Hong Kong's Wet Markets
Hong Kong is known for its souvenir & knock off street markets like Ladie’s Market & Temple Street Night Market but their daily wet markets are where you’ll really see the scene of local life. These wet markets are set up similar to farmers markets with a mix of permanent store and movable street stalls that set up shop and close daily. Most neighborhoods in Hong Kong will have their own wet market for locals to shop for groceries and buy prepared food items. Some of them have moved indoors but there are still plenty that set up onto the streets daily. They range in opening times but operating hours are roughly 8am-6pm. My favorite ones to check out are in the Mong Kok area. Prices are cheaper than in the groceries stores and meat/seafood selection is much more vast. Most markets are cash only and much easier to navigate if you know Cantonese or Mandarin – though good old fashion pointing and signaling works. It’s dirty and crowded but you’ll be rewarded with plenty interesting food items to try and see. It’s definitely worth getting your shoes dirty for.
Nelson Street Wet Market is the market I frequented most during my stay in Hong Kong and where a lot of these photos were taken. There are plenty of restaurants in the area to grab a bite and it is very close to the popular Langham Place shopping center where locals and tourists pop in to enjoy the AC and escape the humid summer heat. There are also plenty of things to eat within the mall and it is connected to the nearby MTR Mong Kok train station.
Mom teaching her son how to pick out produce. Teach em young!
Most wet markets will have stalls selling hot food items and sometimes actual restaurants within the main market area or just a short walk away. Be on the lookout for these delicious gems and eat whatever you think looks good!
There is as much of an art to Chinese preserved meats and dried goods as to Italian salami and cured meats. Dried mushroom and seafood is just as popular and can sometimes cost hundreds of dollars for high quality items.
Most markets are about this packed and cramped. You’ll definitely be pushed a little by the old ladies and men trying to buy groceries for dinner. Take it in, it’s part of the experience. Don’t wear nice shoes when you come. haha.
Produce and dry goods are sold throughout the wet markets but you’ll often see seafood stalls and meat stalls gathered around the same area. They’re not as clean or sanitary as most grocery stores in the states but you get to witness a wide array of different types of meat and precision butchering.
I honestly couldn’t tell you the different types of fish offered at most of the stalls but just seeing all the different types is a sight to behold.
The seafood is SUPER fresh and cheap. Definitely a better assortment than any Whole Foods and the butchering skills by any of the vendors are superb.
Candy, candy, sweet preserved fruits and more candy! It’s a large assortment here but there’s definitely better candy shops with a wider assortment of snacks and sweets. My uncle owns one in Mong Kok!
This spiky fruit with a tender interior is the infamous durian. Some hate the smell while others rave of the sweetness of the fruit. Are you team yay or nay? I’m team NAY.
Towards the end of the day, vendors will start marking down their prices and yelling them down the street in order to clear out inventory. You’ll get a better deal towards closing but a lot of the better produce or meat may be taken by then.
Large family dinners in Hong Kong usually is a mix of homemade dishes and store bought. Chinese BBQ like yellow skin chicken, crispy pork belly and char siu (bbq pork) are usually bought since there are plenty of delicious shops in most neighborhoods. The dinner scene above was a joint effort with my uncle, cousin and yours truly. Nothing fancy but just delicious. <3