As the May Day Golden Week approaches, UFood reporters have compiled a definitive guide to more than 60 must-buy snacks across eight of Hong Kong’s leading supermarket chains, revealing that the city’s best souvenirs often hide in plain sight on grocery shelves.
For years, visitors to Hong Kong have gravitated toward the same handful of iconic treats—Jenny Bakery’s butter cookies, Tak Shing Ho’s handmade egg rolls, and Nin Jiom’s herbal remedies. But the city’s supermarket aisles, increasingly popular on platforms like Xiaohongshu, offer an untapped treasure trove of local flavors that savvy travelers are now rushing to discover. UFood’s latest report, released just ahead of the 2025 Labor Day holiday period, takes shoppers on a curated tour through Wellcome, ParknShop, Marks & Spencer, Don Don Donki, Sheung, Best Shine 360, Tai Sang, and Marketplace.
Local Staples: Rewarding Familiarity
Wellcome, founded in 1945, remains Hong Kong’s oldest supermarket chain with more than 280 locations island-wide. Its shelves stock quintessential local favorites: Zhen Zhen Shrimp Rings, Garden’s malt crackers, Danish butter cookies, and the ever-present Vita soy milk. ParknShop, operating since 1973 under the Hutchison Whampoa umbrella, offers similar staples across approximately 250 outlets, including upscale sub-brands like Taste and Gourmet.
Among the standout recommendations is “Dai Pai Dong” instant milk tea, a brand dating back to 1933 that captures the essence of Hong Kong’s cha chaan teng culture. Shoppers also snap up “出前一丁” (Demae Itcho) instant noodles, which boast 16 Hong Kong-exclusive flavors—so popular that some varieties have been exported back to Japan. The Danish Butter Cookie tin remains a gifting classic, though UFood notes that consumers should watch for counterfeit versions by checking six key authenticity markers.
Vita soy milk earns its place on every list, offering non-GMO formulations and a growing range of low-sugar options. Garden chocolate finger biscuits, individually wrapped for easy sharing, and Calbee shrimp crackers and corn snacks round out the essential picks. Kinder Bueno and Hello Kitty-themed点心面 (snack noodles) appeal to younger shoppers and those seeking novelty gifts.
Specialty Stores: Global Flavors, Local Appeal
Marks & Spencer continues to punch above its weight in Hong Kong’s snack scene. Its Percy Pig soft candies have achieved cult status, while butter shortbread tea bags—infused with the aroma of cookies—have become a viral souvenir, especially when brewed with milk. The lobster bisque is praised for its rich umami depth, suitable for pasta or risotto. Sea salt pistachio dark chocolate sparked buying frenzies at multiple M&S locations, and high-protein yogurts with 25 grams per serving cater to fitness-conscious visitors. Tiramisu in both tub and cup formats offers an affordable Italian indulgence.
Don Don Donki, the Japanese discount retailer that opened its first Hong Kong outlet in 2019, now operates about 10 stores carrying roughly 15,000 products. Its egg rice sauce—a 2025 Donki Product Award winner for viral online sensation—mimics the taste of raw egg on rice without using actual eggs. The roasted sweet potatoes, aged for a month to concentrate sugars, earned top customer satisfaction ratings. Mochi ice cream by Imuraya, KitKat in local flavors like sweet purple sweet potato and Hojicha, and Pocky varieties fill the international snack corridor. 日清咚兵衛 (Nissin Donbei) fried tofu udon cups satisfy instant noodle cravings, while 一兰拉面 (Ichiran) instant ramen remains a perennial favorite. The POKKA Sapporo Mukumi sparkling lemon drink, formulated with modified hesperidin to reduce facial puffiness, appeals to travelers combating jet lag bloat.
Best Shine 360, established in 2013 with over 170 locations, specializes in imported chocolates, nuts, dried fruits, and beverages. The Milka chocolate range—including Oreo-filled versions and hazelnut milk chocolate—dominates the sweet section. Black & White evaporated milk, made from 100% Dutch whole milk and consumed in over 1.25 billion cans since the 1940s, is essential for recreating Hong Kong-style milk tea at home. Orihiro konjac jelly, low-calorie and chewy, comes in fruit and matcha flavors. Wa Yuen’s satay beef slices and spicy braised fish fillet preserve traditional Hong Kong snack-making techniques. Ferrero Rocher and Jan Tin’s Hong Kong-made palmiers and almond bars offer locally produced alternatives to imported brands.
Hidden Gems: Budget-Friendly Bites
Sheung has gained a devoted following on Xiaohongshu for its wallet-friendly yet distinctive offerings. Original cheese cubes deliver concentrated dairy flavor with convenient packaging. Octopus wasabi shreds—thin, chewy strips with subtle heat—and sesame fish sticks provide savory, umami-rich snacking. Korean multigrain seaweed strips offer a crunchy, sweet alternative to conventional nori. Spicy grilled scallop skirts and squid tempura (best when briefly oven-heated for extra crispness) demonstrate the chain’s range. Freeze-dried Thai mangosteen and durian—the latter made from pure金枕头 (Golden Pillow) variety using vacuum freeze technology—allow fruit lovers to enjoy tropical flavors year-round. At just HK$5, the Mr.Bite Dubai pistachio chocolate bar has become a social media sensation, while HK$3 pistachio crispy sticks offer an almost unbeatable value proposition.
Tai Sang (DS Groceries) focuses on affordable imported snacks. The Oishi crispy fried toast from the Philippines, available in butter, garlic, and cheese onion flavors, starts at HK$4. Ritz baked crackers, Nongshim croissant-shaped cookies in sea salt butter and chocolate flavors, and HBAF mint chocolate almonds demonstrate the variety. Meiji pistachio chocolate and Godiva pistachio milk chocolate cater to premium tastes, while Lotte Zero sugar-free lemon mint candies and BERYL’S mint dark chocolate with popping candy add playful options.
Marketplace has introduced Woolworths products from Australia, including organic medium-roast coffee beans from Peru, organic vegetable canned goods, 100% frozen fruits, 99% juice series, and vegan plant-based milk—all targeting health-conscious consumers.
Broader Implications
The trend reflects a fundamental shift in how travelers approach souvenirs. Hong Kong’s supermarkets now function as cultural ambassadors, offering edible experiences that range from century-old tea brands to viral TikTok sensations. The UFood guide, which includes promotional discounts and store-specific shopping strategies, positions grocery runs as integral to the modern Hong Kong itinerary—proving that sometimes the most authentic flavors are found not in boutique shops, but between the aisles of everyday life.
For those planning a visit, the key takeaway is simple: look beyond the obvious. The city’s supermarket shelves hold a edible narrative of tradition, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange that rivals any museum exhibit. And with prices often lower than specialty stores, the value proposition is equally compelling.