The Best Sandwiches in Hong Kong
Who would have thought that sticking a muddle of proteins between two slices of bread would be so damn delicious? Sarnie specialist Sam Hui hunts down the best things since sliced bread.
No Main, No Gain
A towering sandwich that wouldn’t look out of place in a cartoon, the Main St. Deli’s Reuben ($168) is a deliciously cruel paradox: From the crusty, grilled rye bread, to the creamy Russian dressing, it beckons you to eat every last crumb, but the sandwich’s unruly height and breadth make it impossible to attack, let alone finish. Polishing off the Reuben may be an unattainable feat, but eat what you can of the corned beef, pastrami, turkey, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut combo, plus the moreish fries that come on the side. Pair it with a vanilla shake for the ultimate waistline challenge.
Lower Lobby, The Langham, 8 Peking Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2132-7898.
Kee’s Company
It’s not a light bite by any means, but the hearty bánh mìs ($31) at Tim Kee French Sandwiches (添記法式三文治) are an appetizing slice of Vietnam. Using the satisfying combination of pork belly, liver sausage, pickled carrot, cucumber and tomato, Tim’s creates a surprisingly authentic sandwich. It’s a quick dash over the footbridge from Elements—so make the trip and thank us later.
G/F, Man Yiu Building, 30 Man Yuen St., Yau Ma Tei, 2385-7939.
Baker’s Best
A non-pretentious high-concept bakery? You heard that right. Inspired by London’s Borough Market, Urban Bakery Works offers up a twist on European street food with gourmet sandwiches in a casual environment. Our favorites? The duck confit wrap ($48) and the langoustine “Croissandwich” ($50). But the grilled chicken ciabatta with guacamole also deserves a nod—the ciabatta is charred to perfection and the guacamole is rich with a pleasant note of coriander. More interested in flaky portmanteaus? Dig into a buttery “Ball Law Cowssant,” the bakery’s fusion of a croissant and a bor lor bao, aka pineapple bun—what’s not to love?
Room 322, 3/F, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Rd. Central, 3565-4320.
So Hangry
Next time you’re in Sham Shui Po, make time to search through the market stalls of Kweilin Street for 24-hour San Hang Yuen (新香園(堅記)). The signature cha chaan teng’s sarnie isn’t the most appetizing-sounding dish but they sacrifice pretense for good old-fashioned, grease-smothered flavor. It’s pretty simple—egg, luncheon meat, bread—but it’s a game-changer. Best of all these uniquely Hong Kong sandwiches cost a mere $16—less than a cup of coffee.
38 Kweilin St., Sham Shui Po, 2386-2748.