Imagine this: Because of some unusual historical political setting, there is a huge influx of immigrants who settle down here and hustle by cooking food with the skills and recipe brought from home; Meanwhile, as the economy booms, countless number of visitors from all over the world are arriving with a crave for local food at the airport which happens to be just nearby. What’d you get? Boom! The ultimate food paradise. And that is Kowloon City.
It was such an unbelievably vibrant area in between Kowloon Walled City and the old Kai Tak airport. With literally every street packed with great restaurants, it has left both locals and visitors the tastiest memory. Today, though Kowloon City has grown old, we still think it’s a gem full of wonderful flavor. So check this list out for some good eats in the food paradise.
- Nam Kee
A humble, good-old-fashioned restaurant loved by locals for their authentic Chiu Chow flavors, Nam Kee has been treating the locals with quality dishes at friendly prices. Their salted chicken, marinated goose, and oyster congee are the must-trys.
Established in 1955, Hop Shing the real Chiu Chow desserts specialist that serves delicious, soul-warming sweet soups. More than 90 types of desserts, including both traditional and modernized items that allow you to mix and match, are on the offer. The lotus seed and jelly cubes are their signatures to order.
The OG hotpot place in Kowloon City since 1952, Fong Wing Kee is famous for their super thick and rich satay broth. Peanuty, savory but also sweet, the broth gives you a whole different hotpot sensation. Lotus root slices, oysters, hand-cut beef slices, and deep-fried fish skin are the must-tries.
Stylish and nostalgic, this instagrammable hipster is housed in an 80-year-old building. While keeping both the name and the apothecary drawers from its predecessor Chinese herbal clinic, Tai Wo Tang serves Western-style dishes with a Cantonese twist. The fried chicken and Cantonese egg waffles and the pineapple bun with foie gras are two of their bestsellers.
An oldie but goodie in Kowloon City, Hoover Cake Shop has been serving local traditional baked goods since 1977. Acclaimed by many as Hong Kong’s egg tart king, Hoover’s version uses duck eggs to produce a smoother, stronger-flavoured custard filling. Both puff and cookie crust are available. Also try their retro-cakes, such as the choco chip cookies, walnut and almond cookies, and flower sponge cake.
Founded in the 1980s, Islam Food is halal-certified and one of the few Chinese Islamic Restaurants in Hong Kong. Their famous pan-fried beef bun are amazing- slightly crispy on the outside, explosively juicy on the inside. Always a small bite first!
Besides restaurant of different styles, Kowloon City is nevertheless a “little Thailand”. You can easily find fresh southeast Asian herbs, fruits and spices, not to mention deliciously spicy meals. With many family businesses run by generations offering the most authentic Thai food of different price ranges, it is definitely the place for the best Thai food experience in all of Hong Kong.
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