Top 5 Food Experiences in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a revered foodie destination; home to some of the best street food in the world and some of the most affordable Michelin starred restaurants in the world. It's a place you should come to hungry...start eating the moment you arrive and don't stop until you leave!

1). Eat Dim Sum
Dim sum is an ancient Chinese cuisine originally served in tea houses along the Silk Road. Small, single-sized dishes would be served alongside steaming hot teas and the tradition continues to this day. You can find some of the cheapest (and best!) Michelin starred food in the world at Tim Ho Wan dim sum where you'll dine on Phoenix claws (chicken feet), Char sui buns, sesame custard buns, shrimp and pork wrapped in Vermicelli noodles, and countless other delights!

Another great (and even cheaper) dim sum place on Hong Kong island is Dim Sum Square!

2). Head to Temple Street
Head to Temple Street Night Market after sundown for a dizzying array of grilled skewered meats, noodle dishes, seafood hotpots, and don't forget to get a custard bun or pineapple bun for dessert. Located in Kowloon and easily accessible via the MTR (get off on Jordan street) it is an absolute must for market and food lovers.

3). Enjoy Lan Kwai Fong

A reason to see Hong Kong now is its current status as an autonomous state. The protests roiling Hong Kong's public life have been aimed at the peoples' reluctance to accept mainland China's authoritarianism. While not an independent country, Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997 after over 150 years of British rule with the deal that they would maintain a certain level of autonomy including a more democratic politic, its own economy (and currency), and a much more liberal public life. This deal will end in 2047 when China will more fully take control of this independent region which gives it all the more reason to travel there and experience Hong Kong life before things change permanently.

So, take advantage of the nightlife in Lan Kwai Fong where you'll find a diversity of clubs, dive bars, and artsy cocktail lounges (enjoy a foamed gin drink served in a mini bath tub at Ori-Gin)!

4). Explore the wet markets
While there may not be much to actually eat in the thousands of wet markets around the city, they are a spectacle to behold. Wet markets have always been my favorite place to watch daily life while traveling. The aromas and sights provide a beautiful kaleidoscopic cross-section of local life in Hong Kong. So, get to a wet market early to watch vendors selling live seafood, cuts of meat, and aromatic produce and spices to various clients!

5). Eat noodles...a lot of them.
You'll find noodle shops and stalls littered across Kowloon and Hong Kong and there's a myriad of them for a reason. From instant noodles to Cantonese noodles you'll find a hundred varieties each with its own unique appeal. When determining where to sit down to eat look for which place has the most locals. My personal favorite noodle shop is Kam Sai Nam Traditional Noodle, which serves hot and spicy instant noodles with your choice of protein (try the pig blood)!