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What to Eat in Hong Kong
If there's one word to summarize Hong Kong's dining scene it's this: vast. Hong Kong boasts more than 12,000 restaurants throughout the city, making it easy to find a place to eat (and a really good one at that). Alongside foodie hubs like Paris, Tokyo and New York, Hong Kong has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. But if your pockets aren't deep enough to treat yourself to a fine dining experience or two, you'll find the city's foodie scene caters to all kinds of budgets without skimping on quality.
If you're unsure where to begin, start with the basics. Unsurprisingly, Hong Kong's cuisine is heavily influenced by China, with popular dishes including dim sum and Chinese barbeque. However, what has made Hong Kong's dining scene stray from the mainland, and partly why it has become so unique, is its western influences. After World War II, western cuisine quickly became popular in Hong Kong, but was considered too pricey for the average citizen. Adjusting to fit the needs of the times, Hong Kong-style teahouses were born. A modern-day staple in the fabric of Hong Kong's culinary identity, the cha chaan teng's serve a variety of must-try dishes, including Chinese barbeque, stir-fries, congee and what's called "soy-sauce Western" – western dishes infused with soy sauce or other Chinese flavors. What's more, they're more likely to offer English menus than other dining establishments in the city.
Along with stir-fry, trying congee is essential if you want to have an authentic foodie experience in Hong Kong. Considered a favorite late night bite among locals, congee is rice porridge mixed with noodles and oftentimes vegetables and meat. Different regions around China have their own versions of congee, many of which have made their way to Hong Kong. Chinese barbeque is also a big must-try dish, with the heavily seasoned meats rumored to be nothing short of succulent. But fair warning to the faint of heart: full-bodied barbequed meats are hung on display in shop windows. Then there's the seafood, which is prepared in almost every fashion, from stir-fried to baked to deep-fried. But if you're looking for the quintessential Hong Kong taste, go with the steamed fish. It's a preferred method in Hong Kong for its simplicity: flavor of the fish comes first, seasoning is always second.
Street stalls are also a way to sample good, traditional Hong Kong delicacies without having to fork over too much coin. Dai pai dong, or open-air street stalls, typically serve stir-fries and provide the enthralling experience of dining in the middle of Hong Kong's contagious hustle and bustle. Travelers can also pick up a variety of tasty treats on the streets, including pineapple buns (which are named after the dough's resemblance to pineapple skin), egg tarts (rumored to originate from English custard cakes), put chai ko (sticky rice pudding) and so much more. While dai pai dong are easy to find, Temple Street is said to have some pretty knockout stalls. It's important to note, however, the distinction between food stalls and food carts. While food stalls are completely safe to eat at, food carts are unlicensed and have a reputation for serving unsanitary food. If you're not one for street eating, hopping into a food court will yield a similarly satisfying culinary experience. Food courts in Hong Kong don't carry the same negative stigma as they do in the states, so it's common for these fast food-like establishments to be packed with locals slurping their noodles. The biggest food court chains are Maxim's MX, Café de Coral and Fairwood.
Find the Best Restaurants in Hong Kong
- #1
Chullschick#1 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong
$ - $$ | Peruvian, Latin45-53A Graham Street, Soho, Central Shop D, G/F, Hong Kong ChinaRead More » - #2
Mandarin Grill + Bar at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong#2 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong
$$ | European5 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong 000000 ChinaRead More » - #3
Tosca di Angelo#3 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #4
OMG Mamaday#4 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #5
Scarlett Cafe & Wine Bar#5 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #6
The Lounge & Bar#6 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #7
Capo#7 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #8
Fleur de Sel#8 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #9
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Man Wah#10 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #11
Tin Lung Heen#11 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #12
Nagasakayaki#12 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #13
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Cafe Gray Deluxe#14 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #15
Akita Hamayaki#15 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #16
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Odelice! (Wanchai)#18 of 13,793 Places to Eat in Hong Kong - #19
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