Must-try dishes
- Dim sum: har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai, char siu bao and cheung fun rice rolls
- Roast meats: char siu pork, roast goose and crispy pork belly over rice
- Wonton noodles in a light, fragrant broth
- Cha chaan teng classics: milk tea, pineapple bun with butter and Hong Kong-style French toast
- Street snacks: egg waffles, curry fish balls and stinky tofu
- Seafood in Sai Kung, Lamma and Lei Yue Mun
Yum cha etiquette
Dim sum is traditionally eaten with tea in the morning or at lunch. When someone refills your cup, tap two fingers on the table to say thank you. Leave the teapot lid ajar if you want more hot water, and don't stand chopsticks upright in your rice.
Where to eat
- Sham Shui Po, Jordan and Mong Kok for authentic, affordable local food
- Central and SoHo for international restaurants and bars
- Temple Street and Tung Choi Street for night-market snacks
- Macau for Portuguese egg tarts, pork chop buns and Macanese dishes like African chicken and minchi
Water and dietary needs
Tap water meets international standards, though many locals prefer it boiled or bottled. Vegetarian food is easy to find at Buddhist restaurants and monasteries such as Po Lin. Halal options are available, especially in Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai.
This guide is general information and was last reviewed in September 2026. Rules and prices change — please check official sources before travelling.