Hong Kong is a haven for foodies with sooo many options to satisfy your taste buds. People from all over the world travel to Hong Kong and one of the main reasons is for the food. I myself even took a trip there once soley to pig out and I would do it all over again. Here’s a list of 10 foods you must eat during your visit to Hong Kong.
Warning: Prepare to get HUNGRY (I began craving these items as I wrote this post.)
1. Bo Zai Fan
Bursting with flavor, bo zai fan (claypot rice) is essentially rice with your choice of topping served in a clay pot. It is Hong Kong’s ultimate comfort food.
2. Che Zai Mein
Che zai mein (cart noodle) is an à la carte noodle dish. You get to choose from a large array of toppings for your customized noodle bowl.
Back in the day independent vendors would operate on roadsides with their carts. Although this practice has disappeared the tradition lives on in restaurants that serve this style dish.
3. Daan Tat
Daan tat (egg tart) is a tasty egg custard-based pastry. This popular sweet treat can be found in bakeries and dim sum restaurants.
Wander Tip: Tai Cheong Bakery has the BEST daan tat in town!
4. Wonton
Wontons are dumplings loaded with a variety of meat, vegetables, and seafood usually served with noodles in soup. My favorite is the classic pork and shrimp wonton.
5. Gai Daan Jai
Gai daan jai is a Hong-Kong style egg waffle and a very popular street food.
6. Jook
Jook (congee) is a classic porridge usually eaten for breakfast along with yau ja gwai (Chinese fried doughnut sticks). It’s simple yet hearty!
7. Chow Fun
Chow fun (flat rice noodles) is a staple of Cantonese cuisine. It’s a stir-fried flat rice noodle dish typically prepared with beef. This is definitely one of the top must-eat foods in Hong Kong.
8. Tong Sui
The direct translation of “tong sui” in English is “sweet water” but I think “sweet soup” more accurately describes it. I remember the one time I introduced sweet soup to a friend and how it did not sound appetizing to her at all. Understandable since most people think savory when they think soup.
Tong sui is a dessert in liquid form that comes in an assortment of flavors. There are many different types but here are a few of my favorites:
Hong Dou
Hong dou (red bean) tong sui is a sugary red bean confection that can be eaten hot or cold. I personally prefer it hot especially in the wintertime.
Tofu Fa
Tofu fa (tofu pudding) consists of silky smooth tofu with ginger syrup poured over.
Guilinggao
If you’re feeling a little adventurous try guilinggao (tortoise jelly). Okay, don’t freak out it’s not actually turtle turtle. It is made from a paste of the tortoise shell combined with a variety of herbal ingredients. Technically more like a jello it can be found in many tong sui shops and is said to provide several health benefits such as radiant skin.
9. Hoisin
Hong Kong, surrounded by the sea, of course has world class hoisin (seafood). Here are 2 of my personal favorites:
Stir-fried Clams
Ginger Scallion Lobster
Wander Tip: Head over to Sai Kung for amazingly fresh seafood options!
10. Dim Sum
Dim sum, also known as “yum cha”, is a range of small dishes paired with tea most commonly enjoyed for breakfast but can also be eaten for lunch. The concept is similar to tapas in Spain.
It is traditionally served by staff members pushing carts stacked with bamboo steamers full of dim sum while calling out the dishes. If you visit a cart-style location you’ll have to wave the staff down. Some locations serve by order but I prefer the fun old school cart-style ones.
Here are some of my recommended dim sum favorites:
Lo Mai Gai
Mouthwatering lo mai gai (sticky rice lotus leaf wraps) is sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf usually loaded with minced pork, egg, Chinese sausage, and mushroom.
Siu Mai
Juicy siu mai (pork and shrimp dumpling) is probably one of the most popular dim sum dishes and usually my go-to.
Lo Bak Go
Lo bak go (turnip cake) is a pan-fried snack commonly made out of rice flour filled with turnip and Chinese sausage. It tastes fantastic with chili oil.
Bao
Bao are steamed buns that can be savory or sweet. I like both equally; it just depends on my mood. A popular savory choice is char siu (Chinese bbq pork) and a popular sweet option is custard.
Jian Dui
Jian dui are yummy deep fried sesame balls filled with either mung bean, black sesame, or red bean paste. Black sesame is my top pick!
Har Gow
Har gow (shrimp dumpling) is another popular dim sum dish. It is dumpling stuffed with shrimp and bamboo shoots.
Fu Jok Guen
Fu jok guen (bean curd rolls) is a wrap loaded with pork, mushroom, and bamboo shoots rolled up in a thin layer of bean curd.
My #1 Pick
I love Cantonese food so it’s impossible for me to pick just one favorite from the list. But I will say that if there is one thing you absolutely have to try or you practically haven’t been to Hong Kong it’s dim sum. Experiencing yum cha particularly at places that do it traditional cart-style is a must!
So there you have it, 10 foods you must eat on your visit to Hong Kong. If I got you craving food from this list mission accomplished. There are countless other items to try but this is a great starting point. Whatever you do just make sure you come to Hong Kong ready to eat!
Read about my first trip to Hong Kong and be sure to check out my other post for a list of suggestions on Hong Kong’s best attractions.
What’s your favorite dish from Hong Kong? Which item would you like to try from this list? Let me know in the comments!
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Great compilation. I think I tried 60 or 70% of the dishes, soups, snacks, brekkies and desserts over the years but just put the remainder on the bucket list.
Thanks! Hong Kong has so much delicious food! The list can go on and on 🙂