Joanna James
Decidedly exotic and diverse, Hong Kong is world renowned for its unique culinary landscape that has something to suit everyone’s palette. Be its mouthwatering Cantonese dim sum to a plethora of dishes boasting of British influence, this city has a lot to offer avid foodies. Here are five top such dishes that one should definitely sample during a visit there!
A beloved comfort food for the colder months of the year, this hearty and filling one-dish meal consists of a generous serving of rice topped with various toppings such as seasonal vegetables and cuts of meat. The ingredients are traditionally slowed cooked over charcoal to give the rice a unique earthy flavour – adding to the exotic nature of the dish.
No visit to Hong Kong is complete without making the time to sample some dim sum. This dish is best enjoyed with either friends or family. Dim Sum is usually served in small bamboo steamers – offering diners to opportunity to taste a little bit of everything. Some fail safe choices to consider ordering include char siu boa ( pork -filled buns) Siu Mai ( pork dumplings) and of course delectable prawn dumplings known as Har Gow. Most hotels in the city such as Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong tend to be surrounded by many a restaurant in Wan Chai that serve top notch dim sum dishes.
Have a penchant for sweet treats? Then trying out egg tarts – the city’s sweet staple is an absolute must! Eggs tarts are prepared in two ways – either in the form of flaky and crumbly pastry boat or in a butter cookie style. While every local has their own preference, these delicious tarts must be tucked into when they are fresh and warm from the oven. To really learn about the history of Hong Kong’s staple sweet treat, consider making your way to Castle Peak Road, where the famous Sun Wah Café is located. This little café has been serving patrons egg tarts prepared both ways for well over half a century.
A cult favourite in Hong Kong – hairy crab is typically enjoyed during the autumn months. The season for hairy crab usually kicks off from early September and lasts well into late November. During these months, locals tuck into this delicacy with relish in the comfort of their hoes, roadside seafood restaurants as well as luxurious restaurants. While this dish can easily exceed triple digits, the delectable nature of it -certainly makes it worthwhile ordering.
A mix-and-match affair, cart noodles allows foodies to build their perfect bowl of noodles! Diners can pick from a diverse array of ingredients including the type of noodles they prefer, along with the soup base and accompanying toppings. While these will differ from restaurant to restaurant, enduring favourites among locals and visitors alike include dumplings, beef brisket and fish balls.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
