Buzz
From dim sum and pineapple buns to Yin Yeung milk tea and succulent roast meats, these culinary delights are a must-try on your visit to Hong Kong.
Indulge in the Delightful Flavors of Hong Kong: 10 Must-Try Dishes for First-Timers
With over 10,000 restaurants offering a variety of Cantonese cuisine, Hong Kong's culinary scene remains true to its traditions. Despite the rapid development, the traditional flavors here boast freshness, harmonious spices, and exquisite tastes that never fail to captivate even the most discerning palates.
For years, Hong Kong chefs have played a pivotal role in popularizing Chinese cuisine worldwide. Recognized as a top destination for Chinese cuisine enthusiasts, Hong Kong, also known as the culinary hub, offers a gastronomic experience like no other. So, when you embark on your Hong Kong journey, make sure not to miss out on these distinctive dishes:
Delightful Dim Sum
First and foremost, let's talk about dim sum. Dim sum comes in various types, with small bite-sized pieces perfect for breakfast or lunch, paired with tea. In Hong Kong, dim sum restaurants offer a variety of delicacies such as steamed buns, rolls, and many other tasty treats, all steamed in distinctive bamboo steamers that add a touch of beauty to their vibrant colors. When enjoying Yin Yeung tea, there's no better accompaniment than pineapple bun (bolaw bao). Despite its name, this bun contains no pineapple but is named for its appearance resembling a pineapple. It's best enjoyed warm with a slice of butter.
Sweet Soup
Sweet soup, known as tong sui, is a culinary gem of Guangdong, and nowhere is it more beloved and diverse than in Hong Kong. Often served as a dessert or light evening snack, sweet soup is crafted from ingredients like beans, nuts such as walnuts, almonds... along with dried tangerine peel, lotus seeds, and sugarcane. These soups are not only delicious but also nutritious for your health.
Fresh Seafood
Hong Kong is renowned as a haven for fresh produce, particularly seafood. When traveling to Hong Kong, visitors can easily spot seafood markets teeming with a variety of shrimp, crab, fish... ready to satisfy the palate. With simple cooking techniques that preserve the inherent sweetness, you can opt for whole steamed fish with soy sauce, stir-fried scallops with snow peas, or lightly battered prawns...
Wonton Noodles
Wonton noodles stand out as a signature and most beloved dish in Hong Kong, featuring golden, shiny egg noodles, tender slices of pork and succulent wontons, alongside vibrant green leafy vegetables and a bowl of fragrant, sweet broth. This dish not only leaves diners with a memorable taste but also captivates with its visually appealing presentation resembling a watercolor painting. In traditional establishments, chefs even showcase the art of handmade noodle crafting, adding an exciting experience for diners.
Chinese Donut Congee
Simmered rice and water, possibly cooked with Chinese cruller or clams, create a flavorful, smooth, and light congee. Ideal for those feeling under the weather or with sensitive stomachs, this congee is often served with fish, liver, minced pork, dried oysters, or salted eggs. Especially delightful when paired with soft congee and crispy Chinese donuts, it creates a perfect harmony of textures.
Roast Meat Delights
During your trip to Hong Kong, you'll easily come across Cantonese-style roast meat stalls throughout the city, whether in bustling markets or upscale restaurants. From succulent char siu marinated with various spices to crispy, golden-skinned roasted suckling pig (siu yue ju), the choices are abundant.
Hot Pot Adventure
Hot pot is a communal dish that allows diners to eat, chat, and cook their own food right at the table. With a rich array of ingredients, hot pot offers endless customization based on each diner's preferences. There are numerous types of dipping items for the hot pot, including meat, seafood, fresh vegetables, tofu, and more.
Clay Pot Rice
Known as bo tsai fahn, this dish consists of rice and meat cooked in a clay pot over charcoal or gas stoves until the rice absorbs the meaty juices, creating a crispy layer at the bottom of the pot. Various toppings, such as minced beef, eggs, chicken, mushrooms, eel, or duck sausage, can be added. However, the most distinctive choice is Chinese liver sausage or duck liver sausage (yun cheong). This piping hot dish is a perfect choice for chilly winters in Hong Kong.
Crispy Fried Chicken
Crispy fried chicken (tsa zi gaai) is a beloved dish in Hong Kong, appearing deceptively simple but requiring a complex cooking process. It takes over a day to prepare as fresh chicken is marinated with star anise and then air-dried before double frying to achieve a thin, crispy skin while keeping the meat inside tender and flavorful.
By Tien Quang/Ngôi sao
***
Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourApril 4, 2019
