Hong Kong - Cuisine

Contrary to our expectations Hong Kong did not have much traditional Chinese cuisine to offer. The metropolis is a thoroughly globalised consumer hub, offering all kinds of different dishes. Foodcourts and Asian/International Fusion restaurants are very popular, and Indian food dominates the chart of “best restaurants in Hong Kong”.

Restaurant or Streetfood chains are the best options for Chinese food in the city centre. And even although the famous wan tan or fishball soups, and steamed Dim Sum can be found all over, it is tricky to find very good and vegetarian options.

If one is looking for a delicious Noodle Soup it is best to opt for a Market, as we did on our first day in Hong Kong. Upon my mother’s recommendation we went to Tai Po Market and Food Court in the north of Hong Kong. This District is void of tourists and a great option to get a proper Cantonese impression. The foodcourt at the top of the market offers a variety of affordable dishes, and is frequently packed with locals during lunchtime.

During our stay in Hong Kong we often had breakfast at Tong Kee Bao Dim, a chain that sells a variety of sweet or salty steamed buns. I particularly loved this place because the steamed sponge cake (Malay Gao) tasted almost identical to my Grandfather’s, and reminded me of my Grandparents’ delicious cooking. One bun sells for an average of 7 HKD (~70 cents) and a small selection to try will definitely fill 2 people. They are best when they are still eaten warm, however can be kept as a snack for later.

On the one day we didn’t, we had breakfast on Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong Island is generally a very pricey place, and too hungry and lazy to do proper research we just went to the first café we found (It was in a mall, as are most places to eat in Hong Kong). On the terrace of Pacific Place Mall in the Garden Café we enjoyed a delicious Mexican Brunch. (This place was very expensive, in that instant we were just too hungry to care)

In the evening we decided to try out the second best rated restaurant - an Indian restaurant - in Hong Kong. Also located in a mall, it was rather simple to find. The name was Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant (Wing on Plaza) and the selection was incredible. I tried Dosa for the first time on Darius’ recommendation. The Indian food was delicious, and the restaurant is very recommendable. Price-wise it’s in the midrange of usual Hong Kong prices.

The most surprising find was a range of Chinese vegetarian treats and dishes, on the grounds of Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. This was a bargain of a lunch we payed a total of 54 HKD (~ 5,40 Euros) for two people.

Our last dinner consisted of Dim Sum in Din Tai Fung (Silvercord Mall), sadly there wasn’t a large variety of vegetarian options, but for non Vegetarians it’s a must try. The price range also falls in the middle, but the Dim Sum is delicious, and to me definitely worth the money. What I found well done was that they mark if the foods are cooked in meat broth or oil; information of high value to some vegetarians and vegans.

Hong Kong is a good place for western travellers to commence travelling southeast Asia, before you slide into completely new type of Cultures, you can arrive in a complete mixture of western and eastern culture, primarily noticeable in the variety of food choices.

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Em

08/01/18

Hong Kong

#travel #hongkong #food #southeastasia #china #budgetfood #budgettravel