Can you really find cheap food in Hong Kong? ABSOLUTELY! This country is one of the best destinations in Asia for food and I lived here for a few months! In this post, I will share with you my favorite HK eats under $50 HKD ($6 USD).
Reader Mail: Hey Trish, thanks for the highly informative blog. I am traveling to Hong Kong in a few days and found in one of your posts that it is very expensive. I don’t want to spend that much as I am going to travel to other Asian countries too but I don’t want to skip Hong Kong – I really want to go.
Can you please recommend me some cheap food in Hong Kong? Is it even possible to find cheap food in Hong Kong? Thanks again and I hope to meet you someday!
– Kerstin Drechsler, Germany
Hey Kerstin,
It is, indeed very possible to find cheap food in Hong Kong. Many get intimidated by the budget in traveling in Hong Kong but know that you can easily work on your budget.
I must admit that I only lived in Hong Kong for a few months and found it really expensive – no lying in that. However, in those months that I lived there, I always tried to eat on a budget or cook at home.
Hong Kong’s food scene is very diverse and one of the best in the world so I hope this article will help you in budgeting for your Hong Kong trip. Please take note that the $ in this post is all in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD).
Just to have a better conversion in mind, all these yummy eats are only under $6 USD! Good luck and I hope to meet you, too!
Xx,
Trisha
Is food cheap in Hong Kong?
ABSOLUTELY! Well, if you know the right places. I lived in Hong Kong for 8 months and in those 8 months, I really didn’t get the chance to try everything. There are lots of places to eat in Hong Kong I don’t think it’s possible to finish them in a year even if you eat out every day!
Hongkongers have a rich food culture and food is not just something they put in their mouth to be full. All the dishes they eat have history and they take food with high regard in this country.
Chicken and egg curry for breakfast, anyone?
Is street food in Hong Kong safe?
Street food in Hong Kong is generally safe and clean, wherever you go. The only thing that can make your stomach go crazy is if you are not used to sauces or spicy stuff. They are actually made by local families so you may consider street food in HK as homemade.
Hong Kong is one of the top street food destinations in Asia so you can never go wrong with eating street food here. This is the place!
Cheap food in Hong Kong under $50 HKD
#1: Pan-fried beef bun at Islam Food
A beef burger tucked into a Shanghainese pan-fried bun. Super crispy on the outside and extra juicy on the inside. For years, Islam food has been serving halal food that’s definitely become a favorite in this mixed-culture city of Hong Kong.
Islam Food is always full but as always, these people know how to clean the tables fast and serve food fast. You’ll have fewer than 5 minutes of waiting time here and it’s worth the wait!
What else can you try here? Well, well well.. The cold sesame noodles with cucumber is a best-seller and I also loved the scallion pancakes!
➢ Click here to get directions to Islam Food
#2: Shanghai-style steamed sticky rice at King of Soyabeans
The best thing about King of Soyabeans? Everything is made to order. Expect some freshness when you choose to eat here and don’t forget to try their hand-rolled sticky rice which is the best-seller!
They also have other stuff like soy milk products and other bean curd snacks. I barely go to Kowloon but if I go, I make sure that I swing by and get my favorite sticky rice!
➢ Click here to get directions to King of Soyabeans
See also: Top 42 things to do in Hong Kong
You need to try this steamed sticky rice! I never had anything like this in my life!
#3: Chicken and egg curry at Kashmir Curry House
You can choose a side of rice or paratha, a flatbread that is popular in India and some areas of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. prevalent throughout areas of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Paratha comes from the word parat and atta, which means layers of cooked dough. This is my favorite curry recipe in Hong Kong and I always come here for takeaway!
➢ Click here to get directions to Kashmir Curry House
#4: Thai boat noodle (in soup) at 666 Boat Noodle
There are over 10 Thai boat noodle soups at 666 Boat Noodle. Beef balls, meatballs, thai dumplings, pork chops – the selection in this menu range from $44 – $48 HKD. If it’s your first time here, the most recommended dish is the pork Thai noodle.
➢ Click here to get directions to 66 Boat Noodle
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Thai food in Hong Kong? Yes, we have that, too!
#5: Signature buns at King of Sheng Jian
Served in pieces of 2 (or 4), King of Sheng Jian’s signature bun menu range from $14 – $21 HKD. Take a plunge in the array of selection like xiao long bao stuffed with soup (or stuffed with shredded crab meat), deep-fried buns, and even vegetarian buns!
King of Sheng Jian has a branch in Mongkog and Tai Po Market (HK). I’ve only been to the Mongkok branch and I also recommend the pan-fried xiao long bao. It’s one of the best in HK!
➢ Click here to get directions to King of Sheng Jian
#6: Thai skewers at Grill ขุนทอง
Chicken, beef, pork, squid, chicken wings, Thai fish cake, jumbo prawns, until baby corns and organic asparagus, Grill ขุนทอง skewers range from $22 – $50 HKD per stick.
When I am doing take-out, the party box package is the best option. This place is good for drinking (while snacking) as they also sell alcoholic beverages. This is also the go-to late-night food in Central as it closes at 5:30 am!
➢ Click here to get directions to Grill ขุนทอง
See also: Traveling Hong Kong at 18 vs 28
#7: Tomato soup at Sing Heung Yuen
Tomato and egg, tomato with scrambled egg and corned beef, tomato and pork chop, tomato and chicken wings – you can definitely eat anything tomato (with something else) at Sing Heung Yuen!
This is actually cheaper than $50 HKD as most of the dishes on the tomato menu are only $31 HKD. Tasty, delicious, and cheap! This is one of my favorite dai pai dongs in Hong Kong for quick snacks.
➢ Click here to get directions to Sing Heung Yuen
#8: Breakfast set at Australia Dairy Company
This breakfast set consists of toast with butter, eggs of your choice (fried/scrambled), macaroni with ham in chicken soup, and coffee or milk tea! A perfect combo is available at Australia Dairy Company until noon. This is only $32 HKD!
➢ Click here to get directions to Australia Dairy Company
Related: Where to eat Nasi Lemak in Singapore
#9: Traditional dessert at Kai Kai
Handmade desserts and rice balls in a variety of selections – Chinese almonds, sweet walnut, black sesame, red bean with lotus (my favorite), and many more! All range from $20 – $22 HKD only!
➢ Click here to get directions to Kai Kai
#10: Skewers at Fei Jie
You’ll always see a long line at Fei Jei because they always have a 3 for (a certain price) promo. Through the years I am visiting Hong Kong, I’ve seen Fei Jie go from 3 for $23 HKD to 3 for $29 HKD, and even if the prices change, people still come for the skewers! There is always a huge line here but I swear, it’s worth the wait!
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Bring all your friends to Kai Kai!
#11: Siu mai at Lui Jai Kee
There’s siu mai all over Asia but I can say that Hong Kong siu mai is my favorite! I love how they kept the culture of making it every day and serving it fresh to customers.
At Lui Jai Kee, siu mai is definitely a bestseller, made with fresh seafood from the Aberdeen Market! An order of siu mai at Lui Jai Kee costs $28 HKD only.
#12: Luncheon meat rice at Ma Sa Restaurant
Ma Sa is my favorite breakfast joint. They have taken luncheon meat to a different level – filled with flavors that you can’t find in your canned luncheon meat. Plus, this meal will fill you up for only $35 HKD!
See also: My favorite hawker food stalls in Singapore
#13: Minced pork on rice at Yuan is Here
If you’ve ever been to Taiwan, you’ll know how much the Taiwanese love minced pork rice – they have it everywhere! In Hong Kong, Yuan is Here brings the Taiwanese culture of minced pork with Taiwan’s old streets as its theme of decor.
For $39 HKD, explore the menu of deep-fried chicken, cheese omelet, and other Taiwanese favorites!
#14: Lunch sets at Soo Viet
Craving for Vietnamese? The lunch sets at Soo Viet are available from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm! For only $33 – $39 HKD, get different set meals that include famous Vietnamese dishes like beef ball rice noodle soup, soo viet banh mi, grilled porkchop with vermecelli, lemon grass chicken wings rice, and more!
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#15: Beef satay French toast at Lok Yuen
It sounds like a weird combo but when I first tried it, this is one of the most creative dishes I ever had! Imagine beef marinated with satay sauce stuffed inside the French toast topped with butter and condensed milk. I did try making this at home and failed! I consider this as one of the most unique dishes I’ve tried in Asia – you really need to try this!
#16: Shack-cago Dog and Shack burger at Shake Shack
I highly doubt that you will get tired of Hong Kong-style food but when you do, here’s an American option to the rescue. Shake Shack is originally a hotdog stand and their original hotdog sandwich is called the Shack-cago Dog®, dragged through the garden with Rick’s Picks Shack relish, onion, cucumber, pickle, tomato, sport pepper, celery salt, mustard. This is only $39 HKD while the single Shack Burger® is at $50 HKD.
See also: Your guide to eating Happy Pizza in Cambodia
#17: French sandwiches at Tim Kee
Looking for real baguettes banh mi style sandwiches? Tim Kee’s french sandwiches are cheap, accessible, and super affordable! For $39 HKD, get a huge-as* sandwich that you can choose to share (or not).
#18: Hong Kong-style waffle at BB Egg Waffle
Ice cream in a waffle. Pick from the dozen ice cream flavors to add to your waffle: chocolate king, mango, green tea, vanilla, cookies and cream, peppermint chocolate, coconut, yakult (recommended) – all for $22 HKD!
#19: Spam musubi at Pololi
Spam is a staple in the Pacific and Pololi features its classic Spam Musubi that everyone can’t get enough of. It’s sushi rice seasoned with soy sauce, wrapped in toasted seaweed. Stuff yourself with this favorite as it’s only $20 HKD each!
Pololi is located at G/F., 35-39 Graham Street, Central. Open from Monday to Friday, 11:30 am – 9:00 pm; closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
#20: Chicken wings set at Chicken Wings Mountain
One-of-a-kind chicken wings dressing: rose, wasabi, and lime, salted lemonade – Chicken Wings Mountain’s wings set of 4 is at $38 HKD and 6 at $48 HKD. There’s even a party set of 120 pieces of chicken wings for $780 HKD! Most recommended are the wasabi and lime but trying all of the flavors won’t hurt.
Trisha is one of those people who left their comfortable life to travel the world and learn about life. Her style is to stay in one place she likes for 3 months (or more) to know what it feels like to eat, cook, speak, and sleep in another culture that isn’t hers. She’d like to believe she’s not traditionally traveling but she just chooses to be somewhere else all the time. In no particular order, her favorite cities in the world are Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Mexico City, and Tel Aviv.