PM'd

Sorry to bring this thread up, but I'm curious to know how much I should expect to spend at Tim Ho Wan. Also, since I read they charge a service charge, I assume tipping is not necessary?

Thanks again.

~HKD$1-200/person.

Yes.

Thanks

But it's customary to round up to the nearest HK$10. So if the bill is HK$192, you'll pay HK$200 and not expect any change; indeed, they may not even make the show of bringing your change. Pay by credit card and they'll probably expect you to write HK$200 as the total amount, not HK$192.

Hard to spend HK$200/person at Tim Ho Wan, unless you are super hungry, or you bring a doggie bag.

Tipping is definitely NOT necessary. And I doubt you'll feel like tipping at the end of your meal, since service is non-existent.

I'd take all the change.

I don't think it is customary, but simply you are generous...

I agree. It baffles me too. The newer ones like the one in IFC doesn't even have quality. There are so many others that are better. Even some Maxim's ones have better dim sum.

How about trying the likes of Luk Yu in Central, or Dynasty at the Harbour View Renaissance in Wanchai or smaller ones like Dim Sum Square in Sheung Wan?

Many of these smaller local (as in North Point, SSP, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, etc) are trying to capture fortune with the fame of their M star.

When Michelin first started this there were many well earn stars by these local ma and pa or family shops. The original SSP THW was an example. Now there are over 20 THW spread out all over SE Asia, many in the high rent district (Singapore and Manila).

There were many from the original list who are no longer in business due to not being able to keep up with the new found popularity and/or greed by owners/landlord.

A good example is 13offal who closed shop rather than ceding to the demand of their greedy landlord.

What does "$2/one for Pu-erh" mean? Found it at the top of a Tim Ho Wan menu.

I guess it means that a pot of pu-erh tea for the table will cost $2 per person.

You will get a pot of tea as opposed to the generic refill into you plastic drinking glass.

Do you actually like 普洱茶？ (I know it's good for the digestive system, but I'm not a fan.)

There are two things that stand out for me at Tim Ho Wan: bbq pork pie; chiu chow dumpling.

Everything else I've tried there is average at best.

Their bbq pork pies are good, and somewhat unique because the outside is a bit crispy and sweet. But while it's good, it's not something I can eat a lot of. 1 or 2 is enough. And if you like bbq pork pie that's crispy and sweet on the outside, I think the one at Fook Lam Moon is better. FLM's version has the outside that almost has the texture of almond cookie.

THW's chiu chow dumplings are really good, though, and it's hard to find something like that elsewhere.

I go to THW for two reasons. 1).cheap; 2).chiu chow dumplings. It's not a place I'd go out of the way to visit, though.

With regards to Maxim restaurants, I don't quite understand why they're not rated highly. It's been years since I've been to Maxim 's Palace, but their House of Jasmine in Harbour City is reliable and enjoyable, definitely above average and better than Tim Ho Wan imo. More recently, went to Maxim's Jasmine Garden (rkkwan rec'd it, I think) and I thought it was very solid.

Maxim 's Palace is a shithole IMHO.