You may have already tried out the Hong Kong local street eats but may not have the traditional ones! Though some are gradually disappearing due to decreasing popularity, you could still find one of the classics in Tai O – the Cantonese tea-rice-cakes or “Cha Guo” (茶粿)!

Don’t be fooled by its name though – rather than being tea-flavoured, it is in fact a Hakka delicacy made out of glutinous rice and stuffed with sweet or savoury fillings to complement with tea, that resembles the Japanese mochi. Traditionally, the Hakka folks would only make the steamed snack on special occasions like Lunar New Year, Lantern Festival or Tomb-Sweeping Day, but it has become popular meat for the locals. And who makes the best ones in Tai O? Look for Mr Cha Guo Choi (茶果財) at Shek Tsai Po Street! 

Try to spot the stall with stacked woods as there is no signboard outside. Insisted on steaming the rice cakes over a wood fire, Mr Cha Guo Choi not only makes it extra authentic but also wins everyone’s hearts with his homemade versions with generous fillings: peanut with shredded coconut or mashed black-eyed pea. It is at its best when being served warm, which makes the skin soft and chewy. With each only priced at $8, there is no excuse for not getting both! They also offer red-bean-paste stuffed sticky rice balls, giving a modern twist to the traditional treat.