Photo by Daiju Azuma. A unique, unforgettable, out-of-the-ordinary experience. We are talking about a stay in multi-ethnic Hong Kong, a Chinese metropolis that is influenced by colonial and contemporary European influences and that winks at both East and West at the same time, even in its cuisine.
A melting pot of flavours, smells and textures characterises the gastronomy of this splendid city, the only one perhaps that has the honour/pride of bringing to the tables of its restaurants dishes far removed from the classic idea of'Chinese cuisine' that we Italians may have.
1 - Shark fin soup
Photo by harmon. A dish that is more than strange, it is controversial. While in Hong Kong, serving shark fin soup is even considered a real honour (this dish is often reserved for important occasions, such as a wedding banquet, for example), environmentalists are fighting to try and put a stop to a practice that is probably too aggressive in hunting these splendid marine specimens, used to make a first course that is still considered a must in Chinese cuisine.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: about €7.00
Main ingredients: shark (or shark) fins, ginger, chicken broth
2 - Congee
Photo by Daiju Azuma. A savoury porridge, made from overcooked rice, to serve for breakfast? The answer is yes, if you decide to stay in chaotic Hong Kong. Congee is one of the city's main dishes, boasting countless variations on the theme. It is also recommended for those with weak stomachs and "sickly" physiques, but also simply as a main course for lunch or dinner. More versatile than that!
Recommended for: breakfast
Average cost: €3.00 to €6.00
Main ingredients: rice, leek, soy sauce
3 - Noodles
Fried, in broth, accompanied by vegetables, meat, fish: the kings of oriental cuisine in general - and unfailingly present on the tables of Hong Kong establishments - are noodles, the oriental noodles to be tasted piping hot!
Recommended: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €3.80 to €4.60
Main ingredients: flour, water, broth
4 - Wonton
We could call them the Chinese cousins of our dumplings. Wontons are one of the most important dishes in Hong Kong's culinary tradition; there are countless versions and different shapes, but the taste is always the same: incomparable, especially when dipped in a spicy broth with a spicy flavour, just as tradition dictates.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €6.00 to €9.00
Main ingredients: flour, eggs, water, minced meat (most common filling)
5 - Milk Tea
Not really considered a dish, but you can't say you've experienced Hong Kong gastronomy without sipping a steaming cup of milk tea.
Recommended: always
Average cost: €6.00 to €8.00
Main ingredients: black tea, condensed milk
6 - Roast Duck
A successful mix of texture (the tenderness of the meat goes well with the crispness of the skin), maniacal attention to the raw materials and a secret recipe are the essential requirements for serving one of Cantonese cuisine's most famous meat dishes at the table:roast duck, rigorously accompanied by an exquisite plum sauce.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €17.00 to €66.00
Main ingredients: duck, pepper, rice wine, cinnamon
7 - Pineapple Bread
Photo by Aznbomb3r. It is one of the city's gastronomic specialities, but don't let the name mislead you. The Chinese call it bo lo bao, the Hong Kong pineapple bread, which owes its name not to the presence of the fruit among its ingredients, but to the texture that the loaf takes on the surface after being baked, very similar to that of the pineapple.
Recommended: as a snack
Average cost: €1.00
Main ingredients: flour, sugar, milk, yeast
8 - Egg tart
Photo by See-ming Lee. Little, big masterpieces of Hong Kong confectionery, egg tarts are the perfect snack to have while strolling the city streets.
Recommended: as a snack
Average cost: €1.00
Main ingredients: shortbread, eggs, milk
9 - Fishballs
These are the undisputed queens of Hong Kong street food. There are two variants - those widely available on street stalls, made from fried fish meat, and those sold raw in supermarkets - and they are often accompanied by spicy or sweet sauces, or 'drowned' in a bowl of noodle soup. Indulge in the city's fish patties, one of the most widely consumed dishes in Hong Kong!
Recommended: lunch, dinner, snack
Average cost: about €2.00
Main ingredients: fish (cod or shellfish), sweet and sour sauce, hot sauce
10 - Snake Soup
Photo by shankar s.. We close this varied top ten of 'delicacies' to try in Hong Kong with what most of us might call a veritable culinary absurdity. But woe betide us for expressing disappointment or distaste for one of the city's most popular soups, none other than... snake. Recommended for lovers of experimentation and those with a weak stomach!
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €4.00 to €7.00
Main ingredients: snake, chives, dried mushrooms, minced pork
Where to eat: best restaurants, typical places and street food
Hong Kong is known by many as the place where'East meets West', a mix of the Chinese culture from which it derives its roots and the influences of its past period as a British colony.
Several cultural attractions are concentrated in the Tsim Sha Tsui district, which is also full of shops, hotels, restaurants, extremely elegant is also Starstreet Precinct with its typical restaurants and cafés. In addition, Lan Kwai Fong is the nightlife and entertainment district. And let's not forget that this city is a shopping mecca with its famous Causeway Bay.
Not everyone knows that Hong Kong is also called"The World's Fair of Food", precisely because several international food festivals take place here every year; however, the cuisine of this metropolis has its roots in Cantonese cuisine, with Hokkien, Teochew and Hakka influences; tourists and locals alike can choose from numerous restaurants, small eateries or street food carts that characterise a metropolis of over seven million inhabitants.
1 - Tsim Chai Kee Noodle Shop
Description: a historic Michelin-rated restaurant, it is small and simple but boasts a long tradition and offers unique dishes of traditional Japanese cuisine.
Speciality: noodle soup
Average price: from €5.00 per person
Address: 98 Wellington Street - Get directions - Facebook page
2 - Yung Kee Restaurant
Description: High-end Cantonese cuisine restaurant, popular especially among Hong Kongers themselves.
Speciality: roast duck
Average price: from €30.00 per person
Address: 32-40 Wellington Street - Get directions - Facebook page
3 - Tsui Wah Restaurant
Description: colourful restaurant with style and fusion food, crowded by both tourists and Hong Kongers.
Speciality: fish patties
Average price: from €4.00 per person
Address: 15-19 Wellington St, Central - Get directions - Facebook page
4 - Shia Wong Hip
Description: small inn popular with locals, specialising in snake meat.
Speciality: snake soup
Average price: from €10,00 per person
Address: G/F,170 Apliu Street - Get directions - Facebook page
5 - Gi Kee Seafood Restaurant
Description: upscale restaurant that combines street food and fine dining
Speciality: shark fin soup and stewed chicken wings
Average price: from €45.00 per person
Address: 2F, CFS4, UC Wong Nai Chung Complex, 2 Yuk Yau St, Happy Valley. - Get directions - Facebook page
