Isn’t it funny and a bit sad that the more food styles the city embraces, the less interest we have in our local taste. Indeed, people willingly queue and fork over more than a hundred dollars for Japanese ramen or a bagel topped with avocado and salmon, yet they seldom show the same enthusiasm for a traditional local noodle soup. Sam Kee Noodles in Tsim Sha Tsui, however, proves an exception to this trend.

Located on Mody Road, the no-frills eatery remains a popular place full of locals, standing proud and firm alongside with famous Japanese restaurants. Nothing fancy, Sam Kee offers typical local noodles soup topped with wonton, beef brisket, or meatballs. But their beef brisket has won the heart of the locals.

Instead of dark, heavy soup which is commonly found in many other noodle restaurants, Sam Kee uses clear, light broth for their noodles. The beef brisket is more on the lean side that gives a rich meaty flavor and a light aromatic touch of fat. If you want to dig deeper into the local taste, try their signature beef trio noodles (aka Beef Offal 牛肚麵) and you will have, besides beef brisket, tendon and tripe. 

For big eaters, beef brisket with rice is your go-to. The meat is stewed until tender and rich, while the radish is sweet and juicy. Other rice dishes like Braised Pork Belly over rice (梅菜扣肉飯) and stir fry’s are also available. Don’t forget to order a drink. Their iced lemon tea and milk tea are both loved by the locals.

I wouldn’t say Sam Kee’s food is some kind of out of the world. After all, it is rather down-to-earth that you would be disappointed if you come with high expectation of hygiene and fanciness. You probably will have to share table with strangers when during peak hours. But it is nevertheless a very affordable place for good local food in Tsim Sha Tsui.