How much does it cost to eat in Hong Kong per month? A student's guide to saving money

Direct answer

If you cook all your own meals, a monthly budget of 1,500–2,000 HKD is feasible. Eating every meal at a budget cha chaan teng costs around 3,500–5,000 HKD per month. Ordering takeout is the most expensive option (6,000+ HKD per month).

Why is eating in Hong Kong so expensive? Is it really that much pricier than mainland China?

Food costs in Hong Kong are indeed high by Asian standards, mainly due to:

• High rent: Restaurant rents are 3–5 times higher than in mainland China, and this cost is passed on to customers.
• Imported ingredients: Most ingredients are imported from mainland China, Japan, or Australia, adding freight and tariffs.
• Labor costs: Restaurant staff earn 15,000–20,000 HKD per month (compared to 3,000–5,000 RMB in mainland China).
• Regulations: Food safety, hygiene, and wage standards are stricter than in mainland China, raising operational costs.

Price comparison with mainland China:

• A bowl of rice with toppings in Beijing: 15–25 RMB → Same dish in Hong Kong: 25–35 HKD (approx. 22–30 RMB)
• A milk tea in Shanghai: 8–12 RMB → Hong Kong milk tea: 15–25 HKD (approx. 13–22 RMB)
• A one-person meal in a Shenzhen rental apartment: 20–30 RMB → Hong Kong campus canteen: 25–40 HKD

Conclusion: Eating in Hong Kong is indeed 30–50% more expensive, but the gap is not as extreme as often assumed. The key is choosing where and how you eat, and learning to “go local.”

Common eating habits and monthly cost estimates for Hong Kong students

1. Cha chaan teng (most common for locals)

What is a cha chaan teng?

Typical menu prices:

• Hong Kong-style breakfast (egg sandwich + milk tea): 25–35 HKD
• Lunch box (3 dishes + soup): 35–50 HKD
• Iced lemon tea / silk stocking milk tea: 8–12 HKD
• Simple noodles (cart noodles / quick noodles): 20–30 HKD
• Dim sum (shrimp dumplings / char siu bao): 3–6 HKD per piece

Student-favorite cha chaan tengs (good value):

• Mong Kok: “Fresh Congee Shop” (congee 28 HKD), “Big Rich Cha Chaan Teng” (curry fish ball noodles 30 HKD)
• Causeway Bay: Chain “Tsui Wah Cha Chaan Teng” (reliable, mid-range prices)
• Tsim Sha Tsui: “Maxim’s” series (higher-end but still affordable)

2. Home cooking (most economical)

For students with a dormitory or rental kitchen, cooking your own meals is the cheapest option.

Monthly budget:

• Rice / noodles: 150 HKD
• Vegetables (cabbage, potatoes, onions, etc.): 300 HKD
• Meat (chicken wings, pork neck, eggs): 500 HKD
• Seasonings (oil, salt, sauce): 100 HKD
• Soy products / dairy: 200 HKD
• Monthly total: 1,250 HKD

Advantages of home cooking:

• Lowest cost; 1,200–1,500 HKD per month can provide good meals
• Customizable dishes to suit personal taste
• Develops cooking skills, including Hong Kong-style and Western cuisine

Disadvantages of home cooking:

• Requires time and energy; hard to maintain during exam weeks
• Dormitory kitchen facilities may be basic (need to bring small appliances)
• Ingredient storage can be challenging (risk of waste)

3. Campus canteens (available but limited)

Most Hong Kong universities have canteens, but options and pricing vary widely.

Typical canteen prices:

• One dish + rice: 30–40 HKD
• Noodle set: 25–35 HKD
• Soup noodles: 20–30 HKD
• Drinks: 6–10 HKD

Advantages:

• Close to classrooms, saves time
• Relatively stable prices
• Calorie labels are clear, helpful for fitness-conscious students

Disadvantages:

• Fixed menus can become boring
• Limited options outside peak hours
• Some canteens are outsourced, leading to inconsistent quality

4. Convenience store frozen meals (emergency use)

7-Eleven and OK便利店 are everywhere in Hong Kong, convenient but pricier.

Convenience store prices:

• Bento boxes: 25–40 HKD
• Rice balls: 12–18 HKD
• Fried chicken: 30–45 HKD
• Bread / sandwiches: 10–20 HKD

Monthly cost: If you eat 20 meals from convenience stores, expect an extra 600 HKD per month.

Best for:

• When you miss canteen or cha chaan teng hours
• Lazy weekends
• Late-night snacks (stores are open late)

5. Food delivery apps (most expensive)

Foodpanda, Deliveroo, Grab, and other apps cover all of Hong Kong.

Delivery prices (including delivery and service fees):

• Bento boxes: 45–70 HKD
• Noodles: 40–60 HKD
• Western food: 60–100 HKD
• Delivery fee: 8–15 HKD

Monthly cost estimate:

• 20 delivery meals per month: (meal 60 + delivery 12) × 20 = 1,440 HKD
• 40 delivery meals per month: 2,880 HKD

Characteristics of food delivery:

• Most convenient but most expensive
• Significant environmental waste (excessive packaging)
• Meals tend to be higher in calories

Top 10 money-saving tips for Hong Kong students

1. Use breakfast coupons and student meal vouchers

• Some universities partner with subsidized canteens; students can buy meal vouchers (usually 10% off)
• Some canteens offer discounts for pre-purchased tickets

2. Shop at wet markets on weekends

• Traditional markets sell vegetables and meat 30–40% cheaper than supermarkets
• Hong Kong Island: Wan Chai Market, Central Market
• Kowloon: Mong Kok Market, Hung Hom Market
• New Territories: Markets are densely distributed across districts
• Tip: Go near closing time (4–5 PM) when vendors lower prices for clearance

3. Learn to eat “budget Hong Kong dishes”

• Fish ball noodles: 20–30 HKD, very filling
• Curry fish balls: 15–25 HKD, can be a snack
• Cart noodles: 20–30 HKD, choose your own toppings
• Rice noodle rolls: 12–18 HKD, discounted in the morning
• Wonton soup noodles: 25–35 HKD, the broth is very satisfying

4. Get supermarket membership cards and buy in bulk

• Wellcome, ParknShop, and other supermarket membership cards are free
• Weekly specials can save 20–30%
• Group buying of daily essentials (noodles, oil, eggs) splits delivery costs

5. Make the most of convenience store deals

• 7-Eleven and OK便利店 have weekly “two for 20% off” or “buy one get one free” promotions
• Fresh milk and coffee often have discounts
• Follow app notifications for limited-time coupons

6. Master the “mix and match” strategy

• Breakfast: cheap egg pancake (15 HKD) + cheap milk tea (8 HKD) = 23 HKD
• Lunch: homemade quick noodles (8 HKD noodles + 5 HKD vegetables) = 13 HKD
• Dinner: cha chaan teng box meal (40 HKD)
• Daily total: 73 HKD, monthly 2,200 HKD

7. Use free campus resources

• Many university lectures and workshops offer free refreshments
• Student union-organized dinners are often subsidized
• Attend events like Foundation Day for free meals

8. Skip drinks, bring your own water bottle

• Drinks at Hong Kong eateries are not cheap (8–15 HKD), but water is free
• Bring a thermos with plain water or tea, saving 200–300 HKD per month

9. Learn quick versions of Hong Kong dishes

• Egg fried rice: 5 minutes, cost 8 HKD
• Tomato and egg noodles: 10 minutes, cost 10 HKD
• Clear soup noodles: 3 minutes, cost 6 HKD
• Master these to keep cooking even during exam weeks

10. Join “Food Share” and Foodbank programs

• Various community congee shops and Foodbanks in Hong Kong provide meals for low-income students
• Some churches and community groups offer free lunches
• Ask your university’s student affairs office about emergency food assistance

Monthly budget table by spending level

Student average: 3,000–4,000 HKD per month (mix of cha chaan teng and home cooking)

Hong Kong food culture essentials (must-know for new students)

Iced lemon tea: An upgraded version of Hong Kong milk tea, with lemon and ice, refreshing and cuts through grease. A must-order (10–12 HKD).

Silk stocking milk tea: The official name for Hong Kong milk tea, named because the mesh strainer used to brew it resembles a silk stocking. Rich and smooth (8–12 HKD).

Char siu: Chinese-style roasted sweet pork, fused with Cantonese cooking, common in Hong Kong breakfasts.

Soy sauce king: A common Hong Kong seasoning, similar to mainland soy sauce but saltier and more savory, often eaten with plain congee.

Dim sum culture: Hong Kong’s beloved Yum Cha tradition, served either from pushcarts or by ordering. Shrimp dumplings, siu mai, and char siu bao are must-haves.

Related Q&A

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