When people think of Aberdeen (also called "Hong Kong Zero-ai"), their first thought is usually the famous Jumbo floating restaurant in the typhoon shelter, or taking the ferry to Lamma Island or Cheung Chau from there. But actually, hidden in the old heart of Aberdeen - namely Aberdeen Main Road and the back alleys of the nearby old shopping centres - lies a hotpot paradise that can't be compared to chain restaurants. If you ask the local old-timers: "Any good small hotpot places in Aberdeen?" They won't take you to those new-style hotpot shops with club-like decor; instead, they'll take you to the dai pai dongs or little shops upstairs in the old shopping centres - these are the real "Aberdeen flavour".
Aberdeen's hotpot culture is completely different from the upscale hotpot in Central and Causeway Bay. Hotpot in Central has become increasingly luxurious in recent years, with per-person spending reaching two to three hundred dollars, everyone talking about "boutique broths" and "wagyu presentation"; but in Aberdeen, it's still all about the human touch and value for money. Dai pai dongs still use that open-plan kitchen design, where you can sit and watch the boss and staff slicing the beef and marinating the meat. The broth is simmered from morning using old fire pots - no artificial colourings, no suspicious MSG either. Everything is priced transparently, and after your meal when you "do the maths", you'll know if it was good value. This style of dining is what truly reflects the grassroots food culture that's becoming increasingly rare in Hong Kong's urban development.
Key Highlights: Why Come to Aberdeen for Hotpot?
The first thing is the human touch. Most small hotpot shops in Aberdeen are family businesses, passed down through two or three generations - the boss lady will chat with you, recommend which meat goes with which broth, or the auntie staff will ask you "Whose birthday is it tonight? I'll throw in a plate of beef balls!" This kind of service would definitely cost you extra at a chain restaurant, but at the small hotpot shops in old Aberdeen, it's just "the usual". They won't force you to finish by a certain time like chain restaurants do - you can sit as long as you like and take your time chatting, and the staff won't rush you.
The second thing is the price. Per-person spending at Aberdeen hotpot shops ranges from the cheaper end at $70-120, while $130-180 is already considered "upscale" here. Compared to hotpot shops in tourist areas, this price might be only half or even a third of what you'd pay elsewhere, but the quality is just as good. For meat, most places have local chilled beef, and sometimes even fresh beef ordered daily from the nearby butcher - none of that pre-packaged, pre-arranged stuff you'd get at chain restaurants.
The third thing is the atmosphere. Many of the bigger hotpot shops in Aberdeen are converted shops from old housing estates, without fancy decor, but some have retained that 1980s-90s ice-cream parlour feel - old-style booth seats, vintage posters on the walls, and some even play 80s-90s Cantonese pop. When you sit down, you'll feel like "time has stopped in the old days" - this is what it means to "taste" Hong Kong's local culinary heritage.
The fourth thing is freedom of choice. Many upscale hotpot places outside impose all sorts of rules on you; but many small hotpot shops in Aberdeen let you pick from the fridge yourself - however much meat you want, however many vegetables, mix your own sauce, and you're welcome to bring your friend's special recipe. This freedom is what makes it "your hotpot, your rules".
The final thing is the unique location. If you regularly visit Aberdeen, you probably go to the wet market or street market to buy seafood, then walk to a nearby hotpot shop - this "buy seafood and cook immediately" one-stop experience is really hard to find anywhere else except Aberdeen. Just imagine: you walk to the market, buy a jin of live prawns, then walk to the neighbouring hotpot shop and ask the boss to blanch them for you. This feeling is completely different from just "sitting down and ordering food" at other places.
Recommended Spots: Which Small Shops Are Worth Trying?
Ming Kee Chicken Pot Hotpot (明記雞煲): This place is on the second floor of an old Aberdeen shopping centre and has been passed down through three generations. Its biggest特色 is the boss's own marinated chicken pieces and enoki mushrooms - the marinade recipe has been passed down for over thirty years, with a slightly sweet and slightly savoury taste that's quite unique. The signature chicken pot uses a large amount of old hen and Chinese herbs, simmered for over six hours, giving it a medicinal feel when you drink it but without the bitterness. For price, $100-130 per person is enough to fill your belly. The auntie staff will ask what you'd like to eat and recommend just the right amount - they won't oversell you. This is the "thoughtfulness" of neighbourhood business. Address: 2/F, Aberdeen Commercial Centre, 198 Aberdeen Main Road.
Tong Kee Chaozhou Hotpot: This place's selling point is its hand-made beef balls and Chaozhou-style accompaniments - the beef balls are hand-pounded by the chef for over two hours every day, and when you bite into them, you can feel the bouncy texture "popping" inside - this texture is in a completely different league from machine-made balls from chain restaurants. The broth comes in two options: Chaozhou-style clear soup or sour cabbage, at reasonable prices - $80-110 per person for a great meal. Address: G/F, 79 Old Street, Aberdeen.
Old Pal Seafood Hotpot: The best thing about this place is that you can go to the market across the street to buy your own seafood and bring it over to cook. The boss will prepare the seafood for you without charging any processing fee - you just pay for the seafood itself. This "market to table" experience is something you can't learn from other hotpot shops. The signature flaming prawn platter is a must-order, using local prawns and a secret sauce, flamed right at your table for an amazing aroma. Address: 12 Second Street, Aberdeen.
Banyan Tree Dai Pai Dong Hotpot: This can be said to Aberdeen's most classic dai pai dong style hotpot shop - outdoor booths, plastic stools, buckets of water placed under the table, completely old-school Hong Kong street food feel. The signature "hotpot" uses charcoal fires, with enough heat to cook everything to the perfect doneness instantly. In winter, enjoying hotpot at the dai pai dong, that feeling of "chilly weather, eating food, chatting away" is what truly makes for "Hong Kong style". Per-person spending: $65-95, the most affordable and authentic choice. Address: 9 Western Aberdeen Main Road (next to Banyan Tree Rest Area).
New Chef Ginger and Scallion Mix Noodles Hotpot Specialised Shop (though it has "mix noodles" in the name, its hotpot is exceptional): This place's unique feature is its "ginger and scallion mix" - using a large amount of local spring onions and old ginger mixed with the meat, perfect for warming up in winter. They also have a very wide choice of toppings, including some uncommon offal like beef tripe and bone marrow. The environment is a small old shop, but it's clean and tidy. Per-person: $110-150. Address: 4 Old Market, Aberdeen.
Practical Information
Transport: Take the MTR to Aberdeen Station (Aberdeen Station), exit from Gate C, and walk towards Aberdeen Main Road for about 5 minutes to reach the old town core. If taking the bus, the following routes are available: 70, A10, and X970 all have buses stopping at Aberdeen town centre. Walking time after getting off is within 3 minutes.
Cost Reference: The specific shop prices are listed above, with the overall per-person spending ranging from HK$65 to HK$150. The cheapest option is Banyan Tree Dai-Pai-Dong ($65-$95 per person), mid-range options are Ming Kee Chicken Pot and Tong Kee Chaozhou Hotpot ($80-$130 per person), and the slightly higher-end option is New Chef Ginger and Scallion Mix Noodles Hotpot ($110-$150 per person). Overall, hotpot spending in Aberdeen is about 70% of what you'd pay at chain restaurants while enjoying ingredients of the same quality.
Opening Hours: Most small shops open from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM, with some like Ming Kee Chicken Pot staying open until 2:00 AM. However, note that small hotpot shops in Aberdeen generally close on Mondays, or close early on Wednesdays to Thursdays, so it's best to call ahead to confirm. The holidays are busier, so booking in advance is recommended.
Travel Tips
If you want to experience the most authentic Aberdeen hotpot culture, it's best to go on a weekday evening when there's less foot traffic - Tuesday to Thursday evenings are ideal for booking and enjoying a relaxed environment.
It's recommended to first walk around Aberdeen Market to experience the variety of seafood available, then head to the nearby "Ming Kee" or "Tong Kee" to order some local quality beef, then walk next door to "New Chef" for some beef tripe, and finally head to "Banyan Tree" dai pai dong for a charcoal hotpot - this itinerary is what truly makes for a "Hong Kong Style Hotpot Day Trip".
One other little secret: The staff at dai pai dongs are usually quite laid-back, so if you want to order faster you can just write a note and pass it over, or speak in Mandarin - they'll understand. However, if you want to experience the authentic neighbourhood feel, it's best to communicate in Cantonese, and they'll treat you like "one of their own" and even predict your order next time you visit.
Finally, if your time budget allows, Aberdeen has an additional hidden bonus in the evening - after your hotpot, you can take a walk along the waterfront promenade, enjoying the sea breeze from the shore. This "hotpot plus sea breeze" combo is quite healthy. Enjoy your meal, and have a safe journey back!
