Famous Hong Kong Food You Must Try

While you’ll be hard pressed to find any destination out east that doesn’t offer delicious cuisine in one form or another, Hong Kong has a fabulous reputation for being a hotbed of food and drink that is memorable for all the right reasons. And, having surveyed the SIMOVO team about the best food to eat in Hong Kong, we’ve put together a list of what you should start sampling first.

HK, of course, is packed full of wonderful sights and sounds, but for many travellers, getting the best out of the area starts with taste. You may have tried a few western or regional twists on the dishes we list in this post, but take it from us - nothing ever beats dim sum or wonton noodles made legitimately in a HK restaurant or from a street food vendor.

Before you start planning your menu for your trip to Hong Kong, be sure to read to the end of this guide for inspiration, and to make sure you have an eSIM for Asia loaded onto your phone ready to go. If you're hunting around for somewhere to eat, the last thing you’ll want to be doing is worrying about mobile data. So, let SIMOVO take care of your data coverage and give you some food for thought on the best food to eat in Hong Kong.  

Why Hong Kong is a food lover’s destination

Hong Kong has gained a fantastic reputation over the years for developing a vibrant, ever-evolving cuisine scene, thanks to both its bustling street food scene, traditional recipes, and leftover influence from colonial times. As a result, any foodies visiting HK will be met with a fabulous fusion of different flavours, meaning even if you have a fairly mild or bland palate, you’re always sure to find something that tantalises your taste buds here.

HK has developed a sterling reputation for choice, too, particularly thanks to the fact that there are so many restaurants packed in per square mile. In fact, it’s thought that there is an eatery for every 600-700 people here!

All the more reason, then, to see what the fuss is about and to dive into a menu full of hidden treats and delights.

Best food to try in Hong Kong

Having surveyed the SIMOVO team about the best food to eat in Hong Kong, we were able to narrow down a few famous dishes you should certainly try first. The most common picks include dim sum (a Hong Kong classic), roast goose, wonton noodles, egg tarts, and pineapple buns. 

If you can try any of the following before heading to HK, do so - we recommend the same if you’re looking at food to try in Beijing, for example. If you try these dishes and you get a taste for them, chances are you’ll love tucking into the real deal when you explore HK in the near future.

For now, let’s break down the most famous dishes Hong Kong has to offer, and why they’re worth prioritising when you head out to eat.

Dim sum

Dim sum isn’t just a popular dish in Hong Kong, it’s a ritual meal! While you’ll find different twists on the Cantonese spread in various different locations, trying the local takes on small dishes here is an absolute must. You can take your pick of delicious dumplings, rolls, pork buns, and a smattering of desserts.

If you get the opportunity to try dim sum here with tea, do so - it’s a breakfast speciality, and many people get together to enjoy it at lunchtime, or even as early as 5 am or 6 am - whenever you fancy! Keep in mind, too, that many people refer to Hong Kong’s dim sum as the best in the world!

Roast goose

Roast goose is, again, often a breakfast treat in Hong Kong, so don’t be too surprised to see it being served at street food vendors across the region. Again, along with the dim sum, HK is famous for sharing some of the tastiest smoked and roasted goose recipes around, so if you’re already a fan of duck, pheasant, chicken, or otherwise, be sure to keep your taste buds prepared.

Wonton noodles

Wonton noodle soup is one of several Cantonese dishes that’s absolutely made its way west over the years, but again, you really cannot top the noodles you’ll try while eating your way around HK. This hot broth usually serves up springy noodles and wonton dumplings, and you can usually expect pork and prawn fillings.

Egg tarts

Flaky, sweet egg tarts might be found in more than a few bakeries overseas these days, but the twists you’ll taste on the dessert via HK’s street vendors and cafes really have to be tried at least once. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to sample a few as part of dim sum - tick two off the list at once if you can!

Pineapple buns

Pineapple buns are really curious sweet treats that scored highly with the team, not just because of the flavour, but also because of the texture. Think of soft bread rolls or buns, and add a gentle, fruity, sugary taste to the top. Again, it’s a nice little breakfast treat that tons of HK foodies seek out as part of dim sum or otherwise.

Street food vs fine dining in Hong Kong

Now you’ve had a taste (pun intended) of the most popular dishes HK has to offer, it’s time to think about whether you’d like to traverse street food or fine dining when you arrive. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to have an eSIM for China, HK, and Macau ready to go so you can hunt down eateries with the best reviews on the go!

Street food refers to vendors and trolleys that you’ll spot on various streets in Hong Kong, serving up hot, savoury, and sweet food along with traditional hot and soft drinks. There are tons of these to explore, meaning unless you’re staying here for considerable time, you’ll be pressed to cover them all!

Fine dining, of course, has a place in HK, too - but be prepared to pay quite a bit more than what you’d expect from street vendors. You’ll pay extra for artisanal creations and incredible ambience, but the authenticity remains the same.

We recommend sampling a little from either column. Try some street food vendors, but don’t hold back on the restaurant scene if you find somewhere that really tickles your fancy. Much like we suggest to people looking for food to try in Shanghai, prioritise your budget!

Eating tips for travellers in Hong Kong

Let’s finish up this guide to the best food to eat in Hong Kong with some quick, tried-and-tested tips to keep in mind while you sample the cuisine:

• Always try to beat the crowds by booking tables as far in advance as you can
• Only ever trust vendors with lots of commotion - the most popular ones will have the best food
• Be sure to carry card and cash with you, you won’t be able to guarantee cashless payments everywhere
• Given how popular eateries are in HK, make sure you know what you’d like to eat before you order
• Check out even those eateries that have fewer than four stars - some restaurants may be reviewed lower for service times, but the food is still worth it

Think of this guide as your introduction to the wonderful world of Hong Kong cuisine - now, grab yourself that eSIM for Mainland China and start brushing up on the local menus!