Forget the luxury boutiques and cha chaan teng egg tarts for a moment. A new souvenir obsession has taken over Hong Kong travel, and it is happening on the upper floors of unassuming commercial buildings. Thanks to a relentless wave of posts on Xiaohongshu (RED) , the city’s collective of upstairs snack shops—affectionately known as 樓上 (Lau Sheung) —has become a must-visit destination for hungry travelers hunting for exceptional value.
The Social Media Effect
Xiaohongshu has long been the engine of food tourism in Asia, but its current fixation with Lau Sheung snacks marks a shift in how tourists build their shopping lists. Users flood the platform with elaborate “haul” videos showcasing massive bags of dried seafood, fruit chips, and cheese cubes. These posts are not just recommendations; they are structured travel guides. The message is clear: a trip to Hong Kong is incomplete without climbing the stairs to these unpretentious treasure troves.
The Most Wanted Items
While the selection is vast, two names repeatedly top the trending charts. The Spicy Octopus Shreds (八爪魚芥辣絲) offers a fiery, chewy kick that keeps travelers coming back for more. Right alongside it, the Thai Crispy Mangosteen (泰國脆山竹) delivers a sweet, airy crunch that melts on the tongue—a freeze-dried revelation.
Beyond these headliners, the roster of viral must-buys includes:
- Crispy Durian (脆榴槤), which converts even the most skeptical palates with its brittle, caramelized flavor.
- Cheese Cubes (原味芝士粒), a creamy, savory staple.
- Sesame Fish Strips (芝麻魚肉條) and Squid Tempura (魷魚天婦羅), classic local textures beloved by returning tourists.
- Wasabi Scallop Edges (辣味烤貝柱裙邊) and Korean Rice Seaweed (韓國玄米紫菜條), adding layers of umami and crunch.
Value That Drives Volume
The secret to this phenomenon is brutally simple: price. Items range from just HK$23 to HK$78. The portion sizes are generous, and the flavors are distinctly local, offering an authenticity that standard confectionery cannot replicate. This allows tourists to pack their suitcases with gifts without breaking their budgets. A bag of dried scallops or spicy shrimp chips feels like a genuine culinary discovery rather than a mass-produced trinket.
A Shift in Tourist Behavior
This trend signals a broader evolution in travel spending. Modern visitors, particularly from mainland China, are increasingly prioritizing affordable, shareable, and hyper-authentic experiences over traditional luxury tax-free shopping. A viral post on Xiaohongshu can move more product than a billboard, transforming a simple snack run into a cultural pilgrimage. For local businesses, it highlights the immense power of user-generated content in driving real-world foot traffic.
How to Get In on the Craze
For travelers arriving in Hong Kong, finding Lau Sheung snacks is a straightforward adventure. Head to busy commercial districts like Mong Kok or Tsuen Wan and look for building directories listing “樓上” or specific snack vendors on higher floors. Do not be afraid to explore the corridors. The hunt itself is part of the experience.
Whether you are craving the fiery heat of the octopus shreds or the tropical sweetness of the crispy mangosteen, these snacks offer a bite-sized connection to local life. Next time you visit, skip the same old cookie tins. Head upstairs, grab a handful of bags, and bring home a taste of Hong Kong that the internet just cannot stop talking about.