I came to Hong Kong with the attitude that I would try anything at least once (to an extreme extent…no feet, tongues or testicles are entering my mouth!). Life is too short to miss out on once-in-a-lifetime culinary experiences, no matter how strange the food may seem. I mean, who knows when I’ll be back in Hong Kong again?!
I also want to make things as simple as possible for everyone, which means not making special requests or asking to customize dishes. Something tells me that would just be confusing and awkward, given the fact that I don’t speak a lick of Cantonese.
Before visiting the g-rents, we picked up my Aunt R and went to eat lunch.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t read the menu (story of my life) so my choices were rather limited.
I went with a bowl of wonton soup with noodles. I have a feeling I’m going to be eating this a lot here!
Everyone ordered their own bowl of noodles and we also ordered a couple dishes for everyone to share.
Fungi, eel and veg
Chinese broccoli
[Deep] fried fish skin
Yep, I tried it. I said I was going to try it all, right? It tasted like chicharrones. Super crispy (in a soft way) and it didn’t taste fishy at all.
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Something I’ll gladly try more than once? Baked goods! Bakeries are everywhere here. Well, everything is everywhere but that’s besides the point.
Peter and I oogled over the baked goods at A-1 Bakery and finally decided we had to try a loaf of bread.
But not just any bread, Mixed Fruits & Nut French Bread.
This bread was HOT out of the oven when we got it…like, burning my hand!
It looks crunchy in the photo but it was as soft as cotton, I tell ya! Light and airy, yet thick and chewy. Goodness gracious!
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We went out to dinner with my uncle D, his wife, and their daughter. My cousin and I are the same age and we always have lots to chat about when we’re together. We hadn’t seen each other since our meet ups in London over 2 years ago.
We decided to eat at Vi, a Vietnamese/Thai restaurant.
I usually don’t go out for Thai food because I always end up having an allergic reaction to peanuts. I swear, they put that sh*t on everything!
I ordered the Andaman Pomelo Salad with Fresh King Prawns.
As soon as it arrived I had an inkling there were peanuts in the salad…and I was right! Luckily they remade the salad for me without them. Phew! That was close.
We also ordered a Thai sweet and sour soup to share, which made my lip swell a bit. I bet a peanut crumb jumped in my mouth somehow.
As you can see, the food in Hong Kong is for the most part, healthy and real. I’ve really enjoyed almost everything that I’ve eaten so far.
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It seems like the best posting schedule for me here is once a day at night (early morning for the U.S.). I could probably write about 5 posts for each day, but there just isn’t enough time!
Perhaps I’ll have a few wordless posts from time to time just to show you the goods.
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Okay, it’s time to snooze. Peter is already passed out. Please enjoy the Superbowl and the new episode of Glee for me!
Tell me: What’s the most exotic/strange food you’ve tried while traveling?
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
Woah, deep fried fish skin?! That’s SO weird!!
All the food looks SO good! Especially that bread! I’ve always wanted to go there, and it’s definitely on my ‘Places to Visit Before I Die’ list!
When I holidayed in Spain as a kid, I tried fried octopus tentacles, and actually liked them!
OMG – You’re in Hong Kong?! You lucky girl!
Hope you have a great time! Try all the native food that you can!
oh yes thai food, they put peanuts in everything, lol! So true!
Im loving the bakery goods, everything looked good, and the bread being hot and fresh, ahhhhh so delish!
Hope your getting good sleep : )
first time commenter here. i live in Singapore but I LOVE HONG KONG! Been there twice, loved every visit. i even came back 2 kilos lighter after my most recent trip last May! Make sure you try the dim sum. I am a sucker for the prawn dumplings (虾饺) and rice flour rolls (肠粉). And the egg tarts. And beef brisket noodles. And all the amazing Cantonese desserts!
Let me start by saying that I’m not really open-minded when it comes to trying food, lol … However, this summer I spent 5 weeks in Spain and, like you, at the begining (due to the excitement of being there) I had the will-try-anything-to-get-the-full-experience attitude and actually tried snails for my first lunch there! I find snails disgusting in general, let alone cooked (I’ve always found it hard to believe people actually eat them?!), but yeah, I went out of my comfort zone and had one or two. For the rest of the 5 weeks there I gladly passed on them, though. xD
The food in Hong Kong looks light and delicious!
I ate a cricket (or maybe it was a grass hopper) in Mexico. It was a baby one though. You couldn’t pay me to eat the full size ones. fjlsdkafjdlk
At least you can say you’ve tried it now!
That bakery looks so fresh and clean-love the white (it makes everything look better!)…looks like you’re having a good time-and living on the adventurous side!!! I have not tried anything worth bragging about, i’m a big pansy when it comes to trying new things:(
Fried fish skins…interesting. I love your attitude about trying new foods. I am the same way! You only live once, right? And I mean (allergies aside), it’s not like anything is gonna kill you!
I haven’t done much traveling to broaden my foodie horizons, but I did get the opportunity to try caviar a couple of years ago. I wasn’t a fan…too salty!
Yes, wordless posts!!! When I was little we would go to this GIGANTIC Asian market by my house called ouwajiamaya or something and we would always get to pick out a treat. I would go for some unusual food and my sis would always go for the candy! I love all the bright colors and and small sizes!
Oh yeah..they put peanuts on top of everything!
The weirdest thing I ate in congealed pork blood in a soup.
Fried fish skins?? OMG! I can’t even imagine. I wouldn’t eat testicles either…I mean, really.
Look at that bakery!! Everything looks so super clean though, so it reminds me of mass production…is everything fresh?
Super fresh! They let you see all the behind the scenes baking action too. No mass production, at least not where I’ve been so far.
Wow! It looks like a foodie’s paradise. The bread looks amazing. I’ve had breakfast but I might have to go searching for some carbs. Enjoy the day and keep the food pics coming.
Eel?! Giiiirl, I could NEVER do that! Slash I am way jealous that you get to eat authentic Asian food every day and have bakeries around every corner…I absolutely love all Thai/Chinese/Japanese/Indian food, so I would be in heaven! Except for the whole “Eel” thing;)
You’ve never had eel on sushi? THE BEST!!!
ive had kangaroo!! sort of tastes like a bland steak.not very meaty tasting. it is about 97%lean..i would eat it again..given it is marinated in a little vino first! I LOVE these posts from Hong Kong! I look forward to reading everyday! It’s like we’re all traveling with you
HK has always been a food-heavy trip for me. Lots of ways to rattle the taste buds! I love it. I want to go there with Ryan some time to show him everything.
I’m really looking forward to all your posts from HK! I’ve always wanted to go there. I’ve been to Taiwan, which I assume the food to be pretty similar. I love love love the bakeries there though. SO good and SO cheap!
Having an open mind when it comes to food is the best way to be when travelling. It’s fun to try out new exotic dishes, even if they do have weird ingredients. I think the weirdest thing I’ve eaten is lamb testicles… and they were actually kind of good!
No way!!
I have a feeling I would be eating a lot of things from the bakery. That bread sounds amazing!
What a once in a lifetime trip! And I have to say, that soup looks yummy!
Wow the picture of the bread really conveys its deliciousness. The Chinese broccoli (stems?) are so interesting! I bet I’d like them. One of my favorite parts of traveling is eating as the locals do. I’ve only gotten to do this in Europe but I want to explore more continents. I think your plan to try anything is a good one!
I think that’s Chinese kale – it’s called “jie lan” and is often translated as “kai lan”, too. Also… the bakery looks amazing. It’s been a while since I’ve been in HK – try congee for breakfast! It’s good. Also, you have tried pineapple buns right? I’m hoping that you’ve had the version where they have the piping-hot bun with a slab of COLD butter inside. For the love of God, please eat it before the butter melts! Where I’ve had it, they call it “fire-ice pineapple bun”, which pretty much sums it up.
Sorry if you’ve had it before. But I just like to ramble on senselessly about these kinds of things.
Haha I think Peter just tells me everything is Chinese broccoli because he doesn’t know how to translate it. Good to know!
They have congee here for breakfast…I think I’ve had it before. Looks slushy.
Never tried the bun before. Peter has no idea what it is either so I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled.
I second the suggestion! <3 pineapple buns. Pineapple buns are in most of the chinese style bakeries…I was good and didn't eat the buttered version when I was there – couldn't bring myself to do it haha. Rough translation of pineapple bun is bor lor bau…dunno if that helps? some of the HK style cafes have the pineapple bun with butter inside…didn't see too many of the butterised pineapple buns in just the bakeries.
You are definitely an adventurous eater! I would not be brave enough to try the fried fish skin or eel.
I tried escargot once. The taste wasn’t bad, but the texture was kind of gross. I actually ate them all and then the waiter brought out more! Needless to say, I didn’t finish the second plate
Lol @ the fish skin! I always see a huge bin of that stuff at Whole Foods and wonder WHO THE HELL eats that haha. Maybe I’ll have to be brave and give it a try…
Loving the pictures
When in Rome, right?
You’re right…there’s no use sticking to your usual diet when traveling in such an amazing city. Enjoy every bite!
I’ve done it before and it’s totally lame!
I love hearing about the new foods you’re trying! I think that’s a good motto too – definitely try it if you’re there!
I was told that I ate a fried blood taco in Mexico once. I don’t know if that’s true or they were just trying to freak me out
That bread looks so so good. The food there looks absolutely fabulous!
Muhahah love that u discovered the awwesome bakeries in HK already. The local ones are the funnest ones to go to because they have the “traditional” stuff and some that are modernized. The bun you bought is totally up my alley. Some eateries where you got your wonton soup may also have veggie dumplings with shrimp. Those are my favorite…with rice noodles!
You’re still short of egg tarts my dear…
The most interesting thing i’ve probably eaten was fried scorpions at BeiJing.
I think the next time i go, i’m gonna try the seahorses. I know i konw sounds nasty, but it actually tasted like fried shrimp, but less meaty. 
Haha I’ve had 32434 egg tarts as a child…although I should probably try a real one, right?
I love that you are eating REAL Chinese food! The stuff here sucks!
When I was little, I used to hate real Chinese food and only want to eat the fake kind…i.e. Panda Express
. Grass is always greener…although I’m liking my green grass now that I’m older and can appreciate it.
hmm…I definately can’t say that I’ll try anything once because as soon as saw the words “fried fish skins” I shuddered.
I’m a veggie thru and thru….can’t bring myself to be experimental on anything other than veggie dishes! I tried to eat fish a couple of years ago and failed….they sell the most hideous sweets in our local foodhall…lollypops with real dried scorpions in them!!!
That Thai salad and soup looks delish! Continue having fun girl.
Awww, I could translate for you! Looks interesting so far…
The food all looks really good but you definitely are brave for trying some of it! My only time aborad was in Rome so nothing I had was too crazy. Good luck, looking forward to more photos!
Wow, all of that food looks amazing! The fried fish skin actually sounds delicious – I love anything fried and crispy
Do you speak any Chinese?
“no feet, tongues or testicles are entering my mouth!”–
That is so ripe for TWSS. I will just not even go there
In serious matters, so sorry that you are anaphalatic allergic to peanuts. I am the same way to shellfish and in restaurants, the cross contamination factor is HUGE. I almost died once after going to to a thai asian fusion restaurant where apparently my vegetarian meal had been “fusioned” with trace shellfish,i.e. shrimp juice. Lovely.
I am loving your trip pics!!!!
Hi Allie, I’m a reader of yours who is currently living in Hong Kong. If you really want to enjoy local traditions during the “winter” time, I suggest you go to Temple Street and eat claypot rice and seafood! Or, check out the website http://www.openrice.com (they have an English version) where they have everything you need to know about eating in HK. Have fun while you’re there!
Oh man, I tried fried fish skins when I was there over Xmas/NY for the first time…they were seriously addictive! Makes me want to go back. Aji Ichiban is like candy paradise…just wandering around is awesome.
Way to keep an open mind on food.
Glad you’re enjoying some GREAT food. I am completely addicted to the fungi that’s in your veggie dish. I go to veggie buffets here just to consume as much as possible, and I also buy it from the local grocer and cook it. Did you like it? Apparently what people call it around here (Taiwan) translates as “elephant ear,” but I don’t know if they use the same word in Hong Kong.
And I smiled when I read your blurb about the bakeries. I think I see that exact same bread on a daily basis. I wasn’t a huge fan (am REALLY missing that American, crusty bread) but your wonderful pictures are making me want to give it a second shot. Definitely, next time you’re at a bakery, try something with milk butter or red bean
Wow I’ve always wanted to go to Hong Kong but never got a chance even though I live pretty close from there. I heard that there are lots of delicious food in Hong Kong and hope you are going to enjoy it more.
Once I had a drink made with a part of eyes of tuna fish (not sure which part) and some type of plant or flower. The drink didn’t have anything that looks like an eye but had slimy mass in it. Eeeeeeek can’t believe that I actually had it. But that was after many normal drinks……
I haven’t had the pleasure of travelling in awhile, but my hubby ate turtle jello among other yucky things when he went to Japan a few years ago. I was super proud of him b/c he’s a meat & potaotes kind of guy! HAHA
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