In Hong Kong, I’ve tried a wide variety of food that reflects the city’s rich mix of cultures. One of the best places to experience Hong Kong’s unique food scene is at its cha chaan teng, a Hong Kong-style café. These diners combine both Chinese and Western cuisine, creating fusion dishes that represent the city’s colonial history and fast-paced urban lifestyle.
During my time in Hong Kong, I explored several local favorites. A famous item I tried was the bo lo bao, or pineapple bun with butter—a sweet bread with a crunchy, golden crust and a slice of cold butter inside. I also visited local bakeries in Hong Kong as well. I had a bagel in Hong Kong, but it wasn’t just a normal bagel—it was a taro mochi bagel. The bagel itself was purple; with one bite, you could taste the sweet mochi and taro paste inside. It was delicious. There were other flavors of bagels too, from blueberry cream bagels to matcha red bean bagels to chocolate bagels. Hong Kong has not only sweet food but also tasty savory dishes as well. One of the most comforting dishes I had was Hong Kong macaroni, a simple yet iconic meal served in broth. It’s usually topped with ham, Spam, eggs, and vegetables. One thing I often eat after classes in Hong Kong is siu mei fan, or BBQ over rice. If you love meat, you’ll love this dish.
