Hong Kong Local Street Food Guide: A Day of Tasting Adventure in Shau Kei Wan's Main Street

This time, I've selected three popular budget-friendly eateries where you can sample a variety of delicious foods at a reasonable cost. After enjoying a satisfying meal, you can explore the nearby attractions around East Street, making it a delightful day trip. The most convenient way to get to East Street is by taking the MTR. Choose Exit B1 at Shau Kei Wan Station on the Island Line for easy access. Alternatively, you can opt to take the tram and enjoy the scenic views along the Island Line until you reach the terminus at Shau Kei Wan.

 "On Lee Noodle Shop" a history spanning over half a century

On Lee Noodle Shop is undoubtedly one of the top three most popular dining spots on East Street, drawing long queues particularly on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

On Lee Noodle Shop is undoubtedly one of the top three most popular dining spots on East Street, drawing long queues particularly on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

The founder of this 58-year-old establishment started as an apprentice at a fishball noodle shop in Sheung Wan. In 1996, he ventured out on his own to establish On Lee Noodle. Initially just a food stall tucked away in a side street near the Tin Hau Temple on East Street, it relocated to its current prominent spot in the 1990s.

On Lee has thrived for over five decades due to its unwavering commitment to food quality. They freshly make fishballs and fish slices daily, using ingredients such as fresh conger eel and golden threadfin bream. The broth is meticulously prepared with ingredients like flounder, pork bones, and beef bones, resulting in a delightful and sweet taste.

Their signature dish, Fishball Noodle Soup, is exceptionally delicious. In addition to this popular item, their beef brisket is also a crowd favorite. It is recommended to try the beef brisket with thicker noodles, as the tender beef brisket pairs perfectly with the soy sauce-infused noodles, creating a dish that becomes more irresistible with each bite.

On Lee also offers a variety of toast and sandwiches. If you're looking for a light meal, you can choose the crispy and delicious buttered toast. If you want something more filling, you can opt for a sandwich with your choice of fillings such as eggs, luncheon meat, corned beef, ham, or cheese. They are made to order and served hot, with flavors that are sure to please.

Although On Lee is just a small shop, its high-quality offerings have not only attracted tourists and visitors from other areas but also celebrities like Chow Yun-fat, Eason Chan, and Anita Yuen, who have been patrons, showcasing its exceptional quality.

On Lee Noodle Shop
Address: G/F, 22 Eastern Street, Shau Kei Wan
Hours: 09:00-19:00 (Closed on Thursdays)
Phone: +852 2513 8398
Website: Anli Fishball Noodle @IG
Transportation: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station, Exit B1.

Nicholas Tse, JJ Lin, and Julian Cheung have all patronized the snack shop Lui Chai Kee Yee Gor 1978. ( 呂仔記二哥 一九七八)

For authentic and nostalgic Hong Kong snacks, "Imitation Shark Fin Soup (碗仔翅)" and "Lettuce Fish Meat (生菜魚肉)" are definitely among the top choices. 

Established for over 40 years on Eastern Street, Lui Chai Kee Yee Gor 1978 has made a name for itself with its traditional Hong Kong snacks. It has been voted by netizens as one of the top five most delicious " Imitation Shark Fin Soup " in Hong Kong, making it a signature dish! Made with chicken, lean meat, shiitake mushrooms, and black fungus, the soup base is fresh and sweet, each bite offers tender meat shreds, smooth black fungus, and silky mushroom slices, creating a perfect blend of flavors.

Another must-try is the "Lettuce Fish Meat," where fish meat is mashed from fresh fish into a chewy and tasty texture, served with daily-cooked fish soup. For those who want to taste both of these "signature" dishes at once, you can order the famous "Double Delight (兩溝)," which includes both dishes,  enhancing the flavors.

 If you prefer snacks, you can choose the hand-made fish meat siu mai, made daily with fresh fish meat, bursting with freshness and chewiness, setting a high standard. As the siu mai is limited in daily supply and often sold out before dusk, it's best to come early. Don't miss the “steamed rice noodle roll (豬腸粉)” , served with a mix of sweet sauce, sesame sauce, and spicy sauce, offering a rich flavor.

The desserts are also worth recommending, with the signature being the family's traditional Lui Chai Kee Coconut Milk Dessert (椰香喳咋), a mix of red beans, mung beans, peanuts, and chickpeas, resembling a sweet version of eight treasures porridge, cooked to a smooth texture, infused with coconut fragrance. Other desserts include traditional Chinese sweet soups like bean curd with white fungus and coix seed(腐竹白果薏米糖水); Western-style desserts such as sago with cantaloupe(楊枝甘露) and mango pudding, ensuring there's something for everyone's taste.

Lui Chai Kee Yee Gor 1978
Address: Shop 1, G/F, Tung Hing Building, 28-40A Eastern Street, Shau Kei Wan
Hours: 13:00-23:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Phone: +852 2885 8590
Transportation: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station, Exit B1

Hong Kong-style Egg Waffle Expert | Master Low-key Master Food Shop

Located near the Shau Kei Wan MTR Station, Master Low-key Master Food Shop specializes in just two items – hong kong style egg waffles and egg cakes, yet they are extremely popular with a constant stream of customers.

Established in 2009, the reason they have been able to stand for 16 years and open branches in Causeway Bay and Tseung Kwan O is their focus on making excellent egg waffles. They adhere to a policy of made to order - as soon as an order is received, they pour their homemade batter into the molds, turning them regularly until they are ready to serve, which takes about 7 minutes.

After baking, the egg waffles are not immediately bagged; they are left for a brief period to blow away moisture, ensuring the outer shell remains crispy. The golden egg waffles have a thin crispy exterior and a slightly hollow, soft interior, full of eggy flavor.

The egg waffles come in various flavour including original, salted egg yolk, chocolate, apple, and spicy sausage. If sharing with a group, it's worth trying all 5 series. The egg cakes are also popular, with freshly baked bottoms being crispy outside and chewy inside, with the fillings half-melted - a delight for dessert lovers.

Tips : Due to the made-to-order nature of their products and the large number of customers, you may have to wait at least 20 minutes from placing an order. However, for such high-quality snacks, the wait is well worth it.

Low-key Master of Street Snacks
Address: G/F, Shop B3, 76A Eastern Street, Shau Kei Wan
Hours: 13:00-21:00
Phone: +852 5592 4100
Website: Low-key Master of Street Snacks on Instagram

Transport: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station, B1 exit.

Visit The Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence for free 

After tasting delicious food, you might want to visit a nearby attraction. The Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, which was renovated and reopened in 2023, is definitely worth a visit. If you walk from Eastern Street, there are signposts along the street indicating the way, and it's about an 8 to 10 minute walk.

The museum's theme is to introduce the history of the resistance war and Hong Kong's coastal defense and military changes, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of Hong Kong's history. 

The museum covers an area of approximately 34,200 square meters, divided into outdoor and indoor sections. The outdoor area showcases various large military equipment such as military vehicles and heavy artillery.

The permanent indoor exhibition hall is divided into 11 themed exhibition galleries, showcasing Hong Kong's military changes in coastal defense since the Tang Dynasty, with over 700 exhibits and 500 historical photos. There are also multiple media and interactive installations, including an immersive video of the "Battle of Hong Kong," where lighting effects enhance the viewer's experience, making it feel like a valuable history lesson.

The museum is free to enter, but be sure to check the opening hours - until 5 pm in winter and 6 pm in summer. With a large number of exhibits, plan to spend around 2 hours exploring. It's advisable to have lunch before visiting so you have ample time to carefully appreciate the displays.

Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence
Address: 175 Chai Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan
Hours: 10:00-17:00 (Closed on Thursdays)
Phone: +852 2569 1500
Website: hk.waranddefence.museum

Transport: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station, B2 exit, and it's about a 10-minute walk.

 Hong Kong Second-Class Historic Building Shau Kei Wan Tin Hau Temple

Located across from the famous On Lee Noodle Shop is the renowned Shau Kei Wan Tin Hau Temple, which has a history of over 140 years and has been designated as a second-class historic building in Hong Kong, brimming with historical value.

Originally built with funds raised by fishermen, the Tin Hau Temple was constructed to seek blessings from Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea. Following a severe storm that destroyed many buildings and caused numerous casualties, while Tin Hau Temple only received minor damages, residents believed it was a divine intervention by Tin Hau, allowing them to escape disaster. This led to the decision to rebuild the Tin Hau Temple, which subsequently attracted many devotees seeking blessings, explaining its continued popularity and significance.

The Tin Hau Temple is a two-hall, three-bay structure adorned with plaques, sculptures, wood carvings, and murals showcasing historical artifacts. Apart from the worship of Tin Hau, the temple also venerates the deities Lü Zu and Guan Yin, thus observing the traditional custom of "Borrowing from the Treasury of Guan Yin" on the 26th day of the first lunar month each year, drawing a large number of devotees.

Shau Kei Wan Tin Hau Temple
Address: 53 Eastern Street, Shau Kei Wan
Hours: 08:00-17:00
Phone: +852 2569 1264
Website: ctc.org.hk
Transport: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station, B2 exit, and it's about a 5-minute walk.

Troll along Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter and enjoy the scenery of Victoria Harbour

After visiting the Tin Hau Temple, it is recommended to head to another attraction in Shau Kei Wan - the Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter. You can walk through the MTR station and reach it via Exit D2.

The typhoon shelter offers a picturesque view of Lei Yue Mun, with the Victoria Harbour scenery unfolding before your eyes. During sunset, you can capture stunning views of the setting sun.

值得一提，避風塘旁邊是東龍島街渡碼頭（東龍島在西貢最南面，四面環海，沿島可以行山及欣賞開揚海景），可從這裡乘船到達。碼頭逢周六、日及公眾假期營業，最早航班由早上9時於西灣河開出，從東龍島回程最夜時間則為下午5時30分，大家不妨順道來一趟淨化身心靈的離島旅遊。

Tung Lung Island Street Ferry Pier
Address: Aldrich Bay, Shau Kei Wan
Transport: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station, D2 exit, and it's about a 7-minute walk.