Offering a rare, delicious taste of Nyonya cuisine, this much-loved restaurant needs no introduction. Opened less than a year ago, Bibi & Baba has already garnered a loyal following and made quite a name for itself with exciting dishes featuring Southeast Asian and Chinese influences.

The food here is colourful and loaded with strong fragrant flavours. For noodle dishes, guests can choose between the classic Nyonya laksa that’s perfectly cooked with a coconut-rich soup; or the Penang prawn mee which features a slurp-worthy red prawn head and pork broth. Want to spoil yourself? Go ahead and order the mains such as chicken curry, assam pedas fish or beef randang. We promise you won’t regret it.

Bibi & Baba, G/F, Pao Yip Building, 1-7 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 2555 0628; bibiandbaba.hk

Read more: All the New Cafes and Brunch Spots to Visit in February 2022

True to its name, Bak Kut Te serves up tried-and-true Malaysian favourites and specialises in authentic bak kut teh. But its curry laksa offerings are also a standout, and have been luring foodies from far and wide for a taste of the aromatic coconut broth. Featuring a perfect balance of spicy and sweet, the soup is enjoyed with your choice of noodle: egg noodles, vermicelli, or a mix of both—and different ingredients including seafood, clams and chicken.

And if you're feeling peckish, a wide selection of snacks is also on offer to complement your meal. Their deep-fried chicken wings and fried carrot cake with belacan sauce are not to be missed.

Bak Kut King, Shop 1, G/F, Wan Sha Tower, 45 Wun Sha Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong, +852 2972 2122; instagram.com/bakkuting_tai_hang 

Despite having only joined the local dining scene for a short period of time, Semua Semua has quickly gained notoriety and become the go-to destination for authentic, wallet-friendly Malaysian dishes. The restaurant prides itself on serving an extensive array of bak kut teh featuring flavourful broths and delicious meats, but their laksa noodles are a crowd-pleaser too.

Penang assam laksa is the name of the game here. Instead of the rich, coconut-cream soup base, this type of laksa features a sour and spicy fish broth flavoured with lemongrass, chillies, shrimp paste and mint, which is perfect for those who love stronger flavours. The restaurant also boasts a variety of lip-smacking nasi lemak (coconut rice) dishes and snacks such as chicken satay and kaya toasts that make for a truly indulgent meal.

Kedai Kopi Semua Semua, various locations across Hong Kong (Sham Shui Po, Mong Kok, Tsuen Wan, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui); instagram.com/semuasemuahkg 

An award-winning import from the Mandarin Orchard Singapore to put on your radar, Chatterbox Café has been a mainstay in the local food scene since its launch at K11 Musea in 2019. Known for its consistently well-executed dishes served in a polished setting, the restaurant is most famous for its Hainanese chicken rice and laksa noodles which have crowds queuing up all day long.

For their Nyonya laksa signatures, guests can choose their topping preferences from king prawns, jumbo scallops, and chicken—all served in an aromatic coconut-rich soup and thick rice vermicelli, accompanied by fresh fish cakes. Be sure to also save room for their signature pandan cake dessert!

Chatterbox Café, Shop B110, B1/F, K11 Musea, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2352 2173; instagram.com/chatterboxcafehongkong

Read more: Where to Find the Best Cart Noodles in Hong Kong

If you ask any local where their favourite restaurant in Hong Kong is when they crave Southeast Asian food, chances are they’ll point you in the direction of Café Malacca. Their extensive menu is packed with top-notch Singaporean and Malaysian dishes—from bak chor mee (meat noodles) to nasi lemak (coconut rice), satay to bak kut teh, there’s bound to be a flavourful dish you like.

And if you’re a laksa fan, you’ll be happy to know the laksa noodles here are definitely worth a try too. Aside from the Nonya laksa that’s served with rice noodles, fresh prawns and beancurd puffs in a rich coconut broth, a Penang assam laksa is also on offer to please a hungry crowd with a penchant for spicy food.

Café Malacca, Level 2, JEN Hong Kong by Shangri-La, 508 Queen's Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2213 6613; cafemalacca.hk

Nestled in the nostalgic old neighbourhood of Sham Shui Po, Kopitiam Bagus is a regular haunt for many locals who enjoy an authentic feast of Malaysian food. Looking both Insta-worthy and delicious, their signature nasi kerabu rice dish served with meat or fish is a must-try for any first-timer, but really, it’s their laksa that will make you fall in love with this place.

Whether it’s the curry laksa, Nyonya laksa, or the Asam laksa, each variant is loaded with generous amounts of ingredients and is served with aromatic broths to guarantee brilliance in every bite.

Kopitiam Bagus, G/F, 188 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, +852 2253 6911; instagram.com/bagus.bagushk

Many people would visit Sheung Wan for its Instagrammable cafes and brunch spots, but only a few know that his vibrant neighbourhood is also home to an excellent Singaporean restaurant, LeeLaksa.

Aside from the signature laksa, the restaurant is also big on other noodle dishes such as Penang prawn mee, shredded duck with noodles in curry soup, as well as wagyu beef prawn mee that’s hearty and satisfying. This place is also frequented by Sheung Wan’s office crowd, so be prepared for the waiting time if you’re visiting on weekdays!

LeeLaksa, G/F, 302 Queen's Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, +852 2265 8999; leelaksa.com

Don't miss: The Best Cafes and Coffee Shops in Sheung Wan

It’s not difficult to see why this Wan Chai gem is one of the most popular Malaysian restaurants in town: Uncle Ching From Kuching is one of the very few places in Hong Kong that serves up authentic Sarawak laksa, which is characterised by an aromatic soup base featuring ingredients such as sambal belacan chilli sauce, coconut milk, and lemongrass.

Besides rice vermicelli noodles, the dish is topped with peeled boiled prawns and chopped coriander leaves. Hungry diners shouldn’t leave without trying their grilled satay, wings, and grilled satay.

Uncle Ching From Kuching, G/F, 21 Amoy Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 2810 7858; instagram.com/unclechinghkg

Read more: Hong Kong Restaurant News: Takeaway Delights from Tate Dining Room & Sushi Hisayoshi, and More

Rounding up our list is Whey, the newly awarded Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant which specialises in modern Singaporean-European cuisine. While their laksa creation on the five-course tasting menu is technically a rice dish, we think it still deserves a mention for its unique presentation of konjac rice mixed with lobster-infused gravy, in a concept similar to laksa broth. The sauce is rich in flavour, which matches well with the bouncy texture of the rice for some delightfully intricate taste results.

Whey, UG/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2693 3198; whey.hk

NOW READ

Where to Find the Best French Toast in Hong Kong

February 2022: Where to Day Drink in Hong Kong

L’Envol’s Olivier Elzer is Opening Clarence, a Modern French Restaurant in H Code