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Editor's Pick
Let VaeVae Chan show you around Hong Kong for the best-tasting and best-looking bites!
Discover more essentials about Hong Kong, China including capital, population, languages, and travel practicalities.
Palette Meets Palate
Hong Kong
Leave that “starving artist” stereotype at home—better yet, throw it out—because I am taking you on a filling food trip around Hong Kong! In history, food has played an important role in art as it has been the subject, inspiration, and the artist’s fuel in the studio. As a props stylist, I've personally used food in unusual ways: like a fruity bra or baked bread bracelet. On the everyday grind, I resist playing with my food and revel in the city’s best dishes. Here are some of my favorites around the city! Whether you’re a fresh-off-the-plane tourist or curious local, your tastebuds will find that these munchables are definite works of art.
Updated 3 years ago
Come early to To Kwa Wan Wun Kee Egg Rolls to catch my favorite Egg Rolls in the city before they run out! A gruff grandpa runs this little shop along with his five friendly dogs, and the egg rolls are homemade and always fresh. Local egg rolls are more on the crisp wafer side than savory spring rolls. Bite into a pleasant surprise in their Phoenix Egg Rolls (鳳凰卷)—usually with a coconut or peanut filling. Ordering is a bit tricky since there’s no English menu, so just point to the display behind the window. The extra effort is worth it for the city’s best egg rolls—local celebrities seem to agree as well!
- +852 9127 6040
38 Mok Cheong Street, Hong Kong, China
土瓜灣馬頭圍木廠街38號
For the best bubble waffles in the city, 629 Egg Puff is one of the names I swear by. They’re a small stall hidden away in the San Po Kong neighborhood. Each puff is skillfully made to be crisp on the outside, but soft and chewy on the inside. The friendly man behind the waffle irons holds nothing back with their ingredients so indulge in peanut butter, black sesame, or chocolate chip fillings. The long lines tease to the quality of their sweet treats so prepare to wait around 10 minutes. I suggest avoiding after-school hours.
Shop A, Ground Floor, Chiap Thong Building, 317 To Kwa Wan Road, Hong Kong, China
新蒲崗康強街28號康景商場地下28J舖
Sam Tseng Bakery's Cocktail Buns (雞尾包, gai mei bau) are generous with the sweet shredded coconut filling; but for me, the more filling, the better! Pull the soft bun apart with your hands or bite easily into the buttery coco-goodness. Buns come out of the oven every three hours, so time your visit properly for a fresh batch!
- +852 2323 9023
Shop B, Ground Floor, Hang On Building, 43-59 Po Kong Village Road, Hong Kong, China
鑽石山蒲崗村道43-59號恆安大廈地下B號舖- https://www.facebook.com/%E4%B8%89%E4%BA%95%E9%A3%BD%E9%A4%85%E5%B0%88%E9%96%80%E5%BA%97-128667087186944/
Of Wai Kee Noodle Cafe's expansive menu, my no-fail binge is a big bowl of their Beef Noodle Soup. The springy noodles, flavorful broth, and tender slices of meat all work together like magic. If you're extra hungry, fit in a slice of Kaya French Toast and Milk Tea, too! Expect large crowds on the weekends, but their fast service might get you a seat if you’re willing to wait. Point at what you want or show a picture, as no English menus are available.
- +852 2387 6515
Ground Floor, 62 & 67 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, China
福榮街62號地下
Weather be willing, take an al fresco seat at Sam Kee Restaurant to enjoy a view of the city while savoring their Oyster Porridge. The piping hot bowl seamlessly blends the flavors of seafood and coconuts. For more adventurous palates, this restaurant is also famous for their Pig Blood Curd—cubes of curd made from pig’s blood, cooked with leeks and sauce. They’ve been serving their classic Teochew cuisine to the Tsz Wan Shan area for years. Visitors can see large photographs of celebrities lining the walls of their store, showing off the big names that have come to taste their signature dishes.
- +852 2726 4578
Ground Floor, Po King House, 6 Po King Lane, Tsz Wan Shan, Hong Kong, China
慈雲山蒲景里6號地下
My favorite from Nan Lian Garden Tea House is the Qian Nian Ai, a red tea blend that offers a mild and sweet flavor. Feel free to stay awhile and enjoy the relaxing ambiance of this tea house, maybe even bring a book you’ve been meaning to finish! Grab a meal somewhere else, though, as the dim sum snacks they serve are in limited quantity. Book a table, and remember to wear socks as you’ll have to take your shoes off when you enter.
- +852 3658 9390
Nan Lian Garden, 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, Hong Kong , China
鑽石山鳳德道60號南蓮園池- http://www.nanliangarden.org/view.php?ss=10&cat=58
2
Durian desserts, sweet soups, and soothing sorbets are the stars at Cong Sao Star Dessert. Cool down from the sweltering heat with their most famous, the Longan Sorbet with Nata de Coco—a bowl of white shaved ice and jelly that almost looks like snow. I love the Strawberry Sorbet with Nata de Coco and Sago!
- +852 2278 2622
11 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, China
銅鑼灣耀華街11號地舖- https://www.facebook.com/CongSaoStarDessert/
Taste true Hong Kong home cooking in Man Sing Cafe! Start with their Signature Pork Mince Patty, bathed in a pool of special sauce and topped with an egg. The meat is so tender it’s almost optional to chew. A dish with a curious name, Saliva Chicken, is not as dubious as it sounds. It’s chicken meat poached in chili sauce and packs quite a kick!
- +852 2576 7272
Ground Floor, 16 Wun Sha Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong, China
浣紗街16-18號G/F
2
Hop Yik Tai Snacks has earned a lot of love for their quick-fix dishes. There’s a lot to choose from; but I shoot straight to their Steamed Rice Noodles (腸粉, cheung fun) and Soy Milk. The soft and chewy texture matched by the bland rice, yet savory sauce, are an addicting combo. I like to ask for all the sauces, except the spicy ones—a you’re free to do the same.
- +852 2720 0239
Ground Floor, 121 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, China
深水埗桂林街121號地下
After over 30 years, Danish Bakery's signature Hong Kong-style Pork Bun Burgers are still their most popular item. While other locals come here on the way to watch a game at Hong Kong Stadium, I pre-game on a cheap meal before shopping for vintage finds at Luddite nearby!
- +852 2576 7353
Ground Floor, Leishun Court, 106 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, China
禮頓道106號禮信大廈地下
About Hong Kong, China
