Where to get the best street food in Hong Kong
Venture out to these street foods hotspots for something quick and cheap
Did you know that there is a popular Hong Kong Facebook group dedicated to appraising siu mai from different vendors? And did you know that Hongkongers love street food so much that there is Cantonese slang dedicated to it? The term ‘so gai’ (掃街), which translates directly as ‘sweeping the streets’, refers to the act of scouring the streets for the best street food.
Gone may be the days of hawkers in Hong Kong, but there’s no stopping the street food scene in Hong Kong from evolving and flourishing, what with influence coming in from Taiwanese night markets and Japanese street snacks (Don Don Donki’s food market, anyone?). So whether you’re looking for some sweet waffles and eggettes to snack on, or craving for curry fishballs from somewhere that is not your local 7-11, read on to find the best spots for street food in Hong Kong. By Elaine Wong
Note: As mask-wearing is still mandatory in public spaces at the moment, you’re advised to take the food away and enjoy it in the safety and comfort of your own home.
RECOMMENDED: Prefer to sit down for a proper meal? Check out the 50 best restaurants in Hong Kong, or stay home for a cosy night in with these fantastic delivery deals.
Where to get the best street food in Hong Kong
Tai On Building in Sai Wan Ho
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It’s impossible not to mention Tai On Building when talking about local street food and late-night bites. While this 1960s building seems inconspicuous on the outside, you’ll be dazzled by the variety of street food on offer as you make your way through the arcades on the ground floor. From eggettes to the more adventurous beef offal, Tai On Building is not to be missed when you want a taste of Hong Kong while on a budget
What’s hot: The queues at Hainan Chicken Specialist aren’t for nothing. Expect tender, boneless chicken along with some fragrant oil rice, homemade sauces, and a bowl of winter melon soup – all for only around $38. I Miss You’s purple sweet potato-flavoured Taiwanese pancakes (around $30) and their range of nearly 30 toppings are also popular in the building. Can’t get enough of Taiwanese cuisine? Try the sweet and chewy taro balls (around $32/bowl) and other desserts at Come On.
Shau Kei Wan Main Street East
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Shau Kei Wan is not your average residential neighbourhood, as it has one of Hong Kong’s most renowned food streets – Shau Kei Wan Main Street East – just on its doorstep. Although there aren’t many noteworthy attractions in the area, the food itself is worth your journey. Apart from local cuisine, you’ll be able to find kimbap (Korean rice rolls), Indonesian satay skewers, and other global delicacies too.
What's hot: The eggettes and waffles (from $20) from Master Low-Key Food Shop are anything but low-key. Sought-after for their crunchiness and rich eggy flavour, orders may take a good half hour – but we promise it’ll be worth it. While you wait, try the fish siu mai ($30/8 pcs) and imitation shark fin soup ($20) from the time-honoured Lui Jai Kee, or grab some satay skewers (from $11/pair) at Indonesian Sate House.
Kwai Chung Plaza
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If Tai On Building is the locals’ go-to for street food on the Island side, Kwai Chung Plaza is definitely the New Territories representative. Arguably one of the most well-known street food and cheap eats havens in Hong Kong, Kwai Chung Plaza has it all – cart noodles, steaming-hot takoyaki, baked puddings, and more. You’ll be sure to find something you fancy without breaking the bank.
What’s hot: Combat the cold weather with some belly-warming goodness from Queen’s 2, a food stall that specialises in cheesy potato dishes. Signature items include baked potatoes with melted cheese (from $42) and crispy hash browns (from $40) served with honey mustard, black truffle mayonnaise and other fillings and sauces of your choice. And while Instagrammable cakes don’t usually come to mind when talking about street food, these mini spherical cakes from Rainbow Cakery are specifically designed for you to eat on-the-go. Simply break the chocolate shell, with the little hammer that comes with the cake, and you’ll be left with the filling and mochis of your choice including Oreo, Ovaltine, Milo Crunch, amongst other flavours. We’ve heard that these dreamy, planet-themed cakes are quick to sell out, so make sure you get there early!
Lo Tak Court in Tsuen Wan
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Just three MTR stations away from Kwai Fong (where Kwai Chung Plaza is located) is Tsuen Wan, a huge district that has numerous residential complexes, schools, malls, and an array of local eateries. Not sure where to start? Head to Lo Tak Court and its surrounding areas, as this is often where local students go to fill their stomachs after a long day at school, and you know what that means – trusty street foods at unbeatable prices. From burgers and buns to teas and toasts, Lo Tak Court will leave you hungry for more.
What’s hot: The competition between Ah Yuk Tofu Pudding and Zan Wo Bean Products has been notoriously intense, resulting in tofu puddings being sold as cheap as just $1 per bowl at times, so why not give them both a try and judge for yourself?
Yau San Street and Kau Yuk Road in Yuen Long
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Yau San Street in Yuen Long is another popular food street in Hong Kong, and restaurants have spread to the neighbouring Kau Yuk Road and its surrounding streets over the years because of it. In fact, Yuen Long is such a vast area with so many great restaurants that you simply cannot go through them all in a day.
What’s hot: One of the must-go stalls in the area is the locally acclaimed Fei Jie Oyster Omelette, which sells Taiwanese and Chiu Chow-style oyster omelettes (around $35). These freshly fried omelettes are super crispy, and you can taste the succulent oysters with every bite. To wrap up your meal with something sweet, the Yuen Long branch of Mammy Pancake has you covered with their selection of eggettes (from $20), featuring all-time favourite flavours like Kyoto Uji matcha, earl grey, and even the latest creation of avocado with chocolate chip.
Dundas Street in Mong Kok
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The hordes of people in the Mong Kok may be no more (for now), but thankfully, many classic restaurants and food stalls are here to stay – helping to uphold the reputation of Dundas Street (and pretty much the rest of Mong Kok) as the ultimate street food paradise. While we wait for the nearby night markets to spring back into life, you can still pop by this region to relish some of the best soy-braised skewers and bubble teas Hong Kong has to offer.
What’s hot: Good news – the crowd favourite Fei Jie is pulling through, so there’s no excuse for you not to give their offal (around $13/skewer) a try now. Wash it down with some natural coconut juice from King of Coconut, or a bubble tea from the neighbouring Xing Fu Tang.
Fuk Wing Street and Kweilin Street in Sham Shui Po
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Sham Shui Po, the coolest neighbourhood in Hong Kong, is living up to its name with its myriad of traditional eateries, many of which have become familiar to many – think Block 18 Doggie’s Noodles and Kung Wo Tofu Factory. Aside from an endless range of cha chaan teng and noodle houses, plenty of street food is available as well, particularly on and around the intersection of Fuk Wing Street and Kweilin Street.
What’s hot: Recommended by the Michelin Guide in 2019, Hop Yik Tai’s cheung fun (from $10/portion) and Man Kee’s cart noodles (around $30) are tried-and-tested classics. Though dim sum isn’t really considered as street food, it’s worth mentioning that another local Michelin starred restaurant, Tim Ho Wan, is on the same street, so don’t forget to drop by for their iconic char siu bao ($22) when you’re in the area.
Still on a budget?
