Hong Kong food tour: eat like a local

Minimum age: 6

Highlights

• Local eateries with local people
• Delicious, high-quality local food
• Winner of the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award

All about the trip

This food tour is a perfect introduction to Hong Kong’s food. It is ideal for people who want to enjoy delicious, high-quality local food in local eateries surrounded by local people. There is nothing weird and wonderful on this tour (apart from the chicken's feet)! If you are a more adventurous eater please book a Private Food Tour and ask us for a Kowloon food tour focused on street food.

Over the course of the food tour, we will undertake an exploration of Hong Kong’s food culture. Hong Kong food is primarily Cantonese cuisine but with some small key differences which reflect the city’s mixed British and Chinese heritage. On this tour, we learn about the history of food in Hong Kong, from the traditional fare from Guangzhou to the interesting western crossover cuisine that started popping up in the 1950s as local chefs tried to produce cheap versions of British and Western favourites.

We start the day with a traditional Dim Sum breakfast in an old tea house. We find ourselves transported back to a bygone era as we sample the most authentic Dim Sum available in HK. This is the granddaddy of Dim Sum restaurants, it's crowded, it's noisy, it has a 90-year history in Hong Kong and the Dim Sum is still served via trolley service.

Our next stop is a family run Wonton Noodle shop that dates back to the 1960s and is recommended by the Michelin Guide. Wonton Noodles are a local food speciality, a simple dish but one that only a true master can perfect.

After our second food sampling, we take a tea break and try a cup of Milk Tea, perhaps the most pervasive legacy of British rule. It’s not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ but it is a fascinating beverage that Hong Kongers love!

After our tea break, we travel by Ding Ding (tram) to another family-run restaurant, which dates back to the Qing Dynasty (pre-1900’s) and is renowned for its Siu Mei, or in English, Roast Meat. Here we sample the best Char Siu (BBQ Pork) in Hong Kong, cooked in the traditional style, served with rice and homemade sauces. This is another Michelin recommendation and a favourite of the renowned chef and food critic Anthony Bourdain.

We finish the Hong Kong Food Tour with a Hello Hong Kong favourite, an Egg Tart, or in Cantonese, Dan Tat. This is another Chinese take on an English speciality - the custard tart. Like our other restaurants, the bakery we visit has a long history in Hong Kong and is a personal favourite of former HK Governor Chris Patten.

In addition to the restaurants listed above, we also call in at a local tea shop to try some preserved ‘candies’ and at an old family-run Soy Sauce producer to learn about the ‘King of Sauces’. We will visit a local Dried Seafood Shop to take a look at the ingredients that are traditionally used in soups, a Chinese Medicine Shop originating from 1946 and Hong Kong’s oldest Wet Market.

During our travels between eating points, we also discuss the districts that we journey through and buildings of key historical importance. The areas we visit are Sheung Wan, Central and Wan Chai.

What is included in the price

• Food and speciality drinks consumed during the tour
• Public transport used during the tour

What is not included in the price

• Transport to get to and from the start and end points of the tour

Instructions

We can accommodate people on a gluten-free diet. Please inform us on any of your dietery requirements prior to the tour.

On certain days some of the food stops might be closed. In these cases, we substitute in a very similar replacement.

We encourage those with young children to book private tours.

This activity is organised by Hello! Hong Kong, +852 9704 4108, bookings@hellohongkong.com.hk.