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10 must-try traditional Hong Kong foods

6 October, 2022 by Expat Living 2 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/classic-hong-kong-food-local-dishes-street-food-snacks/

There’s no doubt about it: Hong Kong is foodie heaven. You can indulge any whim, with restaurants all over the city featuring cuisines from around the world. Hong Kong also has a number of classic dishes and street food snacks for which it is famous. Here’s a quick guide to some of the must-try HK foods.

1. Dim Sum

A Hong Kong version of dining with small dishes, dim sum includes classics such as har gao (steamed shrimp dumplings wrapped in a thin, translucent skin), char siu bao (barbecued pork bun) and siu mai (Chinese dumpling).

Traditional Hong Kong Foods - Dim sum

2. Fish Balls

A classic Hong Kong snack, these are balls of deliciousness made with fish meat, often cooked in a piping hot curry and commonly sold at street food stalls.

Hong Kong street food snacks - fish balls

3. Egg Waffles

Affectionately called gai daan zai (“mini chicken egg”), this is Hong Kong’s version of a waffle. A crispy exterior hides the soft, sweet sponge inside. Can be served plain or with toppings such as chocolate.

 - egg waffles

4. Pineapple Bun

A pineapple bun (bo lo bao) is a soft sweet bun topped with a crumbly cookie style crust of sugar, eggs, flour and lard. When cooked, the crust cracks open, giving a pineapple-like appearance on top. There’s no actual pineapple in the bun!

Hong Kong snacks - pineapple bun

5. Egg Tart

Two types of egg tarts have emerged since they first became popular, one with a flaky, pastry shell, the other with sweet shortbread. Whichever you pick, it encases a soft, creamy custard.

Hong Kong local snacks - egg tarts

6. Milk Tea

Hong Kong milk tea is a creamy drink traditionally made with Ceylon black tea and evaporated or condensed milk.

traditional hong kong foods - milk tea

7. Chinese Barbecue

Known as siu mei, Chinese barbecued meats are very more-ish. Our faves include char siu (barbecued pork), barbecued goose and roast pork.

Hong Kong food - char siu

8. Wonton Noodles

A succulent meat and shrimp filling is encased in a silky smooth dumpling wrapper before being served in a clear, light broth swimming with chewy egg noodles. What’s not to love!?

Street food - wonton noodles

9. Fresh Seafood

Hong Kong is surrounded by water, so you can bet there’s some great seafood to be had, from stir-fried clams in black bean sauce to whole steamed fish. Even better if you can dine beside the lapping waves; try Lamma or Sai Kung for starters.

10. Tofu Pudding

If the only tofu you’ve tried is the leathery version in a burger or salad back home, a Hong Kong tofu pudding should be a sweet surprise. This warm pudding is served with syrup or sugar, and often eaten to top off a dim sum feast.

Hong Kong food - tofu pudding

 

See more in our Wine & Dine section.

This article first appeared in the City Guide 2021/22 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.

Categories: Recipes & Groceries Wine & Dine Tags: Hong Kong Hong Kong Food Street food

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