We round up some of our favourite treats—from pina colada gummies to craft chocolate bars and liquorice-laced candied lemon peels
Hong Kong has always had a sweet spot for, well, sweets. Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of bubble teas, donuts, and an endless variation of cakes and desserts. Our prediction? Candies—of all varieties, including local and regional traditional fruit treats as well as imported chocolates and jellies—are about to become the next big thing. Here, we round up our favourites from some of Hong Kong's most unique specialty stores and traditional candy shops. Find out where to buy a preserved plum that costs HK$100 (each!) and the candied orange peels as old as you are (they're good, we swear). Here's where to head when the cravings hit.
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Lemon King's Candied Lemon With Liquorice
This classic Hong Kong shop was opened in the 1970s by former hawker vendor Tong Kan-Pui, whose knowledge and exposure to Chinese medicine helped him to create the Lemon King brand. Tong perfected sweet-and-salty preserved lemon peels—a local favourite—together with liquorice, launching the unique fruit treat at his mobile hawker cart that was parked on Sheung Wan’s Wing Kut Street until 2018, when the vendor moved into a store front within walking distance from its original spot.
What to buy: Back in the day, crowds would gather and queue up for Tong’s candied lemon with liquorice, made primarily with round Thai limes as well as his version of preserved ginger, made with old and often stringy ginger preserved with salt and sugar. The alluring aroma and spicy notes made up for the rustic look of the preserved ginger; the concoction is good for clearing throats and soothing dry coughs.
Lemon King, G/F, 18 Wing Kut Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong; +852 3547 2331
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