Budget-Friendly Food Tour: Street Food in Kwai Chung Plaza All Under HK$100

Join The Beat Asia on a delicious journey exploring the hidden local gems of Hong Kong’s Street food hub. Venture into the vibrant plaza of Kwai Fong and discover some street snack shops on a budget, with the full lot of food all amounting to just under HK$100. Unlike many malls in Hong Kong, Kwai Chung Plaza is home to hundreds of small and local merchants, from cheap boutiques to street snacks, both local and international.

Bag Noodles, HK$13

Speaking of cheap eats in Hong Kong, Bag Noodles are definitely a staple that offer a cheap yet filling snack. Mixed in a bag with various toppings, a full bag of noodles costs around HK$15. With branches in Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po and many other places, the Kwai Fong location is a definite go-to store as students gather around for a delicious after-school snack.

Though not a big fan of bag noodles, revisiting a bag noodles shop reminds me of the good old school days. I ordered whelk tops and jellyfish as toppings, making the whole bag of noodles for only HK$13. The garlic and spicy sauce they used in the mixture adds a lot of spice and excitement to the cold stirred noodles. Together with the chewy bites of the jellyfish and the fishy flavour of the whelk tops, this small bag of delicate chewiness is sure making me enjoy it a lot.

Where: Shop 3075, 3/F, Kwai Chung Plaza, 7 Kwai Foo Road, Kwai Fong, New Territories

Shredded Pancake, HK$23

The aura of this shop beckoned me towards it. Shredded Pancakes served here are freshly fried with the scent of scallion coming from it. It gives me an impression of a mix of Taiwanese scallion crisps and Indian Naan, with a local touch. Various cheap toppings including Ham, Cheese, and Eggs are available. Based on my preference, I tried the pancake with egg and ham at HK$23.

The toppings were not entirely amazing, however, the pancake itself shines. It is hot and crispy, with an aroma of scallion oil and salt. Adding mayonnaise and the shop’s special sauce upgrades the whole experience. Not a Michelin-starred delicacy, but a dish that would make my day, especially at such a low price.

Where: Shop B01C, 1/F, Kwai Chung Plaza, 7 Kwai Foo Road, Kwai Fong, New Territories

Mango and Pomelo Drink, HK$15

Cool off with a refreshing Mango and Pomelo Drink, a classic Hong Kong dessert made into a drink that also happens to be a great deal. Different from the traditional way of preparing the beverage, the shop added Nata De Coco into the drink as well, giving the drink more texture. It was very refreshing, yet a little too sweet for my appetite. Ask for less sugar if you're going to try it!

Where: Shop 29, 3/F, Kwai Chung Plaza, 7 Kwai Foo Road, Kwai Fong, New Territories

Braised Pork Tongue Skewer, HK$10

Another horrifying yet intriguing street snack to try, the Braised Pork Tongue Skewer is sold at Skewer shops they have at Kwai Chung Plaza, that are alike to Fei Jeh Snacks in Mong Kok. Apart from squid and other organs, this store does have a choice of Pork Tongue, so I’m spending HK$10 to try one of these.

The pork tongue itself does not have a strong odour and is chewy to bite. Together with the mustard and sweet sauce on the skewer, it enriches its flavour. This snack is the easiest to handle amongst all organ-type snacks in Hong Kong, a good starter if you want to dive into tasting innards and less conventional parts. And at only HK$10, it's worth a try.

Where: Shop 2, 3/F, Kwai Chung Plaza, 7 Kwai Foo Road, Kwai Fong, New Territories

Tamagoyaki, HK$17

Kwai Chung Plaza holds a special place in local students' hearts as it not only sells local Hong Kong street food but also cheap versions of lavish delicacies that could only be tasted at high-end restaurants. The smell of the grill from this store drew my attention, I went towards it and chose the cheapest of all – the tamagoyaki sushi for HK$17.

I love how the egg is perfectly blended with mirin and the sweetness they added to the mixture, making the egg very sweet. They also added cheese and mayonnaise, making it extra tasty. The egg is freshly grilled, adding an extra aroma to the sushi itself. However, the rice in the middle may be too little to fill your stomach. Nevertheless, it is worth its price.

Where: Shop 3069-T21-22, 3/F, Kwai Chung Plaza, 7 Kwai Foo Road, Kwai Fong, New Territories

Fried Shiu Mai, HK$22

Don't miss out on the Fried Shiu Mai from Chock Chock Chicken, taking Siu Mai to another level by deep frying it. Fried Siu Mai is a creative twist of original Siu Mai in the recent years, which makes the outer crispy and the inside still very chewy. It is HK$22 for 7 pieces, double the price of normal Siu Mai.

Though standing at a higher price in terms of cheap eats, Chock Chock Chicken makes fried Siu Mai even more special by letting you add your own seasoning, from Mala to Cumin. The Siu Mai here is crispy enough, and the fragrance of the seasoning is delightful.

Where: Shop 3069-T18, 3/F, Kwai Chung Plaza, 7 Kwai Foo Road, Kwai Fong, New Territories