Why Hong Kong Is the World’s Top Food Destination for 2026

Translation result. [RealFood reporter Yook Seong-yeon] KOTRA says Hong Kong has cemented its reputation as an F&B hub showcasing cuisines from around the world.

TripAdvisor named Hong Kong the fourth-best food destination for 2026, behind London, Dubai and Rome.

Hong Kong is a true foodie hotspot. The Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2025 lists 74 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, and seven of them hold the top, three-star distinction. In Asia, only Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka have more three-star restaurants.

In the alcoholic beverages sector, investors view Hong Kong as a key wine-distribution center for Asia. Many merchants and collectors store investment-grade wines there and re-export them to target markets when orders come in.

As Chinese baijiu (white spirits) gains popularity worldwide, mainland liquor companies are using Hong Kong as a springboard to expand into overseas markets.

Korean food is also on the rise. Netflix shows like Black & White Chef have helped spotlight Korean food culture, and Korean F&B items—food products and alcoholic beverages alike—are steadily growing their presence in Hong Kong.

Real estate consultancy JLL found that Korean-concept restaurants accounted for 7.5% of the F&B brands that opened in Hong Kong in the first half of 2025—more than double the 3.5% share recorded in 2018. Korean eateries are moving beyond traditional hotspots like Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay, expanding into residential fringes of the New Territories and into shopping malls.

Edward Leung, president of the Hong Kong Restaurant Association, told a local radio program that overall dining sales during the 2026 Easter holiday were 15–20% lower than a typical weekend, but some Korean-run restaurants posted double-digit sales growth. While many Korean restaurants in mainland China aren’t run by Korean owners, Hong Kong’s Korean restaurants often employ Korean chefs and staff—a distinction that appeals to mainland tourists, analysts say.

A KOTRA official said the growing number of mainland tourists has strengthened the position of Korean restaurants in Hong Kong.