Save this and follow the locals to find authentic Hong Kong flavors
Long queues are a norm at Chen Gen Ji Dai Pai Dong, but the ingredients are very fresh. If you want to experience authentic Hong Kong dai pai dong flavors, I think Chen Gen Ji is quite worth recommending! The mustard hand-shredded chicken - the restaurant must be very particular about the chicken parts used; the chicken is tender and not dry, paired with cucumber and popping crab roe, creating a very unique texture. The salt and pepper fresh squid is fried just right, very crispy. For dessert, we ordered the store's signature Mango One-Bite Crisp, which almost every table orders. The outer skin is fried to crispy, inside is frozen mango - one bite gives you a contrast of ice and fire. With a layer of cream at the bottom, it perfectly covers the sourness of the mango.
The 'wun zai chi' (imitation shark fin soup) at the traditional Hong Kong snack shop Tong Da Food Shop is very thick, sweet and smooth; the bouncy fish balls are dipped in ketchup or chili sauce; the pork chop and egg rice can be shared by two, with a super large pork chop and a runny egg; the Hong Kong-style milk tea has a strong tea flavor, not overly sweet - highly recommended!
The inventor of 'silk stocking milk tea' is Lam Muk Ho, founder of Lan Fong Yuen. The main branch of Lan Fong Yuen is on Gage Street in Central. It started as a dai pai dong in its early years and is one of the oldest surviving Hong Kong-style milk tea shops in Hong Kong. Silk stocking milk tea is a common drink for Hong Kong people's daily breakfast and afternoon tea, and also a signature drink of Hong Kong. It is smooth, with a lingering tea fragrance. Nowhere else outside Hong Kong has that flavor, so every time I go to Hong Kong, I drink several cups~ For souvenirs, you can choose the boxed milk tea from 'Dai Pai Dong' brand, which is also good.
Lee Keung Kee North Point Egg Waffles has branches on King's Road in North Point and Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The two street snacks, crispy egg waffles (gai daan zai) and waffle squares (ga zai beng) are made fresh. Just pour the batter into the mold, and a hot tray of egg waffles is ready! Egg waffles are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, while waffle squares are often spread with butter, peanut butter, condensed milk, etc., folded into a half-circle. One bite is simply satisfying!
The 'stuffed three treasures' (jin yeung saam bo) mainly include stuffed eggplant, fried lotus root sandwiches, stuffed green peppers, tofu, red sausage, and fish balls. The green peppers are stuffed with fish paste, the fried fish balls are crispy outside and tender inside, and the fried intestines can be a bit greasy. Hong Kong's stuffed three treasures are mostly sold at the price of '20 dollars for 5 pieces'. You pick from a pile of stuffed items, then dip them in soy sauce. Any shop is safe to choose.
'Shark fin rice' is a dream for many, but since not everyone can eat shark fin, a imitation shark fin soup called 'wun zai chi' was born, and later developed into a Hong Kong street snack. Wun zai chi is usually made from vermicelli, chicken, shrimp, fish meat, and shredded shiitake mushrooms, cooked with water chestnut flour until thick. It tastes sweet and fresh. You can add sesame oil, vinegar, white pepper, and chili oil according to personal preference. Having a bowl once in a while is really comforting.
The 'put chai ko' (rice pudding cake) is a Hong Kong snack full of childhood memories. With its sweet and soft sticky texture, it is very popular among diners. Every time I buy, I want one of each flavor. The making process of put chai ko is unique, using rice flour, tapioca flour, glutinous rice flour, etc., giving it a translucent appearance. Fillings include red beans, mung beans, sesame, pineapple, kiwi, mango, osmanthus, coconut jelly, chocolate, etc. However, shops selling put chai ko are now few and far between.
'Royal and Delight' is a Hong Kong local brand. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, many Hong Kong locals queue to buy their molten egg custard mooncakes - it's hard to get! But their pastry series are also very good. The palmiers (butterfly cookies) series is their flagship. Although there are many flavors, it still often sells out. This time, for souvenirs, I bought the 'Hong Kong Story' series from Royal and Delight. The packaging boxes are in the trendy dopamine colors now, paired with iconic Hong Kong buildings, very special. The gold selection gift box contains egg rolls and palmiers, and the selected crispy sticks gift box has almond and hazelnut flavors. No need to hesitate on which flavor to buy~
