Here is a continuation of what I have posted on the essential tips to know when traveling to Hong Kong. This time is all about FOOD! Yes to all food lovers out there, I’m pretty sure you are definitely one or else you wouldn’t be on this post right now. Haha, gotcha!
Check out the top worthy places I’ve been and I assure you that these places are a must-go because I personally would return to these places if I ever go back to Hong Kong.
#1 Kam Wah Cafe
When you see egg tarts and Polo Bun, you see Hong Kong. They are famous for its freshly baked pastries like egg tart, Polo bun or Pineapple bun and french toast. They are really selling like hotcakes because you can see new trays keep coming in and the pastries are selling out non-stop for those taking away.
Let me first tell you about the Pineapple bun, oh my its crispy and soft texture is like heaven as you munched it in your mouth. Well, no pineapple surprise there even if the name described. It is the top that resembles the pineapple look which is the best crispy part of the bun. Then, sandwiched with a piece of butter which instantly melts in the hot bun and in your mouth.
And the egg tarts! Crispy on the outside yet, soft and smooth on the inside. It is so smooth to the fact that you can see its wobbly effect of the custard after your first bite. I tried the French toast as well. Beautifully fried with a drizzle of honey and butter slice. Well, you pour the honey on your preferences so it will not be too sweet. Not too bad but the egg tarts and Polo bun must be on the top list of yours.
Hot milk tea. Really like how the culture here allowing you to add sugar based on your preference. So, I would suggest trying the tea without the sugar first to experience its authentic sugar-free taste. Then, you will be able to estimate how much sweetness you would want to add.
They do serve a variety of food besides these pastries like noodles, rice, sandwiches and chicken wings. So feel free to try them as well.
Kam Wah Cafe is located near the Fa Yuen Street Market
Address: G/F, 47 Bute Street, Prince Edward
Opening Hours: Daily 6.30am to 11.30pm
How to get there: 4-min walk from Exit B2, Prince Edward MTR Station or Exit B3 from Mong Kok Station
Price: Total HKD52, Average per person: RM 15, $3.6 USD
#2 Australian Dairy Company
This is a perfect place for breakfast as they serve awesome scrambled eggs. You will always see a long queue at any hours but do not be taken aback and turn this option down right away. They serve pretty fast so the waiting time is not that frustrating and long after all. I also love the systematic way of how they organise and plan the sitting (this applies to most restaurants as well) so just wait for a little while until your turn comes.
It comes with a breakfast set which serves a bowl of macaroni with chicken ham and soup, toast with scrambled eggs or fried egg and a cup of milk tea at HK36. I was really surprised as the locals order this set for one pax. It comes with a pretty big portion.
Instead of ordering set, I have ordered the a la carte because we are not that keen on the macaroni soup and it can be really filling.
Ham & Scrambled Egg Sandwich, Scrambled Egg Toast, Hot Ying Yong, Steamed Milk Pudding with Egg White and Custard Milk Pudding.
The scrambled eggs areeeee superb. It is on-point I tell you. Soft and fluffy texture, not too dry and match perfectly well with the buttery toasted bread.
Ying Yong is basically a mixture of coffee and tea with milk. Served in hot and iced. But, I went for the hot one instead. Not too bad, not of a surprise either. Maybe because I’m not fond of coffee so nothing much that I would comment on this.
The Milk Pudding comes in hot or cold. Smooth and taste pretty sweet on your taste buds. I personally like it hot. Yeah, it may sound weird to have pudding hot but it tastes soothing while it’s hot. I would suggest you to try both custard and egg white pudding if you have a group of friends – at least three. But if it is you alone or even two, trying them both adding the toasts would be quite a lot to take in especially its all dairy from the scrambled eggs to the pudding.
Address: G/F, 47-49 Parkes Street, Jordan
Opening Hours: 7.30 am – 11.00pm
How to get there: Exit C2 from Jordan MTR Station
Price: Total HKD116, Average per person: RM32, $8 USD
#3 Dim Sum @ Lin Heung Tea House
Dim Sum culture started in Hong Kong and Guangdong province, serving in small bite dishes in a bamboo steamer basket while sipping a cup of tea. Dim Sum has touched the hearts of the people (the direct translated meaning of Dim Sum) which has evolved into a go-to breakfast culture for the Hong Kongese. Lin Heung Tea House is famous for its delicate and wide array of special dim sum. The moment I stepped into the restaurant, I was totally overwhelmed by the crowd and puzzled on how the restaurant works.
All I can say is that, hunt for your seats the moment you reached there. The servers will be extremely busy to even bother you and find you seats. So quickly spot on one and sit there patiently waiting for the server to clear the table and serve you. Do not be insulted for being ignored. Apparently, they do know you are new customers. So just wait patiently and they will come to you, asking for your choice of tea and pass you the card.
There are varieties of dim sum selections. Too many for me to even try them all. The dim sum dishes are served in carts. Take note: people are pretty fast on the dim sum. So grab them before it is gone.
Steamed Pork Meatball with Quail Egg:
The Steamed Pork Meatball with Quail Egg is pretty special as I have never tried a prawn dumpling with quail egg combination.
Wrapped Beancurd:
Taste good with its savoury gravy and juice splurges out the moment you take the first bite of the beancurd.
Char Siew Chee Cheong Fun:
While this Chee Cheong Fun did not impress me much. I would prefer our Malaysian ones, to be frank. Initially, I intended to try beef Chee Cheong fun but it has finished so I opt for this instead.The rice noodle wrap skin is pretty thick (as you can see in the picture), overpowering the char siew (barbecued pork) and the soy sauce is too little which makes it dry. So ask more for soy sauce as you order this.
Address: 160-164 Wellington St, Central, Hong Kong
Opening Hours:
Dim Sum: 6.30 am – 3.30pm Daily
Dinner: 4pm – 11pm
How to get there: 5-min walk from Exit E1, Sheung Wan MTR Station
Price: Total HKD132, Average per person: RM36, $9 USD
#4 Yat Lok Roast Goose
One Michelin Star Roast Goose Restaurant in Hong Kong. Yes, you heard me Michelin starred! This title alone has attracted you in the first place. Its setting is no fancy but the roasted goose says it all at an affordable price. It serves crispy skin goose roasted perfect well reserving its juiciness in the meat. I ordered roasted goose with noodles and rice.
Address: G/F, 34-38 Stanley Street, Central
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm
How to get there: 4-min walk from Exit D2, Central MTR Station
Price: Total HKD114, RM31, $7.5 uSD
#5 Koi Kei Bakery
If you are planning to get some souvenirs for your family, friends or colleagues, I would recommend buying them some famous pastries from Koi Kei. Hehe well, why not give food souvenirs right? This Koi Kei Bakery is insanely famous in Macao because you can see its outlet at every corner – not even kidding, as you walk especially when you are in Senado Square on the way visiting the Ruins of St Paul. You can see a crowd of people taking every chance to try on the samples in the outlet. You will understand why they are willing to offer samples to a large crowd of walk-in customers. Coz the pastries are too good to resist, too good to walk out empty-handed, too good that all you want is to grab them back and enjoy them at your own comfortable space with a cup of tea.
I totally fell in love with its almond cookies. The samples are freshly baked. So it is hot and satisfying. You can taste the authentic almond taste with a whole almond filling for a crunchy taste in every bite.
Besides the almond cookies, the phoenix egg roll with seaweed and pork floss is another must-try or I would say-must-buy souvenir. They have man-made ones and machine-made egg rolls. The samples are the man-made ones where they literally made in front of your eyes. The thin crispy egg rolls with the pork floss are perfection. I bought the machine-made ones at HKD60 due to the price difference between them both. But, with no disappointment, the machine-made ones are as good as the man-made ones.
Almond pastries. The heavenly thin crispy and buttery layers makes its fluffy and yummy.
Tips:
- Do not buy from the outlets in the Macao Hotels as they are generally higher in price compared to the ones in Senado Square or Taipa Village.
- Not heading to Macao? Fret not. I discovered a Koi Kei outlet at Tsim Tsa Tsui and several places in Hong Kong
- It is pretty pricey, but its worth to grab home some. Another bakery that I would recommend is Kee Wah Bakery.
#6 Wing Kee Noodle
It is well-known for its cart noodles allowing customisation where you choose your own toppings and types of noodles. Yay! Sometimes too many options will drive you to indecisive moments, trying to pick the best you could without making a bad choice which spoils the entire experience. But, the options of the toppings are pretty straightforward. I went for a combination of fish skin dumpling and beef balls with hor fun (white flat noodles).
If you pick two types of toppings with noodles is at HKD 33.
Three toppings would be at HKD 39
And four would be at HKD 45.
The noodles come in pretty big portion, served with rich flavourful beef broth and some kangkong vege.
Address: 27A Sugar Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10.00pm
How to get there: 4-min walk from Exit E, Causeway Bay MTR Station
Price: Total HKD 66, Per Person: RM18, $4.5 USD
#7 Oddies Foodies
We totally know that the egg waffles are one of the iconic local street food in Hong Kong. However, Oddies Foodies has brought this traditional locality to a whole new level with its modern variation and combination. Located at Gough Street in a clean-cut, cheerful coloured setting cafe with friendly service which puts the smile on your face even before the dessert comes. The desserts are visually appealing and definitely an insta-worthy visit.
I ordered Night Wolf which comes with Italian twisted gelato, a scoop of gelato-of-the-day, passion fruit pannacotta, crunchy flakes and brownie chocolate chip eggettes @HKD63.
This will definitely satisfy your dessert cravings as its waffles are crispy retaining the authenticity of the original egg waffle, accompanied with the twisted gelato, not only appealing but totally rich with its dark chocolate – chocolate lovers will love it. Not only that, as you eat more and reaches the bottom, you will taste the sourish smooth passion fruit pannacotta which goes awesomely well with the chocolate and waffle, balancing the richness with some refreshing hint.
It is soooo good that I can take it as a meal on its own!
Address: G/F, 45 Gough Street, Central * It is located along the same street as Kau Kee restaurant (famous for its beef brisket noodles) or Sing Heung Yeun (Tomato noodle), just walk a little further up and you will notice it.
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10.30pm Daily
How to get there: 6-min walk from Exit A2, Sheung Wan MTR Station
Price: Total HKD 63, Average per person: RM17, $4 USD
#8 Kai Kai Dessert
It is always more satisfying and complete when your meal ends with a sweet dessert. Agree with me? No matter how full you can be, there is always an extra space in your stomach specially reserved for a sweet intake.
I would say this is one of the shops that I craved for after the day I eat during the 5 days in Hong Kong. Kai Kai Dessert specialises in Cantonese desserts with 40 years of establishment and another Michelin Guide featured shop.
I ordered the Chilled Mango Sago Cream with Pomelo and Black Sesame Soup topped up with 3 Glutinous Rice Balls.
The chilled mango is thirst-quenching with its fresh and sweet mango. If you want something chilled and tropical, this one would be a great choice for you. If you want something hot, go for the black sesame soup. It may look all black and yucky but it is as smooth as silk, very aromatic and plus the glutinous rice ball, OMG, I’m a glutinous rice ball lover and this is so far the best one I have eaten in my entire life – not even exaggerating! Totally love the chewiness and the seamless texture of the chewy skin which blends well with its sesame feeling inside. If I had to go back, I would totally go for the glutinous rice ball with ginger sweet soup alone!
Address: G/F, 29 Ning Po St, Jordan
Opening Hours: 12.00pm – 3.30am Daily
How to get there: 3-min walk from Exit A, Jordan MTR Station
Price: Total HKD56, Average per person: RM15, $3.7 USD
Hope this food guide list will come in handy to you as you go for food hunt in your Hong Kong adventure. There are many restaurants to discover but these are the ones that I would personally return to if I ever to stop by Hong Kong.
Be adventurous and try their localities to reach satisfaction to the max!
You might wanna read this => 8 Things You Need To Know When Travelling to Hong Kong