Despite Hong Kong being voted the seventh-best foodie city in the world last week by Condé Nast Traveler, we’ve failed to make it into the top 16 Best Street Food Cities in the World, as decided by travel website Trillist.
Most annoying is the fact that deadly rival Singapore took the crown in the street food rankings, with the list’s curator Dan Gentile claiming it was partly chosen because the hyper-organised hawker centres are so clean.
He does sound Gentile, indeed. What’s a decent street food experience without an urgent rush to the toilet?
Referring to street food as “the true fuel of the people”, Thrillist filled out its top five with Bangkok, Mexico City, Ho Chi Minh City and Marrakesh, although Gentile did admit that “basically every major city in Southeast Asia had a shot at being number one”.
To add insult to injury, London came in at number 10 for “appropriating virtually any other national cuisine.” Sorry, but stealing the delights of other nationalities should not be counted as a delight of your own.
The list was compiled with reviews from seasoned (idiot) travellers and research on cultural food traditions.
Maybe the government will think twice about banishing all Hong Kong dai pai dongs and hawker stalls now? Or maybe they think scoffing Pret a Manger on that ledge at Central MTR counts as street food.
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