Food And Dining

A lot of people come to Cheung Chau specifically for the food, and there are indeed a range of traditional and modern choices. As a historic fishing village it is of course very related to seafood, fish and marine products.  Here you will find a full range of seafood dishes, but also traditional Hong Kong Cafe fare, Cantonese Dim Sum and international choices as well. 

Fishballs

Fishballs are a popular snack everywhere in Hong Kong, either steamed, boiled in stock, or served with curry sauce. And not just made of fish but of a variety of seafoods including squid, and of course with various meatballs as well.  Eaten on a stick from a street vendor, while leaning forward and taking care to not drip sauce on ones shoes, this is a truly Hong Kong experience and on Cheung Chau some of the best known fishballs in all of Hong Kong can be found.

Gan Yongtai fishball shop (pictured) is the best known on the island and is easily found in the large square in front of the ferry pier, underneath the large tree it can be recognised by the large queue people waiting outside. However many other stands on the island have excellent fishballs as well, each of their own style so do try several.

As you can see some of the "balls" are in fact triangles, and these are made of bean curd which is set, sliced into shape, and then fried. Served in various combinations on long skewers they are a popular snack for locals to the island as well as visitors.

Seafood Restaurants

Catering to the large number of visitors who are coming to Cheung Chau for a seafood lunch or dinner there is a stretch of seafront with many seafood restaurants. Each one has tables by the sea as well as some indoor seating. Focusing on providing food for visitors it concentrates on rustic and traditional Cantonese presentations of seafood. Try a steamed fish with ginger and spring onion, stir fried little clams with chili, crispy deep fried squid or steamed garlic prawns.  Typical accompaniments such as plain or fried rice, beef and broccoli stir fry and sweet and sour pork make for a complete meal and cater to those who do not like seafood.

Like many seafood restaurants those on Cheung Chau allow you to bring your own fish which has been purchased nearby either directly from live seafood shops nearby, or from the wet market.  In that case only a "cooking fee" is charged when you specify how you would like your fresh seafood prepared.

To reach the seafood restaurant street turn left after you leave the ferry pier and walk towards Pak Tai Temple, it is signposted, until you see a cluster of restaurants.  While the last in the row, called the New Baccarat Restaurant, is particularly well known each of the restaurants including Hong Kee and So Bor Kee can provide a good meal.

To reach the wet market and buy live or fresh slaughtered seafood turn right after leaving the ferry pier and walk along the waterfront until you see the large multi level municipal services building. The seafood vendors are upstairs.

There are many other seafood restaurants on Cheung Chau, you will have passed a large one on the way to the market, and conversely while walking towards Pak Tai from the ferry pier one of the first things you will see is the Long Island Restaurant which serves a full menu, including Dim Sum.

Dim Sum

Cantonese Dim Sum is served by several restaurants on the island from the Bayview Chinese Restaurant in the Warwick Hotel overlooking the beach to the Long Island Restaurant near the ferry pier, and several smaller restaurants inside the village.

Hong Kong Cafe

As a residential district Cheung Chau has no shortage of small cafes that keep up the traditions of the Hong Kong Style Cafe, mixing western and Asian dishes with local ingredients and always a Hong Kong flair.  Try the King's Cafe which overlooks the harbour about 100m north from the ferry pier and try their famous Giant Fresh Orange and Lemon Juice, or towards the south of the island in a square beyond the public market building is Coffee or Tea which serves both Cafe and Cantonese dishes in a delightful alfresco environment.

International Choices

Morocco's Bar - Serving both Pub Grub, traditional Indian Curry and Thai dishes this well established watering hole overlooks the sea from a location just next to the ferry pier. Try one of the international choices of beer to go with a Chicken Tika or Rogan Josh, and pair it with a Thai fried rice for some variety!