Where to find the most satisfying cheap eats in Hong Kong

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk)

Local bakery Kadorar Bakery offers a myriad of classic Chinese-style baked goods, like sausage buns and pineapple buns. But what's made their popularity sky-rocket amongst Hong Kong's sweet tooths are their pudding buns and choux puffs, which have taken Hong Kong by storm. If you want to get your hands on these sweet treats, be prepared for a long wait, but we promise it's worth it!

Tai O is one of the most popular destinations for city dwellers to visit on the weekend for a quick getaway and its array of cheap eats offerings. The fishing village offers a ton of delicious street bites that will keep you fuelled throughout the day. Eat your way around the area and indulge in streetside treats from streetside grilled dried seafood, fish balls, tofu fa, eggettes, rice cakes, and much more. 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk)

You've probably seen this yakiniku bento set going around on social media, and it's a perfect take-home meal, especially when you're dining alone. Located in Tin Hau, Bento-Yaki specialises in yakiniku bento sets available in three options with different cuts of beef to choose from, including karubi plate, chuck flap rib, and short rib. Each set comes with rice, mixed veggies, a side dish of either kimchi or tamagoyaki, miso soup, and a mini grill and charcoal, which makes the grilling a whole lot more fun.  

This little eatery will transport you into the bustling hawker centres of Malaysia with just one bite. Two Greens, a name inspired by the old Cantonese slang for ‘$20’, prides itself on offering authentic dishes at affordable prices. Must-tries include their peppery bak kuh teh ($36-$40), crispy kaya toast ($22), and cha chaan teng favourites like the crispy meat patty with egg on rice ($42). Other Cantonese dishes include poached egg mixed rice with fried lard ($38) which is excellent to pair with the egg-fried cheung fun ($25). 

Kwan Hong Bakery is a family-run bakery with over 40 years of history. The shop temporarily closed in August 2021 due to rent problems, but on May 8, the owners took over the venue next door and reopened the shop with a brand new look. Apart from western-style baked goods, you can also get your hands on traditional cakes and pastries such as walnut cookies, Chinese shortbread, wife cakes, red bean cakes, and much more. The fan favourite here is the ‘chicken biscuit’, which the owner insists on using traditional methods and ingredients like fatback, five-spice powder, and fermented bean curd. It may not sound too appetising but trust us, you’ll be missing out if you don’t try it.

Well-loved by hikers who refuel after hiking in the Eastern District, this Shau Kei Wan street food store has been serving delicious egg puffs and egg waffles for 13 years. Along with the original flavours of their waffles and egg puffs ($24),  must-tries include their chocolate flavoured treats (starts at $38) and their signature Golden Waffle, which puts a spin on the traditional snack filled with a lavish explosion of salted egg yolk, condensed milk, and brown sugar. 

Note: Prices shown on the video has been updated since the video was taken. 

 

Kuma Yummy is one of Causeway Bay's best spots for cheap Japanese-style handrolls and affordable fresh oysters. Try made to order handrolls (price starts from $18) with fillings that range from the classic salmon or tuna belly to more indulgent sea urchin, crab roe paste, foie gras and more. There are also a variety of fresh oysters (price starts from $14) sourced from Japan, France, Ireland, Scotland and Korea, that can be shucked there or packed for takeaway. 

With a bunch of different and unique gelato flavours to choose from, Gelato Messina is well-loved by many in the city, as evidenced by the long queues on weekends. They even have exclusive Hong Kong flavours, and the latest is black sesame tong yuen ($75 for 2 scoops) made with roasted black sesame and chewy tong yuen in the middle.

Moon Tong Lok specialises in dishes that you're more likely to find in Shanghai and Beijing. Try the shop's signature sticky rice rolls ($23) as well as other crowd favourites such as hot and sour soup ($27), savoury soy milk ($7) and dumplings ($36).

Both Street's Taiwanese-style gua bao (or stuffed buns) are very popular and keep all the regulars returning. The store was awarded Michelin Guide 2022's Bib Gourmand distinction after opening for less than a year, and if you've ever eaten the gua bao here, you'll know why. Signatures include five different gua bao ($42-$49) and four-cheese pressed bread ($26). Don't forget to try the Koyamaen matcha dessert too ($35).

Ding Ba earned a spot on the list of Michelin Bib Gourmand venues in 2022 and serves up some legit Taiwanese-style street food. The crispy oyster omelette ($45), egg pancake wraps ($28), and braised pork rice ($25) are all worth trying and if you're into the mouth stink, make sure you get some of the fried stinky tofu ($50).

Keung Kee in Wan Chai has over 70 years of history in making one of the best bowls of glutinous rice with preserved sausages in Hong Kong ($63), but you also don't want to miss their flavourful fishball, pork skin and turnip in fermented beancurd sauce ($34) or pan-fried cheung fun with dried shrimp ($25).