5 Street Foods You Can't Miss in Hong Kong

It is probably not a secret that Hong Kong is famous for its vibrant and fascinating food scene. From Michelin-starred restaurants to street food stalls, we have it all. Chinese people love and regard food so highly that our ancestors actually wrote the following statement more than 2200 years ago -

As foodies ourselves, getting our guests to try and learn about the local food culture has always been an integral part of all our tours. Today, we will talk about the TOP 5 street foods that we think are a must-try for anyone visiting Hong Kong.

1. Siu Mai (street food style, not the dim sum version)

Arguably the most popular street food among the locals, we think that Siu Mai should be mentioned first! Unlike the dim sum version (made with pork and shrimp), the Siu Mai you find in the street is a mixture of flour dough and ground fish meat. These steamed yellow-skinned Siu Mai are chewy and doughy, and best served hot, drizzled with sweet soy sauce and a tiny bit of chili oil.

2. Curry Fish Balls

The famous sibling of our number one pick, Siu Mai, these little fish balls are made with parts of the fish that are usually not used in cooking and then deep fried to create a golden yellow color. After that, they are drenched in a curry satay sauce (each stall usually has its own house curry recipe) and usually served in a skewer. The best kind of fishballs should have a firm and "bouncy" texture, with a slight kick of the spicy curry sauce. Good news for those who don't like fish - they are actually not really fishy!

3. Cheung Fun (steamed rice noodle rolls)

Another locals' favourite, especially for a quick and filling breakfast, Cheung Fun earns a well-deserved spot on our list. The tightly rolled rice noodles are made with a perfect ratio of rice flour, water, and oil to create a silky smooth, soft and chewy texture. There is no meat or other stuffing inside the Cheung Fun; just make sure you ask for ALL the condiments the store provides - sweet soy sauce, hoi sin sauce (sweet and salty), peanut butter sauce, and roasted sesame seeds. Now, that's the proper way to enjoy Cheung Fun!

4. Hong Kong Style Grid Cake

Let's talk about some sweet snacks. Everyone seems to know about and loves the famous HK egg puff/ waffle, but we think the lesser-known cousin - Hong Kong Style Grid Cake - deserves more attention! Served hot right off the griddle, the shop will first spread a thin layer of butter, peanut butter, and condensed milk on the grid cake, then sprinkle some sugar before folding the cake and serving it to hungry customers! It's a blast of different sensations in your mouth - sweet and savory, crunchy on the outside, and soft on the inside, with messy sauce dripping everywhere (don't say we haven't warned you!).

5. Hong Kong Style Egg Tart

Interestingly, the last one on the list is probably the most well-known Hong Kong street food. Influenced by Portuguese and English custard tarts, these little egg tarts are usually eaten during breakfast or as an afternoon tea snack. Our egg tarts have two main versions: one with a flaky pastry crust and one with a cookie pastry crust. The former is more traditional and popular among the older generation, while the cookie crust is becoming the mainstream as it's more popular among younger ones and requires less skill from pastry chefs.

So there you have it – the TOP 5 must-try street foods in Hong Kong that will take your taste buds on a thrilling adventure. We believe food is the gateway to understanding a culture. Hong Kong's street food scene is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered – are you ready to take a bite with us?