Hong Kong has been touted by many as a foodie haven. After a little exploring, you realise that this title is not (solely) earned by the abundance of international cuisine and Michelin-starred fare but also the cheap and cheerful traditional street snacks found down alleyways and around street corners. In this city, there is a whole world of street snacks to explore and we know it can be a little daunting for some, so here’s a guide to the best street food Hong Kong has to offer.

Curry Fish Ball 咖哩魚蛋 (gaa lei jyu daan)

curry fish balls simmering in a rice cooker
Curry fish balls are one of the most classic Hong Kong street food (© Mawardibahar via Canva)

These little guys are pretty easy to find around town. When you walk down a food stall-laden street in Hong Kong and smell something tasty, it is likely the scent of the gaa lei jyu daan or Hong Kong fish balls bathed in yellow curry. These fragrant, flavourful balls of fish paste floating in an oily, golden curry soup can’t help but catch a longing glance from all who pass. Expect to pay HK$20 or less for a heaping bowl.

Egg Tart 蛋撻 (daan taat)

egg tart hong kong street food
Egg tart in shortcrust pastry (© Lcc54613 via Canva)

The ever-popular daan taats are something similar to an English custard tart, but heavier on the egg. The crumby exterior crust is filled with a creamy, rich, egg custard filling that can then baked to a golden brown or left pristine yellow. Needless to say, most people buy these by the boxful. Don’t confuse these little guys with the egg tarts in other parts of China or Macau, each of these regions has their own unique take on the dessert, with Portuguese-style egg tarts loved in Macau also well-liked in Hong Kong.

Egg Waffle 雞蛋仔 (gai daan zai)

egg waffles hong kong street food
Crispy outside and chewy inside (© beats3 via Canva)

This has to be my personal favourite snack. Made from a mixture akin to the typical western pancake or waffle batter, gai daan zai is a hexagonal waffle mat of puffy, bubble-shaped bits! When crafted correctly, the bubbles should be crunchy on the outside and just-so gooey on the inside – it is an art. The original is served up as is, but gai daan zai adulterated with chocolate, matcha, cheese, and even avocado have started to become popular around town in the last few years. The classic bubble waffle usually costs around HK$20-30, with the fancier versions costing up to HK$40.

Faux Shark Fin Soup 碗仔翅 (wun zai ci)

faux shark fin soup hong kong street food
Real shark fins is replaced with mung bean vermicelli nowadays (© 4kodiak via Canva)

Fake Shark’s Fin Soup is a classic on the streets of Hong Kong. Originally in the 1940s, street vendors used actual shark’s fin leftovers and bits of meat from restaurant broths. By the 1960s, they started swapping shark’s fin for mung bean vermicelli, making the dish more accessible and even more popular. Today’s version is packed with vermicelli, edible mushrooms, kelps, seaweeds, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, and beaten eggs, mimicking the traditional soup. To serve, just sprinkle some white pepper and drizzle red vinegar on top for that extra burst of flavour.

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Fried Pork Intestine 炸豬大腸 (zaa zyu daai coeng)

fried pork intestine hong kong street food
Deep-fried pork intestine (©Tataeandboom via Canva)

In this city, it is waste not, want not (when it comes to pigs) with a popular dish derived from seemingly every extremity. As unappealing as it may sound, jaa jyu cheung is one of the most famous street snacks in Hong Kong! With pig intestine that has been rolled up, deep-fried, and stuck on a stick for ease of consumption, this bacon-like treat is usually accompanied by a sauce or two of your choice for HK$15 to HK$20.

Hong Kong-Style Milk Tea 奶茶 (naai caa)

Hong Kong Style Milk Tea hong kong street food
Hong Kong milk tea is silky smooth (© City Foodsters via Flickr)

Bending the food rules of what constitutes ‘street food’ a bit here to include another of our personal faves, HK style milk tea. Exactly as it sounds, this drink is a mixture of black tea with either condensed or evaporated milk, and if you like, a bit of white sugar. The beauty is in the simplicity. This drink is iconic to this city and consumed at any and all meals, but traditionally, lunch or afternoon tea. (Read more about popular Hong Kong drinks.) A cup of iced or hot milk tea can cost up to HK$20 if ordered individually or can come included with a set meal.

Maltose Crackers 麥芽糖夾餅 (mak ngaa tong gaap beng)

a person holding a maltose cracker
Maltose crackers is a simple, nostalgic Hong Kong street snack (© myfakestar via Flickr)

Maltose Crackers are a simple, nostalgic Hong Kong street snack that have been around since the 1960s. In simpler times, they were an affordable treat loved by children. The recipe is rather straightforward: coat a bamboo skewer in sticky maltose syrup, then sandwich it between two soda crackers. The crackers’ light saltiness beautifully balances the syrup’s sweetness. Today, this classic snack is mostly found in nostalgic bakeries and tourist attractions in Hong Kong.

Pineapple Bun 菠蘿包 (bo lo baau)

pineapple buns hong kong street food
Pineapple buns is a popular item for breakfast and afternoon tea (© Party Lin via WikiCommons)

These golden, puffy buns are a particularly popular choice for breakfast but can also be grabbed from almost any local bakery or cha chaang teng for an on-the-go street snack for HK$10. Once again deceptively named, these sweet buns contain no pineapple! Bo lo bau get their name from the crunchy, sugary cap that sits atop the bun, giving a pineapple-like look to the rotund bun and are best served with a thick slice of cold butter in the middle.

Pork Dumpling 燒賣 (siu mai)

a bowl of steamed pork dumplings with soy sauce
Siu mai with soy sauce (© Leung Cho Pan via Canva)

Without a doubt one of the most common and popular street snacks around the city, siu mai is a delectable Chinese dumpling with local variations found all over China. However the one we are concerned with today is the Cantonese version. Traditionally, the siu mai from our local neighbourhood usually contains fish or meat paste with a little bit of pork, or no pork at all, and will be served with a stick, costing HK$10 to HK$15 for a bowl. Don’t forget to top it off with the sweet soy sauce & chilli oil!

Rice Noodle Roll 腸粉 (cheung fun)

a bowl of rice noodle rolls with sweet sauce
Cheung fun with sesame seeds and sweet sauce on top (© micktsang via Flickr)

Don’t be fooled by the Cantonese translation of this snack, which means pig intestine noodles, as this traditional street snack often contains no meat. This popular dish consists of tubular rolls of thin rice noodle sheets smothered in soy sauce and other toppings. Top tip: this snack is always a hit with the little ones!  However, keep in mind that if purchased in a dim sum restaurant, these rolls are stuffed with some sort of beef or pork based filling. You’ll pay up to HK$30 at a restaurant and roughly half that at a street snack stall.

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Roasted Chestnut 炒栗子 (chaau leot zi)

a person roasting chestnuts in a large iron wok with quartz sand and sugar
Chestnuts are roasted in a large iron wok (© Chen Liang Dao via Flickr)

When winter arrives in Hong Kong, the unmistakable aroma of Roasted Chestnuts fills the street. Traditionally, the chestnuts are roasted in large iron woks with quartz sand and sugar to develop a glossy, caramelised shell and a sweet aroma. Vendors carefully ensure even cooking to maintain their soft, nutty texture. Found at mobile pushcarts, usually near bustling streets, these piping-hot chestnuts are perfect for chilly weather.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes 煨番薯 (wui faan syu)

a pushcart selling roasted sweet potatoes and a close up of the street snack
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are sold on these pushcarts near MTR exits and street corners (© Ray Li and 楚志遠 via Flickr)

Another iconic winter street snack in Hong Kong is Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Sold from pushcarts near busy MTR exits and street corners, often next to the Roasted Chestnuts carts, these sweet potatoes are slowly roasted directly over hot coals until tender and caramelised. Piping hot and served in paper bags, they’re perfect for warming your hands and satisfying your cravings on a chilly day. Since licences for such pushcarts are no longer issued, be sure to grab a bag next time before they completely disappear.

Steamed Red Bean Pudding 砵仔糕 (put chai ko)

a pan of many steamed red bean puddings
Steamed Red Bean Pudding are stored in porcelain bowls (© peachyeung316 via WikiCommons)

Steamed Red Bean Pudding, also known as Sticky Rice Pudding, is a nostalgic street snack that holds a special place in the childhood memories of many locals in Hong Kong. Made from rice flour, sugar, and either red beans or white sugar depending on the flavour, the batter is steamed in small bowls until firm yet tender. Once cooled, it’s served with bamboo skewers for easy eating. Popular in the 1980s when sold from pushcarts, this mildly sweet, chewy treat can still be found in local bakeries.

Stinky Tofu 臭豆腐 (cau dau fu)

stinky tofu hong kong street food
Stinky tofu with chili sauce (© Leung Cho Pan via Canva)

Really highlighting the ‘fragrant’ in Fragrant Harbour, stinky tofu might seem like one Hong Kong street food to avoid — especially once you smell it. But do not be too quick to judge this (excessively?) fermented friend, for it tastes much better than it smells. Hong Kong’s sticky tofu is most commonly fried (to leave a nice crunch and golden exterior) and served with chilli sauce. A bag of stinky tofu costs anywhere from HK$15 to HK$30.

Three Fried Stuffed Treasures 煎釀三寶 (zin joeng saam bou)

three fried stuffed treasures displayed at a street food stall in hong kong
Aubergine, bell pepper and soya puff are commonly used in this Three Fried Stuffed Treasures (© Magnus Silver via Flickr)

Another street snack staple is Three Fried Stuffed Treasures. This classic snack features a trio of veggies: aubergine, bell pepper, and soya puff, all generously filled with marinated dace fish paste and then fried on an iron griddle until the edge get crispy. Ready to eat? Give them a dip in soy sauce, Worcestershire, or chilli sauce to kick up the flavour. They’re called “treasures” because each piece is served in sets of three and looking as stuffed as they can be! You can someitmes find this dish at a dai pai dong.

Tea Egg 茶葉蛋 (caa jip daan)

a bowl of 6 tea eggs
Tea eggs has a marble-patterned look (© romiximage via Canva)

As you explore the traditional herbal tea shops in Hong Kong, keep an eye out for tea eggs that are simmering in rice cookers. These eggs are first partially boiled in water, then transferred and slow-cooked in a dark, fragrant ‘tea’ sauce made with tea leaves, soy sauce, and spices. Before being simmered in the sauce, the eggs are slightly cracked to help them absorb the flavours and create marble-like patterns. Simple yet packed with protein, tea eggs remain a staple street snack in Hong Kong across generations.

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Tofu Pudding 豆腐花 (dau fu faa)

tofu pudding hong kong street food
Sprinkle some brown sugar to your tofu pudding (© Leung Cho Pan via Canva)

An extremely popular dessert in Hong Kong that is happily consumed all year round (icy cold in the summer and gently warm in the winter) is dou fu fa or tofu pudding. This delicacy is made from soft, silky tofu spooned from a huge container in thin slices and topped with condiments such as ginger sugar. Although it sounds simple, the temperature, texture, and flavour of the desert all need to be just so, making this one hard dish to perfect. One bowl will set you back just HK$15 to HK$20.

Is street food popular in Hong Kong?

Yes, street food is very popular in Hong Kong and reflects the city’s diverse food culture. Many snacks are seasonal, such as roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes, available only in winter. Year-round favourites include savoury items like curry fish balls, stinky tofu, and siu mai, as well as sweet treats like egg waffles and tofu pudding, found at street stalls.

Another type of Hong Kong street snacks includes nostalgic treats like maltose crackers and pineapple buns, now mainly sold in traditional pastry shops. And don’t forget the best drink to pair — Hong Kong-style milk tea!

Where to have street food in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, street food can be found at street stalls, cha chaan teng, dessert shops, traditional bakeries, and seasonal pushcarts. From the main streets of Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui to residential areas in the New Territories, street food is everywhere. Popular areas like Temple Street Night Market, Mong Kok, and Causeway Bay are must-visits for those interested in Hong Kong’s street food culture!

Temple Street Night Market

Temple Street Night Market is a single street in Yau Ma Tei designed to mimic the night markets in Taiwan. This iconic street was once a hub for street food stalls. Now, it is a designated area for night market stalls, offering a variety of snacks, from curry fish balls to grilled squid. The lively atmosphere, neon lights, and food stalls create a quintessential Hong Kong experience for tourists. After indulging in delicious bites, enjoy browsing souvenirs, accessories, and more.

Mong Kok

It is no secret that Mong Kok is a street food paradise. This lively area is home to countless food stalls selling egg waffles, stinky tofu, and siu mai. Fa Yuen Street and Dundas Street are especially popular for snacks. From nostalgic treats to the latest trendy street foods, foodies will not be disappointed when exploring the streets and alleys in Mong Kok.

Causeway Bay

Causeway Bay is one of the best areas on Hong Kong Island for street food. Head to the street-side stalls near Jardine’s Crescent and Cannon Street for three-fried stuffed treasures and curry fishballs. When winter arrives, pushcarts selling roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes can often be seen around SOGO or Times Square—perfect for restoring your energy while shopping in Causeway Bay.

Other Areas for Street Food

Beyond the main hubs, areas like Sham Shui Po and Shau Kei Wan also deliver fantastic street food experiences. Sham Shui Po is famous for affordable local snacks, including maltose crackers and tofu pudding. In Shau Kei Wan, visit Tai On Court Arcade, where locals queue for egg waffles, faux shark fin soup, and other must-try street snacks.

Header image credits: Leung Cho Pang via Canva

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