The best Hong Kong Cantonese dishes to try in Chinatown London

Where to get an authentic taste of Hong Kong in Chinatown this Mid-Autumn Festival

Chinatown today is home to a wide mix of East and Southeast Asian cuisines, but classic Cantonese cooking remains at its heart – much of it in the same style you’ll find served daily in Hong Kong.

That should come as no surprise, since Hong Kong is one of the world’s great food capitals – where sizzling street food, bustling dai pai dongs, Michelin-starred dining, and lively food festivals are always just around the corner.

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Even if you’re not hopping on a flight just yet, a delicious journey through Hong Kong’s rich food culture starts right here. From pineapple buns to char siu, here are eight Hong Kong-style must-tries in Chinatown London – and exactly where to find them…

Congee
A savoury rice porridge with a smooth and creamy texture, this comfort food is like a warm hug on a rainy day. In Hong Kong, they add century egg, fish or pork to the brothy mixture. Find it at Lotus Garden on Gerard Street.

Char Siu
A barbecued pork dish, char siu has a distinct sweet and savoury flavour and pairs wonderfully with rice, in noodle dishes, or even within buns. It can be found all over the twelve streets, including New China Restaurant on Gerrard Street.

Hairy Crab
Hairy crab is a seasonal delicacy that’s most popular during the Mid-Autumn festival in Hong Kong. It’s usually steamed and enjoyed by dipping the flesh into black vinegar or ginger sauce. In some months, it can be found at JinLi on Leicester Street.

Egg (Bubble) Waffles
Also known in Cantonese as ‘gai daan jai’, this beloved street food is made of sweet, egg batter patterned in a bubbly mould. Served hot, it can be eaten plain or with fillings, including at Bubblewrap on Wardour Street, where it’s become somewhat of a viral sensation.

Pineapple Bun
Bakeries are an important part of Hong Kong breakfast culture, and the bolo bao, or pineapple bun, is a firm local favourite. This crunchy, golden topped bun is cooked till the surface cracks so it looks like the outside of a pineapple. Pick one up at The Eight on Shaftesbury Avenue.

Egg Tart
Another bakery item, but one also consumed as dessert in dim sum, the egg tart is the Hong Kong’s take on an English custard tart, made with a flakier pastry crust, and a smooth, sweet egg custard filling. You’ll want a lot more than one at Chinatown Bakery on Newport Place.

French Toast
Not to be confused with the French toast you get at brunch, the Hong Kong variation is a deep-fried sandwich, filled with peanut butter and dipped in an egg mixture. You’ll often find it in Hong Kong’s tea parlours, and in Chinatown we’ve got it at Bun House on Lisle Street with a delicious Jasmine clotted cream filling.

Mooncake
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival in Chinatown with a traditional moon cake, available in supermarkets such as SeeWoo and Loon Fung as well as all the dessert alley bakeries. This dense, round, and sweet pastry is a Chinese symbol of family reunion and the full moon.