11-08-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's best cheap eats: from Tam Jai to French toast
Hong Kong may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but that doesn't mean you need to splurge to eat well. The city's most iconic eats are not found on expensive tasting menus, but are instead located on every other street. From street food and cha chaan teng dishes to iconic Cantonese roast meats, these are snacks and meals that represent the heart and soul of Hong Kong culture – and they just so happen to be easy on the wallet, too. Here are some of our favourites.
Spicy rice noodles at TamJai SamGor
With nearly 200 locations across Hong Kong,
this casual noodle shop may be a chain, but it's a vital part of Hong Kong's dining culture. Its place in the city's food scene has led to collaborations with airlines, as well as make-up, chips and beer brands.
TamJai SamGor offers Yunnan-style rice noodles and diners can select their toppings, noodle type and – perhaps most importantly – a soup base that meets their desired spice level. The chain operates under two brands – TamJai SamGor and TamJai Yunnan Mixian – but they split into different chains after a shareholder dispute, and were only reunited when both were bought by Japan's Toridoll in 2018. Most locals, however, still swear by one chain or the other. While the two offer very similar menus, TamJai SamGor carries a reputation for having a wider variety of soup bases – not only do they offer different levels of spice, but also multiple types of heat, such as hot and sour, numbing mala spice and aromatic charred pepper spice.
Price: HK$45-60 for a bowl of noodles
Locations across Hong Kong
Tomato instant noodles at Sing Heung Yuen
This dai pai dong (a local open-air food stall) is known for its vibrantly red and flavourful tomato broth instant noodles, attracting queues of tourists and locals alike. Customise it to your liking by choosing your desired toppings, such as the popular fried egg and luncheon meat or sliced beef. While instant noodles are great at soaking up the broth and adding a fattiness that balances the tomato broth's acidity, you can also swap out the noodles for macaroni – the hollow centre provides more sauce-trapping opportunities. Be sure to add a side of toast with condensed milk and a glass of iced milk tea for the ultimate sweet and savoury combo.
