Uncovering Halal Treasures in Hong Kong's Food Scene

By Aisya Amri & Nuraini Zanori

Experience the vibrant heartbeat of Hong Kong, Asia’s World City. Home to an iconic skyline and unique cultural heritage, it is also a city where food is a way of life, with every meal offering a unique experience beyond just dining. However, the question often lingers in Muslim travelers’ minds: Where can I find good halal food here?

Hong Kong is full of surprise. Behind the bustling market stalls and giant skyscrapers, there are so many Halal and Muslim-friendly dishes to be found. From Cantonese local specialties to Middle Eastern cuisine, Muslim travelers who make the foray into this great city will be spoiled for choice on just where to have their next meal.

So, if you’re on a mission to uncover the best halal food in Hong Kong, let’s go on a delicious adventure, one bite at a time!

Must-Try Halal Foods in Hong Kong:

Dim sum

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

Dim sum is a culinary tradition that is deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s culture, typically enjoyed from morning to afternoon. The small, bite-sized delights come in several forms which are steamed, fried, baked and each form carrying unique flavors and textures. Hong Kong has also become more inclusive and diverse, with halal dim sum slowly making its way into the city’s vibrant food scene.

Dim Sum isn’t just a food, but also one of the ways to make eaters centered around connection and tradition. Dim sum basically served with yum cha (drinking tea) in Hong Kong, where the guests will assemble around the table to eat the hot baskets of dumpling and buns while drinking an aromatic tea like Pu-erh (jasmine).

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

As the demand for halal dim sum has grown, halal-friendly variants of popular Cantonese treats have been developed. This makes it possible for Muslim tourists to enjoy this Cantonese treat while respecting their dietary principles.

Halal dim sum maintain the spirit of traditional dishes while keep the authenticity in flavor and compliance with Islamic nutritional regulations. The filling of dim sum is prepared with chicken, beef or seafood. Even the soups and seasonings also are chosen with care, make sure there’s no alcohol or non-halal ingredients.

Muslim diners now can have a try their traditional dishes like char siu bao (BBQ chicken buns), siu mai (chicken dumplings), and har gow (shrimp dumplings) with the same delicious flavors and texture same as the traditional dim sum.

Where to find Halal Dim Sum: Islamic Centre Canteen and Cuisine Cuisine

Halal Roast Duck

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

Another one-off Hong Kong’s most well-known foods is roast duck. This Cantonese dish is known for its delicate meat and golden, crispy skin and juicy texture. It is typically available in traditional Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong. As an art form, it is seasoned in a mix of five-spice powder, soy sauce and other flavorful spices before being roasted. Roast duck is commonly served with steamed rice or pancakes.

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

The key to getting a good halal roasted duck lies in their careful cooking process. The duck is roasted to perfection using only halal certified seasonings and cooking oil, after being air-dried to help the skin get its signature crispness.

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

As the demand of halal dishes continues to grow in Hong Kong, more restaurants and specialty eateries are offering halal roast duck, allowing Muslim visitors to experience an authentic taste of Cantonese culinary heritage.

Where to find Halal Roast Duck: Wai Kee

Egg Tart

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

No food adventure in Hong Kong without indulging in its iconic dessert, the egg tart. It’s a treasured pastry, a must-try for anyone looking to experience the city’s unique blend of Eastern and Western influences.

These delicious treats contain of a smooth, creamy egg custard encased in a flaky or buttery crust, offering the perfect balance of softness and crispness in every bite. The origins of this egg tart can be traced back to the Portuguese pastal de nata and British custard tarts. Hong Kong’s version has change according to their own distinct identity, becoming a staple in local cha chaan tengs (Hong Kong style cafes).

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

There are two types of Hong Kong-style egg tarts: the puff pastry version, which has a light, crispy texture, like croissants, and another one the shortcrust pastry version, which is firmer and more biscuit-like. Regardless of the crust type, the filling remains the star of the show – silky smooth, slightly wobbly and infused with just the right amount of sweetness.

As an awareness of halal food grows, some establishment in Hong Kong is now offer halal-certified egg tart, replacing lard with butter and ensuring all the ingredients comply with halal standards.

Where to find Halal Egg Tarts: Marouf & Puff Bake

Polo Bun

Image Credit: howtomaketraditonalhongkongsnacks

The polo bun popularly known as the “pineapple bun”, is a beloved sweet treat in Hong Kong and available in nearly every bakery. Guess what? The original version contains no pineapple even though it’s named a pineapple bun.

The name of pineapple bun refers to its golden, checkered crust, which resembles pineapple skin. The crust, which gives the bun look like pineapple, is made from a combination of sugar, eggs and flour. The soft, fluffy bread underneath the crunchy, sugary topping is best eaten warm.

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

In traditional Cha Chaan Tengs (Hong Kong-style tea house), pineapple buns are typically served with a thick slice of butter tucked in the middle of the bun. For halal-conscious pastry lovers, halal versions of this delightful bun are available at select bakeries, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their comforting flavors.

Where to find Halal Polo Bun: Capital Café

Wonton Noodles

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

When talking about a bowl of noodles, it might sound like a simple dish, but in Hong Kong, it’s a must-try local favorite comfort food that ranks among the top five picks. Tasting a delicious bowl of a wonton noodles is an absolute must when travelling in Hong Kong.

The specialty of wonton noodles lies in its carefully crafted components. Traditionally, the wonton or dumpling is filled with shrimp, and either beef or chicken, then wrapped in a thin, delicate dough that, when cooked, becomes nearly translucent.

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

Some types of the dish are serving noodles with a “dry wonton”, which is tossed in a light soy-based sauce instead of soup, offering a different but equally delicious experience.

With the growing for demand of halal-friendly Cantonese cuisine, some restaurants around Hong Kong have begun selling halal wonton noodles, using halal ingredients while keeping the dish’s signature flavors profile. So, there’s no reason to miss out on this pleasant experience.

Where to find Halal Wonton Noodles: Islamic Centre Canteen and Wai Kee

Hong Kong Style-Milk Tea

Image Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board

One of the most recognizable drinks in Hong Kong city is Hong Kong-style milk tea, which being loved by both locals and travelers who came to Hong Kong. It has become famous for its rich, velvety texture and complex, fragrant flavor. Inspired by British afternoon tea, this milk tea gained popularity during the colonial era when the black tea was introduced to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong-style milk tea can be found almost any beverage store in Hong Kong.

For Muslim travelers there’s no need to worry because many cafes and tea shops now offer Halal- certified versions, using halal milk or fresh dairy options. Other than that, some cafes also use plant-based ingredients like oat or almond milk, allowing more locals and Muslims travelers to enjoy this delicious beverage without worry.

Where to find the Halal Hong Kong Style-Milk Tea: Shun’s Milk Tea

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s explore this vibrant city with various of popular halal foods in Hong Kong! Discover more at www.cit.travel/hong-kong/

References:

Uncovering Halal Treasures in Hong Kong’s Food Scene