Let’s just be honest: we didn’t go to Hong Kong and Macau to sightsee. We went to eat. Yes, there were light shows and Disneyland magic, but our travel memories mostly smell like soy sauce and taste like roast duck. But, if you need the itinerary, here it is in our blog about 4 Days in Hong Kong and Macau.
We took our daughter on this trip to celebrate her first birthday, but in truth, it turned into a family food tour, where every stroller stop led to a bowl, bun, or bite.
Here’s our definitive list of 13 must-eats, sorted into starters, mains, and desserts, all tried and tested by one baby and two very enthusiastic parents.
STARTERS: SMALL PLATES, BIG FLAVOR, STRONG OPINIONS
1. Hong Kong-Style Wonton Soup
Delicate shrimp-and-pork dumplings bobbing in a steaming, clear broth… this bowl is warm, comforting, and slurpable. Our daughter poked the wontons with suspicion, then devoured them with baby spoon joy.
Baby tip: Let it cool, skip the scallions, and strain a bit of broth for your little one.
2. Hong Kong Milk Tea
Silky, strong, slightly sweet; this drink will keep you powered through diaper changes and Temple Street strolls. Served hot or cold, it’s a cha chaan teng classic. It’s called “pantyhose tea” because it’s filtered through a long sackcloth net resembling, well… you get the picture.
3. Taro Balls (Macau)
Soft, chewy, and subtly sweet, these purple-hued bouncy balls were a street snack surprise. Our baby thought they were toys until she realized… edible fun!
Tip: Look for versions served cold over syrupy ice or warm with coconut milk.
4. Ramen – Noodle Hugs in a Bowl
Okay, technically it’s Japanese, but you’ll find amazing ramen joints all over Hong Kong… and we couldn’t resist. Rich, umami-packed broth, springy noodles, jammy eggs, and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. It was a warm hug with chopsticks.
We slurped, baby clapped. Then she fished out the noodles with her chubby fingers like a noodle archaeologist.
Parent Tip: Ask for less chili oil and skip the raw garlic if you’re sharing with your mini gourmand.
MAIN COURSE: WHERE OUR STOMACHS SAID “YES” AND JEANS SAID “PLEASE STOP”
5. Roasted Duck (Hong Kong Style)
The duck. The myth. The legend. Glazed to perfection, roasted until the skin crackles, and sliced before your eyes. Served with plum sauce and steamed rice.
Baby moment: She took one bite and held on to the drumstick like a prized toy.
6. Ngau Lam Meen
Silky beef slow-cooked in star anise, soy, and love — all ladled over chewy noodles in a rich broth. The kind of bowl that warms your travel-weary soul.
Parent note: Skip the meat if your kid is averse, and let them sip the soup.
7. Stir-Fried Ho Fan
Wide rice noodles, wok-tossed with beef, scallions, and smoky soy. It’s chewy, charred, and full of wok hei — that magical breath-of-the-wok flavor.
Baby highlight: She slurped one up in a single strand like spaghetti, then applauded herself.
8. Hong Kong Sweet and Sour Chicken
Crispy chicken chunks glazed in a sticky sweet-sour sauce, tossed with bell peppers and juicy pineapple. It’s addictive, colorful, and great with rice.
Tip: Great for kids; just ask for a mild version and skip the chili!
9. Giant Turkey Leg (Disneyland)
This Disneyland beast of a meal is bigger than your face… smoky, tender, and theme park famous. We shared one between two adults and a hungry baby with serious FOMO. She refused purée and reached for the drumstick. Respect.
DESSERTS: THE SWEET STUFF (Baby-Tested, Parent-Finished)
10. Macanese Egg Tart
Oh, this tart. Flaky, buttery crust. Jiggly, caramelized custard. Warm from the oven at Margaret’s Café e Nata. We bought one to share. Then five more. A Portuguese import, adapted with local sweetness — now Macau’s edible icon. If you want to know more about this unmissable treat, read this BBC article!
11. Mickey Ice Cream Bar (Disneyland)
Vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate, shaped like Mickey Mouse, and perfect for a hot afternoon. Our daughter licked the ears off, leaving us with the torso. Grab one before parade time — they disappear faster than you’d think!
12. Minnie Donuts (Disneyland)
Adorably pink, perfectly puffy, and sprinkled with joy; these Minnie-shaped donuts are almost too cute to eat. Almost. We said they were for the baby. We lied.
13. Hong Kong Egg Waffles
Golden, bubbly waffles eaten on the go… crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Available in flavors like matcha, chocolate chip, or classic egg. Toddler-approved for chewing and waving at strangers mid-bite.
FINAL THOUGHTS: WE CAME, WE ATE, WE WIPED DOWN A LOT OF SURFACES
Eating through Hong Kong and Macau with a baby meant strategic snack breaks, creative feeding hacks, and spontaneous food detours. But honestly? It was amazing. Sharing new tastes with our tiny human made every bite a little more magical (and a little messier).
We didn’t get to try everything (sorry, stinky tofu), but we got a flavor-packed experience that none of us, not even our baby, will forget.
QUICK TIPS FOR FOODIE FAMILIES
- Ask for less spice or plain broth for baby bites
- Carry wipes, bibs, and backup snacks (for you too)
- Bring your own toddler utensils and most importantly, Silicon Bibs!
- Most malls and food courts have clean changing stations
- Don’t skip food courts… they’re air-conditioned heaven with high chairs!
If you’d like to pick our brains about baby food stuff, read our blog on our favorite baby food gadgets and tools.
Ready to eat your way across these two foodie capitals with a little one in tow? Just follow your nose… and maybe your baby’s tiny finger pointing at the next snack. Happy Eating!
