Hong Kong's cuisine is renowned for its exotic fusion of Eastern and Western flavours along with a wide variety of culinary delights. Its cultural blend, proximity to mainland China and reputation for quality have made Hong Kong a Gourmet Paradise.
FOOD DISTRICTS
Many of Hong Kong's districts boast a unique ambience and selection of food.
Hong Kong's more than 9,000 restaurants offer almost every cuisine under the sun, so each dining experience in Hong Kong is vastly different.
Causeway Bay - Eat Hong Kong Style
Good food is available throughout the territory, but these areas offer a "true Hong Kong" ambience. Many budget eateries featuring local snacks can be found along Jardine's Bazaar, Tang Lung and Matheson streets. Sample Hong Kong-style tea, available at famous eateries. You will never forget its richness and aroma. Brilliantly lit, many of the food stalls stay open until the early hours to cater to late diners.
Bars, sushi parlours and other fine eateries along Sunning Road offer a mouth-watering alternative for an evening out. Sip a cooling beer at an open pub as the sun sets, then enjoy dinner at one of the many cozy restaurants at your service in Times Square, Lee Theatre Plaza and along Percival Street and Paterson Street, in Causeway Bay.
Kowloon City - Savour Asian Cuisine
Nga Tsin Long Road; Nam Kwok Road; Lung Kong Road; Prince Edward Road; Kai Tak Road; Fuk Lo Tsun Road.
Over the years, Kowloon City has evolved from an industrial district into a residential area, and today is a treasure-trove of international cuisine with Asian eateries very much in the spotlight. Delicious and inexpensive, they offer a variety of Southeast Asian delights, Cantonese and Chiu Chow dishes, as well as scrumptious local desserts. Most of the restaurants are small, family-run businesses with friendly service.
Lan Kwai Fong & SoHo - The World on Your Plate
About 20 years ago, Lan Kwai Fong was known as "fringe Central" as business was mainly focused on the waterfront. Today, it's the most popular loose-tie, hair-down dining and entertainment area on Hong Kong Island. The young and stylish flock to Lan Kwai Fong to sample specialties from around the globe - Middle Eastern, Italian, Mexican, French and American to name but a few. Many restaurants open onto the cobblestone streets, providing the luxury of alfresco dining.
Further west, around Staunton, Shelley Street and Elgin streets, SoHo (named after its location "South of Hollywood Road") joins in offering a compact, fashionable area of bars and restaurants specialising in different cuisines including French, Nepalese, Italian, Mexican and Indian.
Sai Kung, Lamma Island & Lei Yue Mun - Fruits of the Sea
A seafood feast in an outlying community can be a lot of fun. Pick your favourite seafood from the tanks at the restaurant and let the chefs take care of the rest. Freshness is guaranteed and all you need is a good appetite. Restaurants serve the juiciest prawns, scallops, lobsters and, of course, fish. Book a table and experience picturesque seaside dining.
Stanley - Seaside Delights
The charming South Side town of Stanley offers a unique mix of laid-back eateries in a relaxed, seaside setting. Some of the most romantic tables in Hong Kong can be found in Stanley. A wide range of culinary options, from seafront alfresco to pubs stocked with boutique beer, particularly along the main street. The restaurants in Murray House where panoramic views of the picturesque seaside village provide a glorious backdrop to alfresco dining.
Tsim Sha Tsui - A Smorgasbord of Tastes
Easily accessible, Tsim Sha Tsui is a dynamic district for gourmands. A veritable smorgasbord of tastes is on offer, from international cuisine to traditional Chinese delights along Hillwood Road and Austin Road. Browse main thoroughfares like Nathan Road, Canton Road and Chatham Road, as well as side streets such as Ashley Road and Granville Road. Shopping centres also often host quality dining options such as the Szechuan and Cantonese restaurants found in the Miramar Shopping Centre on Kimberley Road. Knutsford Terrace and Knutsford Steps are an international dining oasis and a sensational experience in this bustling neon shopping district.
Hung Hom - Specialty Restaurants
Whampoa Gourmet Place in Hung Hom boasts many specialty restaurants under one roof featuring Northern and Southern Chinese food. There is a bewildering choice of Asian gourmet dishes ranging from tempting snacks to full meals.
WORLD OF DINING
Hong Kong has a world of exquisite, mouth-watering dining options. As you would expect, good Chinese restaurants are found everywhere in Hong Kong.
Some of the best can be found in major hotels and shopping complexes. Most specialise in one or more of the following: Cantonese, Chiu Chow, Hunan, Szechuan, Peking, Shanghainese or Chinese Vegetarian. As an international city, many cultures and tastes are represented in Hong Kong's world of dining. Enjoy fine dining or casual family-style meals in some of Hong Kong's Eastern and Western restaurants. Day and night, Hong Kong's gourmet delights are plentiful. Whether you want to pick up a snack or get dressed up for an evening out, Hong Kong has it all. CHINESE FOOD
The variety of flavours, aromas and textures of Chinese cuisine are sure to delight the palate.
Some Chinese dishes are simple and others gourmet exotica, but all are designed to satisfy your senses. The most popular styles of Chinese cooking in Hong Kong are Cantonese, Chiu Chow and Shanghainese. Cantonese and Chiu Chow both originate from the same Chinese province of Guangdong but are vastly different in style and flavour. Many restaurants also specialise in vegetarian fare, famous Peking dishes and the zesty flavours of Hunan and Szechuan.
For the ultimate experience, indulge in a bottle of Chinese wine. In flavour and distillation process, these wines are completely different and definitely worth a try.
OTHER ASIAN FOOD
Hong Kong is the best place in the world to sample the dazzling variety of all Asian cuisine.
The diversity of Asian influences in Hong Kong is reflected though the range of fantastic food. Try the spices of Thailand, the rich aromatic flavours of India, the delicacies of Japan and Korea or a whole range of Vietnamese cuisine. The cultures converge in Hong Kong, where it's possible to find every flavour and need, including a wide range of halal cuisine.
Japanese
The clean, delicate flavours of Japanese cuisine are the order of the day in Hong Kong.Based on rice or noodles, Japanese food is usually dominated by fish, seafood, beef and pork. Sushi, a slice of raw fish or seafood on an oblong of boiled rice is a particular favourite. Other typical Japanese dishes are tempura (deep fried vegetables and seafood in a batter), sukiyaki (thinly sliced beef and vegetables in a pan over a brazier), yakitori (meat barbecued on a bamboo skewer) and teppanyaki (tender beef, seafood and vegetables grilled at the table before diners).
Korean
Enjoy Korea's distinctive cuisine with a fabulous barbecue feast.
Marinated meats are grilled on tabletop hot plates and served with vegetables, pickles and the popular kimchi - spicy pickled cabbage. Garlic, ginger and sugar are major Korean seasoning staples, as well as the ginseng root, which is believed to have miraculous healing powers. Unique side dishes often include tiny dried fish, bean sprouts and spiced cucumber. Noodle or seaweed soups and plain rice are the perfect accompaniment to any order.
Thai
The fiery, well-balanced flavours of Thai food are among the most popular in Hong Kong.Many kinds of chillies, as well as basil, garlic, coriander, turmeric, pepper, lemon grass, coconut and numerous other tropical herbs and spices make up this distinctive style of food. Restaurant menus include spicy salads, soups, red and green curries (often with coconut milk), vegetables, grilled beef, pork and chicken, and rice. A number of condiments are served on the side.
Vietnamese
Enjoy the dynamic, but delicate flavour contrasts of Vietnamese cuisine. The classic Vietnamese deep-fried rice paper rolls filled with crabmeat, vegetables and egg are somewhat like egg rolls, only lighter. Pho is Vietnamese noodle soup that comes in many varieties. It is the traditional Vietnamese breakfast, but makes a delicious meal at any time of the day. Casserole dishes featuring pork, chicken, beef, mushrooms and vegetables are also common.
Indian Hong Kong's Indian dishes all have a special artistic flair. Hong Kong's Indian restaurants specialise in the sumptuous flavours of the creamy northern style. Lunchtime curry buffets are a popular way of sampling Indian cuisine in Hong Kong.
Try a traditional thali, a tray of house specialities, perfect for experiencing the overall flavours.Fresh ingredients and freshly ground spices, all freely available in Hong Kong, ensure a fantastic and wide range of curries. Coconut milk is a popular feature, as are yoghurt marinades for tenderising tandoori dishes.
The tandoor clay oven also produces tikka items. Whole wheat naan bread, flaky paratha bread and rice complement platters of richly sauced meat or vegetable dishes. Indian desserts include thickened milk-and-nut kulfi ice cream and yoghurt-based drinks.
South East Asian Flavours
The diverse, intense South East Asian flavours are widely available throughout Hong Kong. Migrants and expatriate residents from every Asian country contribute their own distinctive cuisine to this cosmopolitan city.
Hong Kong, the culinary heart of Asia, has an abundance of Burmese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Singaporean and Vietnamese restaurants.
halal food
Hong Kong caters to every culinary desire, including a wide range of halal food.
Muslim visitors will have no difficulty in finding halal food. However, some if not most of these outlets serve liquor. Muslim visitors are advised to enquire before patronizing.
WESTERN FOOD
Every Western flavour imaginable is represented in Hong Kong, the gourmet paradise.
The question is not merely what you are going to eat, but where, as your taste buds can easily be transported to any other culinary region. French, Italian and German
fare is widespread, along with Greek, Mexican and even California-style cuisine. The city prides itself on its gourmet restaurants, pizzerias and American-style fast-food outlets. Chic cafes, intimate bistros, gourmet sandwich bars and delicatessens are the perfect place to relax and enjoy some stunning cuisine.
The bonus in many of Hong Kong's Western restaurants is their memorable location. Try, for example, Victoria Peak or a table overlooking a fishing harbour. Tantalise all your senses with bird's-eye panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, cosy downtown basements or the restaurants set among the city-centre's glades of trees.
French
Hong Kong's French cuisine is an art form with an emphasis on delicate flavours.
The popular French restaurants combine traditional home-cooking, regional specialties and nouvelle cuisine with an enormous range of cheese and fine wines.
France's best-known culinary creations are all well represented. The succulence, texture and flavour of the gastronomy is foremost in the minds of Hong Kong's cordon bleus. Famous French breads top the board in many bakeries and cafes. Sample a crusty baguette or fresh buttery croissant - perfect with a steaming morning coffee.
Italian
Rich, flavoursome Italian cuisine is some of the heartiest and tastiest Western fare. Given the similarity of some Italian and Oriental staples, it isn't surprising Italian food is so popular in Hong Kong. Pasta, rice-based risotto and seafood dishes are all widely available and extremely popular. The fascinating flavour and colour contrasts are evident in the subtly herbed Tuscan and Venetian dishes of northeastern Italy. Many regions or former city-states are immortalised in the names of classic dishes - Bolognese, Florentine, Milanese and so on.
Soups, mini-buffets of cold starters (antipasto), veal specialties, mixed seafood fritto misto and super-sweet, wine-drenched zabaglione desserts are evidence that the Italian influence in Hong Kong goes far beyond spaghetti, pizzas, ice cream and cappuccino coffee.
American
American multiethnic cuisine has created perfect menus throughout Hong Kong.
Enjoy New Orleans' Franco-Spanish heritage, from which the spicy Cajun and Creole dishes have evolved. The West Coast's flavours of mesquite wood grilling and American-accented new cooking style are also easily attainable. Be sure to top off your meal with one of the famous Napa Valley wines or salad selections.
Mexican influences on American cuisine in the form of Tex-Mex flavours are widely available in a spicy range of tacos and other meal-sized snacks. The Jewish and kosher cuisine of New York's delis have also found a home in Hong Kong.
Asian influences are apparent in many West Coast-style restaurants as Chicago beef, Idaho potatoes and Long Island duck have become Hong Kong favourites.
Others
The olive-decked flavours of European delights feature in many Western cafes and restaurants.
Spain's culinary influences can be traced in Hong Kong's Philippine and Mexican restaurants. Rice-based paella dishes and fried octopus or squid rings are international favourites, and Hong Kong is no exception. So is the minced meat and aubergine moussaka of Greece and the eastern Mediterranean, famed too for stuffed vine leaves, skewered meat kebabs and savoury salad dips. Less well known are the flavours of Portugal, whose Atlantic Ocean coastline stimulated the development of a filling, oilier cuisine, and the supply of fine sardines and cod dishes, all of which are available here.
HONG KONG DELICACIES
Hong Kong teahouses are a fun way to dine, with a wide range of affordable snack food such as noodles, cakes, and desserts. Try yuen yeung, a 50-50 mixture of tea and coffee; bor law yau, a steaming hot sweet bun stuffed with melted butter, and daan tart, a tasty baked egg custard. Freshly cooked sliced fish or sliced beef congee, yau char gwai (a deep-fried dough), and wonton noodles are equally affordable local favourites. Just remember, when paying the bill, go to the front counter. Tipping is not required.
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
Hong Kong never sleeps - the pace and diversity that fills the day carries through into the night.
Whether you fancy cruising around the harbour; watching a hit international musical; mingling on the cobbled streets with the after-work set; dining in the trendy new SoHo area or dancing until dawn, Hong Kong's nightlife offers excitement and variety. Its range of hotel bar-restaurants offer variety ranging from high-energy
bands to traditional pubs with hand-drawn beer, theme bars, multi-level discos, jazz clubs and the ever-popular karaoke lounges. Lan Kwai Fong, right in the heart of Central, is the premier nightlife neighbourhood. Ambient bistros and delis, jazz clubs and bars spill out onto the pedestrian-friendly streets as Hong Kong's affluent professionals meet and mingle.
Wan Chai's reputation precedes it. Yet these days the World of Suzie Wong and the infamous girlie bars have given way to a late-night party place. Early evening stylish bars are surrounded by the throbbing beat of nightclubs that will take you right through until the very next day. Yet sauna signs and mama-sans tempting patrons still offer a glimpse of Wan Chai's former fame.
The impressive and expansive malls, such as Pacific Place in Admiralty and Times Square in Causeway Bay, also offer plenty in the way of entertainment, including hi-tech cinemas and a variety of restaurants and bars.
On Kowloon side, neon-lit Tsim Sha Tsui is lined with hectic shops, bars, cinemas and restaurants. Dip into any of the glitzy hotel nightclubs or sophisticated lobby lounges, whose tinkling pianos and creative cocktails cater to tourists. Or step out into the heat of the night and try the local back-street pubs and discos.
From Temple Street Market to outdoor cafes, Kowloon offers a wide variety of options for a pleasant evening. This vast area is also full of shops, international hotels, fast-food cafes, night markets and restaurants - many of which are open for midnight snacks.
