Hongkong

Traditionally, people in Hong Kong did their grocery shopping at wet markets. There are still about 78 of these markets throughout the city, selling every kind of product from fruits and vegetables to fresh seafood, flowers and live poultry. Many of Hong Kong’s wet markets also specialize in cooked foods which can be either taken away or consumed at the market itself. These markets have both open-air and indoor sections and some like the Wanchai wet market have an air-conditioned area as well. These wet markets aside from fresh food and cooked food vendors, also host vendors of apparel, toys, costume jewelry and many other knick-knacks.

The wet markets typically offer lower prices and fresher produce than grocery stores and supermarkets, although westerners may find they get charged slightly higher prices than the locals. In reality, few expats venture into the wet markets as they prefer to do their grocery shopping at supermarkets, though many domestic helpers who cook for their employers tend to visit these wet markets every morning to shop for fresh ingredients.

Many of these wet markets have stalls that specialize in selling Filipino, Thai and Indonesian produce. Since many domestic helpers hail from these countries they also shop for their own foods at these wet markets (In Hong Kong you are required to either allow your domestic helper to share your food or give her/ him an allowance of $750 a month for food).

Only cash is accepted at Hong Kong’s wet markets. Bargaining is generally not acceptable, however, the vendors do reward loyalty and will likely offer discounts if you visit them regularly. Regardless, the prices you will pay at the wet markets are much lower than those at the supermarkets. Be prepared for the fact that the market vendors are unlikely to speak English and you may need to engage in a process of pointing and nodding in order to choose your produce.

A complete listing of all the 78 food and cooked food markets in Hong Kong can be found at:

http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/tidy_market/Markets_CFC_list.html

Major Wet Markets in Hong Kong

Organic Markets

There are few organic markets in Hong Kong and it cannot always be guaranteed that those sellers who claim their food is organic are behaving honestly. The Produce Green Organization guarantees the farming methods of their produce and a full list of participating farms can be found at the following website:

http://www.producegreen.org.hk/download/PGF2004miOD.pdf

The Kadoorie Farm and Botanical gardens hosts a small organic farmer’s market every Sunday at the Star Ferry Pier in Central. This farmers market cannot compare in terms of size and variety with the farmers markets in the West but perhaps it represents a growing awareness of the green movement in Hong Kong.

Many local Hong Kong farms even allow you to visit and actually pick fresh produce from their premises. Strawberry picking is especially popular at these farms but, of course, you have to pay to gain access to the produce. Its well worth the price if you are going to get fresh produce at the end of it.

Some of the farms in Hong Kong that welcome visits include:

The YMCA Tung Chung Organic Farm
http://www.tc.ymcahk.org.hk/organic_farm/en/index.html

The Rainbow Organic Farm in Fanling
http://www.strawberry-farm.com.hk/

Lychee Valley
No.11 Tai Tong Shan Road,
Shap Pat Heung,
Yuen Long
Tel: 2470 2201

Lychee Valley is not simply an organic farm it also has a petting zoo and also offers pony rides for the children. Admission to Lychee Valley is $20 though if you wish to pick fruit you have to pay $60 to eat as much as you can when you are there and you have to pay $80 per pound if you wish to take away the fruit.