Island Food Tripping

June 5, 2023

I visited Cheung Chau island on May 26 to take part in the Bun Festival. I think it was my fifth trip to the island, and I never get bored going back again and again. The tranquility of the place which makes me think of rural life in my home country, is what I am after, not simply the attractions. I can unwind and temporarily forget about the bad things in life and my demanding job because of the entire peaceful environment.

Food tripping is always what I wanted when going to an island. Who would not want it anyway? Visitors should truly try local foods. Among them is the traditional lucky bun, which is the festival's main highlight.

These traditional steamed buns are made from rice flour with different fillings such as red bean, sesame, and lotus. The red stamped character on it means 'ping on’ in Chinese or safety in English. People would visit the island just to buy this auspicious food which for them will bring them good luck and peace.

The lucky buns on Cheung Chau Island are more delicious and with more fillings than the ones sold in Hong Kong's cities, lol. Additionally, it is less expensive, only costing HK$10 as opposed to more than HK$10 in cities.

The mango mochi is also one of the most popular food on the island aside from traditional lucky buns. It is also affordable worth HK$16 only, and unlike those sold in supermarkets, the filling is real mango, not artificial.

Aside from mango mochi, there are other flavors such as durian, kiwi, and banana. Some traditional Chinese delicacies such as glutinous rice cake, red bean cake, turnips, and others are also sold in street food shops across the island.

Spiral potato chips in wooden stick is also popular which can be paired with refreshing fruit drinks, teas, flavored shaved ice topped with fruits and pearls, or ice creams.

Fruit shakes and juices are truly refreshing and thirst-quenchers.

While exploring the island in the summer, you would undoubtedly be thirsty all the time. The sun was so intense that day that I almost wanted to soak my body in the ocean, but if I stayed on the beach side, I might end up getting burned. I walked around the area after the event and discovered Sweetly Sweetie, which was offering desserts and refreshing drinks.

Instead of buying desserts which my tummy was craving, I opted for refreshing drink as my warm water couldn't quench my thirst.

Note that beforehand, I also ate a cup of shaved ice. This is a Taiwanese flavored shaved ice. I was walking along a narrow street when I came across a food stall selling shaved ice. I found it enticing so I ordered a cup of mango-chocolate drizzled with strawberry sauce.

Have you ever tried real frozen fruit popsicles? They are popular on the island too. Those fruits are frozen and screwed in popsicle sticks. They are best to eat while roaming around the island.

There are some Chinese street food similar to Filipino food, just like these spring rolls we call lumpia, and rice vermicelli noodles we call pansit.

Fish balls and squid balls are also popular on the island, especially the curry flavored balls. There are also some street foods from pig's internal organs. They truly look weird and smell awful, but Chinese people like eating them.

Some people, like me, prefer eating while walking. Those who don't want to dine in at any restaurant can just have take outs of these rice rolls sushi.

There are Japanese sushi sold in some food stalls. It's not just the food that are attractive, but as well as the food shop designs.

Beer on tap, have you ever tried them? What about island strolling while drinking beer? You would definitely experience it here. You can either sit on tables by the streets, or just walk around with your beer, no one would mind.

From a simple fishermen village, this island has been transformed into like retailers complex. The waterfront is mostly occupied by different business establishments: retail shops, souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, desserts shops, snack houses, street food stalls, and other else.

But aside from traditional delicacies and street foods, people visit this island to try local seafood. Given that fishing is the main source of income of many villagers, there are a lot of alfresco seafood restaurants, especially along the waterfront.

For some reason, summer is a great time for food tripping. Have you felt the same? It is truly amazing to have island hoping while food tripping. Next time, I'll bring you to another island. This island, Cheung Chau, by the way is one of the best islands in Hong Kong so you must include it in your itinerary in case you visit this place someday 😊.

Thanks for stopping by.

(All photos are mine)

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