Fish balls, egg tarts, roast goose, and pork buns are all on this list of our 24 favourite Hong Kong street food dishes to try in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has some of the best food in the world. Period. From exquisite dim sum to Cantonese desserts and local Hong Kong snacks, we can’t get enough of the deliciousness available in the city. And any experienced gourmand in Hong Kong should keep an eye out for these local faves. So, here’s our list of the top Cantonese street food in Hong Kong.
Where to eat the tastiest street food in Hong Kong
1. Cheung fun (腸粉)
When it comes to street food in Hong Kong, this is the perfect dish for beginners. You can find cheung fun at many street food vendors, and they are especially popular as a breakfast treat. The rice noodle rolls are a savoury snack doused in sweet sauce, peanut sauce, soy sauce, and chilli sauce and covered with sesame seeds. Steamed and served hot on the street, they are soft and chewy. What’s more, it’s easy to eat and share with your friends – just be sure to claim your share!
Hop Yik Tai, G/F, 121 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, p. 2720 0239
2. Egg tarts (蛋撻)
These custard tarts, also known as dan tat, allegedly found their way to Hong Kong through Macau back in the 1940s. An iconic sweet treat that’s available at dim sum restaurants and bakeries, egg tarts consist of an outer layer of pastry and an egg custard filling. Though they vary from place to place, the most common type of egg tart has a flaky puff pastry crust, and they are best eaten fresh out of the oven.
With an egg tart practically in every shop window, we thought we’d give you a bit of help on where to find the best egg tarts in Hong Kong. Thank us later! 😉
Tai Cheong Bakery (泰昌餅家) has multiple branches across Hong Kong.
3. Deep-fried pig intestines (炸豬腸)
If you’re feeling adventurous, don’t miss out on the deep-fried pig intestines, or jaa ju cheung in Cantonese. Sure, it might sound a bit odd at first – but trust us, this is a street food classic! Imagine this: a bundle of pig intestines, wrapped up like a sausage, deep-fried until it’s super crispy on the outside, but moist and slightly chewy on the inside. Top it off with some sweet sauce, maybe add a bit of chilli if you’re into that, and you’ve got yourself a tasty, texture-packed snack that’ll keep you coming back for more. So go on, give it a try – you might just find your new foodie obsession!
Temple Street Beef Offal, 18 Arthur Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong
4. Tea eggs (茶葉蛋)
Boiled in herbal tea or Chinese herbal medicine, tea eggs are one of the most popular street food items in the city. These dark brown marbled eggs make a satisfying snack during freezing winter months as they’re boiling hot and incredibly filling. Its savouriness resembles the taste of herbs and soy sauce. Sold by street food vendors and herbal tea shops around the city, you’ve got to try this street food in Hong Kong!
Read more about the different types of eggs cuisine in Hong Kong.
Kung Wo Tong (恭和堂) has several branches across Hong Kong.
5. Mango pomelo sago (楊枝甘露)
While not technically street food, sago or tapioca desserts originate from Southeast Asia and are favourites in Hong Kong. And the chilled, creamy, soup-like sago cream with mango is especially popular. Mango pomelo sago originated in 1984, and was the creation of Wong Wing-chee, the Head Chef of Lei Garden at the time. Since then, this dessert has been adapted by restaurants and dessert shops across the city, even garnering much popularity in Taiwan, Singapore, and other regions.
Want to know where you can get this mouth-watering treat? Then check out our guide to Cantonese desserts in Hong Kong.
Kai Kai Dessert, G/F, 29 Ning Po Street, Jordan, Hong Kong, p. 2384 3862
6. Siu mai (燒賣)
Siu mai is a savoury dim sum snack traditionally made from ground pork, Chinese black mushrooms, and pastry. However, you can find on the street a modern evolution of the popular yum cha delight, where the recipe calls for flour dough or ground fish meat instead. Splash some soy sauce or chilli sauce liberally over the top and eat away. Finally, if you’re a true fan of siu mai, make sure you join the online siu mai community group – yes, there’s one!
Looking for more tasty dim sum? Check out our ultimate dim sum guide.
Kam Wah Snacks, Shop 1, G/F, Campion Court, 20 Cheung Wah Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Hong Kong, p. 6711 6062
7. Typhoon shelter crab (避風塘炒蟹)
This style of crab takes its name from Hong Kong’s historic typhoon shelters, which used to be where fishing boats would seek refuge during typhoons. The cuisine came about in the 1940s, when fishermen from various countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, congregated at the shelters, and a mixture of their cooking cultures created the distinct style of “typhoon shelter cooking”. Characterised by their strong flavours and spiciness, these dishes use ingredients such as garlic, hot peppers, and lemongrass.
Feeling crabby? Eat your way through the seasonal hairy crab menus in Hong Kong.
Greenland Spicy Crab, Shop A, 1/F, Astoria Building, 24-38 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2628 9888
8. Bubble tea (珍珠奶茶)
Though bubble tea may have originated in Taiwan, it has become a staple street drink for locals, and you can find many school students in the late afternoon, or office workers during their lunch break, purchasing the classic milk tea with black tapioca pearls. There are plenty of flavours to choose from including taro, sweet potato, green tea, and more.
Whether you need a refreshing drink in the day or evening, there’s no wrong time to have bubble tea, but with so many stores, which is the best? We feel you, so it’s a bubble tea showdown! Here’s our guide to the best bubble tea in Hong Kong.
9. Pantyhose milk tea (絲襪奶茶)
What’s so special about tea with milk? The English have been drinking it for centuries, and as a former British colony, Hong Kong has adopted the tradition with a twist. Instead of regular milk, vendors usually use evaporated milk, which gives the tea its creaminess. A cloth sack that resembles pantyhose is then used to filter the tea leaves to make it extra smooth. Which is why the term “pantyhose milk tea” came about to describe the Hong Kong-style drink. Finally, this tea, which comes hot or iced, is available at almost any low- to mid-range restaurant or dai pai dong (open-air food stall).
Want to explore more Hong Kong classics? Don’t miss our cha chaan teng picks for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Lan Fong Yuen, 2 Gage Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2544 3895
10. Imitation shark fin soup (碗仔翅)
This soup is a shark-friendly and more affordable alternative to eating traditional shark fin soup. Typically eaten with red vinegar, imitation shark fin soup is a great option for those who want to escape the winter months with something hot and filling. Contrary to its appearance, this savoury broth is not heavy on the stomach. What’s more, it often contains a good range of ingredients, like vermicelli, mushrooms, ginger, shrimp, and ginger root.
Tung Tat Food Shop (通達食店) has locations in Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei.
11. Roast goose (燒鵝)
The crunchy skin and tender meat of a roasted goose might be the highlight of your trip to Hong Kong. Since this is a popular dish that locals regularly consume for lunch or dinner, where restaurants roast geese at high temperatures in a charcoal furnace. So, if you want to try this delicacy, head to the internationally famous Yung Kee Restaurant. Its roast goose is cooked perfectly with crispy skin and juicy meat. To achieve consistency and utmost excellence in their famous dish, the restaurant is particular about their geese and only uses birds that weigh three pounds.
Yung Kee Restaurant, 32-40 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2522 1624
12. Curry fishballs (咖喱魚蛋)
When a Hong Kong native goes overseas and gets homesick, these are what they think about. While neither fishballs nor curry originated in Hong Kong, the combination is a specialty in the city. Sliding each one off a wooden skewer, you will find that they are chewy, often fried on the outside and doesn’t really taste like fish… But trust us, they’re delish and the curry sauce – if well made – is the cherry on top.
Lam Cheong Kee: Lam Gor, Shop 108A, 1/F, New East Ocean Centre, 9 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 3622 1997
13. Cart noodles (車仔麵)
The word “cart” explains these noodles’ original sale method – out of a push cart and hawked for cheap to immigrants in the 1950s. However, these days, the way it works is that the customer “builds” their own soup noodles by selecting the type of noodles and the toppings they want to include. There might be anywhere from 20 to 30 toppings to choose from, including beef brisket, fried tofu, pig intestines, fish balls, vegetables, and more. Finally, the price usually goes up by the number of toppings – three toppings is about standard.
Intrigued? DIY your noods at one of the best places for cart noodles in Hong Kong.
14. Hong Kong-style French toast (西多士)
The city took the Western breakfast favourite of French toast and added more grease and sugar to create a snack so low in nutrition and high in calories that it might be the Hong Kong version of an American doughnut. To make Hong Kong-style French toast, spread peanut butter or other sweet fillings between two slices of bread. Then, dip the sandwich in an egg batter and deep-fry it in a vat of oil. Golden and crisp toast emerges, which is then served with butter and syrup. While this snack is available at many cha chaan teng cafes and restaurants, we recommend heading to Shui Kee Coffee in the Sheung Wan Cooked Food Centre. Believe us – it’s well worth the find!
Finally, if you like French toast Hong Kong-style, be sure to check out all the other ways local Hong Kongers start their day. Find out more about traditional breakfasts in Hong Kong.
Shui Kee Coffee, Shop 17, Cooked Food Centre, 2/F, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building and Civic Centre, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
15. Three stuffed treasures (煎釀三寶)
“Three stuffed treasures” isn’t your standard trio. We’re talking eggplant, green peppers, tofu, and sometimes smoked red sausage, all packed with freshly minced dace (a type of carp). Grilled until they’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these bite-sized delights are a perfect mix of textures and flavours. Grab them skewered for a quick snack and add a splash of soy sauce or chilli oil to kick things up a notch. Sure, they might be a tad greasy, but with all those veggies in there, they’ve got to be somewhat good for you, right? (At least that’s what we tell ourselves!)
Dong Hing, Shop A4, G/F, 43-59 Tai Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong
16. Boat congee (艇仔粥)
Plain congee is the ultimate comfort food for Hong Kongers. It’s hardly different from watered-down rice (or savoury porridge), thus it’s often prepared for people who are unwell. But, congee is also regularly enjoyed with added ingredients, which range from pig’s skin to fish belly. Boat congee is one such variant. Consisting of peanuts, fish, and other seafood, it was created and sold by Hong Kong fishermen, who often converted their small boats into floating restaurants. Other dishes are ordered to go along with congee for breakfast, especially deep-fried dough sticks. While dough sticks are a snack in and of itself, it’s just that much better when enjoyed with congee. Most Chinese restaurants serve congee around breakfast time, but some local eateries that specialise in it serve it all day, such as Mui Kee Congee.
Mui Kee Congee, Shop 11-12, Cooked Food Centre, 3/F, Fa Yuen Street Municipal Services Building, 123A Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 2789 0198
17. BBQ pork bun (叉燒包)
Steamed cha siu bao is the perennial favourite of locals and foreigners alike. Since Hong Kong is known for its roasted items, roasted pork with sweet barbecue sauce inside a fluffy white bun has got to be one of the most representative of Hong Kong foods. So, you definitely won’t want to go home without having tried it. Just remember to remove the square sheet of paper on the bottom of the bun before digging in!
Give this iconic treat a try by going yum cha in Hong Kong.
18. Egg waffle (雞蛋仔)
If you’ve never tried egg waffles in Hong Kong, you’ve missed out the essence of the local street food scene. An egg waffle is just like a regular waffle, but portioned into many balls instead of grids. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, egg waffles come in a variety of flavours, ranging from savoury like salted seaweed and pork floss, to sweet like mocha and purple yam. Additionally, if you fancy some cool toppings? Ask for a drizzle of chocolate or condensed milk.
Mammy Pancake has multiple branches in Hong Kong.
19. Beef entrails with radish (牛雜)
Containing a range of beef parts such as tripe, pancreas, intestine, spleen and lungs, the ingredients in this Cantonese street food are all simmered for hours before served. With tender brisket and juicy tendons, the variation in texture will blow your mind. Finally, if this feels a little too adventurous for you, have the diced radish for some refreshing fibres.
Shui Kee, 2 Gutzlaff Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2541 9769
20. Roasted chestnuts (炒栗子)
During winter in Hong Kong there’s always the unmistakable aroma of roasted chestnuts in the air. First the vendor puts sand in a huge wok, and then heats the sand to a high temperature until it turns black from accumulated soot. Chestnuts are then buried in the hot sand and occasionally turned with a spatula. A comfort food for many Hongkongers during childhood, roasted chestnuts are now increasingly rare in Hong Kong. So, make sure you try them before it’s too late!
Street stalls selling roasted chestnuts can be found outside various MTR stations across Hong Kong during winter, such as Exit G1 of Kowloon Tong Station.
21. Stinky tofu (臭豆腐)
Don’t judge a food by its smell! Stinky tofu may smell foul (some people even compare its odour to that of rotten garbage), but trust us when we say it’s delicious. In fact, stinky tofu was immensely popular after it was accidentally discovered by scholar Wang Zhihe; it was even elevated to become an imperial delicacy, fit for the Qing royalty. In Hong Kong, stinky tofu is typically served with hoisin sauce, but it can also be accompanied by chilli sauce, soy sauce, and other condiments.
Dor Bo, Shop 10, G/F, Mei Sing House, 30-32A Nullah Road, Prince Edward, Hong Kong, p, 9311 0385
22. Orange cuttlefish (滷水墨魚)
Also known as soy-braised cuttlefish, this street food is hard to miss with its fluorescent orange shade. Why is it orange? According to Dr Siu Yan-ho, a professor that specialises in the study of food and culture of Hong Kong, soy-braised street food items are dyed orange to increase its visual appeal and to mask its freshness (or rather, the lack thereof). That said, the food colouring doesn’t affect the flavour of the cuttlefish itself. So, the essence of soy-braised street food still lies in its master stock (the broth used for marinating). Also, don’t forget the sweet sauce and mustard, and make sure to enjoy it cold.
Fat Boy, Shop G1, G/F, Workingport Commercial Building, 3 Hau Fook Street, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 6255 3872
23. Tofu fa (豆腐花)
Here’s another sweet treat you should not miss in Hong Kong: tofu fa or tofu pudding. This timeless dessert is made from silky-smooth soy-milk pudding, served warm in winter and refreshingly cold in summer. The magic lies in its preparation. A meticulous process of soaking, grinding, and steaming soybeans for hours, all to achieve that perfect consistency. Spot tofu fa served from a traditional large wooden barrel with a flat paddle, a sure sign of authenticity. Topped with ginger syrup and yellow sugar, it’s a delightful mix of sweetness, comfort, and satisfaction. Whether you’re young, old, local, or visitor, this humble yet beloved dessert is a must-try.
Kung Wo Beancurd Factory, G/F, 118 Pei Ho Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, p. 2386 6871
24. Put chai ko (砵仔糕)
This street food in Hong Kong brings back many fond memories of childhood for locals. A simple treat made with glutinous flour, sugar, and red beans, put chai ko offers a subtle sweetness that can’t be beat. Steamed in a petite clay bowl, this treat is often skillfully extracted with only a pair of skewers once it’s cooked. Got a hankering for similar treats? Stock up on some Hong Kong snacks.
Put Chai Wong, G/F, 20 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
[This article was originally published in September 2017 and updated in 2024 by Celia Lee.]
