Creative Japanese-leaning small plates with standout service and cocktails; excellent seafood, premium pricing, small portions, and occasional over-salting.
Always Joy exemplifies grade A standards through exceptional seafood quality and outstanding service attentiveness that create a polished, engaging dining experience. The exceptional design appeal and strong cocktail program elevate the contemporary izakaya concept, though occasional consistency variations and premium pricing with modest portions prevent a higher tier. This represents one of the region's finest neighborhood dining destinations.
A sleek Sheung Wan spot where the team behind beloved neighbors channels a Japanese-leaning izakaya into lively, design-forward dining. Chefs chat at the counter, cocktails flow, and plates arrive with polish. One diner summed it up: "Service felt personal and the room buzzed in a good way." However, there are some review authenticity concerns noted below. The cooking skews creative and produce-driven, with modern fusion touches like kiwi aguachile on scallops, kumquat kosho on oysters, and Sichuan accents on noodles. Seafood shines most, while a few dishes can read salty or restrained. Portions are intentionally small, prices premium, and the experience is best when you lean into sharing and let the team steer pairings. Families should note the adventurous flavors, compact plates, and lively volume. While noodles or fried oysters might suit some kids, there is no kids menu and many items are raw, spicy, or assertively seasoned—better for teens who enjoy exploring than picky younger eaters.
Area vibe: Trendy, central Hong Kong district with mix of creative offices, galleries, and dining; popular with after-work crowd.
Safety: Well-lit, busy streets with steady foot traffic; generally safe even late.
What's nearby: Near MTR Sheung Wan, close to Central; dense bar and restaurant scene, boutique shops and cafes.
Seafood and small plates shine here, especially the Hokkaido scallop and a mix of oysters but the kitchen also offers meaty hits like Miyazaki beef and the Toro handroll.
It’s a buzzy, counter-forward izakaya with premium prices, small plates, a 12% service charge, and limited parking.
You’ll find several plant-based dishes plus a few gluten-free raw and oyster options on the menu.