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I like a $2,000 dinner as much as the next person, but I can’t afford to eat like that on a regular basis. And I’m not the only one. Hey, no problem. There are plenty of places out there offering good, tasty food at rock bottom prices. You just have to know where to look.
The Juiciest Burger
Lucky Snack House
17 Burrows St., Wan Chai, 2572-1843
Yeah, we know McDonald’s sells dirt-cheap burgers, but we’d rather spend our $6.50 on the patties served up in this backstreet joint. Much loved by local residents, Lucky’s burger has a crunchy bun, juicy beef, fresh onion and, for an extra $2.50, a topping of melted cheddar. We’re not saying you should ditch your Triple O’s – but read that price tag again. 
Splurge: Add crispy fries for $7.
The Finest Hawker Food
Tung Tat Food Shop
172 Fa Yuen St., Mongkok
In local slang, “street sweeping” has two meanings; one involves a broom, the other means to snack on street food as you wander through Mongkok until you’re completely full. You’ll find matchbox-sized shops selling street eats in almost every district in Hong Kong (although perhaps not in South Bay). There are two staples: “fish fin” soup (don’t worry, animal activists; it’s just a starchy soup with vermicelli masquerading as fish), and “fried three treasures” (fried vegetable with fish paste). Ubiquitous they may be, but the quality can vary enormously, from delicious to potentially poisonous. Thank god for Tung Tat Food Shop, which sells good fish fin soup stuffed with ingredients for $12 a bowl. 
Splurge: The fried three treasures ($6) is noticeably less oily than most places on busy Fa Yuen Street.
Sweet, Sweet Pastry
Ngau Tau Kok hawker stall
Usually found on the footbridge from Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate to Kowloon Bay MTR station, or at random locations nearby. This is a personal favorite. I’ve been buying egg pastry (“gai dan jai” in Cantonese, which means “little eggs,” cooked in a local version of a Belgian waffle iron) from this hawker since I was a kid. Back then, I paid $5 and now it’s gone up to $8. The egg balls are crunchy, aromatic and full of flavour. Turns out I am not alone, as this hawker has been getting a lot of buzz online. The only problem is finding him.
The Ultimate Grilled Meat
Good Satay
Shop 144, Houston Centre, 63 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2739-9808
Hong Kong may consider Singapore as a rival on many fronts, but we still love the city-state’s cuisine. Specifically, satay. You can get half a dozen for $30 in many places around town, but to get your money’s worth, try Good Satay. This Singaporean place is hidden in a dimly lit, worn-down shopping centre in Tsim Sha Tsui East. The meat is marinated for a long time and remains incredibly tender even after being grilled over charcoal. But it’s the standout peanut dip that makes this place special; it’s so much tastier than the usual neon-yellow, hot-but-tasteless varieties. 
Splurge: For $30, you can get the best Singaporean-style fried morning glory .
The Biggest Octopus Balls
Gindaco
40 Shantung St., Mongkok, and Matheson St., Causeway Bay
Popular Osaka street snack takoyaki, or octopus balls, started appearing on Hong Kong hawker stalls about a decade ago, and quickly won a place in our hearts. Made of diced octopus, the balls are fried in batter and topped with mayonnaise, seaweed and katsuobushi (fish shavings). When they’re good, they’re very good, but all too often they’re poorly made and soggy. Gindaco is different. For $33, you get six big, crispy takoyaki that fill you up in no time. Just watch out for burning your tongue - they’re freshly made and piping hot to match. 
Splurge: Wash it down with a cold matcha drink for just $3.
Most Stuffed Vietnamese Baguette
Tim Kee French Sandwiches
30A Man Yuen St., Yau Ma Tei, 2385-7939
We’ve recommended this sandwich bar before, and no doubt we’ll do it again, because it makes truly great Vietnamese baguettes. Tucked away in a remote location in otherwise busy Yau Ma Tei, Tim Kee never disappoints. Make the effort to find it, and you’ll be rewarded with a crunchy French loaf, still warm from the oven and stuffed with meat, liver and pickled carrot.
Splurge: Go for the $33 large loaf - it’s almost three times the size of its $17 little brother.
Superfresh Fish
Wallmann Market
24-25A Canal Rd. West, Causeway Bay, 2155-0833
Causeway Bay is swimming in cheap sushi, but for some fresh, low-priced raw fish head to Wallmann Market. Most sushi is $8 for two pieces, while more expensive varieties – such as swordfish - cost $20 for two pieces. For an absolute bargain, order the lunch set: $33 for eight pieces of sushi, plus a temaki (hand roll) and soup. 
Splurge: For sashimi indulgence, order the sea urchin and salmon flower roll for an extra $25.
The Deepest in Deep-pan Pizza
Man Ga Pancake King
Shop S9, 43 Dundas St., Mongkok, 2332-5833
Fill your stomach the northern way. Northern China, that is. Unlike the south, where different dishes are eaten in one meal, people in the north often fill up on a big Chinese-style pizza. And this tiny little shop offers just that - a filling, deep-pan pizza topped with pork for just $10. The pork is seasoned to perfection, and the dish smells heavenly. What makes this place great though, is the always polite and attentive service – just what you need in buzzing Mongkok. 
Splurge: The wu dai lang ($10) - minced pork with pickled vegetable in a round bun, is just as tasty and equally filling.
The Most Succulent Siu Mei
Joy Hing Food Shop
Shop C, 265-267 Hennessy Rd., Wan Chai, 2519-6639
Siu mei, or barbecued meat, is a staple in most Chinese restaurants but no one makes it better – or cheaper - than Joy Hing. Just $18 gets you a lunch box of cha siu and chicken rice. The cha siu is juicy and not too chewy, while the chicken has been perfectly marinated to bring out its full flavour. It’s a quick, good and cheap meal in the middle of Wan Chai. The only downside is that the secret is out, so expect a queue. 
Splurge: The Chinese-style pork cold cut ($20) is not fatty, and a great appetizer with vinegar.


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The Cheap Gourmet

Lucky Snack House

Tung Tat Food Shop

Ngau Tau Kok hawker stall

Good Satay

Gindaco

Tim Kee French Sandwiches

Wallmann Market

Man Ga Pancake King

Joy Hing Food Shop

Magazines

Winnie Yeung spills the beans on where to eat well for less than $35.


The Cheap Gourmet

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Winnie Yeung spills the beans on where to eat well for less than $35.

The Juiciest Burger

Lucky Snack House

Winnie Yeung spills the beans on where to eat well for less than $35.