Guide to Temple Street Food & Shopping (Map included!)
Hey guys! How we doing this fine evening? You know how I feel about food (I love it!) and shopping (even better...), so when it comes to local finds I'm your girl for sure! This time I'm telling you guys all about the cool eats and finds in the usually tourist-y Temple Street/night market. But no, I'm not pointing you guys to all the boring stuff like over-priced fake bags and weird toys, so get ready for an adventure!
**make sure you stay till the end for a street map of all the goodies!**
Street food and cow innards whey-hey! I love all things street food and local, so this Temple Street Cow Innards store had me with the loooooong line! But worry not if you're not into all things intestines and lungs, you can always get the fishballs and white radish (MUST HAVE), which is cooked in the same stock and tastes as yummy!
For some local Chinese desserts, look no further than the geese! The Zha-Zha has been a favourite of mine since young, and it's almost like a special version of red-bean soup with tons of extra goodies in it. If you're into something more fresh or cold, try their fresh fruit desserts with grass jelly or sago.
I guess I don't really have to say much about Mido Cafe, since it's probably on most of the tourist must-go lists. But if you haven't been, you should definitely take the chance to check out one of the last few retro (and authentic) old school cafes in town, with their super local lai-chas and yuen-yangs (milk teas and milk tea mixed with coffee!)
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Yes, here comes the shopping after walking pass (and maybe stopping by) one of the tarot stalls for some fortune telling. It's hard to miss this nameless store tucked neatly in Temple Street. The half-stall is covered in a huge array of statement necklaces, rings, and earrings. Mostly imported from Thailand I heard, prices range from $38 to at most (from my experience) $78. Yeah you saw right, freaking Hong Kong dollars. How have I not bought the whole store yet? I'll show you my steals in another post.
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Another store tucked round the corner in the middle of Temple Street sells all sorts of goodies, also imported from Thailand from my estimation! Their prices are slightly higher, but provided they actually have to rent a shop and all (and having really cute decor at that), I think the prices are still very reasonable. You can get neon shorts, home accessories or even a shisha pot to bring home if you're into that stuff (I know I am!)
After a night of binge shopping and eating, I usually top off the night with some (yes more) dessert from Yee Shun Milk Company. Their milk pudding is the bomb! You can't really get more local than that.... (well, I suppose many tourists do visit, but at least the menu is in Chinese still! lol)Alright... confused about locations and all? Here's a not-really-comprehensive hand drawn map by me. Of course it's in no way super accurate, especially the distance/spacing, but you get the gist.
So usually I start from Yau Ma Tei (instead of Jordan) and hit the food to fuel up first. Along the first part of Temple Street you'll get tons of Dai Pai Dongs. You have to try the fried oyster omelette and check out all the funny HK magnets. The street may seem finished but it isn! Cross the road and walk pass a sort of park/garden and check out all the fortune-telling stalls! (they're super cool)
After you pass all the fortune-telling stalls at Kansu Street, you should see the huuuuge sign saying Temple Street. Walk along for some more awesome stalls with cool underwear and fake TOMS shoes. Don't forget to check out the parallel Woosung Street for some more, yes, good ol' food. I definitely want to mention Kam Shan Seafood Restaurant, which makes ahhhhmazing seafood and local Chinese food so give that a go! (But be ready for lines & waiting... you gotta be patient for great enjoyment!)
I hope this wasn't too confusing haha! Till next time,xx