What you’ll do
When Hello Hong Kong first set up back in 2014 we ONLY offered food tours. This is the original Hong Kong food tour, with a few updates to keep it new and exciting. Food has remained our passion at Hello Hong Kong and our food tour continues to be the most highly ranked on Tripadvisor and Viator.
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 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.