Hong Kong, known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” is a bustling metropolis that is rich in culture and tradition. Street food of Hong Kong is as vibrant and diverse as the city itself, featuring a wide range of delicious and affordable delicacies that reflect the unique blend of Chinese and Western influences that have shaped the city over the centuries.
From mouth-watering dim sum to fragrant fish balls, Hong Kong’s best street food scene is a food lover’s paradise. In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at the top 20 best street foods in Hong Kong, exploring their history, flavor, and recipe.
Best Street Foods of Hong Kong, China
1. Egg waffles – 雞蛋仔 (jī dàn zǎi)
Egg waffles, also known as “eggettes,” are a popular street food in Hong Kong. The waffles are made with eggs, flour, sugar, and evaporated milk, and are cooked in a specialized waffle pan that creates small, egg-shaped pockets. The texture of egg waffles is crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.
2. Siu mai – 燒賣 (shāo mài)
Siu mai is a type of traditional Cantonese dim sum that is commonly found in Hong Kong. It consists of ground pork and shrimp wrapped in a thin dough wrapper, and is typically served with soy sauce or chili oil. The dish is steamed, which gives it a tender and juicy texture.
3. Char siu bao – 叉燒包 (chā shāo bāo)
Char siu bao, also known as BBQ pork buns, are a type of steamed bun filled with barbecued pork. The filling is made with char siu sauce, which gives it a sweet and savory flavor. The bun itself is soft and fluffy, making for a delicious contrast in texture.
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4. Cheong fun – 腸粉 (cháng fěn)
Cheong fun, also known as rice noodle rolls, is a popular and must-try street food in Hong Kong. The dish is made by steaming rice noodle sheets, which are then filled with various ingredients such as shrimp, pork, or beef, and rolled up like a burrito. Cheong fun is typically served with soy sauce or hoisin sauce.
5. Egg tarts – 蛋撻 (dàn tà)
Egg tarts are a type of pastry that is commonly found in Hong Kong bakeries and street food stalls. The tart crust is made with butter, flour, and sugar, and the filling is made with eggs, sugar, and evaporated milk. The tart is then baked until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
6. Fish balls – 魚蛋 (yú dàn)
Fish balls are a staple street food in Hong Kong. If you want to know about one of the most popular and best street food in Hong Kong, then fish balls are in the list. They are made from ground fish paste that is then molded into small balls and boiled or fried. Fish balls are often served on skewers with a spicy dipping sauce.
7. Curry fish balls – 咖喱魚蛋 (gā lí yú dàn)
Curry fish balls are a variation of fish balls that are coated in a spicy curry sauce. The curry sauce is made with curry powder, coconut milk, and other spices, and is typically served with skewered fish balls.
8. Pineapple buns – 菠蘿包 (bō luó bāo)
Pineapple buns, also known as bo lo bao, are a type of sweet bun that is commonly found in Hong Kong bakeries and street snack stalls. The bun itself is soft and fluffy, and is topped with a sweet and crunchy cookie crust that resembles the texture of a pineapple.
9. Roast meat – 燒味 (shāo wèi)
Roast meat is a popular street food in Hong Kong that includes various types of roasted meats, such as roast duck, roast pork, and char siu. The meats are typically roasted until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and are served with a side of rice or noodles.
10. Bubble tea – 波霸奶茶 (bō bà nǎi chá)
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, is a Taiwanese drink that has become a popular street food of Hong Kong. The drink consists of tea that is flavored with fruit or milk, and is served with chewy tapioca balls, also known as “boba.” The drink can be served hot or cold, and is often sweetened with syrup or honey.
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11. Fried noodles – 炒麵 (chǎo miàn)
Fried noodles, also known as chow mein, are a staple street food in Hong Kong. The dish consists of stir-fried noodles that are cooked with vegetables, meat, and/or seafood, and is often served with a savory sauce.
12. Turnip cake – 蘿蔔糕 (luó bo gāo)
Turnip cake, also known as lo bak go, is a type of dim sum that is commonly found in Hong Kong. The cake is made with shredded turnips, rice flour, and other ingredients such as mushrooms and sausage, and is then steamed and pan-fried until it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
13. Stinky tofu – 臭豆腐 (chòu dòu fǔ)
Stinky tofu is a type of fermented tofu that is popular in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. The tofu is fermented for several days or weeks, giving it a strong and pungent aroma. It is then fried or steamed and served with various dipping sauces.
14. Congee – 粥 (zhōu)
Congee, also known as rice porridge, is a type of soup made with rice that is often served as a breakfast dish in Hong Kong. The dish is typically flavored with various meats, seafood, and/or vegetables, and is often garnished with spring onions and crispy fried dough.
15. Egg noodles with wontons – 雲吞麵 (yún tūn miàn)
Egg noodles with wontons, also known as wonton mein, is a popular street food in Hong Kong. The dish consists of egg noodles that are served in a savory soup broth with shrimp or pork wontons.
16. Curry beef brisket – 咖喱牛腩 (gā lí niú nǎn)
Curry beef brisket is a popular street food in Hong Kong that consists of tender beef brisket cooked in a spicy curry sauce. The dish is often served with rice or noodles, and is garnished with fresh cilantro.
17. Siu yuk – 燒肉 (shāo ròu)
Siu yuk, also known as crispy roast pork, is a type of roast meat that is commonly found in Hong Kong. The pork is marinated with various spices and seasonings, and is then roasted until it is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
18. Sweet tofu pudding – 豆花 (dòu huā)
Sweet tofu pudding, also known as douhua, is a type of dessert that is commonly found in Hong Kong. This is one of the best eaten street foods in the town. The pudding is made with soy milk that is thickened with gypsum powder, and is often served with a sweet syrup or fruit.
19. Fried fish skin – 炸魚皮 (zhá yú pí)
Fried fish skin is a crispy, flavorful, and traditional street food snack that is commonly found in Hong Kong street food stalls. The skin is deep-fried until it is crispy and golden brown, and is often seasoned with salt, pepper, and other spices.
20. Shrimp dumplings – 蝦餃 (xiā jiǎo)
Shrimp dumplings, also known as har gow, are a type of dim sum that is commonly found in Hong Kong. The dumplings are filled with shrimp that is flavored with various seasonings, and is wrapped in a thin dough wrapper that is steamed until it is tender and juicy.
Popular Street Vendors in China
Here are some street food vendors in Hong Kong along with their addresses:
- Kau Kee Beef Brisket Noodles (九記牛腩) – G/F, 21 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong
- Kam Wah Cafe (金華冰廳) – G/F, 47 Bute Street, Prince Edward, Hong Kong
- Hop Yik Tai (合益泰小食) – G/F, 121 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
- Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop (麥文記麵家) – G/F, 51 Parkes Street, Jordan, Hong Kong
- Sing Heung Yuen (勝香園) – G/F, 2 Mee Lun Street, Central, Hong Kong
- Yuen Kee Dessert (源記甜品) – G/F, 32 Centre Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
- Hui Lau Shan (許留山) – G/F, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong
- Cheung Hing Kee Shanghai Pan-fried Buns (祥興記上海生煎包) – Shop 6, G/F, 48 Lock Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
- Mak’s Noodle (麥奀雲吞麵世家) – G/F, 77 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
- Yat Lok Roast Goose (一樂燒鵝) – G/F, 34-38 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong
Conclusion
Hong Kong’s street food scene is a vibrant and diverse culinary experience that offers something for everyone. From savory dim sum to sweet desserts, Hong Kong’s street food reflects the unique blend of Chinese and Western influences that have shaped the city over the centuries. So the next time you’re in Hong Kong, be sure to explore the city’s street food stalls and indulge in some of the city’s most delicious and affordable delicacies.
