Did you know: The streets of Hong Kong (HK) aren’t only brimming with fabulous shopping strips but also drool-worthy dishes? In fact, “Asia’s World City” is home to over 15,000 restaurants, serving a fusion of international and local cuisines to make your tummies burst!
And with so much to eat, dining out is an essential part of the cultural experience. In true HK fashion, you gotta dig into these 18 delectable dishes—from dim sum to Hong Kong desserts:
- Roast Goose
- Pork Knuckle (San Ka La)
- Cart Noodles (Hee Kart)
- Char Siu
- Claypot Rice
- Har Gow (Steamed Shrimp Dumplings)
- Phoenix Talons (Chickens’ Feet)
- Lo Bak Gou (Pan-Fried Turnip Cake)
- Three-Stuffed Treasures
- Hot Pot
- French Toast (Chau Kee)
- Mango Sago Pomelo Pudding (Dream Tofa)
- Tofu Pudding
- Egg Tarts
- Egg Waffles
- Black Sesame Sweet Soup
- Sang Ji Sheng Sweet Soup
- Nai Cha (Milk Tea)
Savoury delights
Tickle your ‘buds with the city’s most famous food!
1. Roast Goose
Indulge in a roasted goose feast in Asia’s top city. Image credits: AMANDA LIM on Pexels
Ah, Hong Kong, plenty of food to eat and treats to snack on, but Roast Goose would always remain the city’s no. 1 dish. A traditional Cantonese speciality, this whole goose is roasted to perfection, cut into small pieces, and dunked into a special plum sauce. Biting into its tender meat is totally delicious, or as Hong Kongers would say, “ho ho say!”
Klook Recommendation: The guys at Yue Kee have mastered the art of roasting goose for 40 years, so drop by Sham Hong Road, Ting Kau when you’ve got the time!
2. Pork Knuckle
Fun Fact: Eating pork knuckles is said to bring good luck as you fill your tummies!
Another meaty dish in Hong Kong you can’t miss is Pork Knuckle, a mouthwatering braised pork that’s been blanched, seared, fried, and braised in soy sauce, wine, and spices, so the meat comes out super soft and chewy—enough to melt in your mouth!
Klook Recommendation: Get your hands on this Hong Kong food at San Ka La in Causeway Bay and sample their crispy rendition!
3. Cart Noodles
Noodle fanatics, rejoice, here’s the ultimate noodle bowl you’ve been waiting for!
This Hong Kong food is a mix-and-match affair that lets you create the perfect bowl of noods. Just choose from a bunch of different ingredients—from soup bases and noodles to toppings, which include beef brisket, fish balls, and dumplings of all shapes and sizes.
Klook Recommendation: Hee Kee Cart Noodle is among our top fave places to grab a bowl, even serving pig blood intestine on their cart menu.
4. Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
Char Siu is BBQ pork but with a Cantonese flair. Image credits: @thathangrylife on Instagram
Nothing beats a good ‘ole BBQ like Hong Kong’s Char Siu! Marinated pork topped with sweet BBQ sauce and roasted to perfection, this beloved dish leaves a sweet taste in your mouth. You can add Char Siu to your noodles or have ‘em as the star of your dinner paired with a steaming cup of rice.
Klook Recommendation: Savour the “Best Roast Pork in Hong Kong” at Joy Hing Restaurant, an awardee of the 2016 Hong Kong Michelin Guide.
5. Claypot Rice
Claypot rice is a popular dish that originated in Southern China. Image credits: @tastytommy on Instagram
If you’re feeling famished and wanna stuff your bellies to the brim, turn to Claypot Rice to have your fill. A Hong Kong food staple, Claypot Rice is a simple yet flavoursome dish that combines smokey steamed rice, carved pork, smoked sausage, chicken (or beef!), and fresh shallots cooked on a glazed pot for a very fulfilling meal.
Klook Recommendation: Strolling around Queen’s Road? Check out Kwan Kee Claypot Rice and line up for their Michelin-approved Claypot dishes!
6. Har Gow (Steamed Shrimp Dumplings)
Fun fact: Old-school Cantonese dim sum is served during “Yam Cha” or breakfast tea. Image credits: zhangtingzhi on Pixabay
Hong Kong food culture is quite diverse, especially when it comes to their dim sum. From steamed to fried, you’ll find no better food to fill your belly than the sweet taste of a Har Gow, the crown jewel of dim sum. This delectable dim sum is made with fresh shrimp wrapped in a delicate wrapper so you can swallow ‘em in one big bite. Pro Tip: Dip your Har Gow in chilli sauce to add a fiery flair.
Klook Recommendation: Have the rare experience dining in Hong Kong’s giant dim sum hall at City Hall’s Maxim’s Palace and enjoy hot dim sum dines served on a food cart.
7. Phoenix Talons (Chickens’ Feet)
In Guangdong culture, people like using the word "phoenix" to represent chicken. Image credits: jyleen21 on Pixabay
Do you consider yourself an adventurous foodie? Then, you gotta try this dim sum: Chickens’ Feet is bursting with savoury spices and tenderness that melts in your mouth….Only catch is you’ll have to get over its strange appearance and slightly slimy texture!
Klook Recommendation: Luk Yu Tea House is a dim sum specialist, whipping up great food since the 1930s.
8. La Bak Gou (Pan-Fried Turnip Cake)
Hong Kongers take their dim sum seriously. Image credits: @crazythickasians on Instagram
Besides dumplings and chickens’ feet, La Bak Gou (aka turnip cakes!) is another Cantonese dim sum staple that’s known for its savoury and sweet flavour. The turnip cake is cut into square-shaped pieces, then fried, steamed, and served with tasty soy and sweet chilli sauce. It’s said that eating these brings good luck, so why not sample one while you’re at it?
Klook Recommendation: Eat your way through the best La Bak Gou in town at Tim Ho Wan, which has branches splashed across the city, and Dim Sum Square, a fave spot among Hong Kongers.
9. Three-Stuffed Treasures
Grab a stick and dig into these tasty treats! Image credits: @sweet_ka_ka on Instagram
You’re gonna want some quick bites between shopping stops, and Three-Stuffed Treasures is the perfect snack. This Hong Kong street food classic is made with three secret ingredients: eggplant, pepper, and tofu, which are deep-fried and drizzled with soy sauce and fish paste. The finished dish? A sour and fishy flavour you won’t find anywhere else outside the island!
Klook Recommendations: Hop on to Dundas Street, Mong Kok for some rad Three-Stuffed Treasures and other street food classics whipped up by the city’s most seasoned cooks!
10. Hot Pot
City locals are hot pot devotees even during the hot sweltering summer. Image credits: Cera on Unsplash
When in Hong Kong, don’t pass up the chance to experience its crème de la crème dining culture: Hong Kongers love gathering with their friends and fam over Hot Pot, dipping slices of raw meat, fish, and veggies into the seasoned broth, and chatting in between.
Klook Recommendation: Taste the best local hot pot at Him Kee Hot Pot at Causeway Bay, or treat yourself to the swanky Canton Pot in Mong Kok.
Sweet treats
Had your savoury fill and now looking for something sweet? Sweeten up your day with one of these fabulous desserts:
11. French Toast
Meet Hong Kong French Toast: an addictive, carby square of goodness!
French toast might not be a Hong Kong food, but the local rendition of this dish is an indulgence like no other. With peanut butter sandwiched between freshly toasted bread dunked in egg, deep-fried, and drenched in golden syrup, this dessert is the devil on the plate.
Klook Recommendation: Toast to the best French Toast at Chau Kee, along with sumptuous dim sum for a gastronomic afternoon.
12. Mango Sago Pomelo Pudding
Craving satisfied: a Mango Sago Pomelo Pudding during summer!
Feeling the heat? Cool off with an irresistible serving of Mango Sago Pomelo Pudding. Scoops of thick mango and pomelo chunks nestled atop a bed of cool cream puree, this treat is best munched on during Hong Kong’s hot summers.
Klook Recommendation: Satisfy your sweet cravings at Dream Tofa, Central HK, and get a 10% discount when you dine with Klook!
13. Tofu Pudding
Tofu pudding can be eaten during breakfast or as a light snack when hungry. Image credits: @yami47 on Instagram
Alternatively, you can also try tofu pudding, which is a bowl of the softest, smoothest, and silkiest bean curd in Hong Kong. This fabulous dessert is served with sweetened syrup and will absolutely melt in your mouth.
Klook Recommendations: The Soy House stationed at Causeway Bay and Grandma’s Tofu Fa in Tai Po specialise in all things tofu, so prep your taste buds for sweet soy hopping adventure!
14. Egg Tarts
Egg tarts are best eaten warm. Image credits: Nick Fewings on Unsplash
Egg tarts are a popular pastry all over the globe, and Hong Kong’s own rendition of the British custard tarts and Portuguese pastel de nata are certainly ones you can’t miss during your HK food hopping trip! These irresistible treats are baked with Chinese puff pastry, so they come out all fluffy, and overflowing with sweet, eggy filling. Pro Tip: Pair this dessert with warm milk, and you’ve got yourself a true Hong Konger’s breakfast!
Klook Recommendation: Follow the scent of warm, freshly-baked egg tarts from Tai Cheong Bakery, established in 1954.
15. Egg Waffles
The perfect grab-n’-go snack! Image credits: @rachjiakpng on Instagram
Crispy on the outside and warm and fluffy on the inside, Egg Waffles are a quintessential part of Hong Kong’s street-food culture. These bubble-shaped desserts come in a colourful variety of fangled creations: topped with ice cream, molten fillings, and the craziest flavours.
Klook Recommendation: Spot Mammy Pancake during your Causeway Bay shopping trip and get a whiff of its funky flavours.
16. Black Sesame Sweet Soup
This sweet soup is a Hong Kong food must-try! Image credits: @karenlau_824 on Instagram
Don’t let looks fool you! Hong Kong’s Black Sesame Sweet Soup is a bowl of rich nutty goodness, well-loved for its hot sticky broth that warms the soul, literally! Though it may look ominous with its charcoal-coloured soup, it’s the perfect treat to remedy any chills, especially on a cold winter day.
Klook Recommendation: Dessert joints like Kai Kai Dessert in Kowloon whip up an amazing serving of Black Sesame Sweet Soup, plus exciting add-ons of extra glutinous rice balls.
17. Sang Ji Sheng Sweet Soup
Its name can be translated as “mulberry mistletoe, lotus seed, and tea egg.” Image credits: @kellykwc on Instagram
Wanna taste traditional Chinese sweets? Sang Ji Sheng Sweet Soup might be up your alley with its unique flavour: a fusion of bitter and sweet taste thanks to its herbs, lotus seeds, egg, and rock-sugar ingredients.
Klook Recommendation: Chiu Chow Hop Shing Dessert has mastered the art of whipping up traditional HK desserts since 1955.
18. Nai Cha (Milk Tea)
Savour its sweetness! Image credits: Pariwat Pannium on Unsplash
Bobba lovers, rejoice! The bustling metropolis is the epicentre of Nai Cha—aka milk tea! Satisfy your sweet tooth cravings with a tall serving of Hong Kong-style milk tea, which is an addictive combination of Ceylon black tea, sweetened condensed milk, and tons of sugar. Sounds tempting? We bet you’ll find yourselves craving for more!
Klook Recommendation: Venture to Bing Kee, the city’s laidback block brimming with milk tea stalls and the best beef noodles in town.
Written by: Jianne Uy
