A foodie’s guide to Hong Kong’s dining scene

12 August 2024

Renowned for its dynamic and innovative dining culture, Hong Kong boasts an impressive array of culinary experiences that cater to every palate. From fine dining establishments helmed by world-class chefs to bustling street-food stalls brimming with local flavours, this city truly is a food lover's paradise. With one of the highest concentrations of restaurants and cafes per capita globally - one for every 600 residents - Hong Kong invites you to explore a world of gastronomic delights that reflect its rich heritage and modern flair.

A foodie’s guide to Hong Kong’s dining scene

We’re excited that The Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau has just announced its full 2024 selection – a total of 79 Michelin-starred restaurants in Hong Kong. Additionally, 67 Hong Kong restaurants and street-food outlets have been awarded bib gourmands by the Michelin Guide for offering superb food at affordable prices. You can also enjoy some of the cheapest Michelin-starred dinners on the planet in Hong Kong, at Ho Hung Kee Congee & Noodle and at Yat Lok Restaurant.

One of the most popular street-food destinations in Hong Kong, with locals and visitors alike, is Mong Kok. Stalls jutting out over pavements offer skewers of cooked meats, vegetables, and fresh fruits, plus classic street-food dishes such as stinky tofu (brined in a vegetable and meat mix then deep-fried and slathered with chilli and soy sauce), siu mai (dumplings), fish balls, cheung fun (rice noodle rolls), and Hong Kong-style egg waffle.

Another great place to eat inexpensively in Hong Kong is Sham Shui Po, a blue-collar neighbourhood with street-food vendors alongside hip cafés and burger joints launched by dynamic young entrepreneurs bringing fresh new flavours to everything from traditional noodles to creative desserts. Conversely, Flying Eagle is one of the few old-school, Chinese-style steakhouses left in the city, with a retro look and dishes to match.

Having dim sum is a daily ritual for the locals. Dim sum dishes, which originated with the Cantonese in southern China and are now an essential part of Chinese dining culture. Many restaurants in Hong Kong start serving dim sum as early as 5am! Dim sum actually refers to the small savoury and sweet items served during the meal known as yum cha or ‘drink tea’, a social gathering usually for brunch and lunch. Each order of dim sum usually contains three or four pieces to share.

Other places to check out while you are here are cha chaan teng or tea cafés, a unique Hong Kong food phenomenon that developed in the 1950s. Here you’ll find such iconic Chinese and Western fusion comfort foods as Hong Kong-style milk tea, flaky egg tarts, and pineapple buns. Among the oldest and longest-running cha chaan tengs in the city is Lan Fong Yuen, where chefs still make ‘silk stocking milk tea’ to an original family recipe, straining it through a sackcloth bag that looks like a pair of stockings.

If you happen to be in Hong Kong from 23rd to 27th October, don’t miss the Wine & Dine Festival at the Central Harbourfront, embracing award-winning bars and restaurants, DJ sets, mixologists, and much more. In November, the Taste Around Town event combines themed events, menus, and dining offers in over 200 restaurants and 60 bars – making a visit during this time of year the perfect opportunity to eat your way around the city and sample many of its most exciting culinary offerings.

To book your culinary Hong Kong trip, call your Travel Counsellor today.

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