Using OpenRice to Find Food in Hong Kong, from Language Settings to Reading Ratings
OpenRice is Hong Kong's main restaurant review app. This guide covers settings, searching by district or MTR station, reading ratings, bookings and queues, and pairing it with Google Maps.
Quick answer
- OpenRice is the main local app for restaurant reviews and bookings, and it lets you search by district or MTR station.
- Read the smile and cry ratings together with the number of reviews, then cross-check against Google Maps reviews.
- Booking and queue-ticket features exist only for some restaurants and may change, so check in the app and have mobile data ready.
What OpenRice is
OpenRice (開飯喇) is a restaurant review platform widely used by Hong Kong locals, as both an app and a website. It gathers reviews, food photos, menus, addresses and phone numbers for a large number of places, from small cha chaan teng to big restaurants.
Most users are locals, so reviews reflect people who actually eat there. For ideas on what to order, read it alongside “Hong Kong on a Small Budget: Stays, Transport and Food Without Overspending”.
Setting the language and getting started
- 1Install the app before you flyDownload it from the App Store or Google Play while you still have Wi-Fi to save mobile data.
- 2Choose a languageIn the app settings pick English or Simplified Chinese if offered. Supported languages vary by version, and many shop names remain in Traditional Chinese.
- 3Allow locationAllow location access so the app shows nearby places, or type a district name manually.
- 4Save places you likeBookmark places into a list so you can browse your saved list even with a weak signal.
Searching by district and MTR station
The easiest approach for a visitor is to search by district or MTR station, since locals use stations as reference points. For example, pick Mong Kok or Sham Shui Po, then filter by cuisine.
| Search method | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| By district | Planning where to eat that day | Places in one district can be several blocks apart |
| By MTR station | Finding food near the exit you arrive at | Check the exit letter and the map before walking |
| By cuisine | When you already want dim sum or noodles | Category names can appear in Chinese |
Reading the smile and cry ratings
OpenRice lets reviewers choose a smiling, neutral or frowning face and shows the count of each. Always read the total number of reviews alongside, because a place with hundreds of smiles is more reliable than one with only a few.
- Read recent reviews first, since quality and menus change.
- Look at user-uploaded photos to see real portion sizes.
- Be wary of glowing or promotional posts and compare several reviews.
- Locals' favourites may serve fast with plain service, which is normal for a cha chaan teng.
Bookings and queue tickets
Some OpenRice listings offer a booking button or queue tickets through the app, which can save you standing at the door. Not every restaurant has these features and details differ per place. If there is no button, try calling or sending a message on WhatsApp where the restaurant uses it.
A data-only eSIM has no Hong Kong number, so keep your Thai SIM on to receive SMS codes.
Combining it with Google Maps
Use OpenRice to choose a place and read detailed local reviews, then paste the address into Google Maps for a walking route and a second set of ratings. If the scores differ a lot, read the reasons in the reviews.
Offline maps and Google Maps data use are covered in the related guides at the end of this page. Download the area you will visit in advance in case the signal is weak indoors or on an island.
Data use and offline tips
OpenRice is light compared with video, but photo-heavy pages add up if you browse all day. Set a mobile-data alert and shortlist places while on Wi-Fi.
- Photos and reviews use more data than text; turn off video autoplay if the app offers it.
- Plan on hotel Wi-Fi and save your shortlist for later.
- Screenshot the Chinese address and map to show a taxi driver.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for logins or card details.
What to check on a listing before you go
- The address and floor, since many restaurants sit on upper floors with no big street sign.
- Opening days and hours listed in the app, which may be out of date, so confirm by phone or from another source.
- The payment method, since some places take only cash or Octopus.
- Notes such as no reservations or a service charge.
A simple routine for each meal
- Pick the district or MTR station nearest your hotel or the day's sights.
- Filter by cuisine and read the rating with its review count.
- Skim two or three recent reviews and the photos.
- Compare the Google Maps score and save the address.
- Book or take a queue ticket if offered, or be ready to queue at the door.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Is OpenRice free to use?+
Searching and reading reviews are usually free, but extra features differ, so check in the app.
Do I need to read Chinese?+
Not strictly, since English is offered, but many names and reviews are in Chinese; a translation app helps.
Should I trust OpenRice or Google Maps more?+
Use both: OpenRice reflects local views, while Google Maps adds visitor reviews and walking routes.
Does it work offline?+
Fresh searches, reviews and photos need an internet connection. Saved items or screenshots may still open, but do not rely on that fully.
About the author
Bob Kanokphon Thongdee
- Co-founder of eSIMonline.asia
- More than 7 years in online marketing
- Founder of Cojourney Visa and Cojourney Travel
Instagram and TikTok have no web share button, so we open your phone's share sheet or copy the link instead.