Top photo credit: Hotel ICON
Whether you’re new to Hong Kong or just day-tripping in a new ’hood, it always helps to have seasoned insider tips on where to go, what to eat and what to see. Check out this guide, courtesy of Hotel ICON, to help you to enjoy the best food and IG-worthy sights that one of Hong Kong’s busiest neighbourhoods has to offer.
Background photo credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
1. Bird Garden
Designed in the style of a traditional Chinese garden, the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden is known for its dozens of stalls selling hundreds of songbirds and exquisitely crafted bamboo cages.
Yuen Po Street, Prince Edward, 7am–8pm
Photo credit: Hotel ICON
2. Flower Market
Hong Kong‘s Flower Market is an oasis of fragrant blooms, complete with an assortment of exported and locally grown flowers, plants, shrubs, herbs and even bonsai trees. The market is especially popular amongst locals during Chinese New Year, when large crowds visit to buy auspicious flowers, wishing to usher in the greatest luck for the new year.
Flower Market Road, Prince Edward, 9:30am–7:30pm
3. Goldfish Market
Goldfish Market is like an aquarium in the streets where a large variety of fish in all colours, shapes and sizes imaginable can be found. Some shops display the fish for sale in small bags, as there’s a traditional belief that buying goldfish in bags means you’ll “take home a bag of gold”.
Tung Choi Street North, Mong Kok, 10am–after 8pm
4. Ladies’ Market
Gentlemen, don’t be misled by the name of this market. A wide variety of discounted clothing, handbags, travel goods, accessories, toys and electronics that will interest both men and women are available here. Prices are not set in stone and negotiating is half the fun!
Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, 11am–11:30pm
5. Fei Jie (local street food)
Although there is always a queue at Fei Jie, it moves quite quickly, so you won’t need to wait long for a taste of their scrumptious skewers. Pork gizzard and intestine are the most popular choices for Hong Kong locals, but for those with slightly less adventurous palates, we recommend the sausage and octopus.
Must-try: pork gizzard, pork tongue, sausage, octopus (less than HK$50)
Shop 4A, 55 Dundas Street, Mong Kok, 9191 7683, 2–11pm
Photo credit: Hotel ICON
6. Four Seasons Pot Rice
With crispy rice and over 32 combinations of tender meat and savoury pieces of lap mei (Chinese sausage) as toppings, clay-pot rice is a hearty Hong Kong classic that is hard to resist. This much-adored street stall always has a long queue, but it’s worth the wait!
Must-try: deep-fried oyster cake, chicken feet, pork chop with rice (HK$50–100)
46–58 Arthur Street, Yau Ma Tei, 6pm–1am
Photo credit: Hotel ICON
7. Jade Market
Jade Market is a collection of hundreds of stands selling a wide variety of jade, pearls and precious stones. Jade is considered a sacred stone that is associated with health and long life in Chinese culture, so it could be a good choice if you are looking for a souvenir. Bargaining is a must at this market.
Junction of Kansu Street and Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei, 10am–6:30pm
8. Temple Street Night Market
Late-night shopping is a Hong Kong tradition and Temple Street Night Market is the perfect spot to find clothing, souvenirs, jade and antiques until well after the sun goes down. You may also discover fortune tellers, herbalists and, on the odd occasion, some free open-air Cantonese opera.
Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei, 2pm–2am
Think you might get lost? Don’t worry – here’s an illustrated map to help you out:
Information, map and guide courtesy of Hotel ICON
Download the full Mong Kok guide here
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