If you love breakfast as much as I do, order these Hong Kong breakfast classics and start your day with a spread of local delicacies.
After spilling my top spots for dim sum in Hong Kong, it’s time to share my thoughts on another staple in Hong Kong eats. Available at most cha chaan tengs (茶餐廳) in town, the Hong Kong-style breakfast is a curious mix between local and western flavours. Although classified as breakfast items, most of them are great choices for afternoon tea and are available as all day sets (known as seung chaan, or 常餐). Sweet, savoury, and scrumptious, here are the best traditional Hong Kong breakfasts that power me through the day.
Truly local: Hong Kong breakfasts we love
1. Hong Kong-style French toast
The Hong Kong-style French toast (港式西多士) differs from the original with a generous layer of peanut butter between egg-dipped bread slices, and is usually topped with a big drizzle of condensed milk and syrup. Although more popular as an afternoon tea item, this sweet fried toast offers an unbeatable sugar kick that guarantees to power you through the day. You’ll find French toast available for breakfast at many local diners, but many says Shui Kee Coffee does one of the best, with the perfect combo of sweetness, gooey peanut butter, and eggy but not oily toast.
How much: From $33 per plate
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 8am – 3pm
Address: Shui Kee Coffee, Shop 17, Cooked Food Centre, 2/F, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
2. Instant noodles with satay beef
If you love a savoury breakfast, then you have to try the iconic satay beef noodles (沙爹牛肉麵). This classic breakfast dish warms and fills the belly, elevating the humble instant noodles with tender satay-marinated beef slices. When the craving hits, I always turn to “concern groups” on Facebook for the best recs. Thanks to the satay beef-specific forum, I’ve learnt the steamy bowl of noods at Taste Yummy in Tsuen Wan is one that guarantees frequent returns.
How much: From $42 per serving
Opening hours: 7:30 – 12am every day
Address: Taste Yummy, G/F, 45 Tsuen Wan Market Street, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
3. Pineapple buns
Named after their similarities in appearance to a fresh pineapple, these buns don’t actually taste like fruit. A great pick-me-up sweet treat, Pineapple buns (菠蘿包) are available at cha chaan teng and local bakeries. Sandwich a thick slab of butter in your pineapple bun for extra flavour and creaminess. After scouting out for the best pineapple buns in Hong Kong, V8 Bakery comes out as a winner for its freshly baked version!
How much: From $7 per bun
Opening hours: Mon – Sat, 7:30am – 8pm
Address: V8 Bakery, G/F, FWD Financial Centre, 8 – 9 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
4. Congee and fried dough sticks
There’s nothing more energising than a warm bowl of congee paired with crispy dough sticks in the winter mornings. A breakfast staple in Chinese cuisines, congee can be eaten plain or together with a number of toppings like shallots, fried peanuts beef, salted eggs, and century eggs. Not all chain restaurants are the antithesis of good food, and Master Congee is a great example. The restaurant dishes out fresh, hearty bowls on a daily basis, with a long list of toppings to choose from, whether it be protein or greens, offering you a fully customisable dining experience.
How much: From $31 per bowl
Address: Master Congee has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
5. Macaroni soup and ham
Another noodle-based Hong Kong breakfast staple, macaroni soup and ham is the local counterpart to the indulgent mac and cheese. Depending on which local cha chaan teng you visit, you’ll get a different combo of toppings, but often with diced or a whole slice of ham taking centre stage. This is no Michelin-starred feast, but the nostalgic factor significantly adds to its tastiness. For the best macaroni soup, head to the famous Australia Dairy Company for a trip down memory lane.
How much: From $48 per serving
Opening hours: Mon – Wed, Fri – Sat, 7:30am – 9pm; Sun, 7:30am – 11:30pm
Address: Australia Dairy Company, G/F, 47 – 49 Parkes Street, Jordan, Hong Kong
6. Rice vermicelli with shredded pork and preserved vegetables
Yet another noodle breakfast variant, rice vermicelli with shredded pork and preserved vegetables (雪菜肉絲米) is my personal fave. A lighter alternative to items like French toasts and pineapple buns on this list, this noodle soup delivers comfort and fuel in a warm and hearty combo. Plus, its toppings offer a welcome impression that I’m having something healthy ‘cause it’s got veggies! While I’m not fussy about where I get my vermicelli from, Lok Yuen is hands down the best in town.
How much: From $42 per serving
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 7:15am – 3:15pm; Sat and public holidays, 7:15am – 1:30pm
Address: Lok Yuen, Shop 6, 3/F, Kowloon City Municipal Services Building, 100 Nga Tsin Wai Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong
7. Rice noodle rolls
Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this Hong Kong breakfast item, rice noodle rolls dressed in hoisin and soy sauce have powered me through many first periods in junior high. Unlike the usual yum cha variant that come with fillings like beef and char siu, breakfast rice noodle rolls are plain, allowing you to savour the silky texture and moreish condiments in their full glory. I’ll happily get my cheung fun from any local snack stands, but if you’re looking for the best of the best, give Cheung Fun Wong a visit.
How much: From $10 for four
Opening hours: Mon – Sat, 6:00am – 11pm; Sun, 10am – 11pm
Address: Cheung Fun Wong (腸粉皇) has locations in Wan Chai and Kwai Chung.
8. Hong Kong-style milk tea and yuen yeung
If you’re more of a coffee- or tea-for-breakfast person, then these Hong Kong-style drinks are right up your alley. Tea lovers must try the classic pantyhose milk tea that delivers a unique silkiness, only achievable with multiple rounds of filtering through a stocking-like net. Alternatively, opt for a cuppa yuen yeung (鴛鴦) for a boost. This combo of black coffee and milk tea is an unbeatable morning pick-me-up for caffeine fanatics. For a speedy, grab-and-go experience, many cha chan tengs now sell bottled versions of these staples. For worker bees in Sheung Wan, I recommend stopping by Shui Kee Coffee for its bottled options on your way to the office.
How much: From $18 per drink
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 8am – 3pm
Address: Shui Kee Coffee, Shop 17, Cooked Food Centre, 2/F, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 2850 8643
What local cuisine should I discover next? DM @honeycombershk on Instagram or drop me an email at celia.lee@thehoneycombers.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to order at a traditional Hong Kong cha chaan teng?
Cha chaan tengs are known for their fast-paced service. You should be prepared to order quickly once seated. Menus are often in a mix of Chinese and English, with popular items available as a set meal (which often includes a drink). It's best to have cash on hand, as many traditional spots may not accept digital payments. You typically pay at the counter on your way out.
What is "yuen yeung" and what other unique drinks are popular for breakfast?
"Yuen yeung" is a unique and popular Hong Kong drink that is a mix of coffee and Hong Kong-style milk tea, balancing the bitterness of coffee with the creamy sweetness of the tea. Other common breakfast drinks include Hong Kong-style milk tea (often referred to as "silk stocking tea") and lemon tea, which can be served hot or cold.
Can these breakfasts be customised for dietary needs or a less indulgent option?
While many traditional Hong Kong breakfasts are known for being indulgent, most eateries offer a variety of options. Dishes like plain congee with a simple topping or toast with a light spread can be found. You may also be able to request adjustments to your order, such as less oil or sugar, but it's best to ask the staff if they can accommodate your request.
