1000 Reasons to Love Hong Kong: Food

 Posted on June 3, 2024  |  9 minutes  |  1827 words  |  Kary Bruening

DISHES

Cha Chaan Teng Classics

  • French toast
     
  • Scrambled egg sandwiches
     
  • Spam and fried egg instant noodles
     
  • Pineapple bun with butter
     
  • Condensed milk toast
     
  • Horlicks
     
  • Ovaltine
     
  • “Yuen yeung” for kids:
    half-Horlicks, half-Ovaltine
     
  • Cold soy milk
     

    • Chinese Bakeries

  • Egg tarts
     
  • Warm pineapple buns
     
  • Cocktail buns
     
  • Sausage buns
     
  • Raisin bread
     
  • Wife cakes

    •  

    Chinese Desserts

  • Red/green bean soup
     
  • Sesame soup
     
  • Almond tea
     
  • Glutinous rice dumplings
     
  • Pomelo and mango chillled soup
     
  • Baked sago pudding
     
  • Herb jelly
     
  • Chiu Chow bowl puddings
     
  • Sweet tofu with red sugar

    •  

    Communal Dining

  • Korean BBQ
     
  • Hotpot
     
  • Poon choi

    •  

    Dim Sum

    We could probably list 1,000 dim sum dishes alone, but here are our top 10:

  • BBQ pork buns, char siu bao 
     
  • Shrimp dumplings, har gow
     
  • Pork and shrimp dumplings, siu mai
     
  • Rice rolls, cheung fun
     
  • Chicken wrapped in lotus leaf, zun zhu gai
     
  • Taro puffs
     
  • Chiu Chow dumplings, fun gor
     
  • Spring rolls
     
  • Steamed spare ribs, pai gwut
     
  • Ham sui gok
     
  • Steamed cake, ma lai gou

    • OK, that was our top 11. 10 is really hard.

     

    HK Breakfast

  • Macaroni spam soup
     
  • Congee with a fried dough stick
     
  • Sauce-covered cheung fun
     
  • Saucy fried noodles

    •  

    QUINTESSENTIAL DISHES

  • Roasted goose from Yung Kee
     
  • Curry beef brisket noodles
    from Kau Kee
     
  • Portuguese egg tarts from KFC
    Yes, really.
     
  • Wonton noodles from Mak’s Noodle
     
  • Mango sago from
    Hui Lau Shan
     
  • Peking duck at American Peking

    •  

    Cantonese Roasted Meats

  • Char siu
     
  • Crispy pork belly
     
  • Soy sauce chicken
     
  • Roasted goose

    •  

    Street Food

  • Egg waffles, gai dan zai
     
  • Condensed milk waffles
     
  • “Four Treasures”
     
  • Curry fishballs
     
  • Fried chicken leg
     
  • Pork chop buns
     
  • Fresh coconut milk drinks
     
  • Drink ‘n’ run herbal tea shops
     
  • Coconut crepes, tong chung beng
     
  • Motorcycle ice cream vendors
     
  • Winter time chestnut hawkers

    •  

    Tea in all it's Guises

  • Milk tea
     
  • Iced lemon tea
     
  • “Yuen yeung”
    tea-coffee
     
  • Silk stocking milk tea
     
  • Bubble tea
     
  • Loose-leaf Chinese tea
     
  • Boxed lemon tea (Vita or Hi-C)

    •  

    More Can't-Miss Dishes

  • Hainan chicken rice
     
  • Mapo tofu
     
  • Zong
     
  • Plastic bag noodles
    Perennial snack of school kids
     
  • Suckling pig at a Chinese wedding
     
  • Taiwanese shaved ice
     
  • Chiu Chow soy sauce goose 
     
  • 1,000-year-old eggs
     

    •  

    Ingredients

    Preserved Meats

  • Pressed duck
     
  • Lap cheung sausage

    • Condiments

  • XO Sauce
  • BBQ Honey

    •  

    Restaurants

    Brunch Spots

     

  • The Press Room
    108 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2525-3444.
     
  • Brunch Club
    70 Peel St., Central, 2526-8861.
     
  • Fringe Club Roof
    2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-7251.
     
  • 208 Duecento Otto
    208 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2549-0208.
     
  • California Vintage
    77 Wyndham St., Central, 2525-9808.
     
  • Posto Pubblico
    G/F, 28 Elgin St., Central, 2577-7160.
     
  • Champagne brunches
    The highest form of daytime drinking, and available just about everywhere. Make sure you drink at least a bottle of bubbly to get your money’s worth.

    •  

    Seafood

  • Under Bridge Spicy Crab
    Shop 1-2, G/F, 414 - 424 Jaffe Rd., Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, 2573-7698.
     
  • Dot Cod
    B4/F, Basement, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Rd., Central, 2810-6988.
     
  • Ming Kee
    Poi Toi Island, 2849-7038.
     
  • Lamma Hilton
    Shum Kee Seafood Restaurant
    26 Second St., Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma, 2982-8290.
     
  • Rainbow Seafood Restaurant
    23-25 First St., Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma, 2982-8100.
     
  • Sai Kung Seafood Street
     
  • Lei Yuen Mun
     
  • Sam Shing Hui
    Seafood Market, Tuen Mun


    • Cheapest Michelin Meals in the World

  • Hung’s Delicacies
    84-94A Wharf Rd., North Point, 2570-1108.
     
  • Tim Ho Wan
    Flat 8, G/F, Phase 2, Tsui Yuen Mansion, 2-20 Kwong Wa St., Mong Kok, 2332-2896.
     
  • Ho Hung Kee
    2 Sharp St. East, Causeway Bay, 2577-6558.

    •  

    Drunk Food

  • Ebeneezer’s
    6 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2114-0555.
     
  • Hay Hay Kitchen
    G/F, 72-86 Lockhart Rd., Wan Chai, 2143-6183.
     
  • Paisano’s
    23 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2544-4445.
     
  • The ultimate: Tsui Wah
    And its awesome curry rice.
    15 Wellington St., Central, 2525-6338.


    • Indian curries

     

  • Delhi Club
    Room 3, 3/F, Block C, Chungking Mansions, 36-44 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2368-1682.
     
  • Khyber Pass
    Shop E2, 7/F, Block E, Chungking Mansions, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2721-2786.
     
  • Khana Kazana
    Vegetarian Indian restaurant.
    1/F, Dannies House, 20 Luard Rd., Wan Chai, 8108-1070.
     
  • Ganga’s
    LG/F, 57-59 Wyndham St., Central, 2537-7933.


    • Heritage Restaurants

  • Jimmy’s Kitchen and its ancient waiters
    South China Building, 1-3 Wyndham St., Central, 2526-5293.
     
  • Mido Cafe
    63 Temple St., Yau Ma Tei, 2384-6402.
     
  • Joy Hing Roast Meat Restaurant
    Block C, G/F, 265-267 Hennessy Rd., Wan ChaI, 2519-6639.
     
  • The Pawn
    And its public space rooftop.
    62 Johnston Rd., Wan Chai, 2866-3444.
     
  • Shatin Inn
    Tai Po Rd., Tai Wai, 2691-1425.
     
  • Jumbo Floating Restaurant
    Shum Wan Pier Drive, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, 2553-9111.
     
  •  Amigo
    Opened in 1967, during the riots. Amigo Mansion, 79A Wong Nai Chung Rd., Happy Valley, 2577-2202.
     
  • Lin Heung Tea House
    Super-old-school dim sum.
    160 Wellington St., Central, 2544-4556.
     
  • Luk Yu Tea House
    And the 2002 assassination that happened there. G-3/F, 24 Stanley St., Central, 2523-5464.
     
  • Maxim’s City Hall
    Sometimes, you just gotta go. 2/F, Low Block, City Hall, Central, 2521-1303.
     
  • Chan Yee Jai
    Purveyors of traditional Hong Kong candy. 176 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2543-8414.
     
  • The Peak Lookout
    121 Peak Rd., The Peak, 2849-1000.
     
  • Australia Dairy Company
    G/F, 47-49 Parkes St., Jordan, 2730-1356.


    • Hotel Restaurants

  • Petrus at the Island Shangri-La
    56/F, Island Shangri-La Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Rd., Admiralty, 2820-8590.
     
  • Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons
    4/F, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance St., Central, 3196-8880.
     
  • Cuisine Cuisine at The Mira
    3/F, The Mira, 118 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2315-5222.
     
  •  Man Wah at the Mandarin Oriental
    25/F, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Rd. Central, 2522-0111.
     
  • Gaddi’s at The Peninsula
    1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, 19-21 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2696-6763.
     
  • Amber at the Landmark
    Mandarin Oriental, 7/F, Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2132-0066.
     
  • Sabatini at the Royal Garden
    3/F, The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2733-2000.
     
  • Tiffin Lounge at the Grand Hyatt
    M/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, 2584-7722.
     
  • Hugo’s at the Hyatt Regency TST
    L/F, Hyatt Regency Tsim Sha Tsui, 18 Hanoi Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2311-1234.
     
  • Nicholini’s at The Conrad
    8/F, Conrad Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2521-3838.

    •  

    McDonaldstopia

  • 24-hour McDonalds
    Sausage McMuffins served all day and all night.
     
  • McDonalds delivery
     
  • Seasonal McDishes
    Shake shake fries and Shogun burgers? Heaven. Of a kind.


    • Private kitchens

  • Magnolia
     Shop 5, G/F, 17 Po Yan St., Sheung Wan, 2530-9880
     
  • Kea’s Kitchen
    Row One, Mooring 5345, Kea’s Kitchen, Aberdeen St., Aberdeen, 6077-5964.
     
  • Mandy’s Private Kitchen
    Five minutes away from Sai Kung Town Center, 9816-9946.
     
  • Yellow Door
    6/F, Cheung Hing Commercial Building, 37 Cochrane St., Central, 2858-6555.
     
  • Xi Yan Flavours
    3/F, 83 Wan Chai Rd., Wan Chai, 2575-6966.
     
  • Le Blanc
    6/F, 83 Wan Chai Rd., Wan Chai, 3428-5824.
     
  • Yin Yang
    18 Ship St., Wan Chai, 2866-0868.
     
  • Culinart Private Kitchen
    22B Kwai Bo Industrial Building, 40 Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen,2580-0919.
     
  • Chef’s Studio
    40 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Wong Chuk Hang, 3104-4664.
     
  • Ma Cuisine
    3A Unison Industrial Building, 7 Sun Yip St., Chai Wan, 2515-0477.


    • Soy Sauce Western Restaurants

  • Goldfinch
    13-15 Lan Fong Rd., Causeway Bay, 2577-7981.
     
  • Queen’s Café
    Shop A, 18/F, Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival St., Causeway Bay, 3151-7595.
     
  • Sammy’s Kitchen
    204-206 Queens Rd. West, Sai Ying Pun, 2548-8400.
     
  • Tai Ping Koon
    60 Stanley St., Central, 2899-2780.
     
  • Boston Restaurant
    3 Luard Road, Wan Chai, 2527-7646.


    • Steakhouses

  • The Grand Hyatt Steak House
    2/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, 2588-1234.
     
  • Morton’s
    4/F, The Sheraton Hong Kong, 20 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2732-2343.
     
  • Lawry’s the Prime Rib
    So it’s closed for renovations until fall, but we still love it. 4/F, The Lee Garden, Phase 1, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, 2907-2218.
     
  • Blue Butcher
    108 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2613-9286, www.bluebutcher.com.
     
  • Intercontinental Steak House
    18 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2313-2323.


    • Club Food

  • Club sandwiches with a view at the RHKYC
    Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Kellett Island Clubhouse, Causeway Bay, 2239-0348.
     
  • Awesome curries at the USRC
    1 Gascoigne Rd, Jordan, 3966-8600.
     
  • Dining on the Verandah at the FCC
    2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-1511.


    • Yuppie Food

  • Brickhouse
    Pricey tacos for the well-to-do. G/F, 20A D’Aguilar St., Central, 2810-0560.
     
  • Yardbird
    Delicious chicken butt. 33 Bridges St., Sheung Wan, 2547-9273.
     
  • Sushi Kuu
    1/F, Wellington Place, 2-8 Wellington St., Central, 2971-0810.
     
  • Three Monkeys
    G/F, 151-155 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 3151-7771.
     
  • Armani Aqua
    Shop 204-205, 2/F, Chater House, 8 Connaught Rd., Central, 3583-2828.
     
  • Classified Cheese Room.
    Leading Hong Kong’s cheese renaissance. 108 Hollywood Rd, Central, 2525-3454


    • Cheap Food

  • Dai pai dongs
     
  • Cooked food centers
     
  • Fairwood
     
  • Café de Coral
     
  • Maxims
     
  • Anywhere that sticks up photos of celebrities in its windows


    • Places We Like

  • Authentic Thai food in Kowloon City
    Friendship Thai Food, G/F, 38 Kai Tak Rd., Kowloon City, 2832-8671; Amporn Thaifood, Shop 9, 3/F, Kowloon City Market, Kowloon City, 2716-3689.
     
  • Ba Yi Xinjiang Restaurant
    43 Water St., Sai Ying Pun, 2484-9981.
     
  • Cat Cafes
    Cat Store Café, Flat D-E, 3/F Po Ming Building, Fu Ming St., Causeway Bay, 2710-9953.
     
  • ABC Kitchen
    European dining in a cooked food center. Shop 7, Queen’s Street Cooked Food Market, 1 Queen’s St., Sheung Wan, 9278-8227.
     
  • Chun Chun Restaurant
    A giant dai pai dong serving roasted pigeon in Fo Tan. Outdoor Food Market, Shan Mei St., Fo Tan, 2691-2660.
     
  • Honeymoon Dessert
    Now a chain. The original: 9-10 Po Tung Rd., Sai Kung, 2792-4991.
     
  • Islam Food
    1 Lung Kong Rd., Kowloon City ,2382-2822.


    • Snacks

  • Preserved sour plums
     
  • Smith nougat
     
  • Honey lemon tea candy
     
  • Dried mango
     
  • White Rabbit sweets
     
  • Hong Kong style pick n’ mix gummy sweets
     
  • Haw flakes
     
  • Peanut/sesame brittle
     
  • Date and walnut candy in rice paper and cellophane
     
  • Sugus
     
  • The citywide fixation with Ferrero Rocher
     
  • Pocky
     
  • Classic mooncakes...
     
  • ...In fact, creative mooncakes of every stripe
     
  • A spiral-cut potato on a stick
     
  • Fried dough stick, yau za gwei
     
  • Dragon’s beard candy
     
  • Spring onion cakes
     
  • Apollo ice cream
     
  • Overly creamy birthday cakes
     
  • Vitasoy
    Especially served warm in the winter.
     
  • Want Want biscuits
     
  • Chinese New Year sweetmeats

    •  

    Coffee and Tea

  • Olympia Graeco-Egyptian Coffee
    24 Old Bailey St., Central, 2522-4653.
     
  • Mingcha
    Flat D, 12/F, Wah Ha Factory Building, 8 Shipyard Lane, Taikoo, 2520-2116.


    • Weird, Crazy Food We Eat

  • Snake
     
  • Bugs
     
  • Chicken feet
     
  • Duck tongue
     
  • Offal
     
  • Stinky tofu
     
  • Deer tail
     
  • Durian
    Delicious. Wonderful. Divisive.
     
  • Frog
     
  • Basically: everything.

    •  

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