Hong Kong: Street Food Tour & Dim Sum in Sheung Wan

Summary

Dim sum, milk tea and seafood alleys in hong kong’s oldest quarter

You’ll walk through Hong Kong’s historic Sheung Wan district with a local guide, tasting dim sum straight from bamboo baskets, sipping silky milk tea in old-school cafés, and trying iconic egg tarts hot from the oven. Alongside stories of trade and reinvention, you’ll feel the pulse of real neighborhood life—and maybe find yourself craving one more bite.

What’s the experience like?

We stepped right off the tram into Sheung Wan and it hit me—the air thick with dried seafood, a little salty-sweet, and that low hum of old men playing chess under the awnings. Our guide, Li, waved us toward Wing Lok Street where shopkeepers were already bantering over shark fin and cordyceps. I tried to keep up but got distracted by a stack of bird’s nests in a window—Li explained how these alleys once fueled Hong Kong’s rise from an opium port to what it is now. It’s wild to think about all that history just packed into these narrow lanes.

The first bite was har gow—shrimp dumplings steamed in bamboo baskets. The wrapper stuck a bit to my chopsticks (still working on that technique), but the shrimp inside was so fresh it almost snapped. We ducked into a cha chaan teng for “silk-stocking” milk tea and French toast dripping with peanut butter. I didn’t expect the tea to be so smooth or the toast so sweet—Li laughed when I tried to say “naai cha” in Cantonese. Probably butchered it.

Later we watched a BBQ master brush lacquer onto char siu at Possession Point—his hands moved so fast I barely caught the glint of caramelized pork before he handed us slices with glassy skin. There was this moment sipping herbal “Five Flowers” tea outside an old stall; bitter but somehow refreshing, like the city itself. Someone nearby was arguing about soccer scores and I just sat there letting the steam curl around my face, thinking about how many layers this place has.

I still think about that egg tart—warm from the oven, flaky lard pastry crumbling everywhere (I made a mess). The whole day felt like wandering through someone else’s memories but getting to taste them myself. If you’re after a Hong Kong street food tour that actually shows you where locals eat—not just what tourists expect—you’ll probably end up remembering these flavors long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore historic food and local eats

• Explore dried seafood market
• Learn about imperial ingredients
• Savor har gow dumplings
• Eat Cha Chaan Teng milk tea and French toast
• Discover 1953 trade embargo history
• Watch Cantonese BBQ masters at Possession Point
• Bite into iconic egg tart
• Sip traditional herbal brews
• Enjoy wonton noodles in monkfish broth
• Handle aged pu-erh tea cakes
• Taste Hong Kong egg waffle

Top questions

How many dishes do you try on this Hong Kong street food tour?

You’ll taste over 10 different dishes during 7-8 stops along the way.

Does this tour accommodate vegetarians or halal diets?

No, vegetarian or halal options are not provided on this tour.

Where does the Hong Kong street food tour take place?

The tour takes place mainly in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong’s historic Chinese quarter.

What kind of drinks are included?

You’ll try traditional “silk-stocking” milk tea and herbal teas like Five Flowers tea during your stops.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; public transport options are nearby for easy access.

How much walking is involved on this food tour?

A moderate amount of walking is required as you move between various local eateries and markets.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; otherwise, travelers should have moderate physical fitness for walking.

What happens if there is bad weather?

If poor weather cancels the tour, you can choose another date or get a full refund.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through Sheung Wan’s historic streets with tastings at each stop—from dim sum to BBQ pork and egg waffles—with all street food samples covered by your guide before you head home full (and maybe sticky-fingered).