HONG KONG — For years, visitors to this bustling metropolis have flocked to famous boutiques for Jenny Bakery’s shortbread, Deckers’ egg rolls, and Nin Jiom’s herbal remedies. But a growing chorus of savvy travelers and local food bloggers is pointing to a surprising alternative that offers both authenticity and value: the city’s supermarkets.
In an extensive survey conducted by UFood reporters ahead of the May Day Golden Week, more than 60 snack recommendations have been curated from eight major grocery chains—Wellcome, ParknShop, Don Don Donki, Marks & Spencer, Above, Best Mart 360, Da Sheng, and Market Place—revealing a treasure trove of edible souvenirs that often cost a fraction of boutique prices.
Aisle-by-Aisle: The Local Staples Worth Packing
The Heritage Brands Hiding in Plain Sight
Wellcome and ParknShop, Hong Kong’s two dominant supermarket chains, stock items that define local taste. Wellcome, founded in 1945 and now operating over 280 locations across the territory, is the place to find Daai Pai Dong instant tea mixes. This brand, established in 1933, offers three-in-one sachets that replicate the robust flavor of cha chaan teng (tea restaurant) beverages—a taste of Hong Kong street culture in a cup.
The Hong Kong edition of Nissin Demae Ramen deserves special attention. With 16 distinct flavors including black garlic tonkotsu, yuzu pepper pork bone, and spicy XO seafood, the local lineup far exceeds what Japan offers. Japanese tourists have been spotted filling their luggage with these Hong Kong-exclusive varieties, some of which have been reverse-exported to Japan.
Vitasoy, the iconic plant-based milk brand, offers far more than its classic original. From black bean and coconut to low-sugar almond and adzuki bean, the company’s commitment to non-GMO soy and added vitamins has made it a staple for health-conscious locals.
Global Flavors, Local Accessibility
From Tokyo to Tsim Sha Tsui
Don Don Donki, the Japanese discount retailer that opened its first Hong Kong outlet in 2019, has become a destination for both residents and tourists. Its egg rice sauce won the top spot in the retailer’s 2025 Product Awards’ “Internet Viral” category, with a TikTok demonstration amassing 11 million views in two months. The clever two-chamber packaging simultaneously dispenses soy sauce and egg yolk sauce, replicating the experience of raw egg over rice without the food safety concerns.
For those seeking to combat travel-related bloating, Pokka Sapporo’s Mukumi effervescent lemon drink has developed a cult following. Its key ingredient—monoglucosyl hesperidin, a modified citrus bioflavonoid—is designed to strengthen capillary walls and reduce temporary fluid retention, making it particularly popular among female travelers.
British Classics with a Local Twist
Marks & Spencer’s Hong Kong stores have become unexpected hotspots for food souvenirs. The Shortbread tea—black tea bags infused with buttery cookie flavor—has achieved viral status. Customers report steeping the bags in hot milk to create an instant, indulgent milk tea experience. At roughly 40 bags per box, it offers remarkable value.
The sea salt pistachio dark chocolate from M&S has sparked such demand that dedicated fans have been known to queue for store allocations. Each piece features a whole pistachio encased in dark chocolate and sprinkled with fleur de sel, creating a sweet-salty contrast that has dominated local food forums.
The Nostalgia Factor: Old-School Snacks Making a Comeback
Above (Lou Sheung) , a local chain specializing in dried goods and imported snacks, has become a social media phenomenon. Its spicy grilled scallop skirt strips and octopus wasabi threads have been widely shared on platforms like Xiaohongshu, where users post detailed hauls and taste tests.
The Thailand-origin crispy mangosteen offers a novel experience: freeze-dried whole fruit that dissolves on the tongue without requiring peeling or spitting seeds. At just a few dollars per bag, it provides an accessible entry point for adventurous palates.
Perhaps most notably, Above’s $5 Dubai pistachio chocolate bar from Mr.Bite GROANI has created a population sensation. The bar combines pistachios with sugar, cheese, and nuts coated in rich chocolate sauce—a luxury ingredient profile at a street-food price point.
Health-Conscious Options Expand
Market Place and its sister stores have introduced over 90 Woolworths products from Australia, including organic medium-roast coffee beans sourced from Peru’s Andes Mountains, canned organic vegetables free from artificial additives, and a fully vegan plant-milk line that is high in calcium and lactose-free.
Marks & Spencer’s high-protein yogurt range, offering 25 grams of protein per cup in flavors like mango and passionfruit, has found an audience among fitness enthusiasts who spread it on toast or eat it straight.
Navigating the Deals: A Shopper’s Strategy
For maximum value, timing matters. Donki frequently runs promotions on Avatake chicken breast at five pieces for $100, while Best Mart 360 offers rotating discounts on premium chocolates imported from Europe and Japan. Wellcome and ParknShop typically have weekly specials on staple items like Danish butter cookies—a perennial gift favorite.
Shoppers should be cautious with products like the blue-can butter cookies, as counterfeits exist. Authentic versions feature specific packaging characteristics including embossed labels and serial numbers on the inner seal.
The Broader Picture
This supermarket phenomenon reflects a deeper shift in how visitors experience Hong Kong. Rather than chasing Instagram-famous boutiques with long queues and premium prices, travelers are discovering that everyday retail spaces offer genuine cultural insight—and often superior value.
As one local food writer noted, “The real Hong Kong isn’t in a tourist brochure. It’s in the aisles of Wellcome at 8 p.m., when office workers grab a box of Daai Pai Dong and a bag of Calbee chips on their way home.”
For those planning a visit, the recommendation is clear: skip the specialty shops, grab a shopping basket, and explore the city through the products that locals actually consume. The result is a souvenir collection that tells a story—one snack at a time.