Street food in Hong Kong is a food-lovers paradise! The street food scene in the country is known the world over for its delicious dishes. Any kind of meat, seafood or vegetable you desire is available in delectable combinations on the streets of Hong Kong. The street food stalls are brightly lit, calling out to the eager passers-by. Here’s a round-up of some of the best street food dishes you have to feast on in Hong Kong.
Curry fish balls
This iconic street food in Hong Kong is available at pretty much every food stall! Curry fish balls are mostly made with flour and are springy in texture. They’re perfect to snack on because of their bite-sized goodness. The curry sauce is strong and flavourful. They’re either served in takeaway bowls or skewered on bamboo sticks for you to savour. Take your pick!
Siu Mai
Siu Mai is essentially steamed dumplings. (don’t confuse them with dim sums!) You can recognise them from a distance because of their bright yellow coating (this can also be white). It’s usually made with flour that is kneaded with a bit of fish meat. Once steamed the dumplings are doused in a delicious soy sauce. You can add a dash of chilli sauce if you’re craving some spice. While many variations exist, the traditional Cantonese Siu Mai is stuffed with ground pork, black mushroom, scallion, and ginger.
Bo Lo Bao (Pineapple bun)
The pineapple bun is a favourite in Hong Kong. The soft bread with a crunchy, flaky sugar crust is simply delicious! Fun fact? There’s actually no pineapple in the bun! It’s named after a pineapple because of its visual resemblance to the fruit. Most often it’s served with a thick slice of butter nestled in the middle! It’s a guilty pleasure you cannot resist!
Stinky tofu
Don’t get put off by the name. Stinky tofu is honestly one of the most delicious snacks you’ll taste in Hong Kong! The bean curd gets its pungent odour due to a long fermentation process. It is usually fermented in a brine of milk, vegetables and sometimes even meat. Once it is ready, it is deep-fried and served with chilli sauce. The crisp golden outer layer breaks away in your mouth, making way for the soft, creamy centre.
Egg waffles
Who doesn’t love waffles? This Hong Kong version of waffles is something you cannot miss. Made from eggs, sugar and flower, these chewy golden delights are covered with fluffy bubbles. They resemble western style waffles but have their own unique twist! The bubbles are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Cheung fun (Rice noodle rolls)
Cheung fun is traditionally made by rolling steamed rice noodle sheets into bundles. These bundles are then chopped into two-bite pieces. The street side rice noodle rolls come with extra filling as well! They’re usually eaten with a variety of sauces (sweet, peanut, chilli and soy.)
Soy-braised cuttlefish or octopus
The cuttlefish and octopus are interesting street food to try if you’re up for some experimentation. They are both boiled quickly until tender and then dipped in a soy-based marinade. Once ready, it’s mounted on a bamboo stick with some mustard. It’s an absolute treat for your taste buds!
Deep-fried pig intestine
A true foodie would try out any kind of food! If you consider yourself one, treat yourself to deep-fried pig intestines. It’s so much more appealing than it sounds! Layers of pig intestines are wrapped into a sausage-like bundle. The outer casing is crisp and delicious while the inner layers remain moist and chewy. Add a dash of sweet sauce to enhance the flavour!
Hong Kong style French toast
This classic international breakfast food has been modified to suit local flavours. Hong Kong style French toast is deep-fried and has two slices of thick bread coated with egg. A generous serving of peanut butter is added. This quirky combination is topped with butter and served with maple syrup. It’s a great example of cultural amalgamation in a city as metropolitan as Hong Kong.
Imitation shark fin soup
This delicious, thick umami broth is mixed with glass noodles, black fungus and shredded chicken/fish or duck. It resembles shark fin soup but is merely an imitation! You can save yourself the guilt without any compromise in flavour and taste. Add a dash of pepper or a splash of vinegar to spice up the preparation! It’s a classic winter comfort food in Hong Kong.
Beef brisket
This is a delicious street food delicacy. It is essentially a part of the cow’s belly. In Hong Kong, beef brisket is divided in to curry beef brisket and clear soup beef brisket. Soft and tasty, real beef brisket is cooked with beef bones for a few hours.
Roasted sweet potato and chestnuts
This is the perfect snack to munch on as you roam the streets of Hong Kong! Roasted sweet potatoes and charcoal-cooked chestnuts are sold in mobile street carts. They are popular wintertime snacks. You can identify them by the distinct aroma they give off. There’s usually a cloud of smoke surrounding these stalls. Sometimes, vendors also sell salt-baked quail eggs at the same stall, another treat to try out!
These delicacies are something not to be missed. Let us know in the comments section if you have tried any of these or you wish to try. All ears! 🙂
