S trolling down the bustling Bute Street in Hong Kong’s Kowloon district, chances are that you will encounter the crowded Kam Wah Café. This iconic café has been serving delicious egg tarts, pastries, and buns for over 50 years. One of its hidden culinary gems is the signature dish called boloyau, a crispy, sweet pineapple bun slathered with a thick slab of butter. You can choose to enjoy this authentic Hong Kong breakfast while sipping traditional Hong Kong-style tea, creating an experience that will stay with you forever.
Hong Kong is a treasure trove for any food lover. Whisked away in the city’s twisting alleys and vibrant markets are hidden gems which offer a treat to any connoisseur or simply someone with adventurous taste buds. The city’s history holds the key to its rich and vibrant culinary scene, which everyone must try. Right from the traditional Cantonese dishes to the traditional Japanese Katsu dishes and Thai meals with a Western twist, Hong Kong delivers it all.
You can walk around the iconic Lan Kwai Fong, satiating taste buds with dim sums and seafood, or relax in the slow atmosphere of Cha chaan teng (tea restaurants), sipping Hong Kong–style milk tea with the locals. This city will give you endless options to savor and unique meals to discover.
Start With The Classic Dim Sums
This quintessential Cantonese brunch is a bite-sized meal that is steamed, fried, or baked with various choices of stuffing inside, including pork, chicken feet, and vegetables. Dim sums are widely available around Hong Kong, with the most popular being the har gow (shrimp dumplings) and siu mai (steamed dumplings).
Pro Tip: You can try traditional dim sums in the historic Luk Yu Tea House, or if you fancy a quick stop with exceptional taste, choose Tim Ho Wan at various locations in Hong Kong.
Go For A Deep Fried Oyster Cake
While exploring Temple Street in Jordan, you will come across many vendors selling deep-fried oyster cake – a crispy, golden brown delicacy served with a chilli dip on the side. This Chinese dish is made mainly from eggs and oysters and is a little on the salty side. A single serving can cost you around HK $20.
Taste The Claypot Rice (Bo Zai Fan)
This Chinese dish is a treasured item on the menu, especially during the winter. Consisting of a variety of fresh and cured meats cooked over rice inside a claypot, this traditional Chinese meal is crunchy, chewy, and just the perfect mix of introduction to Hong Kong food.
You can also make claypot rice at home with simple ingredients and bring Hong Kong cuisine to your doorstep.
Experience The Festive Zongzi
If you are around the city during the Dragon Boat Festival, then there is a high chance that you’ll come across the traditional festive food of zongzi or the glutinous rice dumplings. These pyramid-shaped treats are wrapped in aromatic bamboo leaves and filled with a variety of ingredients like tender pork belly, roasted duck, salted eggs, and mushrooms. You can opt for either the sweet option with red bean paste or sweet potatoes as found in the Northern Chinese rice dumpling or go for the savory Southern Chinese dumpling, which is filled with meat and other similar ingredients.
Savor The Egg Tarts
Hong Kong Egg Tarts are a beloved pastry that holds a special place in the city’s culinary landscape, symbolizing the fusion of Eastern and Western influences that define much of Hong Kong’s identity.
They’re sold in bakeries, dim sum restaurants, and street markets across the city, available in two primary variations: the “British-style” with a shortcrust pastry, and the “Cantonese-style” with a flaky, puff pastry shell. The egg custard inside is typically a sweet, delicate blend of eggs, sugar, milk, and vanilla.
Chew The Sweet & Sour Pork
The sweet and sour pork is a common sight in the Hong Kong food markets and can be easily savored in a cha chaan teng. The tender pork meat is fried to a crisp and glazed with sweet and sour sauce that gives it its tangy, crispy, and crunchy taste. If you want to grab a delectable bite of this authentic Chinese food, try Cantonese restaurants like Yum Cha Guan in Causeway Bay or Tong Kee Restaurant in Tuen Mun.
Try Spicy or Stinky Tofu
If you are up for experimenting and exercising your taste buds, the spicy or stinky Hong Kong tofu will set a great playground. This pungent meal is brined in a strong vegetable and meat mixture, then deep-fried to be served with chilli and soy sauce. Known for its strong taste and sharp texture, the stinky tofu will make the perfect challenge for any food daredevil.
You can find stinky tofu in the Sham Shui Po district or on Nullah Road as a snack for street food.
Relish Mooncakes During The Mid-Autumn Festival
This golden-baked desert is a popular munching item in Hong Kong, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is a thick, tender pastry with a sweet and dense filling that can be salted egg yolks. You can find this sumptuous delicacy everywhere in Hong Kong, from Wing Wah to Kee Wah Bakery and Island Shangri-La.
Sip The Hong Kong-Styled Milk Tea
The milk tea in mainland China is different from any other beverage, offering a rich and smooth flavor that sits on your tongue for a long time. The ingredients are simple – an earthy blend of black tea and evaporated milk that are mixed using six procedures listed in the intangible cultural heritage.
Pro Tip: Try the ‘silk stocking milk tea’ of Lan Fong Yuen, Central Hong Kong or settle for a guided tour of Hong Kong, exploring various bing sutt.
Snack On Some Roasted Chesnuts
The roasted chestnuts are the classic snack of Hong Kong that can be found on the roadside, such as between Jordan Road and Kansu Road, as well as other places. Vendors roast these nuts in a giant wok and serve them piping hot in a small bag – offering a smoky and savory taste that you won’t stop munching.
Char Siu (BBQ Pork)
Char Siu, or BBQ Pork, is one of Hong Kong’s most iconic and beloved dishes, known for its sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. This flavorful roast pork is typically made from pork shoulder or pork belly, marinated in a sauce that combines ingredients like hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, five-spice powder, and red fermented bean curd. The marinade gives the meat its signature red hue and a glossy, caramelized finish when it’s roasted or grilled over a flame.
Pro Tip: If you want to savor the classic Char Siu with an exceptional ambience, opt for Mott 32 in central Hong Kong.
Will never eat stinky tofu again yuck….