If you really want the inside story on a destination, it’s always best to ask the people who live there. Here we look at some of the top tips for things to do in Hong Kong as provided by the locals.
THERE IS no shortage of memorable, authentic experiences in Hong Kong, but what would Hong Kong people recommend in their own bustling city?
Cue Hello Hong Kong ? My Best Picks Most-liked Hong Kong Experiences’, where 30,000 locals picked their favourite experiences across three categories.
Top 5 Foodie Pleasures
Dim Sum
From siu mai (pork dumpling) to char siu bao (pork bun), dim sum is a quintessential Hong Kong food enjoyed during yum cha, a Cantonese dining tradition that brings locals together for dumplings, snacks and lots of Chinese tea.
There’s a dim sum restaurant around every corner and keep in mind that dim sum is traditionally eaten during brunch and many dim sum joints will be closed by mid-afternoon.
Egg tarts
One of Hong Kong’s traditional desserts, the egg tart won’t disappoint if you have a sweet tooth. The origins of the egg tart date back to the 1940’s and reflect the city’s east-meets-west’ identity.
It’s well-loved by many for its light buttery crust and creamy egg custard. Unlike the caramelised Portuguese egg tarts you’ll find in Macau, the Hong Kong version has a glossy finish and flaky crust.
To be found in bakeries and cafes, the egg tart is so beloved it’s been included in Hong Kong’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Hong Kong-style milk tea
The city’s love for strongly brewed milk tea goes back decades. Having started with the traditional British cuppa, Hong Kong put its own spin on it by swapping out regular milk for evaporated or condensed milk.
Since it’s repeatedly drawn and filtered through a sackcloth bag (referred to as a silk stocking’ because it’s tea-stained colours resemble a woman’s stocking), Hong Kong-style milk tea leaves a lingering smoothness on the tongue.
You will find it everywhere as part of the city’s food culture, from dai pai dongs (open-air food stalls) to fine-dining restaurants. But for the true experience head to a cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style café) where they also serve fusion dishes like pork chop rice and French toast.
Bubble waffles
Often cited as a favourite street snack of locals, these are also known as egg waffles, eggettes and gai daan zai. Cooked on a hot griddle, the best egg waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
The default is plain egg waffle but you can also add on fruits or fillings like cheese, chocolate or even a savoury pork floss.
Wanton noodles
While a bowl of noodles might sound like simple fare, what stands out about Hong Kong’s wonton noodles is that each strand is perfectly stringy.
These blanched egg noodles are recognisably thin and no matter if they are soaking in a flavourful broth or sitting in a pool of dark soy sauce, they always have a pleasant bite.
And let’s not forget about the wanton itself. These thinly wrapped prawn and pork dumplings are the perfect accompaniment to the egg noodles.
You can find wanton noodles everywhere in Hong Kong but for an unforgettable experience, try Chee Kei, a Michelin recommended restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui. You may also visit Sham Sui Po to discover more authentic Hong Kong flavours.
Top 5 Urban Oases
1 Tai O Fishing Village, Lantau Island
2 Ha Pak Nai, Yuen Long
3 Thousand Island Lake, Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, Tuen Mun
4 High Island Geo Trail, Sai Kung
5 Tai Mo Shan, Tsuen Wan/Tai Po
Top five City Checkpoints
1 Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui
2 Wong Tai Sin Temple, Wong Tai Sin
3 Goldfish Street/Ladies’ Market, Mongkok
4 Pottinger Street (Stone Slabs Street), Central
5 Temple Street, Jordan
