Header photo credit: jeffreyw
On my way to get some hot dawgs
Ah, hot dog, you’re a food that manages to elicit almost comically polar opposite reactions from the general public. This solidly loud-and-proud American food staple most commonly found on the streets of New York and in the stands of the nation’s favourite pastime – baseball, obviously – may not seem to fit in Hong Kong’s culinary landscape, but I am here to elevate the humble dog from the murky depths of this timelessly insulting trope: ”You smell like dirty hot dog water.” Come with me; your hot dog adventure awaits!
Photo credit: @oh.my.dear.mary
Hotdog Brothers
Around the corner of an unassuming park and local cinema in Yuen Long we have Hotdog Brothers. Their beer chilli hot dog ($42), slathered in a tantalising combo of melted Cheddar cheese and honey mustard sauce, served with a heaping helping of chilli and a juicy, crunchy sausage, is just the thing for a hearty afternoon snack.
Shop C, 14 Yuen Long Pau Cheung Square, Yuen Long, 9383 8371
Photo credit: shell_we_eat
ICONIC H Special Hotdog Shop
From a salmon sausage dog to a Sichuan spicy dog, ICONIC H is pushing the envelope – or sliced bun, shall we say – on creative hot dog fillings. Cheese fans will want to try the Evil Cheese Quartet ($48), drizzled in an ”evil spicy sauce”, and lovers of German-style curry ketchup will dig the Piggy Bur-dog ($78), which comes with a Nürnberger bratwurst, pork patty and – in our opinion – the best ketchup in the world. And don’t forget the unagi dog ($88), made with a marinated slice of eel draped over a frankfurter.
Shop 106A, Block C, Whampoa Building, 97 Baker Street, Hung Hom, 5595 5981
Photo credit: Zeppelin Hot Dog
Zeppelin Hot Dog
When we go to Zeppelin, we go for the Japanese-style dog ($28). What’s not to love about biting wasabi mayo, shaved katsuobushi and a frankfurter? If we’re looking to really indulge on our cheat day, we go for the US-style rings dog ($32): onion rings wrapped around a frankfurter like a crunchy, protective blanket, with a drizzle of BBQ sauce and Parmesan cheese powder. Be still, my heart – though there’s fat chance of that, with the way those cholesterol levels will rise.
Shop B7, Block B, Wah Shing Building, 80–84 Hau Tei Square, Tsuen Wan, 5626 7695
Photo credit: BRAT
BRAT
This little takeaway counter in Harbour City is as simple as it comes – choose between five types of pork or chicken sausage and have it with a bun or without. The paprika dog ($48) is wonderfully complex and spiced with paprika, garlic and pepper, and the traditional brat dog ($68) holds up as a reliable and deceptively straightforward favourite. These are all high-quality, fresh AF dogs. Hot tip: just because you’re here for the dog, don’t leave without trying the crazy fries. We recommend the Osaka fries ($38), with delicious nori shreds, okonomiyaki sauce and kewpie mayo, and the disco fries ($38), with beef gravy and mozzarella.
Shop 264, 2/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST, 2110 2177
Still with me? We’re more than halfway there!
Photo credit: MGani
The Hot Dog Submarine
Sham Shui Po’s a hotbed of niche eats, so we’re not surprised to find a little Singaporean hot dog stall tucked into this corner of Kowloon. True to its name, The Hot Dog Submarine specialises in a particular delight from the sea: the good ol’ crab. Choose between the chilli crab dog ($30) and the pepper crab dog ($30). Yep, that’s it, just two, so I’m guessing that they’ve had more than enough time to perfect their crab recipes. The ingredients are sourced straight from Singapore as well, for those who are missing authentic flavours from home.
Shop 5K86–88, 5/F, Apple Mall, Dragon Centre, 37 Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po, 6291 3626
Photo credit: 屎迪仔
Grouchos Cafe
Make the trek to Stanley and you’ll be rewarded with dogs. Of the edible kind. Wait, what? I mean hot dogs, you sick person. Grouchos Cafe serves up some mean-ass dawgs, and we like this one in particular: the Belgian dog ($40). White bratwurst meets Parmesan cheese, tangy sauerkraut, pickles and Dijon mustard. Sounds more like a German hot dog to me, but whatever its name, it’s damn delicious.
Shop 4, Stanley Waterfront Mart, 20 Stanley Market Road, Stanley, 2813 1513
Photo credit: eunice2046
hmv Flagship Store
hmv deserves a mention on this list, because hmv’s got your basic sausage-in-bun-with-ketchup-and-mustard hot dog for $5. I mean, is there really anything better than a $5 hot dog? Not in my book.
2–4/F, Pearl City, 22–36 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, 2504 3669
Off you go to discover new hawt dawgs!
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