Hong Kong is such an amazing city, a wonderful balance of old and new. I have had the pleasure of visiting several times. One of the great things about the city is that it is easy to visit even if you have a stop over. So if ever you are taking a flight via Hong Kong airport, be sure to give yourself as many hours as you can to take the train into Central Station (only 24 minutes). There is honestly so much you can do in Hong Kong, but almost all of it revolves around eating. First stop was one star Michelin restaurant Tim Ho Wan for dim sum and, yes very untypically, a hot chocolate. We pointed at a range of dishes those around us were enjoying when the waiter came by and devoured them all as they arrived, every last crumb. We feasted on baked buns with BBQ sauce, pan fried turnip cakes, rice noodle rolls with fresh shrimps, steamed dumplings and sticky rice.
They had a hot chocolate on the menu, which we ordered out of curiosity, but left pretty much untouched (as should you). It isn’t that Hong Kong isn’t known for its chocolate, it is actually. For years one of my favourite hot chocolates anywhere was Hakawa on Gough street, sadly no longer open. Craft chocolate is gaining momentum in Hong Kong so save yourself for better options (the best I feel at the moment is Slok Chocolate)
From here, take the central Mid Level Escalator up. Around the corner grab an egg tart from Tai Chong Bakery and then walk a few steps down to Lan Fong Yuen for a milk tea (famously passed through a fine mesh stocking to give it a particularly smooth texture). If tea isn’t your think, try the sugarcane juice at Kung Lee Herbal Tea Shop. Chan Yee Jai is great to pick up traditional Hong Kong style snacks for the flight home. For interesting tourists presents try GOD, a store on 46 Graham st. For a mid afternoon snack, Mak’s Chung Noodles has amazing, no nonsense wonton noodle soup. Stop by Man Mo Temple and just walk around, through market streets and street stalls until you’ve run out of time and have to make your way back to the train station. And if you still have room, Hong Kong airport is bursting at the seems with food options too. A win win scenario.
Tim Ho Wan, Shop 12A Level 1 MTR Hong Kong Station, Hong Kong, Hours: 9:00-20:30. https://www.timhowan.com.hk
