With one restaurant for every 300 people,

Hong Kong has one of the highest numbers of restaurants and cafes per capita. Some 14,000 restaurants dishing up an array of cuisines from all over China, the rest of Asia and the world.

Hong Kong can be overwhelming for first time food explorers.

Hong Kong’s food scene is so extensive I could write 5 food guides and still not cover all the food it has to offer. That’s why when creating this guide I decided to focus on the local’s favorites and foods that identify as Hong Kong. I focused on mom and pop shops, dai pai dongs (street stalls), street foods, cha chaan teng (tea houses), cooked food markets, and a few more.

The dining scene, just like Hong Kong, is ever changing, and this is not an eat all guide to Hong Kong.

Even with such a narrow genre of food, this list is still extensive. As I said before, I know it is extensive, but it is also a foodie’s paradise.

1. Roast Goose

Hong Kong locals love their roast goose. This love runs strong and deep in the city. Everybody has their personal favorite spot to get their hands on that crispy skin and juicy meat. Here we have three spots that vary from most popular for the tourist, locals, and even in between.

A good reason to travel to Hong Kong

Yat Lok Restaurant 一樂燒鵝

If you know Hong Kong and Roast Goose, then this should be of no surprise. Unbelievably paper thin, crispy, glazed, roasted skin. If you want the crispy skin experience then you need to go here. Also bonus points for their chili sauce as it's nice and hot. I enjoy soaking it in my rice and combining with a piece of goose in plum sauce.

Come sooner than later in the day if you want your choice of goose.

Kam's Roast Goose 甘牌燒鵝

Kam's or Yat Lok, people will debate it until the cows come home.

No matter, Kam's has been serving up ultimate juicy goose with crispy skin for 70 years.

Make sure to not just get the goose, but enjoy some other Hong Kong roast meats, bloods cakes, and more. With only 30 seats, be ready to wait.

Tin Hung Restaurant 天鴻燒鵝飯店

My favorite when I want to get out of the center of the city. When you get outside the city, you are going to get the best bang for your buck as well. Not to mention the extremely friendly staff and more of a relaxed environment, as it is located in a living area. Don't forget to order it with Char Siu and dunk that pork in those goose juices. You are welcome.

2. Char Siu

新桂香燒臘 Sun Kwai Heung BBQ food

If there is a god, I would like to thank him/her for placing my work all the way out near this little BBQ joint. Candy sweet char siu with just the right amount of fat. Bonus points here for serving the Char Siu in a pond of thick decedent sweet and salty sauce. Awh Lawd...

3. Siu Yuk

新桂香燒臘 Sun Kwai Heung BBQ food

As if that sugar sauce coating of the char siu wasn’t enough to bring you here. Their Siu yuk may be even better. A great ratio of fat to meat, the skin is salty, crispy, and smokey, and when you bite into it you better be careful not to roll your eyes too hard.

I enjoy that they give you a yellow mustard here.

Joy Hing Roasted Meats 再興燒臘飯店

Known to sell out extremely early. I have been known to eat here many times for breakfast to make sure I get my hands on their Siu Yuk. Make sure to pour plenty of that iconic sauce all over, maybe even take a few shots of it.

When you eat here, you realize while this is the overall favorite. The three meat plate is the most popular order, but you will want to try everything when here, so make sure to bring friends and squeeze into this 10 seater must eat spot.

4. Roast Chicken

Wing Kee 榮記(東成)飯店

The only place I order Roast Chicken. A huge portion that comes with a spiced dipping salt. It is tender, meaty, salty and overly greasy. I leave here every time in a beer, grease, and salt comma, but never having felt better in my life.

This place is located in the Cooked Food Center, be careful and don’t get whisked away to another spot, as beer girls and owners will be directing you to their restaurant as soon as you walk through the doors.

5. Roasted Duck

Po Kee 波記燒臘粉麵店

This place fills in quick for lunch and usually sells out early. Make sure to roll in when they open. I surprisingly enjoy the roast duck in noodle here. I am typically a rice guy, but their broth does a great job at keeping the duck meat extremely juicy and is something I cannot pass on.

Wai Kee 清真惠記

Another spot in the Bowrington Road Cooked Food but this time for lunch. Cantonese style roast duck over a Halal curry. A combination I never would have thought of before coming here, but realized I have been missing out.

A turmeric and cumin spice filled curry with duck layered on top. Run by third generation owner, Austin, who keeps his grandfather’s dreams alive.

6. Roast Pigeon

愛文生 Oi Man Sang Dai Pai Dong Restaurant

How roast Pigeon should be. A dish that isn’t known for being the meatiest, but has a paper thin crispiness skin that will resemble the best potato chip you’ve ever had. Indulge in an oily, salty, crispy dish that helps get you hungry and ready for the main courses.

Also, save this location, you are about to see it many more times.

7. Dim Sum Classics

Lo mai gai

One my all time favorite dim sum items. Sticky rice stuffed with an assortment of meats, usually pork and chicken. Wrapped in a bamboo leaf and steamed until ooey and gooey.

Sun Hing Restaurant 新興食家

This place just does it right. I don’t else I could say about this, lo mai gai at it’s best.

Custard Buns

Not really an old school dish, but it deserves to be here.

Sun Hing Restaurant 新興食家

This restaurant has a large popularity with the working class and late night drunken college students. So with these demographics of people you know this place is making indulgent dim sum that can satisfy the hungriest physical labor workers and the most intense case of the “drunchies”.

The custard buns here are fluffy and light. They even seem to shine with the slightest coating of oil on the outside. The golden custard inside can be seen soaking into the bun as it starts to crystalize with the bao. With a generous filling of custard be careful when you take that first exploding bite.

Chicken Feet

Lin Ji Dim Sum 林記點心

This place could make anybody into a chicken feet lover. The sauce they use is sweet, thick, and umami packed. The actual feet are quality giving you lots of delicious collagen and tendon to melt in your mouth.

Char Siu Bao

Lin Ji Dim Sum 林記點心

If the chicken feet weren’t enough to lure you all the way to Tai Po then these Char Siu Bao will do the trick.

Sweet, meaty filling covered in a bun that’s warm and soft, yet will slightly dissolve in your mouth. The secret sauce here is…well there sauce for the filling. Just something about it that I cannot get enough of. A great ratio of filling to actual bun.

Siu Mai

Two categories here…

The Streets

Can be found anywhere from street food to 7/11, anytime, for a cheap price. Not my favorite way to indulge, but hey I’m not hating. When that Siu Mai hankering hits, sometimes you have to control it fast.

The Restaurant

Mainly stuffed with pork and shrimp with a thin, silky, smooth wrapper surrounding the filling. I find these are best ordered at every restaurant as I don’t think I have ever had a “bad” Siu Mai.

You can find many dim sum recommendations in this post, but I never found a restaurant I would only go to for the siu mai alone.

8. Fried Pork Intestines

和藏桂林夜市

A shattering crunch, hot and greasy with a slight addicting chew. You can find people snacking on these all over Hong Kong, but I usually eat at the spot above due to me always being in Mong Kok and it's right next to another street food stall favorite of mine, Fat Boy Shop.

9. Cheung Fun

Hop Yik Tai 合益泰小食

Don’t be scared away by the long line here. People are usually lined up to get there’s grab and go. Walking in and sitting down will be much faster. No english here so you will want to have some pictures ready. Once brought to your table, sauce the cheung fun to your liking and get ready to indulge in the silkiest smooth cheung fun you’ve ever had.

10. Innards & Octopus

Fei Jie 肥姐小食店 (Fat Boy Shop)

One of my must hits when I have friends who want to try street food. Innards, tentacles, and really anything and everything you could imagine covered in your choice of three sauces, or all if you like.

I have tagged the TST location in the map below, but here is the address for the Mong Kok location.

Address: Shop 4A, 55 Dundas Street, Mong Kok

11. Stinky Tofu

Everybody talks about stinky tofu when in Taiwan, but I would argue Hong Kong is just as passionate about it’s stinky tofu.

Delicious Food 美味食店

The size is nice as you get a good ratio of fried crispy coating to inside creaminess. Still not near as fermented as the stinky tofu I have had in Taipei, so if you want to ease your way into this street food delicacy this is the way to do it. Want to pull back on the taste more? Just add one or all of the sauces they have available.

12. Fish Balls

Two ways to enjoy…

The Restaurant

Chinji Noodles 欽記粉麵

Seafood and freshness are key. That’s why when in Tai Po, a small fishing area, there is no surprise you can find some unbelievably fresh fish balls. The fish balls are fresh, dense, and bouncy. Not to mention they are submerged in a delicate, pure, light broth.

However, what I enjoyed most is the dried fish skin. Some of the most flavor packed, intense crunchiness I have found. Even when soaking up all that broth the crunch does not disappoint.

Located in Tai Po Hui Market Cooked Food Centre, which I have marked on the map.

Open: Tuesday-Saturday 07:00-14:00

The Streets

These can be found anywhere and everywhere, especially in the Mong Kok and Prince Edward areas. However, I know this isn’t the Hong Kong way, but I enjoy mine when they have been soaking in a Sichuan broth. Then covered with a powder that will make you break a sweat and make you mouth feel numb at…

Chuan Po Po Mala 川婆婆麻辣燙

Now it is in a little back alley, so it may be hard to find, as it is just a little stall.

13. Beef Brisket Noodles

Kau Kee Restaurant 九記牛腩

Honestly, just one of my favorite restaurants. With long lines at all hours of the day, I have never regretted waiting. Come in the earlier hours as they will sell out of the most popular noodles quick.

The beef brisket is the most tender, juiciest meat you’ve ever sunk your teeth into. The broth, a great balance of oil and flavor. However, I can’t wait all that time without also getting the beef tendon curry noodles.

The curry broth is rich, decedent and will coat your mouth, yet the bold flavor of the spices work like yin and yang. However, the winner in this bowl is the tendon that melts in your mouth. Some of the best cooked tendon I have ever had.

Sister Wah 華姐清湯腩

Another really good bowl of beef brisket noodles. Their actual brisket doesn’t even compare to Kau Kee, but I really enjoy their broth and rice noodles. Can’t get much better than how they do it.

The actual go to order for me here is the Chinese radish that has been cooked in the beef brisket broth. The radish is tender and sweet while the broth is light and meaty causing you to enter into a beef noodle universe you never knew about.

One of my favs

14. Hong Kong Cart Noodles

The amount of customization you have with what goes into your bowl made me fall in love with HK cart noodles from day one. Choose your noodles, broth, spiciness, toppings, and more.

Man Kei 文記車仔麵

Stick with their recommended add ins and you cannot go wrong here. What you will definitely want is an extra plate of the swiss chicken wings. So make sure to get an order for your noodles and a plate as well.

Man Kei’s broth is superb. Dark and flavor packed without being too oily. However, what really takes this restaurant to the next level for me isn’t just their toppings and broth, oh no, it is the abundant of additional sauces you have to choose from to add in. Just make sure to load up on their pickled vegetables in the jar!

15. Wonton Noodles

Shek Kee Wanton Noodles 錫記雲吞麵食

How could I not pick a place that was 20 steps from my apartment? Not your traditional wonton noodle spot as this place is known for serving wontons the size of ping pong balls! They are massive and loaded with shrimp and just a touch of fatty pork. The broth is going to be more robust, dark, and heavy than your traditional wonton noodle spots, but that’s also why I love it so much. Oh, I almost forgot their homemade chili oil is some of the hottest in Hong Kong!

Lau Sum Kee Noodle 劉森記麵家

Every day they are making the noodles from hand. If you don’t know this process, it is tedious, and physically exhausting as it takes multiple hours of bouncing on top a bamboo pole to achieve the perfect texture for the wonton noodles.

With that much care, hard work, and attention to detail you can bet these wonton noodles are some of the springiest noodles you will try. The best way to enjoy is order the dry version covered in their shrimp roe with beef tendon, then a side of wontons and soup to break up the flavors.

Yet, I haven’t even gotten to the best part. Their pickled vegetable mixture is bomb and I feel like I could go through the whole container when I sit down.

16. Pork Cheek & Cheese Noodles

Sun Kee 新記餐廳

If I hadn’t shown my redneck, country side yet, I am pretty sure these noodles will expose everything. Just something about fatty, meaty, unpopular cuts of pork fried up, cheese sauce, and instant noodles really fires me up.

Maybe it is because it reminds me so much of what my best friend and I used to eat up growing up at his grandmothers house or maybe because we all should be eating more pork cheek.

This bowl hits all the spot. Just make sure to add the egg.

Also, a warning. This place is not easy to find. You can enter via Kimberly or Carnarvon road. You will find the stall when you see the restaurant covered in photos of celebrities.

17. Beef Satay Instant Noodle

Kam Fung Restaurant 金鳳茶餐廳

A cafe serving up one of the best beef satay noodles in Hong Kong. The flavor of their satay sauce compares to no other. Always a comforting meal when accompanied by other HK cafe classic dishes.

18. Pork Liver & Beef Noodle

Wai Kee Noodle Cafe 維記咖啡粉麵

I know this bowl of noodles won’t be for everybody, but if this is something that appeals to you, you’re in for a treat. Pork liver that is creamy and soft with a surprising kick of ginger that will wake you up. The noodles are the definition of slurp able.

But you can’t just get the noodles here, you have to get the french toast as well, which you will see further down.

19. Sweet & Sour Pork

Not just for the guǐlǎo (Westerners) this dish is loved by travelers and locals.

愛文生 Oi Man Sang Dai Pai Dong Restaurant

One of my top three places to eat in Hong Kong as you have seen it already before.

I cannot figure out how this place makes money on this dish. Huge chunks of meaty fried pork ladened with that classic thick, syrupy, neon red sweet and sour sauce. A massive portion, the only way this place knows how to serve food.

The pork keeps a nice breaded coating without ever getting soggy. There is not a single speck that hasn’t been coated in that sauce. But, don’t worry, there is plenty of extra at the bottom of your plate ready to scoop up just incase they did.

20. Razor Clams

愛文生 Oi Man Sang Dai Pai Dong Restaurant

Oh, that didn’t take long! Now I will admit this place doesn’t give you the biggest meatiest razor clams, but they definitely make up for it in the amount of razor clams they give you.

Another reason this place makes the list for razor clams is they are doing a black bean sauce razor clam dish and as you probably already guessed, the sauce is incredible.

Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter 信記避風塘海鮮美食

The atmosphere here is one of the winners. As you will take a short boat ride to dine on another boat in Victoria Harbor. It’s a way to float away from the city, relax, and view the city from a unique perspective.

As if razor clams were not already delicious. This place is topping them with glass noodles, enoki mushrooms, massive amounts of minced garlic, green onion, butter and soy sauce.

21. Typhoon Shelter Crab

If you don’t eat Typhoon shelter crab when in Hong Kong, did you really go to Hong Kong? I think not.

Under Bridge Spicy Crab 橋底辣蟹

With four tiers of crabs available for purchase and multiple levels of spiciness you can make sure you achieve the perfect combination for an ultimate Typhoon Shelter Crab Feast.

22. Whole Steamed Fish

Delicious House Food 麻市滋味館

Another one of my favorite restaurants. Located in the middle of nowhere, but once you walk inside, this place resembles a cooked food market or dai pai dong atmosphere more so than a restaurant.

The steamed fish simple yet delicious. Steamed to a soft, melt in your mouth texture, that burst with juices. Not to mention the iconic, light soy sauce, scallions, garlic, and ginger topping.

*Note: Please try the fried oysters with roe. Also, I think everything they do is good.

23. Clay Pot Rice

坤記煲仔小菜

Actually the sister branch, but that doesn’t mean they are slacking in the quality. Hands down my favorite clay pot rice in Hong Kong. Get here 30 minutes before they open to secure getting in the first wave or you maybe waiting around 2 hours for your claypot.

Cooking it the right way, not until you order. The cooking process takes around an hour depending on your toppings. I’ve had multiple and they are all delicious, so pick what appeals to you. However, my two go-to orders are beef and egg (pro tip add the Chinese sausage) and the eel in black bean sauce.

Chan Hon Kee 陳漢記

Another location doing claypot rice the right way. Again do not be surprised at the long lines when you walk up here. You will have to wait to enjoy this claypot rice. Also known for their rice rolls, although the time I went I got the Chinese BBQ rice rolls and wasn’t impressed. That being said, I saw many happy customers with the Youtiao rice rolls and the shrimp rice rolls. Maybe I made a customer ordering error.

Cooking the rice to absolute perfection this place really is doing an amazing claypot.

24. Egg Sandwich

新香園 (堅記)

My go to for late night, early morning cravings or if I am just passing by. Their egg sandwich really looks like nothing special when served to you, but this always reminds me to never judge a book by its cover. Simple, but something about it makes it so dang good. Is it the margarine? The toast? The egg and beef ratio? I don’t know, but I like it and I need it. They always got you as well as they are open 24 hours.

Shui Kee Coffee 瑞記咖啡

Maybe not like the original, but I love this egg sandwich. The sesame seed buns are fluffy and soft, while they really add in lots of beef, cilantro, and green onion.

Yue Hing 裕興咖啡

Hard to find a time to get here when they are open, but wow are they worth it. I actually stumbled on this place by accident and it has been one of my greatest finds since being in Hong Kong. If you can catch them when open you’re in to enjoy one of the best egg sandwiches in Hong Kong.

25. Eggs, Char Siu, and Rice

Ma Sa Restaurant 孖沙茶餐廳

Some people enjoy the scrambled egg version at other restaurants, but I promise you that’s because they don’t know about this place. Doing the char siu with rice and then topping with three massive sunny side eggs and a couple dashes of dark soy sauce.

This dish speaks for itself. Get here. Eat this.

26. Congee

Congee is a rice porridge known for it’s healing abilities when suffering from illness. However, I promise you, you will be craving and wanting this congee more than when you’re sick.

Mui Kee Congee 妹記生滾粥品

A congee that has been blasted with high heat after slowly cooking for hours and hours. The final high heat cooking is done with your ingredients of choice. This results in an almost meaty tasting congee that has a slight chunkiness from the barley noticeable rice grains and a consistency of buttermilk gravy.

No matter what you add, I will say make sure the fish belly is one of your choices. It’s their speciality.

27. Milk Tea

Lan Fong Yuen

Just a really strong brewed black tea mixed with evaporated milk and sugar. A staple with any meal you have in Hong Kong whether that be fish ball noodles, egg sandwich, or pineapple buns.

Now, if you really want to be a local and drink it my preferred way, ask for the Yuenyueng. Three parts coffee and seven parts milk tea. I enjoy mine iced as it’s much needed with Hong Kong humidity, heat, and hills.

Shui Kee Coffee 瑞記咖啡

Very strong brewed tea and a heavy hand with the evaporated milk. It comes cold served in what looks similar to an old school coke bottle. The drink has the slightest sweetness with a nice bitter kick. I find it a match made in heaven with the french toast.

28. French Toast

One of the reasons I love Hong Kong so much, two pieces of bread smashed together, battered, and fried up. Something special about Hong Kong french toast is there will always be something special stuffed inside for you.

Wai Kee Noodle Cafe 維記咖啡粉麵

Now that you’re done with that bowl of liver noodles you can enjoy this sugar bomb french toast. Be careful with the syrup pour here as there is a sugar bomb of kaya (coconut jam) waiting for you between those two pieces of french toast.

泗益

A french toast that is worth the trek. Once you make it, indulge in some of the fluffiest, thickest battered, french toast you have had in your life!

Hint: Take the Green mini bus 40 from Causeway Bay, Jarvine Brazaar Street

Shui Kee Coffee 瑞記咖啡

Yes, the third time you are seeing this place.

This french toast is like a hybrid between french toast and a crispy condensed milk bun. And because of that you won’t find any maple syrup here, they top theirs with loads of sweet and condensed milk.

29. Tofu Pudding

Kung Wo Beancurd Factory 公和荳品廠

The tofu masters. They do everything tofu here. Make sure to get your tofu pudding hot so when you pour that red sugar on top the heat will melt some of the sugar. This results in different textures of melty sugar and still a few undissolved sugar granules. The actual pudding is creamy and smooth with a very light tofu flavor.

30. Pineapple Bun

No pineapple in these buns, but instead named for how the crumbly crunchy topping looks. Something that can be found all over Hong Kong, but not always created equal.

Kam Wah Cafe 金華冰廳

If you know anything about Hong Kong then you probably already know about this place. Continuously cranking out delicious cha chaan teng food and baked goods. The pineapple buns here are light, have incredible texture, and set themselves apart from others with that amazing crunchy topping. Make sure to go early before they sell out and stay as long as you can to enjoy the aroma of fresh baked goodies.

Kam Fung Restaurant 金鳳茶餐廳

If you enjoy heavy, doughy, goodness with a thick slab of butter in-between then this is the pineapple bun for you. I cannot express to you enough of how doughy and melt in your mouth this bun is, you’re just going to have to go taste for yourself.

31. Egg Waffle

Hong Kong is home to another one of my favorites, waffles. However, these will be puffed up in the shape of eggs, resulting in a light and airy bite or stuffed with something delicious.

Master Low-Key Food Shop 低調高手大街小食

Hands down the only egg waffle place you will need in Hong Kong. The wait will be long, especially during rush hour times and weekends, but it’s worth every minute. Go ahead and order two, one for there and one for the way back.

32. Egg Tart

There are actually two types of traditional Hong Kong egg tarts.

You have a short bread crust dough or a puff pastry dough. Don’t worry, no matter which you prefer I have my favorite of each listed below.

Tai Cheong Bakery 泰昌餅家 (Short Bread Crust)

Make sure to go to the Central location. They have many branches, but something about that Central location seems to always be a little better. Get your picture for Instagram and start enjoying while still piping hot.

Hoover Cake Shop 豪華餅店 (Puff Pastry Crust)

I could just sit and stare at their see through glass of baked goods all day. However, I find even more joy in biting into that layer on layer puff pastry filled with egg custard.

Hint: Can take mini bus from Mong Kok or Lok fu

33. Dessert Soup

Kai Kai 佳佳甜品

I have a deep love for this place. Maybe because it was just a 5 minute walk from my apartment or maybe it was the way they always make a dessert soup that taste so good.

I found the black sesame and walnut mixture to have a superb balance of umami, creamy, sweet, and savory. I like to add the rice balls for texture. If you get the rice balls in ginger soup, make sure you like ginger…no make sure you love ginger or it might knock you back against the wall.

34. Pineapple Bun Sandwich

Mrs Tang Cafe 華嫂冰室

As if the pineapple bun with a slab of butter wasn’t already fantastic, Mr’s Tang Cafe, the original creator, shook Hong Kong with their pineapple bun sandwich.

Pineapple bun, slab of butter, thick slice of tomato, and a layer of scrambled eggs. The craziest textural, temperature varied, balanced, melt in your mouth sandwich you will try.

I prefer coming all the way to the original as I feel like they load it up with more goodies. It’s also great to get away from the city and explore Hong Kong. If you have the time I recommend going there, but if you are short on time they have a more central location in Wan Chai.

35.Salted Egg with Steam Minced Meat Tower 咸蛋蒸肉饼

民聲冰室 Ming Sheng Bing Shi

I mean with a name like that, how could I not go and try this dish? A popular spot with locals that is visited rarely by non locals.

The steamed tower of meat isn’t just for show; it is soy sauce laden, salty, and creamy. It even has a few other ingredients that delicately play games with your tastebuds. This dish reminds me of the softest, moistest, asian version of meatloaf I have ever had.

36. Snake Soup

Snake King 蛇王協 Shia Wong Hip

Not quite like chicken. I would say it is more like chicken meat and a lean white fish (think Tilapia) had a baby. Also has a slight “river” taste, that you get with river crabs and mud dwelling fish like catfish. Now imagine it in a soup that would remind you of grandma’s chicken pot pie filling and you have snake soup!

Load it up with dill and nice crunchy little crackers and enjoy! Perfect warm you up meal for the “colder” months.

Bonus

DISHES: Cooked coke in ginger / Toasted sesame seed bun with condensed milk / Grass Jelly / Tea eggs / Tomato soup noodle with Meat

RESTAURANTS: Lin Heung Tea House 蓮香樓 / Australian Dairy Company / Sing Heung Yuen 勝香園

I have such a love for the Hong Kong food scene. It has so many of my favorites, waffles, french toast, mom and pop shops, fresh seafood, and more. I hate seeing people coming here and not enjoying the food scene because Hong Kong has so many amazing dishes and restaurants.

I hope you enjoy this guide. I tried not only highlighting places I loved, but making sure all of Hong Kong saw some love so no matter what adventure you are on, you can find a bite to eat. Like I mentioned this guide still could have so many more cafes, iconic foods, and restaurants on it, but I hope this is more than enough to help get you started.

Due to Corona virus and other situations in Hong Kong, I cannot 100% guarantee all these locations will be open and operating in the same location as the time I visited them. So if things have changed, please forgive me.