Hong Kong Street Food is a Cantonese restaurant that opened in late 2021 in the new Rhodes Central development opposite the train station.
The interior of the restaurant had an uncanny level of detail that transports one directly to Hong Kong. The signboards of classic brands like Mannings, Watsons, Giordano, G200, ParknShop and Wellcome amongst others hung from the ceiling, recalling the neon-lit shopping streets of Mong Kok. The front half of the restaurant was inspired by nostalgic Dai Pai Dong street food stalls.
The back of the restaurant transported one to Mong Kok MTR station, with the station sign and platform directions on one side and the interior of a carriage on the other. The ambience created was unmistakably one of Hong Kong and we’re thrilled that the food lived up to expectations.
This is the Hong Kong Style Milk Tea ($4.50, or included as part of the ‘Daily Meal Set’) served in a teacup set decorated with a popular brand of evaporated milk in Hong Kong. It’s hot and unsweetened, and two sugars elevated the sweetness of the black tea and milk beverage to our expected level.
This is the Ice Bear Hong Kong Style Milk Tea ($6.50). Along with the interior, the cuteness of this drink was a drawcard. It’s an iced and sweetened version of the previous drink, with the added novelty of a black tea ice cube in the shape of a bear. On its own, the drink had a balanced sweetness and bold tea flavour that’s mellowed well by the evaporated milk. As the bear melted, it added unsweetened black tea that countered the dilution of the drink from the water-based ice cubes. It was cute, though not necessary.
This is the Tornado Omurice with Beef in Tomato Sauce ($17.80). Comfort food was the mainstay of this restaurant and the combination of a savoury sweet tomato-based sauce with a side of egg on rice was the ultimate homey dish for me. The tomatoes retain their freshness and firmness, the beef was tender and generously portioned, and the egg was smooth and silky (although they do intensify the yellow colour if the colour of the rice is any indication).
This is the Beef Fried Flat Rice Noodles ($17.90, or $19.50 as part of the ‘Daily Meal Set’ with Hong Kong Milk Tea). This was D’s favourite dish, and the version here delivered on a very healthy wok hei, while retaining the bite of the noodles, the freshness of the bean sprouts and again, the tenderness of the beef slices. It is clear they care about the quality of the meat used.
With temperance on international travel in recent years, the food and ambience of Hong Kong Street Food would go some way to transporting diners to the heart of Hong Kong.
2025
We revisited Hong Kong Street Food in Rhodes Central after first visiting in March 2022. The venue continues to serve its familiar selection of cha chaan teng dishes, with an expected price increase reflecting broader rises in the cost of living.
Tornado Omurice with Sweet and Sour Eggplant ($19.80)
This dish featured a generous amount of peeled eggplant in a glossy sweet and sour sauce. The texture of the eggplant was well-handled—tender without being overcooked—though the flavour profile leaned heavily toward sweetness. A more savoury option, such as one incorporating fermented black bean, would likely have offered greater balance and complexity. The tornado egg was soft and silky, as expected. The rice was plain white rice, which was acceptable, though the overall dish would have benefited from additional components such as garlic or minced meat to introduce layered texture and depth.
XO Sauce with Pork Chops Fried Rice Noodle Roll Daily Meal Set ($22.90, +$2.00 for Cold Hong Kong Milk Tea)
The dish was built around thick-cut rice noodle rolls, resembling sliced cheong fun, rather than the flatter noodles typically associated with fried rice noodle dishes. While wok hei was present, the thicker format limited surface area and sauce absorption, resulting in a comparatively muted flavour experience. That said, the pork was tender, and the vegetables retained freshness and vibrancy. The XO sauce brought a controlled heat that was noticeable without overwhelming the dish. Nevertheless, the standard beef flat rice noodle option would remain the preferred order for future visits.
Cold Hong Kong Milk Tea
This version retained the same strong showing as previous tastings. The bitterness, astringency, and sweetness were well-balanced, with bold tea notes softened by evaporated milk. It remains a worthwhile choice for pairing with a savoury meal set.
Hong Kong Street Food is located at Shop 204/14 Rhodes Central, Walker St, Rhodes NSW 2138.