Just like many East Asian cities, Hong Kong is recognised as a food paradise. Growing up in Hong Kong, food is always the centre of everything, and many foods are considered part of our cultural heritage. And guess what? It is more halal-friendly than you think! In this article, let us guide you through signature must-try traditional Hong Kong foods that are halal-friendly and where to find them.
What is Hong Kong Cuisine
At its core, Hong Kong cuisine is mostly Cantonese Chinese food, with deep roots in traditional Cantonese cooking. But it also has a huge Western influence from its British colonial days, resulting in a unique blend of flavours and techniques that make Hong Kong food so special.
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Halal Dim Sum
What is Dim Sum
Dim sum is like the core of Hong Kong’s food culture. You can think of dim sum like tapas, i.e. small plates, but served in bamboo steamers and enjoyed with tea in a yum cha setting. From sweet or savoury steamed buns to fried snacks, from a variety of dumplings to steamed rice rolls, and even the likes of chicken feet and braised beef tripe, there are so many options to choose from.
Where to Find Halal Dim Sum in Hong Kong
For an affordable & authentic experience, check out Islamic Centre Canteen. Find them on the 5th floor of Masjid Ammar in Wan Chai (near the Causeway Bay side). The easiest way to get there is to walk from the Causeway Bay MTR station (exit A).
Cantonese Roast Duck
What is Cantonese Roast Duck
Featuring glossy, crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, Cantonese roast duck is a must-try dish in Hong Kong. It is typically served with rice or noodles, and sometimes with a side of plum sauce.
Where to Find Halal Roast Duck
Wai Kee is the only right answer! Find them on the first floor at Bowrington Road Market and expect to share your table with strangers. Note that Wai Kee is a cash-only establishment.
Hong Kong Style Milk Tea
What is Hong Kong Style Milk Tea
Hong Kong-style milk tea originated as a working-class adaptation of English afternoon tea during the British colonial times. It is made with a very strong tea base that’s strained and pulled through a fine mesh bag that resembles a pantyhose stocking, hence the nickname “silky stocking milk tea”, and mixed with evaporated milk to achieve that signature rich, bold flavour.
Where to Find Hong Kong Style Milk Tea
Most, if not all, local eateries will have it on the menu. But the most popular spots are Lan Fong Yuen (Central), which is widely considered the birthplace of HK-style milk tea, and My Cup of Tea (Wan Chai).
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Hong Kong Style Egg Tarts
What are Hong Kong Style Egg Tarts
Hong Kong-style egg tarts are believed to be a Chinese adaptation of English custard tarts. They could come in either a crumbly shortcrust base or a flaky puff pastry base, and are filled with a rich, eggy custard. However, do be aware that some bakeries and cafes may use lard in their pastries.
Where to Find Halal-friendly Hong Kong Style Egg Tarts
Chrisly Cafe / Capital Cafe (they are the same entity) has a halal bakery section that offers halal Hong Kong-style egg tarts. A little non-traditional, but Bakehouse does legendary sourdough egg tarts that are worth trying. Puff Bake is a fully halal bakery that also offers a similar style egg tart.
Wonton Noodle Soup
What is Wonton Noodle Soup
Wonton refers to a type of thin-skinned shrimp dumpling (although sometimes it could be mixed with pork). It is typically served in a clear broth with signature thin, springy, brined egg noodles.
Where to Find Halal Wonton Noodles in Hong Kong
Islamic Centre Canteen serves halal wonton noodle soup on the à la carte menu. Islam Food also does halal chicken or beef wontons in soup, but not with noodles.
Hong Kong Egg Waffles
What are Hong Kong style Egg Waffles
Egg waffles are a staple Hong Kong street snack, long before it was hyped up in the Western world. It originated in the 1950s as a way to use up broken eggs and became an iconic snack sold by street hawkers.
Where to Find Egg Waffles in Hong Kong
Mammy Pancakes is Michelin-recommended and has multiple branches across the city with a wide variety of flavours available, making it a convenient spot for tourists. However, if you are looking for real local gems, you’d want to check out Master Low-Key Food Shop (Shau Kei Wan) and Lee Keung Kee (North Point / Tseung Kwan O / Tsim Sha Tsui).
Dumplings & Noodles
Noodle soups, dumplings, stir-fried noodles, etc. are core foods in Chinese cuisine.
Where to Find Halal Noodles & Dumplings in Hong Kong
Islam Food (Kowloon City) is a longstanding halal restaurant in Hong Kong that has a variety of noodle dishes and dumplings. The Curry Beef Brisket / Mutton Vermicelli Soup is
Wu Zhi Jian Beef Noodles also serves delicious & fresh Lanzhou-style hand-pulled noodles and amazingly juicy steamed dumplings.
Hong Kong Style French Toast
What is Hong Kong Style French Toast
Hong Kong-style French toast is an inventive dish adapted from European French toast, which was introduced to Hong Kong during the British colonial times. It is deep-fried into a crispy golden block, often filled with peanut butter or coconut jam in between, and served with butter and syrup.
Where to Find Halal Hong Kong-style French Toast
Most cha chaan tengs (local cafes) have it on the menu. Popular spots include Lan Fong Yuen (Central), who claims to be one of the original HK French Toast spots, and Chau Kee (Sai Ying Pun) makes a famous lava salted egg yolk french toast
Mobile Softee Ice Cream
What is Mobile Softee Ice Cream
Mobile Softee is an iconic cream-and-blue ice cream van operating in Hong Kong since the 1970s. Believe me, they make fantastic creamy vanilla soft-serve ice cream that rivals artisan ice cream shops, and at an affordable price. During the sweltering summer months, you’d want to keep an eye out for them!
Where to Find Mobile Softee Ice Cream in Hong Kong
The best one is stationed just outside the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier. You can also find them in many busy areas such as Mong Kok, Causeway Bay, etc.
Pineapple Buns (Bo Lo Bao)
What are Hong Kong Pineapple Buns
They might be called Pineapple buns, but they actually do not contain any pineapple! The name is actually in reference to its pineapple-like appearance, which is actually a crunchy sugary top over a pillowy bun.
Where to Find Halal Hong Kong Pineapple Buns
Even though it’s not so common anymore, there may be some traditional bakeries that still use lard in the buns. To be safe, Capital Cafe / Chrisly Cafe has a halal-certified bakery section where you can enjoy a good traditional Bo Lo Bao.
Chinese Hot Pot
What is Chinese Hot Pot
Chinese hot pot is a social and communal dining experience that’s especially popular in the winter. You get a pot of flavourful broth bubbling at the center of the table, and you cook various meats, seafood, vegetables, and noodles in it.
Where to Find Halal Hot Pot in Hong Kong
Little Sheep Village in Yau Ma Tei is currently the only place in Hong Kong that does halal Chinese hot pot. If you are not fussed about meat, there are plenty of seafood hot pot places as well.
Curry Fish Balls
What are Curry Fish Balls
Curry fish balls originated in the 1950s as a cheap, post-war street snack, and remain as the most iconic Hong Kong street food today. The fish balls are cooked in a delicious curry sauce and served on a skewer.
Where to Find Halal Curry Fish Balls in Hong Kong
While fish balls themselves are halal (made with just fish and cornstarch), many establishments that sell them may also sell non-halal food and do not have any cross-contamination prevention in place. Toast Box has halal-certified branches in Hong Kong, where you can order fish balls with curry sauce on the side. 7-Eleven in Hong Kong makes good curry fish balls, but please check with each individual store on its halal status.
Mini-style Cheung Fun
What is Mini Street Food-style Cheung Fun
You get Cheung Fun at dim sum restaurants, but there are also mini street-food-style cheung fun that, in my opinion, are better and tastier! They are essentially mini steamed rice rolls doused in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and peanut sauce.
Where to Find Mini Street Food Style Cheung Fun in Hong Kong
They are widely available at many street food eateries all around Hong Kong. But for the best spot? You ought to check out Hop Yik Tai (合益泰小食) in Sham Shui Po, which is a humble local eatery that has been awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Chinese Dessert Soups
What are Chinese Sweet Soups
When Chinese people say desserts, they usually mean Chinese sweet soups, i.e., tong sui (“sugar water”). It is a Cantonese-style dessert, typically served warm, but it could be served cold as well. Popular flavours include Sweet Red Bean Soup, Black Sesame Soup, Walnut Soup, Tangyuan, etc.
Where to Find Chinese Sweet Soups
Kai Kai Dessert (佳佳甜品) in Jordan is a Michelin Bib Gourmand dessert shop that specialises in Chinese Sweet Soups.
