Hong Kong is, without a doubt, a haven for foodies with its mix of Cantonese cuisine and Western-influenced dishes. There’s also a dizzying amount of dining options available — from hole-in-the-walls, cha chaan teng’s (known for their affordable Hong Kong food menus), to Michelin-starred establishments.
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With that said, hungry travelers will enjoy this collection of the most delectable local eats this side of Asia!
Top Hong Kong Food
1. Har Gow (Steamed Shrimp Dumplings)
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One can’t go to Hong Kong without experiencing yum cha, the Cantonese tradition of drinking tea and snacking on dim sum or steamed dumplings. To kick it off, you can start with delicious servings of har gow or hau kau. Take a bite of the sleekly wrapped dumpling that contains small pieces of shrimp and sometimes, a little bit of pork.
Truth be told though, any kind of dim sum will be a joy to eat: the quintessential siu mai, xiaolongbao, chicken feet, and so much more!
Where best to eat it? Luk Yu Tea House found in 24-26 Stanley St, Central
2. Fish Balls
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This iconic street food is made of fried fish meat molded into a ball, usually flavored with curry, or served with a dash of spicy or sweet sauce. I love munching on this snack in night markets!
For a more filling eat, fish balls can also be eaten with noodles and soup for a filling meal.
Where best to eat it? Wong Lam Kee Chiu Chow Fish Ball Noodles found in Shop A, 10 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Shau Kei Wan, Shau Kei Wan Main St E, Shau Kei Wan and Tung Tat Restaurant found in G/F, 172 Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok
3. Cheung Fun (Rice Noodle Rolls)
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This classic dim sum, which literally translates to “intestine noodles”, is named after its rope-like shape; but don’t worry, it’s not made of what the name means.
Cheong fun is actually made of silky smooth steamed rice sheets that are rolled with a mixture of beef, shrimp, char siu (barbecued pork), and vegetables. The steamed rice rolls are then served with a combination of sauces — and it’s actually one of my favorites! Definitely a must-eat Hong Kong food.
Where best to eat it? Hop Yik Tai found in 121 Kweilin St, Sham Shui Po
4. Lo Mai Gai (Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf)
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Sample this tasty dim sum that consists of glutinous rice, chicken, pork, and Chinese sausage all wrapped in a lotus leaf.
It is absolutely steamed to gooey perfection, and just a whiff of the fragrant rice is enough to keep you wanting more!
Where best to eat it? Tim Ho Wan found in several locations
5. Roast Goose
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Indulge in this mouthwatering signature dish of Cantonese origins! After all, roast goose is where the meat is marinated in a blend of spices, and then roasted until golden brown. You will love every bite on this Hong Kong food that is a mixture of crispiness and tender goose meat.
Where best to eat it? Yat Lok found in Conwell House, G/F, 34-38 Stanley St, Central
6. Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
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Char siu is a Hong Kong dish where you can savor juicy strips of boneless pork marinated in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, and a blend of spices.
Enjoy your char siu with a hefty serving of rice, noodles, or sandwiched inside a bun.
Where best to eat it? Joy Hing’s Roasted Meat found in Joy Hing BBQ Shop, 265-267 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
7. Claypot Rice
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Dig into this traditional Cantonese dish that’s made up of white rice topped with carved pork, chicken, beef, smoked sausage, shallots, and a special sauce.
The mixture is enclosed in a clay pot, and then slow-cooked over a charcoal stove which gives it a distinct smoky flavor. The best part? It is the crunchy rice crust that forms on the edges!
Where best to eat it? Kwan Kee Clay Pot Rice found in Shop 1, Wo Yick Mansion, 263 Queen’s Road West, Western District and 43-245 Des Voeux Rd W, Sai Wan
8. Typhoon Shelter Crab
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The typhoon shelter crab is said to have originated from a community of people in a sampan (boat) village who brought in fresh crabs from the Harbour, after which, they set up shop in typhoon shelters, frying up these mud crabs with loads of garlic and spices.
As a Hong Kong food, you will enjoy the juicy, spicy crab flavored with scallions, chili peppers, fried garlic, and fermented bean sauce.
Where best to eat it? Under the Bridge Spicy Crab found in Shop 6-9, G/F, 429 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai
9. Wonton Noodles
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Relax with a piping hot bowl of wonton noodles. This ubiquitous dish combines delicious egg noodles and dumplings filled with shrimp and minced pork. You’ll love the taste of the flavorful broth that comes with some chopped green onions for a soothing meal.
Where best to eat it? Mak’s Noodle found in 77 Wellington St, Central or the Michelin-starred Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop found in G/F, 51 Parkes Street, Jordan
10. Beef Brisket Noodles
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Chow down on tender beef brisket served with rice or wheat noodles and a flavorful beef broth. A variation on this hearty noodle dish is called brisket curry, where shredded brisket and tendon swim in a delightful curry-enriched soup.
Where best to eat it? Kau Kee Restaurant found in 21 Gough St, Sheung Wan, Central
11. Egg Waffle
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Treat yourself to this delightful street snack after exploring the streets of Hong Kong!
These are bubble-shaped waffles that are crisp on the outside and fluffy and chewy on the inside. You can opt for the classic version or try different flavors like matcha and chocolate. For an even sweeter treat, add in a scoop of your favorite ice cream!
Where best to eat it? Lee Keung Kee North Point found in 492 King’s Road, North Point and other locations; Mammy Pancake found in 8-12 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui and other locations
12. Pineapple Bun
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Enjoy the play of different textures in this Hong Kong classic with a pineapple-like appearance. A mix of sugar, eggs, flour, and lard is used to create a crumbly surface on the outside. Inside, the bread is soft and fluffy – perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Another version of this sweet snack is called boh lot yaau, which has a slice of butter in between.
Where best to eat it? Kam Wah Cafe & Bakery found in G/F, 47 Bute Street, Prince Edward, Mong Kok / or Wing Wah Cake Shop
13. Egg Tart
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Have your afternoon tea with some tasty egg tarts which usually has two varieties available: the classic shortcrust egg tart with silky custard encased in buttery pastry, or the puff pastry egg tart which has a flakier shell.
Where best to eat it? Tai Cheong Bakery found in 35 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central and several other locations
14. Bowl Pudding
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Another popular hawker fare, put chai ko or bowl pudding is a bite-sized steamed cake made of glutinous rice flour with white or brown sugar and red beans.
It’s quite a popular Hong Kong food desserts and sweet to the taste.
TIP: For another kind of pudding, the steamed milk pudding is an excellent palate cleanser.
Relish in the velvety smooth custard, which can be topped with red beans, lotus seeds, or fruits. Its unique texture is achieved with a special steaming technique that forms a sheet of milk on top.
Where best to eat it? Kwan Kee Store found in Shop 10, 115-117 Fuk Wah Street, Sham Shui Po
For steamed milk pudding, Yee Shun Milk Company found in G/F, 506 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay and several other locations
15. Hong Kong Milk Tea
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End your meal on a sweet note with everybody’s favorite drink: Hong Kong-style milk tea. For this, Ceylon black tea is brewed multiple times to enhance the flavor. Tea is blended with milk and sugar, then strained through a silk stocking for a creamier texture.
But what makes Hong Kong milk tea different? The beverage leans more toward the milky side, yet still full-bodied and bittersweet.
Where best to drink it? Lan Fong Yuen found in 2 Gage Street, Central
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Experience the best of Hong Kong food cuisine and sink your teeth in the city’s must-eat dishes above!
Loved this post! Thanks for sharing this :)
I’m glad you like it :D