From Michelin Star restaurants to hole-in-the-wall eateries and the more traditional dai pai dong, Hong Kong has a lot to offer the intrepid foodie traveller in search of some tantalising, tasty grub to sink their teeth into.
Stuart Carly, a Cathay Pacific Loyal Diamond member and regular visitor to Hong Kong has put together a top 5 list of places that you must go to truly taste Hong Kong.
Dim sum with a modern twist
Originating in the south of China, dim sum is a Cantonese dish consisting of bite-size portions of food traditionally served in bamboo steamers and stuffed with a variety of tasty fillings. While dim sum comes in many forms – from sweet and savoury dumplings to ‘congee’ (a type of rice porridge)
Sip on silk stocking milk tea
Hong Kong’s love of tea probably has a lot to do with Britain’s influence in the mid-1800s, and the people of Hong Kong have turned tea-drinking into a national past time of their own, offering a sweeter, creamier version that is a must-try for anyone visiting the city. Silk stocking milk tea, or ‘Hong Kong style tea’, is typically made from black Ceylon tea and sweet condensed milk, which is what gives the tea its silky texture.
BBQ skewers
While nothing can replace the traditional South African braai, the mouth-watering aromas of barbecued meat wafting through the streets of Hong Kong are in a league of their own! From meaty kebabs to the more unusual varieties – such as octopus and even pig intestines – for the more adventurous foodies!
Wan Chai, a bustling foodie neighbourhood just east of Central, is a great place to start.
Crisp and fluffy egg waffles
Egg waffles (or gai daan zai in Cantonese, which translates to ‘eggies’ or ‘eggettes’) has been a central part of traditional Cantonese cuisine since the mid-20th century. This sweet snack is typically golden-yellow in colour, crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on inside, served hot and fresh at many food stalls on the streets of Hong Kong. Master Low-Key Food Shop in Shau Kei Wan serves some of the best gai daan zai in town, which you can enjoy with peanut butter, condensed milk and sugar, or drizzled with a little sweet syrup if you prefer.
Soupy wonton noodles
Tsim Kai Chi is fast becoming one of the most popular eateries serving this Soupy wonton noodles dish in Hong Kong’s Central district.