Snake Soup
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Snake soup (se gang) is not for the faint of heart. Indeed, the name itself would elicit extreme emotions from even the avid food lover. Some may experience fear, while others might feel disgust at the thought. But would you choose to miss out on this once in a lifetime chance to try out this Cantonese specialty on account of its name? Before you answer, you might want to consider the reasons why it is popular among the locals. Moreover, why you should try it.
First, snake soup is supposed to nourish the blood and enhance skin quality. Second, snake meat is warming and great for cold days in Hong Kong. Last but not the least; it would give you bragging rights when you get home. So, even if you try it just once on your trip you can brag about it for years to come. |
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.Main Ingredients
Snake meat (popular choices are the water snake and python), chrysanthemum leaves, minced dark mushrooms, ginger, lemongrass
Snake meat (popular choices are the water snake and python), chrysanthemum leaves, minced dark mushrooms, ginger, lemongrass
Recommended Places to Eat
Shia Wong Hip
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Despite the recent boom in Hong Kong, the city - impressively - still sticks to its rich culture, especially with food. One of the most famous - albeit exotic - foods in Hong Kong is the snake soup. Needless to say, this dish intimidates a lot of people, but if you go to a trusted store, you'll easily get hooked. If you're a first timer who's curious about how a snake soup tastes like, visit Shia Wong Hip, a traditional Hong Kong eatery which curates different kinds of snake dishes. The snake soup - which bursts with aroma and flavors from the lemongrass, curry powder and citrus drops - tastes far better than it looks so don't be afraid to indulge. Venom wine and deep fried snake are also some of the treats to try. Real snakes are available inside the eatery - sometimes, management allows customers to play with the reptiles.
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Basic information
G/F,170 Apliu Street, Hong Kong, China
$$ - $$$
Monday-Sunday 12 pm- 10 pm
Sham Shui Po Station
She Wong Lam
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History is rich in the Sheung Wan District's oldest snake soup restaurant - She Wong Lam. Serving both local and foreign diners for more than 130 years, they have perfected the craft of making snake soup in a classic - but interestingly basic - fashion. The place is not big on decoration - temporary red stools and tables are set up on the outside for the hurrying patrons, and a couple of tables inside for those who intend to stay longer. The menu also sticks with the usual - snake soup filled with delicious flavors that can make you forget you're actually eating a reptile. Best to try She Wong Lam's soup before it closes for good. Mak Dai-Kong - the kind, friendly man butchering the snake meat - is already retiring soon and with it comes the end of the store.
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Basic information
Ser Wong Fun
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The 125-year old restaurant in Gilman Street in Central Hong Kong is an iconic dining place patronized by various people ranging from celebrities and politicians to ordinary locals and curious tourists. Ser Wong Fun is a venerable tourist destination specializing in snake dishes - here, you'll find exotic dishes like deep-fried fish, lap yeong and their famous snake soup. Each dish here is loaded with flavors coming from the freshest herbs and spices. The soup in particular is oddly comforting - you'll love how it matches with the complementary chips. If you're done with your snake delicacies, you can opt for other dishes like the sausage bowls and traditional dishes like wontons and noodles.
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Basic information
