The 10 Best Things to Eat in Hong Kong

When you think about food in Hong Kong, the mind, for sure, conjures images of noodles, dumplings and seafood. While those thoughts are enough to make anyone salivate, there’s more to Hong Kong cuisine than just those three mains.

What makes this tropical paradise an excellent heaven for foodies is the wealth of choices that fits a wide range of budget. It is known as the Gourmet Paradise and the World’s Fair of Food after all.

You get delectable street food for an average of HK$10 ($1.29). Casual restaurants are found in every corner of the city, too. And if you’re into the fancy lifestyle, the choices of fine dining restaurants will surely give you a thrill. Dining in Hong Kong gives you the best of both Eastern and Western cuisines.

To make it less hard for you to choose among the wide range of choices they have, we’ve rounded up the 10 best things to eat in Hong Kong and the best places to get them.

Enjoy this guide and know why people in Hong Kong are said to be the best-fed people on earth.

See also: 10 Best Hong Kong Souvenirs That Ooze Culture, Color and Flavor

See also: 10 Hong Kong Street Food to Enjoy and to Test Your Inner Adventurer

When in doubt of what to get for a meal, stick to what the city is well known for. And here in Hong Kong, it has to be dim sum.

Literally meaning “touch your heart,” these bite sizes of happiness come in various forms. And with over 2000 dim sum items that Hong Kong’s creative chefs has to offer, it is indeed impossible not to love one.

These morsels are usually made of meat or seafood with vegetables, wrapped in a translucent wheat starch or flour rice skin.

You can have them pan-fried, deep-fried, steamed or baked. Dip these gems in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar and chili and different flavors will excitingly burst into your mouth.

Pair this with their traditional tea and you’re in for a supreme dining experience.

Here are the best places to get dim sum in Hong Kong.

• TIM HO WAN | Sham Shui Po
  For a Michelin-Star dim sum experience at rock-bottom prices
  What to order: Barbecue pork buns, Beef balls, Siu mai, Pig liver cheung fun, 6 wasabi salad prawn dumpling, Prawn vermicelli rolls
  Price range: HK $12 to 30 ($1.55 to $3.87)
  When: 09:00 – 21:30 daily
  Where: G/F, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street, Hong Kong
• LIN HEUNG TEA HOUSE | Central
  For the most authentic and delicious dim sum since 1926
  What to order: Lotus paste buns, Glutinous rice dumplings, Steamed chicken wrapped with bean curd, Soft-shell crab
  Average price/pax: HK$90 ($11.60)
  When: 06:00 – 15:30; 18:00 - 23:00 daily
  Where: 160-164 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
• ONE DIM SUM | Mong Kok
  For consistently good dim sum and flavorsome local desserts
  What to order: Fried dumpling with salted meat, Steamed shrimp dumpling, Fried egg sticks with condensed milk, Turnip cake
  Price range: HK $14 to $22 ($1.80 to $2.84)
  When: 11:00 – 00:00 Mon to Sat, 10:00 – 00:00 Suns
  Where: Shop 1-2, Ground Floor, Kenwood Mansion, 15 Playing Field Rd (at Tung Choi St), Hong Kong

Leaving Hong Kong without tasting their iconic roast goose is like going to a country without taking any picture. Or like leaving a beautiful, scenic place without bringing anything back home to remember it by.

Hong Kong’s roast goose has crispy, glistening skin that crackles in every bite, a stark contrast to its tender and juicy flesh.

A mixture of flavorful herbs and spices is incorporated in the roast, making it incredibly delicious. It is easy to see why this dish has always been the star of any special occasion.

Roast goose is worth saying goodbye to your diet, even just for a moment.

Here are the best places to get drool-worthy roast goose in Hong Kong.

• KAM’S ROAST GOOSE | Wan Chai
  For the traditional, superb roast goose
  What to order: Roast goose, Roast suckling pig, Soya chicken, and Roast pork ribs
  Pricing: HK$238 ($30.68) for half; HK$468 ($60.33) for whole
  When: 11:30 – 21:30 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, Po Wah Commercial Center, 226 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
• YUE KEE ROAST GOOSE RESTAURANT | Sham Tseng
  For the famous Yue Kee Charcoal Roasted Goose and other Chinese dishes
  What to order: Charcoal roasted goose, Deep fried squid with spiced salted and soy sauce goose intestines, and abalone
  Pricing: HK$250 ($32.23) for half; HK$500 ($64.46) for whole
  When: 11:00 – 23:30 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, 9 Sham Hong Road, Sham Tseng, Hong Kong
• YAT LOK | Central
  For insanely delicious roast goose in a Michelin Star restaurant
  What to order: Roast goose, Homemade dumplings, and Hong Kong-style noodles
  Pricing: HK$200 ($25.78) for half; HK$400 ($51.57) whole
  When: 10:00 – 21:00 Mon to Sat, 10:00 – 17:30 Suns and holidays
  Where: Ground Floor, 34-38 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong

A ubiquitous sight in Hong Kong is a variation of well-seasoned meats hung by restaurant windows. Such a mouthwatering sight entices any passerby to come in and take part of a mini feast. There are a lot of places in Hong Kong that offer roast meats at reasonable prices.

The roast selection includes roast suckling pig, roast pork, and roast duck as some of the favorites, along with the star dish roast goose.

These divine roasts wonderfully melt in the mouth. With meat so tender and moist, you could even see juice oozing out of it!

You can opt to dip them in a sauce of your choice or eat them on their own. Either way, you will end the meal with a full smile and a full tummy.

Here are the best places to get roast meats in Hong Kong.

• LUNG KEE | Central
  For the unbelievably delicious roast suckling pig
  What to order: Roast suckling pig, Siew yok, barbecue roasted pork, and roasted goose
  Price range: HK$55 to $200 ($7.09 to $25.78)
  When: 07:00 – 22:00 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, 12 Queen Victoria Street, Central, Hong Kong
• KWAN YU ROASTED MEAT | Tin Hau
  For great roast meats and barbecue
  What to order: Roast pork, and homemade soup
  Price range: HK$30 to $70 ($3.87 to $9.02)
  When: 09:00 – 22:00 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, 102 Electric Road, Tin Hau, Hong Kong
• JOY HING ROASTED MEAT | Wan Chai
  For the best char siu and roast meats at cheap prices
  What to order: Char siu rice, Tsingtao, Barbecued pork
  Price range: HK$30 to $50 ($3.87 to $6.45)
  When: 10:00 – 22:00 Mon to Sat, 10:00 - 18:00 Suns
  Where: Block C, G/F, 265-267 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Beef brisket noodles are a must-try when you’re in Hong Kong.

These noodles are best enjoyed in Hong Kong’s cold months. There’s an unexplainable comfort that a steaming bowl of noodles brings during cold days. Cold weather and warm food has always been a pleasant love affair.

This legendary recipe is slow cooked to perfection in a broth of Chinese spices. It makes the beef spectacularly tender and packed with so much flavor. Absolutely divine and delicious! Hong Kong abounds with restaurants that offer the dish at very cheap prices.

Here are the best places to get those slurp-worthy beef brisket noodles in Hong Kong.

• KAU KEE | Central
  For the legendary beef brisket noodles that have pleased people for over 90 years
  What to order: Curry beef tendon noodle, Beef brisket kway teow, Beef brisket with ee-fu noodles, and Congee
  Price range: HK$30 to $50 ($3.87 to $6.45)
  When: 12:30 – 22:30 Monday to Saturday
  Where: 21 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong
• ON LEE NOODLE SHOP | Shau Kei Wan
  For highly-recommended authentic and affordable noodle dishes
  What to order: Beef brisket noodles, Fish cake lo mein, Fish balls in noodle soup
  Price range: HK$20 to $50 ($2.58 to $6.45)
  When: 07:00 – 19:00 daily
  Where: 22 Shau Kei Wan Main St E, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong
• SUPREME BEEF BRISKET SOUP | Yau Ma Tei
  For the comforting beef brisket soup that has been enjoyed by many TVB’s stars
  What to order: Curry brisket, Dried gan lou mein, Beef balls
  Price range: HK$25 to $50 ($3.22 to $6.45)
  When: 11:00 – 23:00 daily
  Where: 46 Portland Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong

One of the best dishes in Hong Kong definitely has to be seafood.

Being one of the biggest ports in the country, Hong Kong is guaranteed to give you the freshest, biggest and tastiest catch. A lot of restaurants here are well renowned for serving world-class seafood fare.

You can have them steamed, baked, fried or roasted. No matter what cooking style you go with, eating their seafood dishes will give you a magnificent dining experience that is fit for a king. We all deserve a luxurious treat every once in a while, so give in.

Among the seafood dishes that you should try are their steamed fish, drunken shrimp, baked lobster and stir-fried crabs. Seafood can a bit pricey, but with star quality dishes, it’s worth every penny.

Here are the best places to get the freshest seafood dishes in Hong Kong.

• MING COURT | Mong Kok
  For a huge selection of gourmet seafood in a Michelin-Star restaurant
  What to order: Fresh seafood, Peking duck, Roast meats, Chinese barbecue, Spanish Iberico pork loin
  Price range: HK$400 to $800 ($51.57 to $103.14)
  When: 11:00 – 14:30, 18:00 – 22:30 daily
  Where: 6th Floor, Langham Place Hotel, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
• JUMBO FLOATING SEAFOOD RESTAURANT | Aberdeen
  For exquisite seafood with a stunning view
  What to order: Drunken shrimp, Stir-fried crabs, Shark’s fin soup with lobster and cognac
  Price range: HK$90 to $1000 for seafood dishes ($11.60 to $129.82); HK$30 to $50 for dim sum ($3.87 to $6.45)
  When: 11:00 - 23:30 Mon to Sat, 09:00 - 23:30 Suns and Holidays
  Where: Shum Wan Pier Drive, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
• RAINBOW SEAFOOD RESTAURANT | Lamma Island
  For cheap and lip-smacking seafood, eatery-style
  What to order: Baked lobster with butter sauce, Fried crab with honey and pepper, Stir-fried scallops with broccoli
  Price range: HK$60 to $300 ($7.73 to $38.67)
  When: 10:00-23:00 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, 1A-1B, 5, 16-20, 23-24, First Street, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong

Claypot rice will remind you of Korea’s bibimbap. It will also remind you why eating is a celebration in itself.

Claypot rice is basically rice steamed with a bunch of cured pork belly (or any meat) and Chinese sausage with a sauce mixture (soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, white pepper) and green onions. These are all to be stirred together to make a magnificent, glorious mess.

You can taste the lovely flavors of the pork belly and sausage in every scoop of this dish. But what makes this dish distinct are the crispy, chewy bits of rice at the bottom of the pot. It is the best part of this dish so be sure to savor every spoonful of it.

The clay pot is what makes the rice crispy, thus the name. Definitely a must-try!

Here are the best places to get claypot rice in Hong Kong.

• FOUR SEASONS CLAYPOT RICE | Yau Ma Tei
  For out-of-this-world four seasons clay pot rice
  What to order: Four seasons claypot rice, Deep fried oyster cake, Dried duck leg and sliced pork
  Price range: HK$50 to $120 ($6.45 to $15.47)
  When: 18:00 – 24:00 daily
  Where: 46-58 Arthur Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong
• KWAN KEE | Western District
  For the most authentic claypot rice and preserved sausages
  What to order: Pork bone hot pot, Preserved sausage, Lemon soft chicken, Sweet and sour pork ribs
  Price range: HK$50 to $100 ($6.45 to $12.89)
  When: 11:00 – 00:30 Mon to Sat, 18:00 – 00:30 Suns
  Where: Shop 1, Wo Yick Mansion, 263 Queen’s Road West, Western District, Hong Kong
• CHAN HON KEE | Tai Po
  For a wide selection of scrumptious claypot rice and rice noodle dishes
  What to order: Claypot rice, Rice noodle dishes, Chinese vegetable with fermented tofu sauce, Rice-flour rolls
  Price range: HK$12 to $45 ($1.55 to $5.80)
  When: 11:00 – 16:00 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, No. 91B Wan Tau Street, Tai Po, Hong Kong

Wonton noodles is a no-frills dish. Albeit very simple, this dish can pack a lot of flavors.

Restaurants that offer this delightful dish in their menus get easily packed, especially during the cold weather. Nothing beats the comfort one gets from scarfing down a warm bowl of good wonton noodles in a cold day.

A perfect recipe of this dish would consist of al dente rice noodles soaked in fragrant and savory broth. Some chunky delicious shrimps or appetizing pork wontons are added to give that meaty substance to it. Pair it with something crispy such as deep-fried fish skin and you’re in for a treat.

Wonton noodles are clearly one of the best foods in Hong Kong.

Here are the best places to get wonton noodles in Hong Kong.

• MAK’S NOODLE | Central
  For the best wonton noodles you’ll ever have in your life
  What to order: Wonton noodles, Seasonal vegetable with oyster sauce
  Price range: HK$39 to $70 ($5.03 to $9.02)
  When: 11:00 – 21:00 daily
  Where: 77 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
• HO HUNG KEE | Causeway Bay
  For a bowl of Michelin-star wonton noodles
  What to order: Wonton noodles, steamed fish head with black bean sauce, Curry beef brisket
  Price range: HK$40 to $70 ($5.16 to $9.02)
  When: 11:30 – 23:00 daily
  Where: 12th Level, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay
• KWAN KEE BAMBOO NOODLE | Cheung Sha Wan
  For traditionally made wonton noodles
  What to order: Dried shrimp roe mix with noodles, Fresh shrimp wonton noodles, Pig trotters
  Price range: HK$28 to $70 ($3.61 to $9.02)
  When: 10:00 - 22:30 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, 1E Wing Lung Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Hong Kong

Ultimate. Comfort. Food. Congee is guaranteed to bring sheer happiness to anybody, whether one is sick or not. It also does not matter what time of the day you decide to make a go for it. Anytime is a good time for congee.

A humble bowl of plain congee can satiate a grumbling tummy. Top it with roasted garlic bits, some fresh scallions and ground pepper to give that extra oomph to your porridge.

If you decide to throw in some chicken strips, thin pork slices or a freshly cracked egg in your sticky rice broth, you’re in for a gastronomic delight!

Here are the best places to get congee in Hong Kong.

• TRUSTY CONGEE KING | Wan Chai
  For rich, tasty and MSG-free congee
  What to order: Rabbit fish congee, Chicken congee, Rice congee with pig’s liver
  Price range: HK$30 to $70 ($3.87 to $9.02)
  When: 11:00 - 22:45 Mon to Sat; 11:00 - 21:45 Suns
  Where:  7 Heard St, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
• LAW FU KEE | Central
  For smooth and creamy congee in an old school ambience
  What to order: Pig liver and fish congee, Congee with fish belly, braised noodles with beef, liver, giblet & minced pork ball congee
  Price range: HK$35 to $50 ($4.51 to $6.45)
  When: 07:00 – 23:00 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, 142 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong
• SANG KEE CONGEE SHOP | Sheung Wan
  For the best fish belly congee in Hong Kong
  What to order: Fish belly congee, Pork and century egg congee, Fried fish cakes, Fried chicken wings
  Price range: HK$25 to $50 ($3.22 to $6.45)
  When: 06:30 – 21:00 Mon to Sat, closed on Suns
  Where: Ground Level, 7-9 Burd Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

They say that if you want to start your day right, start it with a good breakfast. In this tropical paradise, a good breakfast would have to be a bowl of Hong Kong – style macaroni soup with ham.

Known as a recovery food for people with illness or hangover, it is also linked with childhood memories since majority of Asian mothers prepare this for their kids.

This soup is punctuated with strips of ham to give it a slightly salty flavor, a combination that works quite well with this dish. The lightness of the soup is a welcome break from those oily, cholesterol-laden foods that we usually serve on our tables.

Let the buttered toast and a cup of tea be the meal’s companion, and you’ll be in heaven.

Here are the best places to get Hong Kong-style macaroni soup with ham.

• AUSTRALIA DAIRY COMPANY | Jordan, Hong Kong
  For the best breakfast sets in Hong Kong and blissful scrambled eggs
  What to order: Macaroni soup with ham, Scrambled eggs, Egg white milk pudding, Egg sandwich
  Price range: HK$35 to $60 ($4.51 to $7.73)
  When: 07:30 – 23:00 everyday except on Thursdays
  Where: Ground Floor, 47-49 Parkes Street, Jordan, Hong Kong
• CAPITAL CAFE | Heard Street, Hong Kong
  For the best black truffle scrambled eggs and macaroni soup
  What to order: Macaroni soup, Black truffle scrambled eggs with toast, Pork chop bun with wasabi mayo
  Price range: HK$22 to $40 ($2.84 to $5.16)
  When: 07:00 – 23:00 daily
  Where: Shop B1, Ground Floor, Kwong Sang Hong Bldg, 6 Heard Street, Hong Kong
• LAN FONG YUEN | Central
  For a traditional and heavenly Hong Kong breakfast fare with extraordinary milk teas
  What to order: French toast, Macaroni soup, Pork chop bun, Milk tea
  Price range: HK$20 to $50 ($2.58 to $6.45)
  When: 07:00 – 18:00 daily
  Where: 2 Gage Street, Central, Hong Kong

A good meal is never complete without capping it off with a delightful dessert.

And Hong Kong just happens to be home to a plethora of extremely good ones. A lot of joints here serve both traditional and modern sweet treats.

A must-try from their traditional desserts is the Mango pudding. This mainstay in dessert menus is made with agar, evaporated milk, sugar and the freshest mangoes. It is light, creamy, and tasty but not overwhelmingly sweet.

From the modern ones, the bubble-like egg waffle has been garnering a massive number of fans. Its crispy edges are a great contrast to its chewy and moist center. Best served hot, there is a multitude of fun ways to do with it. Top it with ice cream or fruits, dip it in chocolate sauce or drizzle it with caramel. A word of advice though: It is so good, it can be addictive.

Here are the best places to get the best desserts in Hong Kong.

• YUEN KEE DESSERT | Western District
  For superb and authentic Hong Kong desserts that haven’t changed for over a century
  What to order: Egg custard cake, Almond desserts, Black sesame, Walnut soup
  Price range: HK$20 to $50 ($2.58 to $6.45)
  When: 12:00 – 23:30 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, Sai Ying Pun, 32 Centre Street, Western District, Hong Kong
• TAI CHEONG BAKERY | Central
  For the best freshly-baked egg tarts and other Hong Kong – style desserts
  What to order: Egg tarts, Bacon and cheese mushroom pie
  Price range: HK$8 to $50 ($1.03 to $6.45)
  When: 07:30 – 21:00 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, 35 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong
• Honeymoon Dessert | Sai Kung
  For a huge selection of awesome traditional and contemporary desserts
  What to order: Durian pancakes, Mango pomelo sago, Banana pancakes
  Price range: HK$20 to $50 ($2.58 to $6.45)
  When: 13:00 - 02:00 daily
  Where: Ground Floor, Shop A, B, C, 10 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, Hong Kong