Must-Try Local Cuisine List in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is known as a "Gourmet Paradise," blending Chinese and Western culinary cultures. Below are comprehensive recommendations ranging from street snacks to classic restaurants:

1. Street Snacks

1. Egg Waffle (Egg Puff)
2. Introduction: A crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside honeycomb-shaped pancake, available in original flavor or with chocolate, matcha, etc.
3. Recommended Location: Lee Cheong Kee Egg Waffles (North Point), Mami Egg Waffles (chain).

4. Price: Approximately HKD 15-25.

5. Curry Fish Balls

6. Introduction: Chewy fish balls coated in fragrant curry sauce, one of the most common street snacks in Hong Kong.
7. Recommended Location: Man Kee Carrot Ruth (Sham Shui Po), street vendors.

8. Price: HKD 10-15 per skewer.

9. Stuffed Vegetables

10. Introduction: Eggplant, green pepper, tofu stuffed with fish paste then fried, served with sweet or spicy sauce.
11. Recommended Location: Street stalls (Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei).

12. Price: HKD 10-20 per serving.

13. Bowl Noodles

14. Introduction: Imitation shark fin soup made with vermicelli, wood ear mushrooms, and winter mushrooms, creamy texture.
15. Recommended Location: Lui Zi Ji (Sai Kung).
16. Price: HKD 20-30.

2. Classic Cha Chaan Teng Dishes

1. Pantyhose Milk Tea & Pineapple Bun
2. Introduction: Pantyhose milk tea made with Ceylon tea and evaporated milk, pineapple bun is a flaky bread with chilled butter.
3. Recommended Location: Lan Fong Yuen (Central), Kam Wah Cafe (Prince Edward).

4. Price: Milk tea about HKD 20, pineapple bun about HKD 10.

5. Hong Kong Style Wonton Noodles

6. Introduction: Fresh shrimp wontons paired with bamboo-lifted noodles, broth made from dried fish and pork bones.
7. Recommended Location: Mak’s Noodle (Central), Ho Hung Kee (Causeway Bay).

8. Price: HKD 40-60.

9. Dry-Fried Beef River Noodles

10. Introduction: Stir-fried rice noodles with wok-hei, tender beef, and soy sauce aroma.
11. Recommended Location: Wing Lei Restaurant (Central), dai pai dong.
12. Price: HKD 50-80.

3. Roast Meats & Seafood

1. Roast Goose & Char Siu
2. Introduction: Crispy-skinned roast goose and char siu with a perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness, served with plum sauce or yellow mustard.
3. Recommended Location: Wing Lei Restaurant (roast goose), Sai Heung BBQ Restaurant (char siu).

4. Price: Roast goose about HKD 200/half, char siu about HKD 50/serving.

5. Spicy Garlic Crab

6. Introduction: Spicy garlic crab stir-fried with chilies, originating from fishermen's cooking methods.
7. Recommended Location: Bridge Under Spicy Crab (Wanchai).

8. Price: About HKD 500/crab (depending on size).

9. Salt & Pepper Mud Shrimp

10. Introduction: Giant mud shrimp deep-fried and sprinkled with salt and pepper, fresh and sweet meat.
11. Recommended Location: Sai Kung Seafood Street.
12. Price: Market price, approximately HKD 300-600/crab.

4. Desserts & Sweet Soups

1. Yam Branch Gan Lu
2. Introduction: Mango, pomelo, sago pudding mixed with coconut milk, refreshing and slightly sour-sweet.
3. Recommended Location: Jaja Dessert (Jordan).

4. Price: HKD 30-40.

5. Ginger Juice Clotted Milk

6. Introduction: Hot ginger juice coagulated with fresh milk, smooth and warming.
7. Recommended Location: Yi Shun Dairy Company (Causeway Bay).

8. Price: HKD 30-35.

9. Sesame Paste & Walnut Paste

10. Introduction: Ground sesame or walnut paste, rich in aroma.
11. Recommended Location: Kung Wo Bean Products Factory (Sham Shui Po).
12. Price: HKD 20-25.

5. Specialty Restaurant Recommendations

1. Dai Pai Dong Experience
2. Recommended Location: Shing Kee Dai Pai Dong (Central), Tong Bo Xiao Guan (North Point).

3. Must-Try Dishes: Black bean chili clams, braised chicken hot pot.

4. Michelin-Starred Affordable Restaurants

5. Recommended Location: Tim Ho Wan (Sham Shui Po, cheapest Michelin one-star, famous for flaky BBQ pork buns).
6. Average Cost: HKD 50-100 per person.

Notes

1. Payment Method: Some old shops only accept cash; it is recommended to carry HKD 500-1000 in cash.
2. Operating Hours: Cha chaan tengs usually open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, dessert shops operate until late at night.
3. Queuing Tips: Popular restaurants (such as Wing Lei, Jaja Dessert) may require arriving 30 minutes early.
4. Language: Some old shops only offer Cantonese service, so it is advisable to use phone translation for menus beforehand.