There’s no doubt that Hong Kong is a foodie haven. With the multitude of options available, it can get overwhelming for a first-time tourist to experience what Hong Kong has to offer.
So we asked Elaine Yeoh of @elainesimplyfab to curate a special eatinerary for us to guide you when you’ve got only only 24 hours to spare in Hong Kong.
Take it away, Elaine!
I made this eatinerary thinking you don’t mind running around Hong Kong’s HK island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Get moving because here’s a time- and transport-friendly plan for the day!
Breakfast at Australia Dairy Milk Company (Jordan)
The whole dining culture in HK starts with a hearty breakfast at a local “cha chaan teng” (or “tea house” in Cantonese). Order the breakfast set – usually consisting of a Milk Tea, Macaroni Tomato Beef Soup, White Toast, Fried Luncheon Meat and Scrambled Eggs.
Tea Break at HEYTEA LAB at the new K11 Musea
Although the whole Bubble Tea concept originated in Taiwan and HEYTEA is from Jiang Min in China rather than Hong Kong, I would still make this an important pit stop in my HK 24-hour eatinerary. The idea for this tea house started with the Cheese Tea concept – combining salted cheese with brewed tea which they made famous. With outlets all over China and now HK, HEYTEA has breathed new life into the ancient Tea house pavilion making it a modern and stylish must-go concept drinks store for young and trendy tea connoisseurs everywhere. Their shops look like labs where teas are concocted and there are also a number of fancy desserts available, eat-in or takeaway. This particular store at the K11 Musea houses their ‘must-visit’ flagship.
Lunch at Kau Kee Noodle House (Sheung Wan)
They say you know whether a place is good or not based on how long the queue is. The queue at this small humble eatery absolutely proves that point, and in my opinion justifies the long wait. Order the Beef Tendon Noodles with Curry or the Kau Kee Special Noodles with Beef Broth. Both are so good that you won’t remember bitching about having to queue after you start slurping up those noodles.
Afternoon Tea
Once part of the British colony (pre-1997), HK’s eating culture has a strong British influence. A visit to the Peninsula Hotel, fondly known as The Pen celebrates that era when the art of enjoying a long and leisurely afternoon Tea was quintessential. Seated in The Pen’s resplendent chandeliered hotel Lobby Lounge, sunk into one of their comfortable plush chairs, the feeling is almost surreal and you are mesmerised by the tinkling sounds of a live quartet (sometimes harpist) in the background whilst your three-tier tray of exquisite Finger Sandwiches, Sweet and Scones magically arrive complete with homemade jams and clotted cream; a choice of specially curated designer teas and the optional glass of bubbly.
Or traditional HK tea at Honeymoon Dessert (Several outlets all over HK Island and Kowloon)
Even the local tea houses in Hong Kong serve afternoon tea and if you choose to do a local tea time stopover, then order a Double Durian in Vanilla Sauce or the Durian Pancake at Honeymoon Dessert, one of Hong Kong’s favourite local dessert joints, which is buzzing and busy all day and night, whatever the weather or season might be.
Dinner at Social Place
Just because everyone already knows what dim sum is, I would take a visitor to the Social Place for dinner to savour what dim sum could be. Signature dishes are Charcoal Custard Buns, Roasted White King Pigeon, and Abalone Tart. Combine that with boozy drinks and tea cocktails, this is a dim sum experience with a modern twist that you should not miss.
After Dinner Drinks at OZONE on the 118th floor of Ritz Carlton
You only really get skyscrapers in Dubai and Hong Kong. Whilst in the fragrant harbour, if you have never seen a view that will make you dizzy, head to OZONE. This place gives you a 360-degree unobstructed view of West HK and Kowloon. They also have a great wine list and cocktails. Sip on a glass of champagne or order their signature cocktail, aptly called the HK Skyline, a rum based cocktail with a concoction of different ingredients including fruits and champagne foam.
Supper at Goose Manor (Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon)
If you actually still have tummy space, grab supper at this famous goose restaurant. You can pretty much only ever eat Roast Goose in Hong Kong as everywhere else in the world, serves up duck. So given the rarity of this bird, you will find that their set meals serving up this roasted delicacy are relatively inexpensive and so tasty that you would wish you had saved stomach space for more.
Quick Snack at Tsui Wah Restaurant at the airport
Before you say farewell to the fragrant harbour, have a bowl of ‘Four Treasures’ – this is their variety of four different fish balls and fish cakes served with flat rice noodles and seaweed in fish soup. Wash this down with a glass of Hong Kong’s famous refreshing Ice Lemon Tea at the airport before flying off to your next destination – assuming you are at the airport.
Too much food to enjoy, too little time. This whole eatinerary is packed with the best local flavour you can get in 24 hours in Hong Kong. What’s on yours? Post below and let me know.
🇸🇬SG to 🇭🇰HK to 🇳🇿NZ - my visual diary of eats, travels & kitchen exploits .. 🍽 Eat with me…
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Wow this all looks insanely tasty