BBQ Pork Steam Bun – You’ll find these at dim sum places Egg Tart (regular and Portuguese) – Bakeries will have these. I am partial to the Portuguese ones BBQ Pork and Roast Duck – Man. A lot of options here at the Cantonese shops. Think First Chinese BBQ but better Fried Dough Rice Paper Roll – You’ll find these at Congee shops. Simple but delicious Soup Dumplings – Techinically not Cantonese, but there are some great options here Dan Dan Noodles – From Crystal Jade. It’ll change your life Milk Tea – The egalitarian pick me up that everyone drinks Dim Sum – Hai Gao, Sui Mai, Pork Ribs, Chicken Feet – These are all standards. It sets the baseline for the world.
Congee (rice porridge) – Not essential…but pretty traditional breakfast Dim Sum – Hai Gao, Sui Mai, Pork Ribs – These are all standard dumplings Yuen Yeung (half red tea, half coffee) – It is an acquired taste, but it is a very popular morning drink. You can find these at the Hong Kong tea cafes. Try it from Lan Fong Yuen which is supposed to be the original. Tea Cafes – This is what most Hong Kongers actually eat for breakfast. It’s a weird mix of noodles (macaroni or instant ramen) with eggs, SPAM, fried chicken, pork chop, or something else. I love it but it’s a bit of an acquired taste.
(Shanghainese) – It’s a chain in Hong Kong and there’s a lot of them around but this place is SO good. The IFC mall has one that I seem to always go to. You MUST order soup dumplings (regular ones but there are also some truffle ones) and Dan Dan noodles. Everything on the menu is great. Lunch or dinner
(Dim Sum) – Originally in Kowloon but there are a few outposts throughout the island now. It was famous because the original location was the cheapest Michelin Star restaurant in the world. Their BBQ pork bun is their specialty there. Personally, I like the original location on the Kowloon side better. Breakfast or Lunch. This one may be easier to get into.
(Roasted Goose) – Anthony Bourdain approved goose.
(Cantonese) – Traditional banquet-style Cantonese dinner spot. Famous for their goose there.
(High end Cantonese)– An email to get a reservation would be prudent. Their Peking duck is legendary and does require a reservation. The space is really awesome. It might also be a little too much for two, but hey, you only live once…
(High End) Sichuan/Szechuan restaurant that really explores the spiciness of the mouth numbing peppers. Cumin lamb, mapo tofu, the hot pot (massive so maybe too much for two of you),
The only thing to get here is the roast goose. Really tasty.
(Traditional Breakfast/Congee Shop) – Another cheap Michelin Star. Although their food is very good, my favorite places are cheaper and less famous but also impossible to give you directions to get to. This is a solid place. Rice porridge/congee (salted pork and duck egg) and the rice noodle-wrapped dough sticks (maybe called a rice roll? Called Tsa Lurn in Cantonese) is the best.
Very similar to Crystal Jade in offerings and quality. Their soup dumping is probably better but I like Crystal Jades Dan Dan noodles better. Also a Michelin Star and a chain
One of the last of the old school places of how most of the food in Hong Kong used to look like. Set above seafood markets, you pick your seafood (you can have them buy it for you as well), take it to one of the many chefs there, and they cook it to your specification. I’m not sure how the English is here but it’s delicious. Also Anthony Bourdain approved. Garlic grab, stir fried shrimp, stir fried noodles, etc.
Famous Tokyo ramen shop that has an outpost in Causeway Bay. Pretty great ramen
(Ramen) – Also another ramen shop that has a few locations in NYC and LA. Very good ramen (tonkotsu) and pork belly buns.
(Sichuan) – This place makes really good Sichuan dishes. Can’t go wrong.
Korean fried chicken wings. Legit.