Hong Kong Markets

Author and Editor: Gabriella Grace

Hong Kong is a foodie paradise, with a wide variety of cuisines and ingredients available at its many fruit and vegetable markets. Here are 5 unique foods you can find at these markets, all of which are worth trying if you’re adventurous enough.

NOTE: Make sure to bring cash and small bills. The stalls hate making change with larger bills (Don’t be that tourist and break your big bills at a 7/11 beforehand)! I also bring a translation app, or paper with: 幾多錢呀 on it. Lot of the sellers are local farmers or gardeners and will not speak English. You can have them write the number you owe them, or use your hands to sign it. Just note that their hand sign for 6 and 10 are a little different then how westerners finger count.

1. Dried fish: This might not sound particularly appealing, but dried fish is a popular snack in Hong Kong and can be found in many markets. It’s usually made from anchovies or other small fish, which are salted and then dried in the sun. The resulting product is crunchy and has a strong, fishy flavor.

2. Bitter melon: Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd, is a green, oblong fruit with a warty exterior and a bitter taste. It’s often used in Chinese cooking, where it’s typically sliced and stir-fried with other vegetables or meats. Despite its name, bitter melon is actually quite good for you, as it’s high in nutrients and has been shown to have anti-diabetic properties.

3. Salted duck eggs: These eggs are a staple in many Chinese dishes and are made by soaking regular duck eggs in a brine solution for several weeks. The result is a brown, wrinkled egg with a rich, salty flavor. Salted duck eggs are often used as a condiment or as an ingredient in dishes like congee (a type of rice porridge) and steamed buns.

4. Rambutans: These tropical fruits are native to Southeast Asia and are related to lychees. They have a spiky, hairy exterior and a sweet, juicy flesh inside. Rambutans are often eaten on their own as a snack, but they can also be used in desserts or salads.

5. Litchis: Litchis, also known as lychees, are another popular tropical fruit in Hong Kong. They have a thin, red skin and a white, fleshy interior that’s sweet and slightly floral in flavor. Litchis are often eaten fresh, but they can also be found canned or dried.

Other unique foods you might find at a Hong Kong fruit and vegetable market include durian (a spiky, pungent fruit), longan (a sweet, grape-sized fruit native to Southeast Asia), and taro (a starchy, potato-like root vegetable often used in Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking).

No matter what you choose to try, the fruit and vegetable markets in Hong Kong are a great place to explore and experience new flavors. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, be sure to stop by and see what’s on offer. You never know what tasty new discovery you might make!

Here is a list of just a few awesome markets around Hong Kong:

Star Ferry Pier Central (Kowloon) 12 pm–6 pm on Wednesday | 11 am–5 pm on Sunday

Mei Foo Farm Fest (Kowloon) Open: 11 am–5 pm every Sunday

Tai Po Farmers’ Market (Kowloon) Open: 9 am—5 pm every Sunday