If you’ve already explored the busy streets of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, it might be time to discover a different side of the city.
One of the best places for a relaxing day trip is Cheung Chau Island, a small island known for its seafood restaurants, cycling paths, and laid-back atmosphere.
Among the many seafood spots along the waterfront, So Bor Kee has become one of the most popular restaurants for both locals and travelers. It gained even more attention after being featured on the Korean travel show. Here’s what to expect when visiting this well-known seafood restaurant on Cheung Chau.
So Bor Kee was already famous on social media before appearing on TV. Many visitors recommended it as one of the best budget seafood restaurants on Cheung Chau Island.
After arriving at the Cheung Chau ferry pier, walk a short distance to the left and you’ll find a long row of seafood restaurants lining the waterfront. This area is often referred to as the island’s seafood street.
Because the seafood here is fresh and relatively affordable compared to downtown Hong Kong, the area gets very busy during weekends and holidays. It’s common to see long waits at the more popular restaurants. If possible, visiting on a weekday is a much better experience since the atmosphere is calmer and seating is easier to find.
Menu and Pricing
One interesting feature of So Bor Kee is its set-style pricing system. The price depends on how many dishes you choose rather than which dishes you order. 2 dishes – $168, 3 dishes – $248, 4 dishes – $328, 5 dishes – $408, 6 dishes – $488… 10 dishes – $808. The prices have probably gone up a bit by now.
The restaurant offers a huge variety of seafood options, including scallops, razor clams, shrimp, crabs, squid, mussels, and many different fish dishes. Even if someone in your group doesn’t enjoy seafood, there are still plenty of alternatives. The menu also includes pork dishes, beef dishes, chicken, morning glory vegetables, fried rice, noodles, tofu dishes, and egg dishes. The menu is surprisingly large — it almost feels like browsing a massive diner menu where everything seems possible to order.
One of the most talked-about dishes from the TV show was the razor clam dish. However, it’s not always available since seafood supply can vary from day to day. On one visit there were razor clams but no tables available, so takeaway was the only option. On another visit there were empty tables but no razor clams. This seems fairly common in Hong Kong seafood restaurants.
Steamed Scallops
Since the razor clams weren’t available, we ordered steamed scallops instead. Most dishes are served in portions about this size. While some people say the portions became slightly smaller after the TV show feature, the prices are still quite reasonable compared to restaurants in central Hong Kong. The scallops were topped with glass noodles and plenty of garlic. The seasoning was light but flavorful, making it an easy dish to enjoy.
Fried Baby Squid
The fried baby squid came with shredded cabbage and tomato on the side. The seasoning sprinkled on top had a slightly spicy and unique flavor that paired well with the crispy squid. It’s the kind of dish that works perfectly as a beer snack.
Fried Crab Curry
Another highlight was the fried crab with curry sauce. This dish requires an additional charge of about $30. The dish included three crabs stir-fried with curry seasoning, along with green onions, onions, and bell peppers. Like many Hong Kong dai pai dong–style dishes, the flavor is quite bold. Ordering a fried rice dish alongside the seafood works well to balance the seasoning.
If you ordered similar dishes at a dai pai dong in central Hong Kong, the total cost would usually be 1.5 to 2 times higher. That’s one reason why So Bor Kee remains popular among travelers looking for good food at reasonable prices. The restaurant offers fresh ingredients, generous variety, and classic Hong Kong seafood flavors without the high city prices.
For travelers who have already visited Hong Kong several times, Cheung Chau Island is a great place to experience a different side of the city. Besides seafood restaurants, the island also has fish-and-chips shops, German pubs, small cafes, Japanese restaurants, and plenty of unique Hong Kong street food.
With bike rentals, hiking trails, beaches, and even campsites, Cheung Chau offers more than just food. It’s a fantastic day-trip destination from Hong Kong that combines nature, local culture, and great seafood.