Delish Eats: SIÜ SIÜ Brings Modern Sake-Forward Izakaya Vibes to Sheung Wan
Restaurant Story
Located on Bonham Strand in Sheung Wan, SIÜ SIÜ is the newest sake-forward izakaya to join the CENSU crew portfolio.
It’s a modern izakaya menu built for sharing. The name itself is a clever play on words: “siu siu” in Cantonese means “a little bit,” while its phonetic nod to the Japanese word for liquor (shu) underscores its spirited focus.
The result is a dining experience that’s intimate yet lively, rooted in Japanese tradition but infused with playful creativity. Expect teppan-grilled specialties, inventive small plates, and one of Hong Kong’s most extensive sake selections — all designed to spark conversation and keep the night flowing.
Chef Story
The brain behind SIÜ SIÜ is Chef Shun Sato, whose reputation for inventive Japanese dining precedes him. Known for his work at CENSU, Shun brings the same meticulous attention to detail and flair for storytelling to SIÜ SIÜ with a dialogue between heritage and innovation.
What’s the Vibe and Venue Like
SIÜ SIÜ feels like a hidden gem in Sheung Wan — cozy, lively, and intimate. The exterior is understated yet inviting, framed with greenery that softens the urban edge. Inside, the interiors strike a balance between rustic Japanese charm and modern minimalism, with warm wood accents, rattan chairs, and soft lantern lighting.
Pops of green trail along beams and alcoves, adding freshness to the earthy palette. Other decorative details like spotlighted alcoves displaying ceramic bowls and floral arrangements offer an artful touch — perfect for a meditative pause between rounds of food and sake.
The open kitchen steals the spotlight, where chefs work the teppan grill in full view. It’s interactive and atmospheric, and the occasional waft of smoke reminds you this is real cooking — not a staged performance. Service is attentive and knowledgeable, especially when it comes to sake. Staff guide you through the experience, introducing bottles with stories and flavor notes that make the evening feel curated and personal.
The overall vibe is relaxed yet refined, with thoughtful details that make the space feel considered. It’s intimate enough for date nights, while small groups of three to four are highly recommended, and it’s perfectly fine for a meal alone at the teppan grill, because why not?
How Much Does It Cost
SIÜ SIÜ offers premium izakaya dining at reasonable prices. Lighter bites start at HK$68, while signatures and sharing plates range from HK$128 to HK$298, making it easy to mix and match for a full experience.
For drinks, sake flights begin at HK$148 per person, and each cup sake is HK$118 — ideal for pairing across the menu. Beyond its extensive sake program, SIÜ SIÜ also caters to wine lovers with a curated list featuring crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc and aromatic Moscato, alongside bold reds such as Syrah.
Expect to spend HK$500 to 700 per person for a satisfying meal with drinks included.
What Is the Menu About
The menu is a celebration of modern izakaya dining — playful, sake-forward, and designed for sharing. It moves between delicate cold dishes, smoky teppan plates, and inventive bites that riff on Japanese classics with bold twists. Expect a mix of textures and flavors: crisp, tender, umami-rich, and occasionally surprising.
Highlights include wagyu spring rolls stuffed with molten cheese, Shaoxing wine-kissed prawns, and whole threadfin fish crisped to perfection. For those who love variety, the menu offers everything from sashimi to kamameshi rice bowls.
The sake program is another star. SIÜ SIÜ boasts one of the most extensive selections in Hong Kong, featuring choices of cup sake, premium bottles, and seasonal flights for those who want to explore. Each option brings its own personality — from crisp and dry to rich and umami-forward — and the staff guides pairings with ease, making the experience approachable for all.
If you’re new to sake or simply indecisive, start with the three-glass seasonal flight — a smart way to sample without committing to a full pour. But if you want something truly unique, dive into the cup sake selections. It’s a curated lineup of regional gems, each with its own personality and packaging design that feels like collectible art. These cups are as photogenic as they are delicious — perfectly embodying SIÜ SIÜ’s playful, sake-forward ethos.
What We Ordered
We sampled a generous spread that showcased SIÜ SIÜ’s playful approach to izakaya dining. Here are the highlights:
Pickled Kabu (HK$68)
A minimalist beauty — Japanese turnip perched on a pool of spinach miso, accented with Yamagata dashi. Refreshing and earthy, this dish is a visual statement and palate cleanser. The aesthetic and indulgent marinated turnip is delightful and paired with the classic Japanese flavors of spinach it's simple but satisfying. You'll quickly be grabbing seconds of the whimsically sliced turnip!
Drunken Prawn (HK$138)
Red prawns kissed with Shaoxing wine, served in a fragrant broth dotted with coriander oil. Bold, aromatic, and deeply umami — this was the star of the night. A refreshing cold dish on a warm summer night, it's a great burst of flavor to start your feast.
Prawn Okonomiyaki (HK$128)
Crispy prawn toast meets Osaka-style flair, topped with bonito flakes and a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce. The Prawn Okonomiyaki holds all of our favorite flavors in the classic Japanese dish in a new form. We love the creativity and perfect mix of salt, crispiness, and okonomi seasoning in this dish.
A crunchy, savory bite that’s impossible to stop at one, but you should because there are plenty more exquisite dishes that will follow this plate.
Crispy Horse Friend (HK$238)
A direct translation of the Cantonese name for threadfin fish (條馬友), the "Crispy Horse Friend" is a must-have at your table. Whole threadfin fish, golden and crisp, resting on a bed of coriander miso with pomelo and herbs. A showstopper for sharing — and surprisingly well-priced for its size. This was the universal favorite of our evening.
The refreshing coriander flavor is something unique that we have not come across in Hong Kong, with the miso giving umami deliciousness. Cooked to a perfect crisp, every bite is a joyful play on texture and flavor, the juicy pomelo giving a bonus sweet and sour punch.
Cold Oden (HK$98)
A chilled twist on a Japanese classic: daikon, tomato, shiitake, and mochi in delicate dashi. Light yet comforting, this is a perfect order between richer and hot bites. We loved this summer take, and although SIÜ SIÜ will be serving it hot over winter, we eagerly await its return next summer- because it was so delicious!
Crab Cup Udon (HK$138)
This one’s pure fun: snow crab meat and crab miso served in a giant cup that cheekily riffs on instant noodles. Playful comforting and packed with rich seafood flavor — this is a dish that sparks conversation as soon as it hits the table, and won't be missed on your Instagram stories.
Hamachi Sashimi (HK$138)
Clean slices of hamachi paired with grilled leek miso and yuzu kosho for a citrusy kick. The hamachi is elegant and balanced, a classic Censu Crew offer we never miss out on.
Tofu with Egg Yolk (HK$68)
Silky tofu crowned with a golden yolk, sprinkled with bonito flakes and fresh herbs. Add crab miso for a creamy, umami-packed dish that feels indulgent yet light, and very healthy. A nice protein-forward treat.
SIÜ SIÜ Potato (HK$78)
A sweet finale worth saving room for is the SIÜ SIÜ Potato - roasted yellow sweet potato topped with a delicate crème Shan Zha brûlée. Comforting yet refined, this dessert bridges earthy warmth with a whisper of tartness — a perfect ending to a sake-forward feast. We will definitely be back for this one!
What We Liked
What stood out most at SIÜ SIÜ was its sake program — an experience that feels curated rather than overwhelming. From premium bottles to cup sake with packaging so playful it borders on collectible art, the selection is as photogenic as it is delicious.
The food delivered on its promise of creativity: the Drunken Prawn was a knockout, bold and aromatic with layers of umami that lingered long after the last bite. The Crispy Horse Friend impressed not only for its size but for its delicate crispness and bright herbaceous notes, making it perfect for sharing. And then came the SIÜ SIÜ Potato — the kind of dish that makes you pause and realize how good straightforward ingredients can be.
Beyond the food and drink, we loved the thought behind the name. “SIÜ SIÜ” is a clever nod to Cantonese — a subtle gesture that roots the concept in local culture while staying true to its Japanese identity.
Service tied it all together: attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about guiding us through the menu. Add to that a cozy, lively atmosphere softened by greenery and anchored by an open kitchen, and you have a space that feels both curated and relaxed.
What We Didn’t Like
There wasn’t much to fault- we loved everything we ordered- but the open kitchen — while adding energy and authenticity — does bring occasional wafts of smoke. It’s not overwhelming, but those sensitive to scent might notice (in contrast, it does complete the authentic izakaya vibe). The intimate layout, which works beautifully for date nights and small groups, can feel tight for parties larger than five. Beyond that, SIÜ SIÜ delivers on its promise of modern izakaya dining without missing a beat.
Final Thoughts
More than an izakaya, SIÜ SIÜ is a spirited addition to Hong Kong’s dining scene that feels both curated and approachable. With inventive plates, an unmatched sake program, and a name that cleverly nods to Cantonese culture while embracing Japanese roots, it’s a concept that gets the details right.
The vibe is cozy and lively, perfect for date nights or intimate gatherings of three to four. The breadth of the sake selection and the staff’s expertise make it clear that this is a destination for sake enthusiasts and anyone who wants something special. Pair them with any dishes, and you’ve got a dining experience that lingers long after the last bite.
This food review is based on a complimentary media tasting provided by SIÜ SIÜ in exchange for a truthful review and no compensation. The opinions expressed within represent the views of the author.
Reserve your spot via Inline — note that a HK$100 deposit per guest applies on Fridays and Saturdays, and there’s a 120-minute dining limit on weekends. For quick inquiries, reach out on WhatsApp (+852) 6604 9083. Visit CENSU's website, and follow SIÜ SIÜ on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
Location: G/F, The Strand, 49 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan
Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, from 6 PM to 11 PM
Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Delish Eats reviews here .
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