Joanna James
As one of the region's top holiday destinations for foodies, Hong Kong truly packs in a punch when it comes to the sheer diversity of its street food fare. From delectable seafood items to sweet and decadent baked goods, here's a rundown of the must-sample street food varieties on sale in Hong Kong.
Usually dispensed wrapped in its signature yellow wrapper, this seafood snack is a treat for those in search of a savoury pick-me-up. Unlike traditional dim sums or dumplings, Siu Mai's exterior is made from dough that is also infused with fish meat so there's seafood in both the filling as well as the outer layer. Steamed before being drenched in soy sauce, it is one of the spicier dishes sold on the streets of Hong Kong as some vendors use chilli sauce to douse the dumplings.
Traditionally called Gai Daan Zai in the Cantonese tongue, one can smell this sweet dish a mile away thanks to the outdoor snack vendors pouring egg batter onto griddle pans right on the street. Super crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, Eggettes are sold in their no-frills original eggy incarnation while others may dip the pancake in chocolate, green tea, sesame seeds and other ingredients. This snack is so popular that there are eateries that are dedicated to selling eggettes in all their many forms and flavours.
Whether one is based at the Dorsett Mongkok or any other budget hotel in Hong Kong, one is likely never far from a food stand selling curry fish balls, Hong Kong's best-loved street snack. Although most vendors forgo the fish meat in favour of flour, it has in no way diminished the popularity of this dish that's served on a bamboo stick.
Widely sold on mobile street kiosks, especially near well-known MRT stops, this is the perfect Hong Kong street food option for vegetarians and vegans. Highly popular among locals during the winter season, the charcoal-roasted sweet potatoes and chestnuts form an irresistible combination thanks to the wholesome ingredients and cooking method. Surrounded by aromatic smoke in every direction, these street food stalls are hard to miss so don't forget to grab a bag when you spot them.
As another local snack that you can smell for miles around, stinky tofu is another healthy option for travellers who are on a diet or looking for less oily and starchy street food alternatives. Tofu gets its unique aroma due to the long process of fermentation it goes through as bean curd is kept in brines for months on end sometimes. While it can be consumed as it is, most tourists and locals prefer to deep fry the tofu cubes before dousing the same in chilli sauce.
Rice noodle fanatics must dig into this chewy snack that's made from rolled-up bundles of rice noodle sheets. Although this snack does not feature a filling, sprinkling some soy sauce, peanut sauce, or sweet sauce can bring out the flavour of this healthy treat, which is usually garnished with sesame seeds.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
