesecakes I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying while living in this wonderful food city.

1) Carbone
Carbone’s famous New York Lemon Cheesecake is a signature Italian-American dessert featuring a creamy, silky-smooth cheesecake base topped with a zesty layer of lemon curd. Due to its huge popularity and loyal fanbase, it has been a permanent fixture on the restaurant’s iconic dessert trolley since the opening in 2014. The cheesecake sits on a thick, firm biscuit base that delivers a satisfying crunch perfect for balancing the smooth layers above.

Address: 9/F, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2593-2593

Website: http://www.carbone.com.hk/

2) The Mandarin Cake Shop

The 1963 Mandarin Cheesecake from The Mandarin Cake Shop is arguably one of Hong Kong’s most legendary and iconic desserts in town. Introduced the same year the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong opened, it’s made with the shop’s secret recipe and has remained one of the city’s most beloved cheesecakes for over six decades.

Address: M/F, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2825-4008

Website: www.mandarinoriental.com.hk/hongkong/fine-dining/the-mandarin-cake-shop

3) The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory’s Oreo® Cookies & Cream Cheesecake is widely considered one of its best around. It nails the art of balancing contrasting textures and rich ingredients: a velvety, dense baked cream cheese filling paired with a light, fluffy whipped Oreo mousse layer on top. The result is indulgent, cookie-studded bliss — creamy depth with airy, sweet momentum in every bite.

Address: Shop G102, G/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 25 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2791-6628

Website: http://www.thecheesecakefactory.hk/

4) Via Tokyo

The Uji Matcha Cheesecake from Via Tokyo is a hugely popular dessert, highly touted by local food critics and dessert enthusiasts as one of the best matcha cheesecakes in Hong Kong. Unlike dense, heavy American-style versions, Via Tokyo creates a distinctly Japanese dessert prioritizing a lighter texture and a refined, sophisticated tea profile.

Address: Shop 1A-1B, G/F, Leishun Court, 106-126 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: Causeway Bay

Tel: +852 2895-1116

Website: https://www.facebook.com/viatokyocafe/

5) Lady M

Gâteau Nuage ("cloud cake" in French) from Lady M New York is an award-winning, sophisticated variation of the classic New York cheesecake. It’s made for those who love the familiar flavor of cheesecake but want a noticeably lighter, less heavy texture than traditional dense baked versions.

Its topping is a smooth, glossy layer of sweetened sour cream, creating a silky finish and a gentle, refreshing tang that beautifully balances the airy, cloud-like cream cheese filling.

Address: Shop OT 215K, 2/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 17 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2873-2356

Website: https://www.ladymhk.com/

6) Vission Nine Cakes, Pies & Desserts

The Passionfruit Cheesecake from Vission Nine is a vibrant, multi-layered dessert designed to balance rich American-style baking with bright, summery citrus energy. Topped with a highly tangy passionfruit glaze, it brings sharp tropical acidity that cuts cleanly through the dense, classic baked cheesecake custard set in the middle.

Address: LG/F, Chui Man House, 9 Staunton Street, Central, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 5545-6851

Website: https://www.vissionnine.com/

7) Finesse Patisserie

Finesse Patisserie is one of my favorite French pâtisseries in recent memory. Its Fromage Blanc is a signature French-inspired pastry creation by pastry chef Mandy Siu — featuring a light, smooth cream cheese filling paired with airy vanilla chantilly cream, resting on a crisp, golden-brown tart shell. It’s an absolute masterpiece that combines smooth richness and light, airy (French) elegance seamlessly.

Address: Shop B2, G/F, 9-11, St Francis Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 5723-6676

Website: https://finesse-patisserie.com/

8) Butter

Known for being exceptionally rich, dense, and creamy, the New York Cheesecake from Butter Bake Shop is a classic, decadent dessert tailored for those searching for a true American cheesecake experience. The cheesecake features an ultra-rich, dense texture paired with a vanilla cookie crumb base rather than a standard graham cracker crust, creating a distinct sweetness and a satisfying crunch.

Address: G/F, 34B Staunton Street, Soho, Central 

Tel: +852 2810-0660

Website: https://www.butterbutterbutter.com.hk/

9) Island Gourmet

The Hokkaido Cheesecake from Island Gourmet is a famous, premium signature dessert celebrated for its incredibly smooth texture and balanced, mellow flavor. The cheesecake is built on a crisp, crunchy biscuit base, with cloud-like baked Hokkaido cream cheese and smooth, sumptuous Chantilly cream above it resulting in a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Address: 5/F, Island Shangri-La Hong Kong, Admiralty, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2820-8550

Website: www.shangri-la.com/hongkong/islandshangrila/dining/restaurants/island-gourmet/

10) Cheesy The Goat

Best known for its signature “Selfish Cakes” (自私蛋糕), Cheesy The Goat is an online cake shop built on one simple promise: delivering serious cheese flavor in a cheesecake that’s lighter than you might expect. Using a secret recipe, it achieves deep, satisfying cheesiness without the heavy thickness of traditional cheesecake and still maintaining an exceptionally soft, silky, light texture, and most importantly, an unforgettable melt-in-your-mouth finish.

Cheesy The Goat’s Oreo cheesecake is an Oreo lover’s dream. It features crushed Oreo cookie crumbs and a creamy Oreo cheesecake filling resting on a baked, crisp Oreo cookie crust. Expect an irresistibly rich, intensely chocolaty that's hard to resist. At the same time, soft, silky, and melt-in-your-mouth with every bite.

Pick-up Location: Multiple

Tel: +852 9759-1676

Website: https://cheesythegoat.com/

Finesse Patisserie (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★★☆

Hidden in the labyrinth of narrow, uphill streets in Wanchai, Finesse Patisserie first caught my attention last year and it didn't take long for me to fall deeply in love with this French patisserie. 

I was in Wanchai for a meeting this afternoon and didn't hesitate to swing by after work to see what new creations they have for the summer.

Finesse Patisserie has become a favorite among dessert lovers for good reason. It consistently delivers the kind of French patisserie experience that feels both indulgent and effortlessly refined. From the moment I step through the door, there’s a clear sense of intention — everything is made not only for its taste, but also to appear visually stunning like a piece of artwork. Each dessert here is crafted the way classic techniques show up in each bite, balancing richness with lightness so you never feel overwhelmed, only delighted.

Tarte au fromage blanc (焗白芝士撻) ($72) — This looks like a very simple French-style cheese tart, but they’ve done it to absolute perfection.

The cheese tart combines a light, airy filling of smooth cream cheese with vanilla chantilly that floats atop. The cheesecake filling rests on a thick, firm tart shell, baked to perfectly crisp, golden finish. I loved how the shell delivers a heavy crunch to balance the delicate lightness up top. A truly impressive dessert that is airy yet deeply satisfying.

Kyoto (抹茶 · 芝麻) ($78) — While I’m not usually a huge fan of matcha, I was genuinely impressed by the presentation of this exquisite dessert, which brings together Uji matcha and black sesame using refined French pastry techniques.

The composition is beautifully layered: matcha soft sponge, Kyoto matcha mousse with Japanese black sesame crémeux, a matcha chocolate coating, and pumpkin seed praline. It’s elegantly decorated with a tuile made from toasted sesame, pumpkin seeds, and puff rice, adding an extra pop of crunch. I liked the depth of matcha flavor in the mousse working wonderfully with the textures and flavors of the soft sponge and black sesame crémeux. This was another incredibly delicious dessert, even if it’s slightly less memorable to me than the Tarte au fromage blanc (just a personal preference).

So far, the few times I’ve been able to indulge in their desserts, it’s always been a memorable experience. The flavors were thoughtful and harmonious, with delicate sweetness and clearly defined flavor profiles.

Food Rating: 7.4/10

Price: $$$$

Address: Shop B2, G/F, 9-11, St Francis Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: Wanchai

Website: https://finesse-patisserie.com/

Opening Hours: 12:00pm - 7:00pm (Wed - Sat), 12:00pm - 6:00pm (Sun)