Ken Kee Restaurant Hong Kong
Chinese restaurant · South Loop ·
Revitalized HK cafe w/ neon signs, cart noodles, street food
Revitalized HK cafe w/ neon signs, cart noodles, street food
"This 20-year-old Chinatown staple was recently bought by the owner of Strings Ramen, and both the space and menu have been overhauled. Now, the two-story restaurant is full of neon signs and pop art, and the menu has been pared-down to Hong Kong-style cart noodles, street food, and entrees like chow mein. One of their specialties is congee, and their rice porridge is an excellent choice when you’re here for brunch. They have about eleven different kinds, ranging from pork with preserved egg, beef with egg, and fried dough." - adrian kane, john ringor
"Ken Kee roared back in 2021 with new ownership. The Chinatown Square restaurant dates back to 1997, but the interiors have been refreshed and there’s a bright neon sign can’t be missed at night. Diners can customize their noodle bowls with a variety of toppings, noodles, broths, and more. Stop in between 2-5 p.m. on weekdays to score a dish with a hot drink for only $10." - Jeffy Mai
"Ken Kee, one of our favorite Chinese restaurants, knows that a great afternoon tea experience doesn’t require cucumber sandwiches or for it to be on a weekend. On weekdays from 2-5pm, this 20-year-old Chinatown staple offers a casual Hong Kong-style afternoon tea menu with less common dishes like creamy toast dusted in Ovaltine, noodles with shredded ham and eggs, and their collaboration with Chiu Quon: egg tarts with peach jelly and sweet pineapple buns filled with truffle butter. Each dish is priced a la carte at $10 but comes with your choice of a robust milk tea or milk tea spiked with coffee. Bring a few friends to try as much as possible, and be prepared for leftovers because the portions are decidedly not dainty." - veda kilaru
"Ken Kee has been around Chinatown for decades, but under new ownership, it got a neon facelift with glowing signs straight out of a Wong Kar Wai movie. The Hong Kong-inspired menu has also been pared down to cart noodles, street food, and entrees like chow mein or salt and pepper pork chop. On weekdays from 2-5pm, they have an afternoon tea menu with less commonly found dishes like creamy toast dusted in Ovaltine and their collaboration with Chiu Quon, a sweet pineapple bun filled with truffle butter." - john ringor, adrian kane
"Ken Kee is a Chinatown utility player for a lot of occasions. It’s casual but still manages to feel special enough for date night, with a long menu of consistently great food. Order standout dishes like the fried noodles, tender short ribs in a savory XO sauce, or fish in black bean sauce, then finish up with an order of man tao (fried bread with condensed milk)." - Adrian Kane
