What To Eat in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a UNESCO-recognised City of Gastronomy, and for good reason. With over 15,000 restaurants ranging from street stalls to Michelin three-star establishments, the city is a paradise for food lovers. Here is your complete guide to eating in Hong Kong.
Dim Sum β The Heart of Cantonese Cuisine
No visit to Hong Kong is complete without yum cha (drinking tea with dim sum). These bite-sized delicacies include har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), char siu bao (BBQ pork buns), and cheung fun (rice noodle rolls). Head to Tim Ho Wan, DimDimSum, or one of the traditional teahouses near Sham Shui Po MTR Station or Mong Kok MTR Station.
Roast Goose and Siu Mei
Hong Kong's roast meats are legendary. Crispy roast goose with perfectly rendered fat, char siu (barbecue pork) with a caramelised glaze, and siu yuk (crispy pork belly) are available at roast meat shops across the city. Yat Lok in Central and Kam's Roast are local institutions.
Street Food and Hawker Snacks
Hong Kong street food is fast, cheap, and delicious. Egg waffles (gai daan jai), fish balls, stinky tofu, cheung fun, curry fish balls, and egg tarts are just the beginning. The best spots are around Jordan MTR Station, Mong Kok, and Shau Kei Wan.
Seafood
For the freshest seafood, visit Sai Kung or Lei Yue Mun near Yau Tong MTR Station. Choose your live fish, lobster, or crab from tanks and have it cooked to order. It is an essential Hong Kong dining experience. For upscale seafood, try the floating restaurants at Jumbo Kingdom in Aberdeen.
International Cuisine
Hong Kong's international dining scene rivals any world city. Japanese omakase, Italian trattorias, French fine dining, Thai street food, Indian curries, and Korean BBQ are all represented. Central, Wan Chai, and Tsim Sha Tsui are particularly strong for global flavours.
Desserts and Drinks
Hong Kong-style milk tea, yuenyeung (coffee-tea mix), and herbal jelly are local favourites. For dessert, try mango pomelo sago, egg tarts from Tai Cheong Bakery, or bubble tea from one of the countless shops around Causeway Bay.
Michelin Stars on a Budget
Hong Kong has the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants. Ho Hung Kee (congee), Tim Ho Wan (dim sum), and Kam's Roast Goose all hold Michelin stars at wallet-friendly prices. Use the MTR to hop between these culinary landmarks.