The Best Dai Pai Dongs in Hong Kong

By
Rory Boland
Rory Boland
Rory Boland is a guidebook author and travel writer who has lived and worked in Hong Kong and London.
TripSavvy's editorial guidelines
Updated on 05/20/19
People Walking By Street Food Stand, Meat And Poultry In The Mong Kok Market, Kowloon. Hong Kong; Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Naki Kouyioumtzis/Getty Images

Hong Kong's street food is one of the city's unique experiences. Identifying individual Dai Pai Dongs is nigh on impossible, as they often have no name, move locations and many kitchens frequently meld into one. Instead, below you'll find a list of the best areas to find some good quality Dai Pai Dongs - from traditional shacks serving up lunch to the masses to the street side stalls hawking waffles. 

01 of 07

Graham Street (in Central)

Address
Graham St, Central, Hong Kong
Get directions

A collection of Dai Pai Dongs right in the heart of Central. The quality of food is decent if not renowned, however, you will find at least a couple of owners who have a smattering of English (although hand pointing will remain the lingua franca). Be warned: this place gets swamped by office workers during lunch hours 12:30 - 2:00 pm, and it's worth trying to avoid those times. Graham Street, Central. Daily 6:30 am - 8:00 pm.

02 of 07

Fa Yuen Street (in Mongkok)

Address
174 Fa Yuen St, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Get directions
Phone +852 2833 5618

Brave this shady looking street to find some of Hong Kong’s most celebrated Dai Pai Dongs. The streets here are alive in the evening when the various Mongkok night markets swing into action. For something sweet try one of Hong Kong’s famous waffles. The chocolate chip stuffed versions at Modos are said to be some of the best in the city. 

03 of 07

Li Kung Street (Ap Lei Chau)

Address
219 Ki Lung St, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
Get directions

For a truly local experience head to Sham Shui Po and join the market workers and fabric salesmen at the wooden tables set up each lunchtime. The stand-out option is Keung Kee. This traditional Dai Pai Dong is inside a metal shack, where you’ll find pots of steaming chicken claws and boiling vats of delicious chicken stew. It’s a friendly place where the chefs know their customers by name.  Li Kung Street, Sham Shui Po. Daily 7:30 am - 9 pm.

04 of 07

Temple Street (In Yai Ma Tei)

Address
Temple St, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong
Get directions

Attached to the Temple Street Markets, this collection of Dai Pai Dongs are some of the best in town. Just like the market, they are best seen at night when you'll find a glut of locals tucking into excellent seafood and Tsing Tao beers. The streets are wide and the outside seating is a great chance to see life going on nearby. You are unlikely to find any English spoken. Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei. Daily 7 - 11 pm.

Continue to 5 of 7 below.
05 of 07

Haiphong Street (in Tsim Sha Tsui)

Address
Haiphong Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Get directions

A fairly compact collection of Dai Pai Dongs selling a mixture of Cantonese and Seafood specialties. Near Kowloon Park. Again, it will be packed with office workers during the 12:30 - 2:00 pm rush. Haiphong Road, Kowloon Park, Tsim Sha Tsui. Open Daily 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

06 of 07

Hau Fook Street (in Tsim Sha Tsui)

Address
Hau Fook St, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Get directions

A good selection of Dai Pai Dongs with a wider range of food than can be usually found elsewhere. Both Shanghainese and Beijingnese food ca be found here, as well as the usual Cantonese fare. English won't be spoken. Hau Fook Street, Tsim Sha Tsui. Daily 7 am - 7 pm.

07 of 07

Causeway Bay (in Causeway Bay)

Although there is no dedicated area containing Dai Pai Dong's there are a fair few individual shacks and stalls scattered throughout the Causeway Bay shopping area. Due to the tight space seating is often limited, however, English is likely to be a little better understood. Causeway Bay. Various Opening Hours.

Back to List

The Best Dai Pai Dongs in Hong Kong