11 of the most satisfying sandwiches in Hong Kong

What’s in it? Roasted suckling pig, cheddar cheese, tomato, mustard, and arugula on toasted ciabatta

If you’ve ever watched the 2014 film, Chef, starring Jon Favreau as a restaurant chef that opens a food truck selling Cuban sandwiches, then you’ll find real joy in the Cubano ($170) at The Diplomat. Sandwiched between toasted ciabatta with juicy suckling pig and crispy crackling as the star filling, you can crunch through this sandwich and allow all the flavours of pork and cheese to fill you with comfort. The presence and piquancy of mustard help cut through the richness, while tomatoes and arugula keep it tasting fresh. It also comes with a couple of crisps that you can nibble on as you ponder whether or not to order another one.

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What’s in it? Sichuan-style shredded chicken and cheese on charcoal bread

Claiming to make ‘probably the best milkshake in town', this hipster hangout in Shek Kip Mei is also pretty passionate when it comes to the grilled cheese sandwiches that they dish out daily. There's a wide selection on offer here, from the crowd-pleasing classics to the more adventurous, but the winner for us is the spicy Sichuan shredded chicken grilled cheese sandwich ($78). The chicken is seasoned with Sichuan spices to add a little heat and plenty of flavours, along with a rich cheesiness that is just so satisfying. The charcoal bread itself adds no flavour – and we figure is most likely on account of Instagram – but it’s fun to eat all the same.

What’s in it? Slow-smoked pastrami with traditional yellow mustard on house rye

This Hong Kong incarnation of the classic New York-style deli makes everything in-house, from pickling its own veggies to baking its own bread; they even cure and smoke their own beef brisket here. Expect a hearty American-sized portion for the classic pastrami sandwich ($120), which makes it well worth the money. We're talking so much meaty pastrami crammed in between the slices of rye that it's a challenge not to drop any (a plate to catch the loose slices pays huge dividends). You can even go bigger ($150), but don’t forget that it already comes with fries, a house salad, or daily soup. There’s also unlimited pickles now, which makes us very happy indeed.

What’s in it? Scrambled egg on milk bread

The classic egg sandwich is a big part of the traditional Hong Kong breakfast and continues to bring comfort to many, day after day, without fail. Luen Fat’s owners have ties to Jordan’s renowned Australian Dairy Company and have made a name for themselves thanks to their own stellar egg sandwiches ($24), which are based on the secret recipe from the aforementioned cha chaan teng. Three eggs are whisked to perfection to create an incredibly smooth scrambled egg while maintaining a strong flavour. It’s deliciously runny when you bite into the egg, and comes sandwiched between thick slices of milk bread.

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What’s in it? Deep-fried soft shell crab, crawfish salad, purple cabbage, pickled carrots on teppanyaki bread

The sarnies at Hand3ag are grilled on a teppan grill with margarine and olive oil to toast the bread until it becomes crisp. The result is a beautiful golden brown toast and sets the base of the whole sandwich. The sandwich shop has quite a few signatures and hits, but it’s the soft shell crab and shrimp salad sandwich ($62) that we love. The deep filling is packed with different layers: crispy soft-shell crab, creamy crawfish salad, and tangy homemade pickled carrots with crunchy cabbage. This is the seafood sandwich that will satisfy all those cravings.

What’s in it? Tuna salad, gouda cheese, gherkins, and rocket on toasted ciabatta

We have a soft spot for Knead, not least because it keeps the people of Sheung Wan healthy and energised with its dynamic range of fresh salads. They're pretty brilliant when it comes to sandwiches too. You can tailor-make your own from the drool-inducing range of bread and fillings, but we recommend leaving it to the pros and opting for one of their excellent signatures. The tuna melt ($93) is one of the most popular and particularly satisfying, with plenty of tuna salad piled with gouda, tangy gherkins and rocket, sandwiched on fluffy ciabatta before it’s toasted to crispy perfection.

What’s in it? Egg and corned beef on milk bread 

Sun Hang Yuen is a cha chaan teng in Sham Shui Po that is most famous for its egg corned beef sandwiches ($22). There’s nowhere else in Hong Kong that does it quite like this. The sandwich uses fresh beef instead of canned and binds it all with egg, resulting in a juicy and flavourful meat sarnie. You can also ask for the bread to be toasted for an additional dollar. There’s now even a ma la version ($24) which adds a little spice to bring out the flavour of the beef.

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What’s in it? Lamb shoulder, pulled shank, mint and pomegranate, chimichurri, hung yoghurt, and black olive tapenade on beer naan flatbread

The bodega-style sandwiches at Fat Chad’s are hearty and messy but in the best way possible. The double stack is packed with juicy lamb and tender pulled shank – a carnivore’s dream – freshened up with plenty of fresh and tangy elements from the yoghurt, chimichurri, mint, and fresh pomegranate, which helps to cut through the fattiness of the meat and add texture too.

What’s in it? Chicken tikka, celery, white sauce, masala omelette, tomato chutney, and Welsh cheddar on soft white bread 

This super-stacker club sandwich ($228) is an ode to the Anglo-Indian mess halls of the 1920s, where two conflicting cultures – along with their cuisines – came together and sat down for lunch. The kitchen at Rajasthan Rifles flips the script on the classic club and brings together British and Indian provisions in a fellowship of flavours. Spiced chicken tikka meets creamy white sauce, and a fluffy masala omelette gets a boost from tangy chutney. Welsh cheddar – sourced from Lord Newborough’s Rhug Estate – glues everything together (as cheese often does). The thick-cut chips offer an excuse to slow down between bites.

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What’s in it? Smoked salmon, scallion cream cheese, capers, and red onion on a bagel of your choice

The freshly made bagels at this New York-style grab-and-go bagel spot are soft but with enough chew to satisfy that bagel craving. Now, fill it with the classic pairing of smoked salmon and cream cheese and you have yourself a winner, but with Schragels’s loxy lady ($90) which is balanced with aromatic scallion cream cheese, sharp and salty capers, and red onion, this is a next level roll with a hole. And sure, you can opt for plain or poppyseed but we all know that a lady deserves to be on an ‘everything’ bagel.

What's in it? Braised brisket and pepper sauce

Cut Sando Sound Bar is a very popular Japanese-style sandwich joint and if you've been, then you already know why. The sandos here are always on point. Whether it's filled with egg and bacon, deep-fried oysters, or one of our faves: the beef brisket, you'll find it extremely satisfying to sink your teeth into one of their toasty sandwiches, especially when it's filled with tender and juicy brisket, backed up by the crunchy cabbage and sweet peppery sauce.