Best-of Guides Hong Kong

9 Hong Kong Delicacies that You Shouldn't Miss

9 Restaurants
From innovative cuisines, Cantonese classics, to iconic street food — follow the footsteps of our MICHELIN Guide inspectors in pursuit of the most unique and storied Hong Kong delicacies that one can only find in the island.
Updated on 15 April 2024

As small as it can be, Hong Kong has a diverse food culture that brings together food from around the globe. There are MICHELIN restaurants dotted around Hong Kong and Kowloon, as well as local hidden gems that offer delicious street food of all kinds — from the well-known wonton noodles and dim sum, to snake soup.

From innovative cuisines, Cantonese classics, to iconic street food — follow the footsteps of our MICHELIN Guide inspectors in pursuit of the most unique and storied Hong Kong delicacies that one can only find in the island.

Bo Innovation
1F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong
$$$$ · Innovative

The restaurant is helmed by Alvin Leung, who goes by the famed monicker of "demon chef". His playful creations incorporate Chinese and Western elements and are a nod to Hong Kong's food culture. The tasting menu is also inspired, with pleasant surprises in every bite, bespoke serving wares, and theatrical presentations, making for a fun-filled and immersive dining experience.

RELATED: Chef Spotlight: Alvin Leung of Bo Innovation

Loaf On
49 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, Hong Kong
$$ · Seafood

Seafood has held a significant role in Hong Kong's food culture, as the island used to be a fish port and is surrounded by the sea. Loaf On, located in Sai Kung, may not be the fanciest place for a meal, but it stands out and has its fair share of regulars thanks to its fresh seafood and tasty cooking. Make sure you book a table and pre-order the popular dishes, especially during the holidays.

Mak Man Kee
51 Parkes Street, Jordan, Hong Kong
$ · Noodles

No one leaves Hong Kong without tasting a bowl of hearty wonton noodles. This 60-year-old establishment is all about traditional flavours and using the freshest ingredients. Firm and bouncy prawns that are visible through the paper-thin translucent skin, with springy duck egg noodles swimming in a flavourful broth, are cooked with dried flatfish. Pork knuckle stirred noodles are also recommended for its unique flavour.

RELATED: Mak Man Kee’s Coveted Wonton Recipe Revealed

She Wong Leung
Shop A, GF, 298 Electric Road, North Point, Hong Kong
$$ · Cantonese

As its Chinese name suggests, this shop is famous for its snake soup.

While most people widely consume snake soup particularly during the winter, the reptilian delicacy is offered here all year round and with different portions to choose from. When visiting in winter, make sure to try the glutinous rice with cured meat, which delivers an extraordinary fragrance. 

RELATED: Best Char Siu in Hong Kong

Yue Kee
9 Sham Hong Road, Sham Tseng, Hong Kong
$$ · Cantonese

Roasted meat is a must-eat in Hong Kong; and among them, not be missed is the Sham Tseng goose at Yue Kee.

Yue Kee is famous for its chargrilled brown geese that deliver a distinctive crispy skin and juicy meat that goes great with the plum sauce. Other seafood, as well as stir-fried dishes, are also recommended such as razor clams with black bean sauce, or the flavourful braised Chinese cabbage with Yunnan ham in broth.

Hing Kee
1F, Bowa House, 180 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
$$ · Seafood

Stir-fried dishes loaded with black beans and chillies impart a lot of flavours that are distinct to Hong Kong.

Hing Kee, which is located in Tsim Sha Tsui, is known for their stir-fried crab. Cooked with black beans and chilli, these crabs have captured the hearts of many regulars with their irresistible wok hei, loaded with the fragrant, spicy, and umami-clad aromas of garlic and meat. Other seafood dishes such as steamed razor clam with garlic and vermicelli, stir fried clams with black bean sauce, as well as noodles and congee, are also tasty. 

RELATED: What is Wok Hei?

Hung Hom Pancake
Shop 2, Polly Court, Taku Street, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
$ · Street Food

Egg waffles are one of the most iconic Hong Kong street foods.

For over 40 years, this shop has fuelled the nostalgia and childhood memories of many with pancakes, waffles, and egg waffles that are all cooked-to-order. The egg waffles, which come in plain, chocolate, and matcha flavours, particularly stand out with their layers of crispy skin and soft texture.

Keung Kee
406 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
$ · Street Food

This shop started out as a humble stall on the street. Now, the new location offers diners to eat inside and enjoy the best that the restaurant has to offer.

Go for the pan-fried cheong fun (rice rolls) with dried shrimps and eggs. The rice rolls come crisp and brimming with wok hei fragrance, eggs, and sesame; braised radish with pork rind in fermented red beancurd is also recommended — the savoury flavours make the radish even more sweet and refreshing. Steamed glutinous rice with preserved sausage and duck liver dried sausage is a must-eat for the fall and winter seasons, with its appealing fragrance and texture.

RELATED: Keung Kee: Three Generations of Hong Kong-style Cured Meat Sticky Rice

Temple Street Beef Offal
18 Arthur Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong
$ · Street Food

Beef offal is an iconic delicacy in Hong Kong. This long-standing shop is quite popular both with locals and tourists. Tripe, intestines, pancreas, or lung can be ordered individually or as an assortment. The offal soaks up the broth nicely, with three sauces on the side to choose from, making a strong impression on the diner's palate. 

RELATED: The Best Beef Brisket Noodles in Hong Kong