Street foods that you must try in Hong Kong

Once in Hong Kong, you’ll find that the city’s street-food hawkers have drawn loyal followers from all walks of life. Here’s some street foods you have to try on your next visit to Hong Kong.

Spicy fish balls

Without a doubt, the ultimate hero of Hong Kong’s hawker food is the curried fish ball. They are made from fish meat compressed into bite-sized balls which are then deep fried and smothered in a curry sauce. Though the neo-fluorescent glow of the curry sauce may be off-putting to some, trust the crowds. Hong Kongers know what they’re eating.

Egg waffle

Largely considered the gastronomic symbol of Hong Kong’s thriving street-food scene, the egg waffle is so popular, it has become an institution in and of itself. Though it was traditionally cooked above a charcoal fire, the egg waffle has since been through numerous different incarnations. There are now dozens of flavours and varieties available in Hong Kong.

Grilled calamari

The heaving metropolis we now call Hong Kong grew from humble beginnings as a fishing village. Street food has helped to preserve this history, and still offers a vast array of catches from the surrounding waters. One such delicacy is grilled squid, cooked simply with a touch of soy sauce. Its simplicity is typical of Cantonese cooking, where additional sauces and spices are used to enhance, rather than cover, the inherent taste of the main ingredients.

Pork rind

The pork rind served at Hong Kong’s street food stalls are essentially pork scratchings that have been steamed instead of fried. They are then coated in a thick curry sauce and topped off with a touch of chilli, adding rich flavours to the light and springy texture of the pork rind.

See more: All about the signature food of Asians, Stinky Tofu

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Top non-touristy things to do in Singapore

Seen enough of Singapore’s typical touristy sights? Taking your insta-worthy photos at Marina Bay Sands or visiting the ethnic enclaves like Chinatown and Little India are fun for first-time visitors, but those who want to avoid the tourist crowds and get a glimpse of a more local side of Singapore, here is the list of non-touristy things to check out.

Go café-hopping at Tiong Bahru to find the best coffee and pastries

Tiong Bahru is known as a 'hipster' neighbourhood. But if you dig a little deeper, you will find that this quaint estate is the oldest housing area in the country. The mix of past and present is quite evident, and it is so cool to check out all the new possibilities in this old neighbourhood. Just take a walk around Yong Siak Street or Eng Hoon Street, and you will be able to find a cute café at almost every corner.

Have forest adventure

If you are looking for a challenge that does not involve racing to meet a deadline, Forest Adventure is the perfect outdoorsy activity for an adrenaline rush. After all, up in the treetops, the sounds of everyday life like zooming cars and the city bustle are completely muted by the rustling of leaves.

Chill and listen to live music along Haji Lane

People often have the misconception that Haji Lane is a shady place at night with its numerous dark alleys. Contrary to popular understanding, it is actually not like that at all. In fact, it is a place brimming with culture and attitude.

Get yourself a seat at any one of the bars there and allow street musicians to serenade you with their acoustic numbers. Pop open a couple of beers, share a few laughs and that right there is a perfect night.

Do some birdwatching

The Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are popular tourist attractions, but most visitors do not realize that Singapore has a surprisingly rich plethora of biodiversity left in its wild despite urbanisation and its small size.

Bird lovers will marvel at the variety of migratory birds that pass through during the months of September and March, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in particular is one of the best places for bird watching, though there are plenty of opportunities in Singapore’s other parks and reserves. If you are lucky, you might even spot larger creatures like crocodiles, otters and even a rare pangolin ambling by in the evenings.

Visit some farms

Take a break from the shopping malls and spend a leisurely day exploring Kranji Countryside and its many farms instead. Some of the farms are open for touring and sale of fresh produce, drink some fresh goat’s milk at Hay Dairies, learn about frog farming at Jurong Frog Farm or see how prized koi fish are raised at Hausmann Aquarium. Enjoy some farm-to-table fresh meals as well at Bollywood Veggies and Garden Asia Bistro.

Soak up some history at the MINT Museum of Toys

The MINT Museum of Toys is sure to delight both adults and kids with their vast collection of vintage toys and memorabilia from around the world. These toys tell a story of the era that they were created in, providing a more enriching experience besides just staring at old toys.

Believed to be the largest collection of its kind in Southeast Asia, the vast range of collectibles from Batman figurines to vintage teddy bears will intrigue both adults and children alike.

Eat at a local hawker centre

Eating cheap local street food should be a part of any Singaporean itinerary, it is often considered the national past time. But rather than frequent popular tourist hawker centres like Lau Pa Sat and Newton, go check out other local favorites like Old Airport Road, ABC Brickworks and Changi Village instead.

Read more: 5 night markets to visit in Singapore

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The importance of Yin-Yang Philosophy in Chinese food

One of the key principles of Chinese thought is the duality of yin and yang. Stemming from Taoist philosophy, this principle is embedded in Chinese culture, from traditional medicine to martial arts to food. Read on to learn what that means for the balance of flavors, ingredients and cooking techniques that go into an authentic Chinese meal.

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What is Yin-Yang Philosophy?

The concept of yin and yang states that everything in the universe is composed of two opposing but complementary forces. Everything that is yin necessarily has corresponding yang, such as night and day, or hot and cold.

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Things that are said to contain a lot of yang energy tend to be warm, strong, masculine and bright, whilst yin is associated with things that are feminine, cool, soft and dark. However, it’s important to note that both yin and yang are present in everything. When we say something is yin or something is yang, we mean it in relative terms. Nothing is purely yin, or purely yang.

What kinds of food are Yin, and What kinds of food are Yang?

Some foods are considered primarily yin, or cooling, while others are primarily yang, or warming, while still others are composed of a harmonious balance of yin and yang. Chinese people believe that it’s important to balance the yin and yang of the body, which can be achieved by eating the right foods.

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Yang foods tend to be sweet, spicy or pungent, and have warm colors such as red or orange. Often, they are dry and come from the soil. Some examples include potatoes, papaya, chili peppers and lamb meat.

In contrast, yin foods are bitter or salty, generally, have higher moisture content, and tend to be green or cool-toned in color. Foods grown in the water tend to be yin foods. Examples include cucumber, tofu, lotus and soy sauce.

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In addition, different cooking methods also have yin and yang associations. Frying and roasting are considered yang, whereas boiling and steaming are yin.

Why is it so important to maintain a balance of Yin and Yang in the diet?

According to traditional Chinese medicine, one’s spiritual, physical and emotional well-being are all regulated by the balance of yin and yang in the body. A deficiency or excess of yin or yang throws the body off kilter, leading to bodily and spiritual ailments.

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As such, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet and to eat the right foods at the right time of year. For instance, having a cold is associated with an excess of yin, and can be alleviated by restoring the yang of the body. In addition, Chinese people eat refreshing, watery yin foods to fend off the intense yang of summer, whereas they warm up the body with yang foods in the winter.

How is Yin-Yang philosophy applied to Chinese good?

A Chinese meal is centered around the concept of balance. The different ingredients work together to achieve a balance in flavor (sweet, sour, spicy, bitter and salty), texture and cooking styles. A good mix of vegetable, meat and starch (rice or noodles) is crucial. Dry dishes, such as a spicy stir-fry, should be complemented by a congee or a soup. A Chinese chef will even pay attention to the balance of colors in the meal. For example, diced meat should be accompanied by vegetables with a contrasting color, such as bell peppers or scallions.

In addition, Chinese people dine communally by sharing dishes, making it easier to eat a range of foods. Because each meal is diverse and balanced, authentic Chinese food is one of the most filling and healthy cuisines in the world.

Read more: Typical breakfast dishes in China

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