Hong Kong is not only known as the “Shopping Paradise” but also as the culinary capital and gourmet destination of Asia, where the food culture from around the world converges. In the streets and alleys of Hong Kong, you can experience the joy of mixed Chinese and Western cuisine, with no boundaries in food, especially when visiting various types of eateries and tea houses, which are always bustling with customers.
In recent years, the turbulent political situation in Hong Kong has led many mainlanders to comment that it is “declining,” and the once “Pearl of the Orient” has lost some of its luster in comparison to the vibrant mainland. However, Hong Kong’s landmark status remains undeniable, attracting numerous mainland tourists every year.
Hong Kong people, like Cantonese, are particularly discerning when it comes to taste. Regardless of whether the economy is slowing down, their pursuit and innovation in food never waver. Among these, the time-honored restaurants, tucked away in the nooks and crannies, have stood the test of time and the palates of countless gourmets, maintaining their popularity. 
Mak An Kee Wonton Noodle
The second character means “thin,” and the old shop is located on Wellington Street in Central. It now has several branches in Hong Kong. Mak An is the founder of this wonton noodle shop, whose father, Mak Hon Chui, was known as the “King of Wonton Noodles in Guangzhou” in the 1930s, making it a family business with a long history.
Mak An Kee Wonton Noodles are very famous in Hong Kong. Despite the high price, the shop is always bustling. Their signature “Fine Wonton Noodles” come in a small bowl with only four small fresh shrimp wontons, the noodles are very springy, and the soup is lightly seasoned with pepper, rich and flavorful. Adults would need at least two bowls to feel satisfied.
Other recommended places for wonton noodles include Mak Man Kee, Ho Hung Kee, Jam Jam Kee, and Chi Kee.
Address: 77 Wellington Street, Central, Ground Floor
Address: 55 Pitt Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Ground Floor
Kau Kee Beef Brisket
This old shop in Central has a history of over ninety years. It’s not large, but you have to queue all year round, and many Hong Kong celebrities are regular customers.
Kau Kee is famous for its original clear soup beef brisket, which is simmered for several hours every morning. The soup is rich, with a subtle aroma of spices, and the beef brisket is tender and flavorful. Kau Kee focuses solely on beef brisket, with recommended dishes being clear soup beef brisket (divided into “crumbling” and “firm” brisket), curry beef tendon brisket (best with half tendon and half meat), and beef brisket rice noodles (only available before 5:30 PM daily).
Clear Soup Beef Brisket
Curry Beef Tendon Brisket
Beef Brisket Rice Noodles
Address: 21 Gage Street, Central
Under the Bridge Spicy Crab
Eating spicy crab in Hong Kong mainly centers around two areas: Temple Street and Wanchai’s Jaffe Road. The Under the Bridge Spicy Crab in Wanchai’s Jaffe Road is one of the popular stops for tourists. Originally a dai pai dong, it has now become a restaurant due to its popularity, and you’ll have to queue during meal times. It’s relatively expensive but definitely worth the visit.
Besides their signature Typhoon Shelter Fried Spicy Crab, other popular dishes include Salt and Pepper Garlic Shrimp, Clams in Black Bean Sauce, and Crab Roe Three Silk Bean Sprouts Fried Noodles.
Garlic and Salt and Pepper Drunken Shrimp King
Stir-Fried Clams with Black Bean Sauce and Chili
Address: 421 Lockhart Road, Wanchai
On Lee Fish Ball Noodles
This 40-year-old shop is highly recommended by a friend of mine from Hong Kong, considered by locals to have the best fish ball noodles. Many celebrities also favor this shop, indicating its popularity. On Lee insists on making fresh fish balls every day, aiming to sell out on the same day. Due to their dedication to ingredients and craftsmanship, the fish balls are full of fish flavor, smooth, and soft.
Fish Ball and Beef Rice Noodles
Sliced Beef Brisket and Fish Slices with Thick Noodles
Address: 22 East Point Road, Shau Kei Wan
Australian Dairy Company
If you want to try authentic Hong Kong-style breakfast, head to the Australian Dairy Company, locally known as “Au Gau.” Their must-try dish is scrambled eggs, cooked in a Western style with added fresh milk, making them incredibly soft and fluffy, paired with a slice of butter toast and a bowl of steamed milk.
For those who love steamed milk, you can also visit Yee Shun Dairy Company, known for their double-skinned milk pudding, which is thick, rich, and both affordable and satisfying.
Address: Australian Dairy Company: 47-49 Pitt Street, Yau Ma Tei
Address: Yee Shun Dairy Company: 85 Percival Street, Causeway Bay
Lau Sum Kee Noodle Shop
This noodle shop, established in 1956, has received praise from food critic Chua Lam: “Lau Sum Kee’s homemade noodles are distinct, with the right thickness and full of elasticity.”
Their noodles are made by slowly pressing with bamboo poles, resulting in a chewy, springy texture, and the egg flavor is rich. Must-try dishes include Shrimp Roe Noodles, Ginger and Scallion Goose Intestine and Beef Tripe.
Address: Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Sang Kee Congee
People from the Pearl River Delta love congee, which should have a good base, good ingredients, and good cooking. Sang Kee Congee, with over 40 years of history in Hong Kong, has been praised by food critic Chua Lam as “my favorite congee shop, serving the best congee in all of Hong Kong.” This shop adheres to its original traditions, with a seemingly ordinary bowl of congee requiring time and effort to make.
Every day, from 2:30 AM, the shop starts simmering a broth with pork bones, dried scallops, lean meat, and other ingredients for the congee base. After adding rice, it’s cooked over high heat for an hour, then simmered for four more hours, with fresh ingredients like fish slices, fish balls, fish maw, or pork liver, meatballs, and beef added during the process. The result is a smooth, sweet congee that showcases the skill of the chefs, explaining the constant bustle at Sang Kee.
They also offer a limited daily supply of fish maw, which has a rich texture. In the humid climate of Hong Kong, eating a bowl of Sang Kee congee is a top choice for nourishing the spleen and stomach.
Address: 7-9 Peel Street, Sheung Wan, Ground Floor
Snake King II
This decades-old shop is always crowded, with their signature dish, Chrysanthemum Five-Snake Soup, prominently displayed on the wall. The soup is made with a base of pork bones, chicken, lean pork, and snake bones, then garnished with chicken shreds, black fungus, bamboo shoots, wood ear, and ginger, thickened with a light cornstarch slurry, offering a rich, sweet flavor.
In addition, the shop offers snake meat soup cooked with Chinese herbs, said to have beautifying effects.
Snake King II is also a roast meat restaurant, so their roast pork and char siu rice are also signature dishes.
Address: 24 Percival Street, Causeway Bay
Kam Wah Café
This 40-year-old café is known for its affordable and delicious offerings, with their signature Pineapple Bun considered the best in Hong Kong, truly cheap and tasty.
Address: 47 Pitt Street, Prince Edward
Roast Meat
As the culinary capital of Asia, Hong Kong brings together food from all over the world, among which traditional roast meat remains a constant favorite. Not to mention various roast meat restaurants, most restaurants in Hong Kong have a dedicated roast meat section, showing the locals’ love for this succulent, fragrant dish.
Roast goose, roast duck, roast pork, char siu, roast pigeon, suckling pig… are must-try delicacies when visiting Hong Kong. You can choose from street-side eateries or go to some well-known old shops or grand hotels for a more sophisticated experience.
