Street markets are a big hit among tourists in every part of the world. That is where you really get to see how the locals go about their everyday lives, sample delicious street food and buy interesting souvenirs back home.

In Hong Kong, street markets are an essential part of life for those who live there. Both working adults and students alike enjoy some casual retail therapy with their friends and family after a long day at work or school.

Our guide to 9 Street Markets In Hong Kong will help you figure out which are the best markets you should be including in your itinerary. You are very welcome!

Photo Credit: Apliu Street Market

#1 APLIU STREET

Computer geeks will find it hard to leave Aplu Street Market as the place is home to all sorts of electronics, computer equipment and gadgets. There are both new and preloved electronic and telecommunications products on sale so you can purchase items on a budget that is comfortable for you.

This is also where you can hunt for antique items such as vintage watches, coins and more.

Apliu Street, Sham Shui Po
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Daily: 10am – 8pm (later on weekends & PH)
Nearest MTR: Sham Shui Po

Photo Credit: Cat Street Market

#2 CAT STREET MARKET

Cat Street Market did not have a very good reputation back in the early days as the market was known to sell stolen goods. However, it is a lively antiques market today where collectors can source for jade, silk, wooden handicraft items and other hidden treasures dating all the way back to the Ming dynasty.

Hollywood Road and Upper Lascar Road
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Daily: Mid morning to 6pm
Nearest MTR: Central

Photo Credit: Esther Poon

#3 FA YUEN STREET MARKET

Also known as ‘Fa Yuen Gai’, sneakerheads will go nuts at all the sneaker and sports street stalls they can find there that carry big brands such as Nike, Adidas, Converse and many more.

Whether you are looking for a pair of sports shoe to wear at the next fitness training or just as a fashion statement, you can find them all at Fa Yuen Street Market which extends from Dundas Street to Prince Edward Road. Those who are not keen on sneakers can browse through clothing, mobile phone accessories and seasonal products.

Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Sneaker Shops: 11am – 10:00pm
Street Market:10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest MTR: Mong Kok/ Prince Edward

Photo Credit: Michael Blackford

#4 FLOWER MARKET

Chinese New Year is the busiest period at Flower Market as that is when locals will need to decorate their house with auspicious blooms that will invite good luck. Conveniently located in the heart of Mong Kok, flower market boasts cut flowers, potted plants, seeds, gardening tools and accessories.

Even if you do not have green fingers, why not take this chance to surprise your significant other or loved one with a bouquet of flowers?

Flower Market Road, Prince Edward
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Daily: 9.30am – 7.30pm
Nearest MTR: Prince Edward Station/ Mong Kok East

Photo Credit: I Love Hong Kong

#5 KOWLOON CITY WET MARKET

As the biggest wet market in the city, Kowloon City Wet Market is frequently visited by many chefs who want to pick the best cuts of poultry, fresh seafood and fruits imported from mostly the New Territories and Mainland China.

Apart from its plethora of market goods, this place is also where you can find affordable Chinese food at the many no-frills food stalls. Do not expect to linger there for long as locals generally pop by for a quick meal before going about their business.

100 Nga Tsin Wai Road
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Market: 6am – 8pm
Food Stalls: 6am – 2am
Nearest MTR: Lok Fu

#6 LADIES MARKET

Ladies Market needs no further introduction; every traveler to Hong Kong will know of this iconic street with more than 100 stalls featuring clothing, accessories and souvenirs. It is a place where you can bargain for discounts so you get more bang for your buck.

As this is a popular tourist spot, Ladies Market can come across as rather gimmicky. Do be mindful of counterfeit products that are sold there as you are most likely not allowed to ask for refunds after making a purchase.

Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Daily: 12pm – 12 Midnight
Nearest MTR: Mong Kok

#7 SAI KUNG MARKET

If you are into farmers markets, one of the best you can visit in Hong Kong is Sai Kung Market. Held on the first Sunday of every month from 11am to 5pm, Sai Kung Market is where you can go all out on organic produce, artisanal products and support local businesses.

Parents will also be interested to know that this market is held in a kid-friendly indoor venue. Keep up with their happenings on Facebook!

33 Wai Man Road
Hong Kong Academy
Sai Kung, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2799 9983

Photo Credit: Stanley Market

#8 STANLEY MARKET

Those who are in Hong Kong with a group of friends can consider going to Stanley Market which has a huge variety of products in the likes of clothing, accessories, jewellery, ornaments, homewares and so on. Those who are interested in Chinese-style works of art will find plenty there as well.

It is worth mentioning that Stanley Market is located near to the beach so families can spend a day having fun there and dining at the many seaside bars and restaurants when they are feeling peckish.

Stanley New Street and Stanley Market Road
Stanley, Hong Kong
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay

#9 TEMPLE STREET NIGHT MARKET

As its name would suggest, Temple Street Night Market comes to life after sunset where traders will start setting up their stalls. This is probably one of the most vibrant street markets in Hong Kong and there are so many activities to take part in there.

If you are tired of shopping, go around and sample on street snacks, visit a fortune teller or watch exciting opera performances.

Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Daily: 6pm – 12 Midnight
Nearest MTR: Yau Ma Tei/ Jordan

If you need more recommendations on what to see, do and eat in Hong Kong,
read our Hong Kong travel guide.

A city brimming with street food, restaurants that boast long histories and more, Hong Kong’s food scene is colossal in terms of its expansive selection and years of heritage and culture (both local and foreign) injected into each dish be it the humble char siew bao or the European-influenced macaroni and scrambled eggs combo.

When in Hong Kong, eat as the locals do. Not only will you save much more on dining, but you’ll also come to realise that Hong Kong is known for way more than just dim sum and wonton noodles. Here are 16 local foods in Hong Kong to try to say that you’ve truly been there.

BEEF BRISKET

Otherwise known as “ngao lam min” in Cantonese, this dish of stewed beef brisket is delicious, tender and brimming with a number of spices. The flavour is robust and the meat is soft as butter. People typically have it with noodles alongside slow-cooked beef tendons and sometimes even tripe as well.

BO LO BUN (PINEAPPLE BUN)

This sweet, pillowy baked bun contains no pineapple or fruit of any kind, but it does have a sweet sugary crust on top shaped like the exterior of a pineapple (hence the name). At most places, you’ll find it served with a piece of butter stuffed into the middle of it. Enjoy it with milk tea for maximum satisfaction.

CLAYPOT RICE

Boasting a smoky, charred aroma and strong, meaty flavours derived from assorted waxed meats and chicken, this rice dish is a must whenever you’re in Hong Kong. Cooked in a claypot over a roaring fire, the rice on the edges of the pot get crispy and the claypot itself allows all the flavour to be locked in.

CURRY FISHBALLS

You can literally find these snacks at any street-side food stall. Swimming in a thin, spicy curry sauce, the fish balls soak in all that flavour, resulting in bouncy, flavourful balls packed with heat and lots of complex flavours. This treat is great as a snack although the portions they give are usually massive, almost as good as a meal on its own.

DIM SUM

This style of Chinese cuisine sees numerous dishes prepared as small bite-sized portions either in small steamer baskets or on a small plate, especially if it’s fried. Dim sum is usually served with tea and together form a full tea brunch. You can find dim sum literally anywhere in Hong Kong from cosy hole-in-a-walls to high-class restaurants.

Read our guide to the best dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong.

EGG WAFFLES (GAI DAN ZAI)

This traditional street side snack is sweet, crispy on the outside and soft and mushy on the inside. The classic versions call for it to be eaten plain, but there has, however, been an influx of hipsters who doll them up with all sorts of toppings from caramel to fruit.

MACARONI SOUP WITH HAM & SCRAMBLED EGGS

Every component is by no means Cantonese in origin but the combination certainly is. The place that made this breakfast set famous is none other than Australian Dairy Company, but if you’re not a fan of queuing, you can just as easily find this at any cha chaan tang. Savoury, creamy and everything you could ever want to wake up to. Period.

MILK TEA

Milk tea is what it is but somehow it tastes different in Hong Kong. Possibly due to the quality of the tea leaves and milk that they use, their version is often creamier and a lot more fragrant.

RICKSHAW NOODLES

Think of it as our local ke kou mian. This dish is essentially instant noodles served with a variety of other ingredients such as fish balls, beef sirloin, and carrots, with a variety of soup and sauces. The flavours available are massive and the price range can also be pretty wide given its sheer range of ingredient choices.

ROAST GOOSE

Ambrosial, meaty and dripping with liquified fat, roast goose is something of pure luxury. Part of the reason why it is much more delicious in Hong Kong is due to the quality of the goose used—which has a higher fat content and a slightly less gamey flavour—and the fact that Cantonese chefs are just better at preparing this dish. Period.

WANTON NOODLES

A simple dish comprising springy egg noodles, wantons, strands of diced scallions and char siew, this comfort food classic is something that can be had literally at any time of the day.

WHITE SUGAR SPONGE CAKE

Compared to egg tarts, bo lo buns and the multitude of Cantonese sweet treats, these white sugar sponge cakes, otherwise known as “pat dong gou” is hugely underrated. Considered a poor man’s snack, these cakes are chewy, sweet and perfect to have alongside a cup of milk tea.

TOMATO NOODLES

A simple concoction of egg noodles in a concentrated tomato broth made using canned tomatoes, freshly cooked tomatoes and tomato purée, this honest noodle dish has comfort written all over it. Tangy, savoury and oozing with umami, a good place to try this at (if you haven’t before) is at the famous Sing Heung Yuen.

TRADITIONAL HONG KONG BREAKFAST (YOU TIAO, CONGEE, FRIED NOODLES)

Back in Singapore, we have the tasty trinity of kaya toast, kopi and half-boiled eggs, whereas, in Hong Kong, the average person’s breakfast consists of a simple congee, fried noodles and a stick of dough fritter. You’ll find many breakfast spots selling these 3 items and while plain, is worth trying for the experience.

TONG SUI (SWEET SOUP)

Unlike Westerners, the Chinese people enjoy having their dessert hot instead of cold. To immerse yourself fully into the culture of the Cantonese people, pull up a stool at any local dessert joint and order a hot sweet soup. Common items include nut pastes such as almond or sesame.

YING YANG

Literally meaning ying and yang, this popular beverage option sees half milk tea and half milk coffee poured together in a single cup. Genius.

The classic Bo Lo Bao—also known as pineapple bun—is a popular old-school Hong Kong street snack that can be found across bakeries and cha chaan tengs in the Pearl of the Orient. Interestingly, these traditional pineapple buns have no traces of the fruit at all. The name was aptly bestowed to the palm-size snack due to its uncanny resemblance to the checkered fruit.

These sweet buns are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and typically served warm with a slab of butter in between.

In recent years, unique renditions of the classic Bo Lo Bao have emerged in Hong Kong. We are seeing flavours such as peanut butter and strawberry rose jam being injected into these buns, and even a hybrid between a croissant and Bo Lo Bao!

Don’t get us wrong; we still love the traditional pineapple buns—especially the ones from Kam Wah’s. But we are game for trying new things. Here are some unique Bo Lo Bao creations you must try in Hong Kong.

BALL LAW COWSSANT

URBAN Bakery Works’ Ball Law Cossant is a brilliant east-meets-west invention. It is essentially a hybrid of croissant and pineapple bun stuffed with a slab of French butter. The golden brown croissant’s texture is crisp and flaky with delightful buttery folds.

URBAN Bakery Works
Room 322, 3/F The Landmark
15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3565 4320
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 8pm Sat, Sun & PH: 8.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Central

HAMBURGER PINEAPPLE BUN

Kasa’s contemporary take on the classic Bo Lo Bao has revamped it into a Hamburger Pineapple Bun. The fusion burger comprises a sunny-side-up egg and Japanese char siu with ginger mayonnaise stuffed between two pineapple buns.

Suite 103, 1/F Shui On Centre
6-8 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2659-9189
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 9.30pm
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Wan Chai

Source: Hoover Cake Shop

PEANUT BUTTER BO LO BAO

Hoover Cake Shop is an unassuming Chinese-style bakery situated in Kowloon City. The bakery sells an assortment of interesting flavoured bo lo baos and is especially popular amongst locals. The selection of flavours include Peanut Butter Bo Lo Bao with real peanuts.

Hoover Cake Shop
136 Nga Tsin Wai Road
Kowloon City, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2382 0383
Daily: 6.30am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Lok Fu

If you are keen to experience the local way of life by dining at such unique and old-school restaurants, drop by Sing Heung Yuen – one of Hong Kong’s very last few Dai Pai Dongs.

The humble Chinese alfresco eatery has been around for nearly half a century and is especially well-loved amongst locals for its signature tomato egg noodles and tasty condensed milk buns.

Dai Pai Dongs refer to Hong Kong’s open-air roadside food vendors that sell economical dishes. These outdoor street stalls are an important part of Hong Kong’s culture and history.

However, the future of these local eateries is bleak. According to Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, there are only 25 existing Dai Pai Dongs left today.

Dai Pai Dong essentially means an eatery with a huge license plate. These restaurant licenses were issued to both disabled veterans and relatives of deceased civil servants after World War II.

Following congestion and hygiene problems, the government stopped issuing these licenses and it was only in recent years that children can inherit them.

Sing Heung Yuen was formerly on Elgin Street, but has relocated to its current venue at Mee Lun Street some thirty years ago. The no-frills Dai Pai Dong is jam-packed throughout the day with both locals and foodie travellers who are intrigued by the novelty of dining at one of Hong Kong’s last few authentic Dai Pai Dongs.

Look around and you will probably notice that everyone is eating the iconic bowl of noodles dunked in thick tomato broth. Yes, this is what you should be at Sing Heung Yuen for.

Every bowl is customisable, and prices start from HK$18. You can actually choose from instant noodles, macaroni or rice noodles, as well as add-ons such as bacon, sausage, egg, ham, luncheon meat and mixed vegetables etc.

Sing Huen Yuen
2 Mee Lun Street, Central
Tel: +852 2544 8368
Mon to Sat: 8am – 5pm
Closed on Sun and PH
Nearest Station: Sheung Wan

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Tai Cheong Bakery will be opening its first outlet in Singapore at the basement of Takashimaya on 27 June 2016.  

Tai Cheong is an institution in Hong Kong, and its egg tarts are well-loved by people from all around the globe. Egg tart is one of the must-try local food in Hong Kong, and we are extremely delighted to know that Tai Cheong Bakery’s egg tarts are going to be so accessible for us soon!

While Tai Cheong Bakery has 14 branches in Hong Kong, both locals and tourists alike still flock to the main store along Lyndhurst Terrace in Central to pick up their bakes.

Tai Cheong Bakery’s outpost in Singapore will be a joint venture with Food People – a company by Mr Wei Chan – the managing director of The Pine Garden Bakery – and Mr Han Jin Juan of Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant.

Other than the much-lauded egg tarts, the old school bakery will also be selling pineapple buns (bolo buns), doughnuts, egg rolls, pastries and local cha chaan teng dishes. Much to anticipate; that goes without saying.

Tai Cheong Bakery’s egg tarts are priced at S$7.60 for a box of 4.

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best food places in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong prides themselves as “Asia’s World City”, and this busy commercial city is probably the busiest playground in Asia, with many mouth-watering snacks to check out too; we are just about to share with you the 10 Must-Eat Local Foods in Hong Kong.

Well-loved for countless reasons, and visited by many from all over the world, Hong Kong is a heaven in many forms. Among which, of course, is it gourmet offerings that unites foodies from all over the world. There is no such thing as ‘dieting’ when in Hong Kong. When we think of ‘diet’ when in Hong Kong, we really meant ‘diet for the soul’ – which means stuff your faces in all the amazing local foods.

Please, do yourself the favour and check out these 10 Must-Eat Local Foods in Hong Kong. Your life will be complete, and they will have you counting down to your next trip to Hong Kong.

#1 DIM SUM

Hong Kong is also unofficially but very affectionately known as the ‘Land of Dim Sum’. Essentially delicate-size snacks that are served in baskets, eating dim sum is like a ritual in Hong Kong, and is part of a local’s lifestyle. We never say no to a good dim sum meal, and it is something we look forward to waking up to when in Hong Kong.

There is no lack of dim sum options in Hong Kong, and you can read our post here on the Dim Sum Restaurants in Hong Kong. But if there is only one you must go to, it has to be One Dim Sum. It is a nondescript and humble outlet at Prince Edward, and on to the menu, an assortment of dim sum awaits you – nothing is above HK$26.

#2 EGG TART

Egg tarts in Hong Kong are of a different league – the top, if we must. The best egg tarts are found in Hong Kong, and what you an expect from a good Hong Kong-style egg tart is a baked buttery pastry shell that flakes as you eat, with rich creamy egg custard that is wobbly and mildly sweet.

We have this love-hate relationship with egg tarts; very much more of ‘love’, definitely. Why ‘hate’, you may wonder. Because for some unbeknownst reason, egg tarts are extremely high in calories. Well, we try to forget about this fact whenever we are in Hong Kong, because egg tarts are too damn good to pass on.

And where do you find the best egg tarts in Hong Kong? Head straight to Honolulu Cafe. For just HK$8 per piece, this is satisfaction at its very peak; happiness can be so affordable.

#3 EGG WAFFLES

Egg waffles are also known as ‘Gai Daan Jai’ or ‘Gai Daan Tsui’ in Cantonese, which literally means little eggs when translated. The snack is actually made up of numerous egg-shape waffle pieces that are conjoined together to form a honeycomb structure.

Gai Daan Jai is an extremely popular street snack amongst the locals and they can be found on almost every street and corner in Hong Kong. The egg waffle is crispy on the outside, warm and chewy on the inside and it is interesting to note that the they are actually hollow! For the best, get your serving at Lee Keung Kee North Point Egg Waffles.

#4 MILK TEA

Though ubiquitous, Milk Tea is a must-try when in Hong Kong. Unequivocally an iconic drink of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong-style Milk Tea is prized for its smoothness and full-bodied creamy taste.

The traditional ones are prepared with black tea and milk, and usually carries a hint of bitterness within it sweetness body. Hong Kong-style Milk Tea can be easily found in cha chaan teng, and are available in both hot and iced versions.

Though the disparity between a good and better Milk Tea is not huge, and the chances of getting a bad cup is pretty low, we highly recommend Lan Fong Yuen’s version.

#5 ROAST GOOSE

Whoever said money cannot buy happiness obviously hasn’t been to Hong Kong for their famous Roast Goose! That plumpness, that severe juiciness, those fatty layers, and very crisp skin; a divine Roast Goose is worth jogging those additional laps for.

Hong Kong is home to many splendid roasts restaurants, and the highest form of indulgence is a roast goose leg (that usually comes with a premium price) served with sweet plum sauce. Honestly, the fattier, juicier and oilier, the better. And we crown Kam’s Roast Goose the Number One in Hong Kong.

#6 PINEAPPLE BUN

Or more commonly known as Bo Luo Bao. And there is no pineapple. It is a sweet and fluffy bun, with a crusty top that resembles a pineapple (hence its name) – akin to the crunchy texture of sugar cookies. A popular choice for breakfast, eat this with a slab of butter and your life will never be the same again.

There are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of good bakeries, cha chaan teng and dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong that do a good Bo Lo Bao. And our loyalty is sold to Kam Fung Restaurant in Wan Chai – be there early and hit the fresh batch from the oven in the mornings.

Read our guide to the best pineapple buns in Hong Kong.

#7 CURRY FISHBALLS

The irony is in Hong Kong, their fishballs are almost completely free of fish. Never mind that, because we still love our Curry Fishballs all the same. It is a classic street snack with decades of history, but let’s just skip the long stories and head straight to the point – Hong Kong’s Curry Fishballs are so spring and yummy!

More often than not, they are prepared with a thick curry sauce that is sweet and mildly spicy. A cup of Curry Fishballs is tasty and ideal for sharing. You can find them at every corner and every turn, and let’s just say that whatever stall we buy them from, they are always satisfying and enjoyable.

#8 MACARONI SOUP WITH HAM & EGG

This is a very quintessential Hong Kong-style breakfast that is usually eaten in local cha chaan teng. And the macaronis in Hong Kong is one that is unique to the city, for we can never find anything close anywhere else. Do not think of their macaronis as you would of a typical Italian pasta; the ones in Hong Kong are slimmer and has a smooth surface, quite often cooked to a softness that is almost melty to taste.

A typical Macaroni Soup is served with ham and egg, though it is not uncommon to find variations with luncheon meat, pork chop or sausages. They make inexpensive breakfast choices, and are usually sold as a set with a side of buttered bun and milk tea. While there is nothing overly fancy about this dish, Macaroni Soup with Ham & Egg is still a must-try if it is your first time to Hong Kong. We have a few favourites, but Tsui Wah’s rendition never fails us.

#9 WANTON NOODLES

There are many variations of wanton noodles in Asia, and while they are all arguably ‘the best’ in their own rights, Hong Kong’s version deserves our love for it is ever comforting. The main ingredients are egg noodles that are cooked al dente and boast a springy texture, blanched Chinese vegetables (usually kai lan or cabbage) and dumplings (wanton) – fat dumplings that are really plump prawns wrapped in smooth skin.

Served either dry or in soup, the former is our preferred version. Tossed in a special sauce and topped off with prawn roe, and presented with a bowl of wanton soup. The soup version is simpler – just unpretentiously a noodle soup dish that warms thy soul.

Wanton Noodles are everywhere in Hong Kong, and Mak’s Noodle is a unanimous favourite all these years.

#10 TONG SUI

Quite simply ‘sweet soup’ in English, Tong Sui refers to a group of Cantonese desserts such as red bean soup, gingko barley soup, gui ling gao, walnut paste and jellied beancurd. Tong Sui stalls are aplenty in Hong Kong, and many of them devote themselves to preparing fresh traditional desserts daily in-house.

It is hard to choose pick just one favourite Tong Sui, so we will leave this open for your exploration. But we are pretty certain that even if you do not have a sweet tooth, you will find it hard to resist a bowl of Tong Sui when in Hong Kong.

Drop by Chiu Chow Hop Shing, a 50-year-old institution in Kowloon City that dishes out some of the best traditional sweet soups from Chiu Chow province.

For more recommendations, read our food and travel guides to Hong Kong.

After my trip to Hong Kong in September, I wasn’t expecting to see the vibrant city so soon, at least not within this year. But things always happen when you are least expecting them, so when an invitation came from the Novotel Group to gather a few bloggers from all over Asia for a short holiday in the land of dim sum and roast goose — my answer was short and sweet: YES! I want to eat egg tarts!

On my previous trip, we were scrambling around Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and Lautau Island and it was more of a touch-and-go as we wanted to see as many places we could. This time round, I did a lot more eating and shopping at a much relaxed pace — so to add on to my earlier guide, here’s another 10 Things to Do in Hong Kong.

I was there during the Halloween week in end October, and the notable difference was the change in weather. Back in September, it was warm and slightly humid, but this time round, the weather was good great fantastic. It was windy, and starting to get cold. Everyone was out in their semi-winter clothing: coats, scarfs and boots. It’s a nice change to be able to dress up without having stares as though I’m a weirdo. I love Hong Kong!

Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2010

If you are planning a holiday to Hong Kong next year, why not go during the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Month during November? With a diverse assortment of unique traditional Chinese festivals and Western cultural celebrations, there will be plenty to see and EAT.

We got passes for the opening Gala of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, and it was a magnificent event with wine and food from all over the world. The picture of the burger you see above, is the best burger in the world, only because it was the first proper food that I had for that day. Imagine being surrounded by crates of wine when you are on an empty stomach.

The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival was held at Kowloon and the venue had a brilliant view of Victoria Harbour. The yearly festival is organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, with more than 160 wine booths and another 60 food booths participating for the event.

I must have like what, five, or six samplings of dessert wine. Minh and Boo were amused by my sweet tooth as they opted for glasses of white wine instead. After many glasses of wine (priced at 1-2 voucher tickets, 10HKD each voucher), nibbles of cheese, and a few bites here and there, we decided to call it a day to prepare for the next day.

Visit during the Halloween week and watch Lang Kwai Fong comes alive

It was so much fun looking at all the people who dressed up for Halloween! Everyone was in their crazy outfits, and I swear all of them flocked to Lang Kwai Fong – the most happening nightlife place in Asia. The Hong Kong police was there to cordon the area and we had to take a huge detour just to get to Lang Kwai Fong.

Queue up for the World’s cheapest Michelin-Star restaurant

Is Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum Restaurant worth queuing up for? Yes. Is it true that they are the cheapest Michelin-Star restaurant? Yes. Are their dim sum really so good? Yes.

The dim sum at Tim Ho Wan are so good that they deserve a post on its own, but I’m too lazy to blog a few separate posts. I shall attempt the impossible and try to squeeze everything within my list of 10 things to eat in Hong Kong.

My fellow food bloggers Minh and Boo went early at 9.30am to queue up for a table. By the time I got there at 9.50am (don’t judge me, my hotel was much further away), and lo and behold — a long queue forming outside the restaurant. There was a sense of relief as the restaurant opened its doors at 10am and we were the first batch of 29 people to get into Tim Ho Wan that day.

Baskets and baskets of dim sum started to arrive on our table, and there was “ooh” and “whoa” all around. I’m not going to go into details of everything that we had, but some of the must-try dim sum at Tim Ho Wan are:

The Baked bun with BBQ pork (Char Siu Bau). How can something so simple taste so good? The char siew filling was perfect, it hit the right tones for savoury and sweet, and the deep-fried bun was crisp around the edges but not too oily. I actually exclaimed “oh my god” aloud. The Steamed Prawn Dumpling was very well executed with thin and translucent skin, and fresh crunchy prawn. I managed to grab a Siew Mai from the folks who shared a table with us. It  had the right proportion of lean meat, I put the whole thing into my mouth and swallowed it. Oh the tasty little thing!

I’m not a fan of ham siu kok, but very few dim sum restaurants serve this nowadays, so you may want to try it at Tim Ho Wan. It was also my first attempt on Chicken Feet as I always thought that it’s disgusting. But since I’m already at Tim Ho Wan, there’s nothing to lose so I decided to give it a shot. I hate to say this, but it was surprisingly delicious.

I was having one of the best meals of my life, and somehow I managed to eat so much dim sum even though my stomach was protesting. “Just one more, just one more dim sum. I promise to eat less for dinner.”

Between the three of us, we had 15 dim sum dishes and paid only HKD 210 (SGD$37)! Can you imagine paying just SGD$12 for top quality dim sum? It’s dirt cheap! Is Tim Ho Wan really worth the hype? Yes, I’ll willingly queue up for their dim sum every time I’m in Hong Kong.

I recommend going to Tim Ho Wan early in the morning. They open at 10am so you decide what time you want to be there. If you are there after 10am, they will give you a queue number so you can walk around the area and come back later.

Getting there: From Mong Kok Station, find Tung Choi Street/Women Street, turn right and walk all the way to the end of the street and turn left. If you get lost, scream for help get directions from the locals.

Tim Ho Wan
2-8 Kwong Wah St
Mong Kok, Hong Kong, China

Eat at many Michelin Star Restaurants if you have the money to splurge

Maybe it’s just me, but I didn’t particularly enjoyed the Michelin Star experience. Well, I mean they are great, in the sense that you are feeling: “whoa, I just ate at this Michelin Star Restaurant!” But other than that, there’s really nothing to shout about. My first michelin star restaurant was Yung Kee during my previous trip to Hong Kong earlier in September this year. The Roast Goose was good, but I wouldn’t pay that kind of money or queue up half an hour for it.

After eating at Tim Ho Wan, we went to Island Tang Restaurant the next day to have lunch with the folks from the Hong Kong Tourism board. To be fair, the dining experience at the Michelin Star restaurant is pretty good: impeccable service, good food – but it wasn’t really out-of-this-world. Maybe it’s just me.

Island Tang Restaurant
Shop 222, The Galleria,
9 Queen’s Rd, Central
Tel: 2526 8798

Take the Cable Car and visit Ngong Ping 360

If you have some time to spare after shopping at Citygate outlets, take the 25 minutes cable car ride to Ngong Ping 360 — one of Hong Kong’s must-visit tourist attractions on Lantau island. There, you get to see the spectacular Giant Buddha, and visit the Po Lin Monastery. The Ngong Ping village has a couple of interesting eateries and it incorporates two major themed attractions: Walking with Buddha and Monkey’s Tale Theatre.

Getting there: Tung Chung Station, and go to the Ngong Ping cable car station (round trip tickets for standard cabin is 107HKD)

Temple Street Night Market

I didn’t get to visit Temple Street during my previous trip to Hong Kong, which was a shame since there’s so much to see at the famous night market. Temple Street is known as one of the busiest flea markets in Hong Kong, it’s interesting to walk around and see the different stalls that sell cheap & random merchandise, and there’s also food stalls along the way.

We were having beef brisket by the roadside during the evening, and it’s amazing to see how the street slowly came alive as the vendors started to set up their stalls. Anyway, if you are in the Temple Street area, there’s a pretty famous Claypot rice place at Arthur Street.

Getting there: Yau Ma Tei MTR in Kowloon.

Gong Zai Mian – Hong Kong Style Instant Noodle

“You must have the Gong Zai Mian!” my friend repeatedly emphasized this when I told her I was going Hong Kong for the second time this year. I refused to go to any Hong Kong Cafes in Singapore because of this dish. I thought it’s ridiculous to pay $6 for a bowl of instant noodle with sunny side up and luncheon meat.

Mr Gadget and I had breakfast at a random place near Temple Street, and we ordered Gong Zai Mian. I swear it’s so yummy! And the best part? They are so much cheaper than the Hong Kong Cafes in Singapore.

Shopping Paradise in Hong Kong

Mong Kok is definitely on the top of the list for Shopping in Hong Kong. There’s Fa Yuen Street which is famous for selling sports wear and equipments. If you are into photography, PLEASE get your camera stuff in Hong Kong! It’s probably around 15-20% cheaper than what it is in Singapore. Mr Gadget introduced me to Wing Shing Photo Supplies, which is supposedly one of the most reliable camera shops that locals go to. I was almost tempted to get a lens there which is SGD$200 cheaper. There’s also Langham Place shopping mall within walking distance from the Mong Kok MTR.

Anyway, moving on from Mong Kok, there’s Causeway Bay, one of Hong Kong’s major shopping districts. Otherwise, check out  the largest shopping mall in Hong Kong (not sure if it’s still the largest, but it’s definitely one of the biggest) Harbour City at Tsim Sha Tsui (TST). If you like big shopping malls, I’d suggest going to the new Elements Mall at West Kowloon – the place is huge and spacious, and like the other Hong Kong shopping malls, they have all the big brands under one roof.

But when I talk about shopping in Hong Kong, all I can think of is H&M!

This may sound crazy, but I actually went to four different H&M within a day. As the Men Clothing at H&M Langham Place has very limited stuff, I went to H&M at Canton road, TST (which was located directly opposite Harbour City), and H&M Queen’s Road Central. Both outlets are very crowded, and there are at least a dozen people eying the same thing at one time. Of the four H&M locations in Hong Kong that I went to, my favorite is definitely the H&M at Elements Mall. The place was practically empty and I could shop at ease without having to ‘fight’ with anyone to grab the clothes.

Wing Shing Photo Supplies
55-57 Sai Yeung Choi Street
Mongkok Kowloon, HK
Tel: 2396 6886

H&M Hong Kong
30 Canton road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel: +852-3521 1171

68 Queen’s Road Central
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852-2110 9546

Elements
Kowloon Station
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel: +852-2196 8391

Langham Place
Mong Kok Station
Mong Kok, Kowloon
Tel: +852-3580 7621

Eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat and eat

You are in Hong Kong! There’s only eating, and shopping, and eating, and more shopping on the agenda. I had my favorite Mango ice from Hui Lao Shan, feasted on Beef Brisket by the roadside, ate countless Egg Tarts and Po Luo Bao in random bakeries, enjoyed a leisure afternoon tea after a whole day of shopping, tasted some of the famous Hong Kong street food like Curry Fish Balls and Siew Mai while having Gong Cha bubble tea.

Travelling is just another excuse for me to eat more.

Stay in Novotel Hotel Hong Kong

I stayed in the Novotel Citygate at Tung Chung during this trip. If you are in Hong Kong mainly for shopping at the Citigate factory outlets, it makes sense to stay at Novotel Citygate since they are just located within the shopping mall. Otherwise, the Novotel Group has another two hotels – Novotel Nathan road in Kowloon, and Novotel Century at Wanchai. All three Novotel hotels are conveniently located within walking distance to the MTR stations.

Novotel is extending an offer to readers of my food blog: Simply quote ‘Novotel blgr’ when you make a direct booking with any of Novotel hotels in Hong Kong, and get a free upgrade to the next room category. Valid until end of August 2011. (Novotel Century Hong Kong: booking@novotelcenturyhk.com; Novotel Nathan Road Kowloon: h6771-re1@accor.com; Novotel Citygate Hong Kong: H6239-RE1@accor.com).

// Many thanks to the team at Novotel Hotel Hong Kong and PRDA who hosted us for this trip. No payment was received, only the air-ticket and accommodation were sponsored.