Besides being known for its dramas and as the historical gateway between East and West, the metropolis of Hong Kong is famed for its delectable cuisines as well!
Thanks to its status as a port city and British colony, Hong Kong has blended tastes from many different cultures together, from the sizzling flavors of China to the pastry prowess of Macau and many more. The result is a one-of-a-kind cuisine that must be tasted to be believed!
For those who are new to Hong Kong or are just looking for some hidden culinary gems, here are some must-try foods:
Hong Kong Milk Tea
Using the secret ingredient of condensed milk, Hong Kongers have managed to turn plain tea into a buttery beverage that’s rich in both taste and fragrance. If you’re looking for a sip, there’s simply no way you can miss this icon of Hong Kong food!
Pineapple/Polo Buns
Named after its pockmarked crust looking similar to pineapple, pineapple or polo buns are an unbelievably delicious choice for breakfast or teatime snack. Once you bite into the crispy and brittle crust, you’ll be rewarded with the aroma of both freshly baked buns and half-melted butter!
Egg Tart
It’s tiny, it’s tasty and it’s the gold standard in Hong Kong cuisine―it’s the egg tart!
Striding in with two varieties-the caramelized Portuguese egg tart and the gleaming gold Hong Kong version-Hong Kong’s egg tarts are simple yet egg-cellent additions during your visit to a Hong Kong teahouse or cha chaan teng, where you’ll get to enjoy a flaky pastry skin that hides a sweet and gooey custard filling.
Egg Waffles
These little round balls of joy are made using a griddle with spherical pockets in it. Starting out with a cakey and eggish flavor, nowadays it has evolved to include a rich variety of flavors, ranging from chocolate to matcha and even salted egg yolk or ice cream!
Roasted Goose
Thick, juicy and tender meat paired with crispy, oil-glossed skin and an appetizing aroma―that’s the mark of Hong Kong’s roasted goose! Commonly found in the island’s numerous restaurants and banquet halls, just one bite, and you’ll be treated to salivating juices and an aroma which are second to none.
Wonton Noodles
One of the Chinese world’s great culinary treasures, wonton noodles feature ravioli-like dumplings served with deliciously springy noodles. Hong Kong wontons are famous for their use of fresh prawns and minced pork for stuffing along with a thicker wonton skin, giving them a chewier texture and lighter flavor.
Beef Offal (ngau zap)
Ngau zap, beef entrails or offal, are a down-to-earth and quintessential part Hong Kong hawker experience. Hailing from the plates of Guangdong immigrants, ngau zap is prepared by stewing entrails in a concoction of various spices such as star anise and ginger before snipping off pieces for a customer’s order. It’s said that the snipping of scissors attracts many gourmets looking to try a bowl of piping hot ngau zap.
Cart Noodles
Originally sold on carts, Hong Kong’s cart noodles are an increasingly rare sight in its street food scene. With a huge choice of noodles and ingredients such as entrails or pig’s blood curd, offal and even chicken wings, there’s no wonder why it maintains many loyal fans despite its rarity.
Three Fried Stuffed Treasures
They say all good things come in threes, just like with Hong Kong’s Three Fried Stuffed Treasures. Three types of vegetables such as eggplants, tofu and green peppers are stuffed with dace fish paste, Chinese sausages or even tangerine peels before being stir fried, resulting in a fragrant and savory street food classic.
Rice noodle roll (cheung fun)
These glossy, chewy rolls or cheung fun, are frequently found in Hong Kong’s street stalls and teahouses. Although pretty bland on their own, some fragrant soy sauce or spicy chilli sauce quickly turns them into a delightful breakfast or snack.
Siu Mai
These little bundles of joy are made by wrapping fillings made of shrimp, pork or fish paste in flour before topping it off with a colourful garnish. Their distinctive yellow wrapping and garnish of fish roe or peas have become some of the most recognizable images of dim sum around the world, especially in the West!
Sampan Congee
First served by the Tanka people of Guangzhou on sampans or little boats, samapan congee is a simple porridge with a lot of variations. This is particularly true with its toppings and ingredients, which can range from common additions like fish, beef and peanuts to local classics such as youtiao fried dough sticks. Silky smooth texture, a rich mouthfeel and plenty of choices make this simple dish into a Hong Kong classic.