Hong Kong is not just the best travel and holiday destination in the world, but also a foodie’s paradise! There is something for everyone in this city of skyscrapers. It is best known throughout the world for its Cantonese cuisine. Unlike Chinese cuisine, Cantonese blend subtle and natural flavours. Here, you can spot many of Michelin’s best-ranked chefs and restaurants. It ranges from sophisticated high-end restaurants to cheap yet delicious local street food. When in Hong Kong, make sure you take your taste buds on a gastronomical adventure!
Food in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s cuisine is largely influenced by the Cantonese cuisine, which originated from the Guangzhou’s Pearl River Delta region. It is one of the eight culinary traditions of Chinese cuisine.
Earlier, the locals blended their own cuisine with that of the overseas merchants. Today, the renowned chefs of Hong Kong prepare their authentic dishes with a fusion of mild spices, fresh veggies, meat and a tinge of sweet & sour sauces.
The city offers you with menus ranging with seafood, dim sums, deep-fried dishes, BBQ meat, pot rice and more. You can also try out dishes that might contain snakes, cats, dogs and many such peculiar kinds. When you want to give yourself a break from your Cantonese food coma, head to the city’s best continental cuisine restaurants. As you can see that Hong Kong is bustling with a huge variety of dishes on its palate, we have compiled up a list of the best food that Hong Kong has to offer!
Best Culinary Experiences in Hong Kong
Indulge in a fun-filled day of eating the best foods around the city as you venture into the streets of Hong Kong for an affair with food.
Hong Kong Food Tours
Ideal for any foodie, these tours take you to different eateries serving the less famous recipes of the land. From snake soup to roast goose, candy to local dessert, these tours will acquaint your palate to something new and exciting.
Sham Shui Po District Food Tour
Explore the local elements of the international city as you walk around the streets of Kowloon, tasting the food at some of the most unique venues in town. The Sham Shui Po district is a hidden gem, in an undisturbed cultural hub, that highlights the charms and nuances of the locals. You are provided with a certified guide’s narration on the iconic sights and regional delicacies during this foodgasmic experience. Dont forget to try out the steamed rice rolls and make your own sauce to go along with it. This food tour is a perfect way to explore a new taste!
Hong Kong Foodie Walk
The Foodie Walk sounds like a food connoisseur’s paradise! And it proves so by taking you on food tour amidst the Central and Sheung Wan districts of Hong Kong. Explore the open markets and watch the locals go about their daily grocery shopping. The diversity available within the same cuisine is absolutely mind-boggling. From hot buns to tea, this foodie walking tour has got all your drink and dine needs figured out.
Tai Po Market Food Tour
Embark on a culinary adventure, ideal for any foodie. This experience is tucked away from the city, in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Stroll around the Tai Po Market for an exotic experience with tastings at 6 different locations. Explore the various attractions of the market area and learn about their rich culture. The Market provides you with a wide range of dishes to select from - noodles, rice rolls, roast goose, snake soup, Chinese candy, seafood, and all sorts of dishes you have never heard of! This extravagant food tour is a must to savour Hong Kong’s best local delicacies.
Best Cooking Classes in Hong Kong
Learning from scratch to baking your own cakes, these cooking classes in Hong Kong have got you covered. Sample your own creations and take home the recipes you practised!
Cantonese Cooking Class
Learn the insider tips and tricks that make Cantonese cuisine an international delicacy. You get to explore some new flavours and tastes with a unique mixture of ingredients to create something special. Masterchefs present to you, a live demonstration of the secret recipes known only to those who are moulded by the hot fires of the kitchens! Prepare dishes like fried beef with fresh mango, fried chicken with blue marrow, baked drumstick with salt, fried oyster barrel with soya sauce and fried prawn with ketchup. Don’t miss out on this exciting Cantonese cooking class during your visit to Hong Kong.
Chinese Pastry Baking
Under the guidance of a trained baker, enjoy an afternoon with Hong Kong’s beloved sweet delicacies! As you discover the joys of baking, try your hand at reinventing the taste of three Chinese pastries - pineapple bun, red bean bun and coconut tart. Master the baking techniques in a fully-equipped modern-style kitchen. Lastly, indulge in some of the refreshments provided during this baking class.
Food Experience Tours
Social Dim Sum Breakfast
This lavish breakfast is an amazing way to meet and greet people over a plate of delicious dim sums on a Friday morning. The host will enrich you with the tales and traditions of this beautiful city. Kick start your weekend and make some new friends to chatter about the rich breakfast culture and delicacies of Hong Kong. Experience authentic food being served on your plate at one of the city’s most famed eateries.
Michelin Guide Cantonese Cuisine at Nanhai No.1
Feast at Nanhai No.1, a Michelin recommended restaurant. Explore the myriad of flavors and aromas as you take in the surreal view of the Victoria Harbor from the 30th floor. It’s a Chinese-gourmet-culinary gala with delicious authentic Cantonese cuisine. You will not only get a chance to select from multiple menu options but also to choose the time slots that cater to your needs. So delve into the meal and treat yourself to luxury in this unique culinary experience!
Dine at Hong Kong Disneyland
As you experience a magical day at Disneyland, enjoy the benefits of several in-house food options. You’ll be spoilt for choice with a range of tasty treats available. Relish a scrumptious meal as you savor Mickey and Minnie Mouse shaped dishes on your palate. Sip on a drink of your choice as you gulp down your meal. Once you have eaten your heart out, head to any of the vending carts for some fancy snack, a lollipop or caramel popcorn maybe! Then you can resume your way into the thrilling rides at Tomorrowland, Adventureland, or Fantasyland. Whether a Disney fan or not, this culinary experience is a dream come true for anyone.
Bauhinia Dinner Harbor Cruises
As you explore the waterways of Hong Kong, enjoy a lavish buffet under the starry night sky on the Bauhinia Harbour Cruise. Help yourself to the wide range of palatable food starting from the different types of halal dishes to fresh salads and soups. Dine on both local and international delicacies as you admire the port city and take in the sunset views. Sit back comfortably and watch a live band perform while you feed yourself with some exotic desserts. Conclude this beautiful evening by the Symphony of Lights laser show.
Symphony of Lights Cruise: 7:30 PM to 09:30 PM
AquaLuna Dim Sum Cruise
Set sail on the Victoria Harbour by boarding the AquaLuna Dim Sum Cruise. Offering you with an exceptional view of the coastline and a wide variety of hot Dim Sums served directly in a bamboo steamer box. Slurp on complimentary beverages as you munch down your Dim Sums with a range of tangy and spicy dips to go along with it! This Dim Sum Cruise surely gives you an authentic experience of Hong Kong’s cuisine.
Central Pier Nine: 01:00 PM
Hong Kong’s Best Served Seafood
Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant
For seven consecutive years, Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant has been on Michelin Food Guide’s recommendation list. Indulge in a delicious set menu with a wide range of seafood options available. This seafood extravaganza includes a menu with different kinds of lobster, fish, shrimp, crab, scallop and much more to choose from. The number of dishes that you can choose from, will depend on the size of the party. Then the dish sizes will be adjusted accordingly. Explore the rich cuisine and enjoy the dishes laid out in front of you by some of the best Cantonese chefs in Hong Kong.
Lamma Island Rainbow Seafood Lunch
Take a seat at Lamma Island’s Rainbow Seafood Restaurant and dig into the freshest catch of the day prepared by professional chefs. This iconic 30-year-old restaurant is frequented by locals and many famous celebrities! Experience a seafood feast as you dine away from the noise of the city in the beautiful Lamma Island. Cherish the exotic flavours of your meal while experiencing a wave of tranquility. Take some time off to explore the Indie boutiques, craft stores and sweeping coastal views around the Island during your visit to the restaurant for a delightful lunch.
Seafood Village Dinner Cruise
Hop on this night-time Chinese cruiser to enjoy a 9-course seafood dinner at the Lei Yue Mun Seafood Village. Take in the glamorous skyline of Hong Kong and the many attractions from the bay. The cruise also has an open bar serving unlimited whiskey, gin, beer, soft drinks and wine for you to indulge in. Enjoy the wonderful sights, aroma, and clangs of this culinary village as the best seafood is served in front of you.
Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant
Atop the Aberdeen Harbor, rests an iconic 40-year-old Hong Kong landmark, featured in many movies. This floating restaurant serves set menus with lip-smacking seafood for lunch and dinner. Choose from multiple menu options as you take in the scenic views of the harbor. The Jumbo Kingdom is one of Hong Kong’s best styled culinary seafood feast experiences.
Dinner: 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Bubba Gump Seafood Restaurant
Enjoy a seafood dining experience inspired by the Hollywood movie ‘Forrest Gump’ at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. With a panoramic view of the city below, dive into the signature shrimp dishes and hand-shaken margaritas in your exotic food extravaganza. The variety of delicacies is so vast that it resonates with Forrest Gump’s famous line: ‘My momma always said, Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.' Featuring the famous bus bench, the restaurant has interiors and an ambience filled with this Hollywood classic.
Friday, Saturday & Public Holidays: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Must Try Delicacies in Hong Kong
A Chinese stir-fry dish made with juicy shreds of pork steak. Diced onion, pineapple and bell peppers are some additions to this Asian staple dish. It is deep-fried until golden and crispy, and tossed in a vibrant mix of sweet and tangy sauce to give more richness to its taste and flavor.
Where to eat: Sing Kee Restaurant
Fish balls of all kinds bob around in metal steam-heated trays amidst the streets of Hong Kong. Made with fish paste and left to boil in a soupy broth, imparting curry flavor once you pop a ball in your mouth. It can also be deep fried in hot oil to eat it as a quick snack.
Where to eat: Hong Kee Restaurant
These sweet buns are served in almost every bakery across Hong Kong. The dish gets its name from the crunchy, golden-brown topping which is thought to resemble the texture and look of a pineapple. Soft on the inside and firm on the outside with a sweet, crumbly crust, it is a messy but delightful treat.
Where to eat: Kam Wah Cafe & Bakery
Clay pot rice is basically rice steamed with a bunch of salted meat, some green onions and a Chinese sausage with a mixture of different sauces, giving this dish a zesty kick. These are all to be stirred together and the best taste is found in the crispy bits of rice at the bottom of the claypot.
Where to eat: Four Seasons Restaurant
This pudding is very popular in Hong Kong, Macau and neighboring areas. It is a Chinese version of Creme Brulee but without the crunchy sugar topping. Made with milk, egg white, and sugar, it can be served hot or chilled. Fresh fruits, granola, toasted nuts or a few drops of vanilla extract can be used as toppings for the pudding.
Where to eat: Yee Shun Milk Company
More Hong Kong Guides
Planning to explore more in Hong Kong? These detailed city guides could come handy.
