Experience Hong Kong's Traditional Lunar New Year - Part I

撰文：WenEr

With the Lunar New Year approaching, households are getting busy preparing for the festivities by purchasing Lunar New Year goods. From abalones, ginseng, and shark fins to melon seeds and candies, from home decorations to new year clothing, Hong Kong, an international metropolis, still preserves many traditional customs. Why not take a stroll through the Lunar New Year markets in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories to experience an authentic Hong Kong Lunar New Year celebration.

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During the Lunar New Year, “Reunion Dinner”, which symbolized the reunions and harmony, and the "New Year Feast" signifies a bountiful harvest in the upcoming year. Traditionally, families would have the " Reunion Dinner" on the twenty-ninth or thirtieth of the lunar month; it is believed that the first day of the Lunar New Year is a day of rest for the deities, and the second day marks their return, thus people would choose the second day of the new year for worship, making the second day the traditional day to start the New Year.

On these two significant days, people tend to indulge in delicacies, with many households featuring luxury ingredients such as fish maw, abalone, and selecting dishes with auspicious meanings, hoping for a smooth year ahead.

F海味街_店_60.jpg — The salesperson, who prefers not to be photographed, mentioned that the boss has been operating at Dried Seafood Street for over sixty years.

H金蠔.jpg — The salesperson, who prefers not to be photographed, mentioned that the boss has been operating at Dried Seafood Street for over sixty years.

Therefore, the hair moss symbolizing "prosperity" and the oyster sauce symbolizing "good market" have always been favorites among the people of Hong Kong. As for the shopping locations, of course, it is the "Dried Seafood Street" in Hong Kong, such as Des Voeux Road West, Wing Lok Street, and Western Street, which are the largest distribution centers for ginseng, dried seafood, and other dry goods.

Must-Visit Spot: Sheung Wan Dried Seafood Street

While Hong Kong locals often mention "Sheung Wan Dried Seafood Street," if you're not driving there, you can take the MTR to Sai Ying Pun Station on the Hong Kong line. Once you exit from A2, you'll find yourself on Des Voeux Road West, where you'll see seafood shops lining both sides of the street.

Here, besides being able to compare prices from different vendors, many dried seafood shops are long-established stores that have been operating for decades. If the shopkeepers are available, you can ask them for advice on how to prepare dried seafood or what dishes certain types of dried seafood are suitable for. They are usually very friendly and willing to help answer your questions.

E海味街_臘腸.jpg — The Cantonese saying goes: "When the autumn wind arises, it's time to enjoy preserved meats." Various types of preserved meats are also must-buy items for Hong Kong people during the Lunar New Year.

Hong Kong people have a tradition of enjoying dried seafood during the New Year, perhaps stemming from the city's historical connections. Hong Kong started as a small fishing port, and its geographical advantage facilitated the growth of the dried seafood industry. Since the opening of Hong Kong as a port, Sai Wan has evolved into a Chinese commercial area, gradually developing into a district selling dried seafood, ginseng, and other dry goods. Many shops in "Sheung Wan Seafood Street" are well-established. Apart from seafood, you can find various ingredients for sale here, such as dried scallops, shrimp, and other dry goods, which are also popular among tourists.

B老式海味店.jpg — Many old-style seafood stores can still be found at the street corners.

Sheung Wan Dried Seafood Street

Address: Des Voeux Road West, Wing Lok Street, Bonham Strand, Eastern Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island

I電車.jpg — After shopping for Lunar New Year goods, you can take a leisurely tram ride around Hong Kong Island. Established in 1904, the Hong Kong Tramways is the world's only tram system that exclusively uses double-decker trams.

New Year’s Limited Delicacy: Ki Tsui Cake Shop(奇趣餅家), Pat Chun(八珍)

During the Chinese New Year, besides family reunions and meals, it's customary to visit relatives and friends. Whether hosting guests or enjoying at home, festive foods play a crucial role during this period. Apart from the common snacks like melon seeds and candies, traditional handmade snacks, especially limited-edition seasonal treats, are essential delicacies for the festive season.

Hong Kong offers a wide variety of New Year delicacies, each carrying symbolic meanings. These include the symbolic "stepping higher every year(步步高陞)" rice cakes, "prosperity and wealth(財源廣進)" sesame balls, "abundance of wealth" crispy triangle, "happiness and good fortune" laughing sesame balls, and the "laugh out loud" fried taro balls, along with the beloved turnip cakes.

For those seeking traditional handmade snacks, a visit to a traditional bakery is a must. Many locals, while purchasing New Year flowers in Prince Edward, often visit the Ki Tsui Cake Shop on Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok. Established in 1984, this bakery mainly sells crispy triangle, sweet egg twists, and laughing sesame balls during the New Year. Ki Tsui Cake Shop has been standing in Mong Kok for many years and is one of the few Chinese pastries bakeries remaining in Hong Kong. In 2018, it was even recognized by the Michelin Guide for its street food. The fresh-made sweet dates and sesame balls during the Lunar New Year are truly irresistible delicacies.

Ki Tsui Cake Shop

Address: 135 Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon

Hours: 08:00 - 19:30

Phone: +852 2394 1727

Transportation: A 5-minute walk from Mong Kok MTR Station

Nearby, adjacent to the Mong Kok Market, is the Pat Chun Fine Food. This brand has been a part of many people's growth, especially known for its sweet vinegar and soy sauce. In fact, during every New Year and festival season, Pat Chun also introduces festive foods. Their New Year's delicacies include rice cakes, turnip cakes, and handcrafted taro shrimp, which are crispy and fragrant upon tasting, making them a popular choice among Hong Kong locals for Lunar New Year purchases.