Hong Kong’s street food and local favourites range from succulent char siu to claypot rice – here’s where to get them for HK$200 or less
Hong Kong may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but that doesn’t mean you need to splurge to eat well. The city’s most iconic eats are not found on expensive tasting menus, but are instead located on every other street. From street food and cha chaan teng dishes to iconic Cantonese roast meats, these are snacks and meals that represent the heart and soul of Hong Kong culture – and they just so happen to be easy on the wallet, too. Here are some of our favourites.
TamJai SamGor offers Yunnan-style rice noodles and diners can select their toppings, noodle type and – perhaps most importantly – a soup base that meets their desired spice level. The chain operates under two brands – TamJai SamGor and TamJai Yunnan Mixian – but they split into different chains after a shareholder dispute, and were only reunited when both were bought by Japan’s Toridoll in 2018. Most locals, however, still swear by one chain or the other. While the two offer very similar menus, TamJai SamGor carries a reputation for having a wider variety of soup bases – not only do they offer different levels of spice, but also multiple types of heat, such as hot and sour, numbing mala spice and aromatic charred pepper spice.
