Food & Drink

No trip is complete without tasting the local delicacies and drinks. The food of Hong Kong is diverse and is influenced by many cultures, including European, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese. Hong Kong is now known for its remarkable fusion food, influenced by its colonial history and multiculturalism. However, the most popular foods come from their own Cantonese cuisine. Traditionally, Cantonese food is boiled, steamed, or fried using meat ingredients such as chicken, beef or pork. Dining out and immersing yourself in the local cuisine is one of the most popular and unforgettable experiences while visiting Hong Kong.

What is Hong Kong's traditional cuisine?

Dim Sum, which translates to "touch of the heart," is a staple of Cantonese cuisine, and refers to small precisely prepared savoury and sweet items. Items ordered are intended for sharing, typically containing three to four pieces served in a bamboo steamer basket. Essential dim sum items include sui mai, a dumpling cupped with a mix of shrimp and pork and har gao, translucent steamed dumplings with prawn filling. Also be sure to try the various types of steamed buns, such as char diu bao, which are filled with sticky and sweet barbeque pork.

A classic traditional Cantonese dish often eaten at lunch is siu mei, which features roasted meat, typically served over rice and vegetables. The local favorite iteration is siu ngo, a roasted goose version, where five-spice and wine thoroughly season the meat before being cooked at a high temperature until the reddish skin gets a good crackle. It’s then served with a tangy and sweet plum sauce.

You’ll be hard pressed to pass by a Hong Kong bakery without being drawn to the buttery rich aromas drifting on to the streets. Baked goods are a staple in Hong Kong, but it's best to find them early in the day, as they often are sold out by lunch. Try a bor lor bao, also known as a pineapple bun for its shape, as no pineapple is used in the making. It is a fluffy and soft roll featuring a crunchy caramelized top, typically cut in half served with butter in between.

What is the dining etiquette in Hong Kong?

If you are headed out to enjoy dim sum, you’ll typically be seated at a large round table, featuring a rotating lazy susan in the middle to easily share with others. Do remember to use the basin of tea provided to clean your cup, bowl and utensils. Ordering is commonly done with a form in which you pencil in the number of dishes you wish to order, then hold in the air until a member of the serving staff grabs it. Locals in Hong Kong will often tap the table when tea or food is served in a restaurant. This is a demonstration of their appreciation for the server. Always pour someone else's tea before pouring yourself some.

The host will start eating first, and all diners at the table will follow after. Communal dishes should be served using the appropriate utensils. Do not grab items with your personal chopsticks. Place the food in the bowl in front of you. If there is also a plate, use it only to discard bones or bits of food you won’t be eating. After a few bites, take a break, and place your chopsticks on the provided chopstick rest, not on or in the bowl. Noises such as burping or slurping might be heard at a dining table, which can be viewed as complimentary, but no pressure to follow along. If you’ve run out of tea, simply leave the teapot lid ajar or flip it upside down as a signal for serving staff to refill it. Once finished eating, leave a bit of food in the bowl to indicate you do not want another helping.

What is the drinking etiquette in Hong Kong?

Alcohol is widely available at corner stores all day, and in restaurants. Some neighbourhoods such as Knutsford Terrace or Lan Kwai Fong feature a plethora of local bars and karaokes where drinking is commonplace, but over intoxication is frowned upon. Hong Kong also has a growing craft beer scene. The local breweries offer different varieties of craft beers, commonly available for casual meals. In addition to this, Hong Kong has a vibrant cocktail culture. There are many speakeasy lounges and rooftop bars atop skyscrapers and hotels offering Hong Kong inspired cocktails.

Tea is culturally important in Hong Kong, historically inherited as an afternoon pleasure during its colonial past. Hong Kong style Milk Tea is also popular, which is a black tea made with condensed milk, served hot or iced. Another popular tea drink is Bubble Tea, which is available in different flavours, made from tapioca balls, black tea, and evaporated milk.

Does Hong Kong cater to dietary restrictions?

Awareness of food allergies and dietary restrictions in Hong Kong is overall limited. Mainstays of Cantonese cuisine include various meats, while common allergens such as sesame, peanut, and nuts are used prolifically. Sauces are especially prone to feature allergens, such as wheat, that can be missed when inquiring about ingredients. There are many international cuisine restaurants in Hong Kong which may more commonly accommodate dietary restrictions, plan to do some research beforehand. If venturing out for the day, it would be wise to buy pre-packed items that include ingredient lists as mandated by the Hong Kong government. Do plan to travel with a translated information card indicating what your dietary restrictions are.

What do meals typically cost in Hong Kong?

There is so much variety in the style of cuisine available in Hong Kong, which greatly contributes to meal pricing. If you are up for exploring, Hong Kong restaurant prices in travellers centric spots tend to be more expensive than local neighbourhood favourites. When eating dim sum, pricing varies greatly, but expect to pay $10-15 per dish at a no frills spot, whereas higher end locations will range $13-18 per dish. Inexpensive lunch plate options can be found ranging from $5-8 per person, and food stall options for $2-4 per item. High end fine dining is widely available and costs between $100-140 per person, whereas mid range restaurant or buffet can be found for between $30-40 per person.