Kowloon City has earned its reputation as Hong Kong’s “Little Thailand,” where a vibrant Thai community has cultivated an authentic culinary scene that draws locals and tourists alike.
For decades, Thai immigrants have made Kowloon City their home, establishing a distinctive cultural enclave that now boasts more than 200 restaurants along Fuk Lo Tsun Road, Nga Tsin Wai Road, Nam Kok Road, and Lung Kong Road. Approximately 30 percent of these eateries are Thai-operated, serving everything from street-style grilled meats to refined curries that rival what you would find in Bangkok itself.
The neighborhood’s transformation into a Thai hub gained official recognition in 2007, when the district launched its annual Songkran Water Festival. Today, visitors exploring the historic Kowloon Walled City Park often find themselves drawn into this fragrant, bustling food district afterward.
Our editorial team has curated a selection of nearly ten outstanding Thai restaurants in Kowloon City for 2024, ranging from decades-old family establishments to contemporary spots designed for social media sharing.
Established Favorites With Decades of History
Kam Thai BBQ and Kam Thai Smoothie
A true institution, Kam Thai has anchored the neighborhood for two decades. The operation splits into two locations: one sit-down barbecue house and a takeaway shop famous for its smoothies. Both draw persistent queues. Their specialty lies in Thai-style skewers—whole chicken wings, pork neck, and Swiss sausages grilled over charcoal and served with a signature satay sauce and tangy chili dip. Patrons also rave about the tom yum seafood noodle soup, pineapple fried rice, and stir-fried clams with curry.
- Address (BBQ): G/F, Shop C, Tai Tze Building, 386A-B Prince Edward Road West
- Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Phone: 2383 8273
- Address (Smoothie): Shop A2, G/F, 21 Nga Tsin Wai Road
- Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Chao Phraya Thai Restaurant
Originally opened in the 1990s, Chao Phraya once ranked as Hong Kong’s largest Thai restaurant. After a brief closure in 1997, the founder’s grandson revived the business. Today, a Thai chef presides over the kitchen, crafting boat noodles using a family recipe that simmers pork bones with black garlic oil, coriander roots, star anise, cinnamon, and galangal. The broth is so richly aromatic that portions often sell out before dinner service. Other standouts include deep-fried pork knuckle, iron-plate oyster omelette, and tom yum soup.
- Address: G/F, 19 Lung Kong Road
- Hours: Daily, 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Phone: 2382 4855
Kam Po Thai Restaurant
Since 1991, Kam Po has been a magnet for celebrities and food enthusiasts. At its peak, the restaurant operated five branches. The kitchen emphasizes seafood, with signature dishes including stir-fried clams in chili paste, raw shrimp sashimi, and their acclaimed “exploding” shrimp balls—golden, crispy spheres that burst with filling when bitten. Pad Thai, pineapple fried rice, and morning glory with shrimp paste round out the menu.
- Address: G/F, 25 Nga Tsin Wai Road
- Hours: Daily, 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Phone: 2716 7318
Modern Takes and Instagram-Worthy Plates
Orange Elephant Thai Restaurant
For groups seeking a comfortable yet affordable dining experience, Orange Elephant delivers generous portions at reasonable prices. Their “exploding” giant freshwater prawns, curried crab, and minced pork lettuce wraps are perennial favorites. Photogenic options include seafood rice baked in coconut and a delicate egg-net pad Thai. The chain has recently expanded to North Point, making authentic Thai cuisine accessible to Hong Kong Island residents.
- Kowloon City Address: G/F, 31-33 Kai Tak Road
- Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Phone: 2718 1088
- North Point Address: Shop G18B, G/F, 21-53 Wharf Road
- Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Phone: 3705 0105
BTS Food Station
Named after Bangkok’s Skytrain system, this restaurant carries the theme throughout its decor and even its menu, which mimics a metro map. The kitchen balances tradition with innovation, offering crispy pork knuckle, Hainanese chicken, and braised pork knuckle in master stock alongside contemporary creations like a tom yum seafood army stew. BTS Food Station is one of the few Thai eateries in the district open until 1:00 AM, making it a prime late-night destination.
- Address: G/F, 11 Nam Kok Road
- Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
- Phone: 2716 7838
Lung Jie Thai Restaurant
Owner Lung Jie hails from Bangkok, and her restaurants employ an entirely Thai staff sourcing approximately 90 percent of ingredients directly from Thailand. The result is an immersive experience that transports diners. Their pumpkin curry has become legendary—so visually striking and delicious that it frequently sells out by early afternoon. Other highlights include seafood curry served in large bread bowls, pad Thai, curried crab, and tom yum soup.
- Nga Tsin Wai Road Address: G/F, 2A-B Nga Tsin Wai Road
- Hours: Daily, 10:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Phone: 2383 5382
- Nam Kok Road Address: G/F, 21-23 Nam Kok Road
- Hours: Mon–Thu, 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM; Fri–Sun, 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM
- Phone: 2382 1348
Honoring Tradition With a Modern Touch
Thai Wong Kok Thai Restaurant
Also on Nga Tsin Wai Road, Thai Wong Kok is perpetually busy, with queues snaking outside its door. The rustic interior features stone brick walls adorned with Thai murals and wooden furniture. Their grilled Angus beef arrives medium-rare, tender and pink, while the soft-shell crab curry carries a subtle coconut creaminess. Other specialties include deep-fried pork knuckle, explosive shrimp, and Thai-style clay pot shark fin.
- Address: G/F, 15 and 19 Nga Tsin Wai Road
- Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Phone: 2382 0499
Golden Orchid Thai Restaurant
Founded in 1993, Golden Orchid has weathered more than three decades as a neighborhood staple. A Thai head chef oversees the kitchen, producing what many consider benchmark dishes. Their large round bread bowl filled with yellow curry chicken remains the restaurant’s most-ordered item—the curry cascades over the edges as diners tear into the bread. Raw shrimp, crispy pork knuckle, curry crab, Thai-style steamed fish, and glutinous rice chicken wings round out an extensive menu. Notably, the restaurant does not charge a service fee.
- Address: 10-12 Lung Kong Road
- Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Phone: 2383 3076
A Culinary Destination Worth the Journey
Kowloon City’s Thai food scene represents more than just good eating—it reflects the resilience and cultural richness of a community that has made Hong Kong home. Whether you are a first-time visitor exploring the Kowloon Walled City Park or a seasoned foodie searching for the city’s most authentic tom yum, these restaurants offer a compelling reason to venture into this unique neighborhood.
For those planning a visit, consider pairing your meal with a guided tour of the Kowloon Walled City Park, where 45-minute walks reveal layers of local history. Many of these establishments also offer takeaway options, allowing you to enjoy your feast while exploring the surrounding streets.