In July, the McGriddle—sausage and egg sandwiched between two hotcakes with syrup—was introduced by McDonald’s as a summer special item on its menu, and to say that the city was abuzz with excitement would be an understatement, with queues to acquire the sandwich on launch day starting at 4am.
However, it was met with mixed reviews, but other breakfast sandwich options exist elsewhere. While the fillings and flavours may change across establishments, two key elements comprise a breakfast sandwich: some form of egg (for vegetarians who don’t eat eggs, we’ve got you covered too) and some form of bread on either end so you can pick it up to eat—sorry, open-faced sandwiches don’t count.
These are our picks for classic and unconventional takes on the breakfast sandwich to try in Hong Kong.
Read more: The best cafés and coffee shops in Hong Kong
Rootdown: Egg sandwich
Rootdown in Sai Ying Pun keeps things simple with their take on an egg sandwich: a generous square of egg (akin to Japanese tamago) with a slice of gouda and a handful of rocket, for health, in a soft bun. Simple flavours to start the day, but a splash of vinegary hot sauce can take it to a new level.
RootdownAddress: Shop 16-19 G/F, Two Artlane, 1 Chung Ching Street, Sai Ying Pun
Winstons Coffee: Fried egg and bacon bap
You can’t go wrong with eggs and bacon in the morning, and Winstons Coffee offers this classic combo in its breakfast sandwiches. A fried egg and crispy bacon just work so well together, with a crusty yet soft bap to sop up the yolk and grease.
Winstons CoffeeAddress: Shop 8, The Hudson, 11 Davis Street, Kennedy Town; Shop 4, G/F Rich Court, 213 Queen's Road West, Sai Ying Pun; 4 King Street, Tai Hang
Schragels: Egg ‘n’ Cheese
While there is much debate about whether a bagel is a sandwich, technically a bagel is still bread, and when it holds together filling, that’s technically a sandwich. The Egg ‘n’ Cheese bagel from Schragels includes a fried egg, cheese, tomato and avocado, and that’s as close to a breakfast sandwich as you can get.
SchragelsAddress: 104 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Central
Little Cove Espresso: Breakfast toastie
If you fancy a bit more crunch from your breakfast sandwich, Little Cove Espresso has a breakfast toastie as an option, which contains a fried egg, bacon, cheese, avocado and a house-made relish. You can also customise your order with add-ons, such as scrambled eggs for some extra protein.
Little Cove EspressoAddress: Shop 3, G/F, New Fortune House, 3-5 New Praya, Kennedy Town; Sai Kung Town Villa Block A, Siu Yat Building Block A, Shop 1+2, G/F, Sai Kung Hoi Pong Square, Sai Kung
Fineprint: Breakfast melt toastie
For a slightly elevated, and certainly richer, take on a toastie, Fineprint offers the breakfast melt toastie which consists of a hard-boiled egg, fried pancetta and barbecue sauce sandwiched between sourdough bread.
FineprintAddress: 8 – 12 South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui; 1/F, Three Exchange Square, Central; 38 Peel Street, Central;1 Lily Street, Tai Hang; Shop 7, G/F, PCCW Tower, Taikoo Place, 979 King's Rd, Quarry Bay
Guzzle: Coriander scrambled egg and luncheon meat sandwich
Guzzle in Yau Ma Tei proudly serves creative spins on the city’s most iconic breakfast sandwich which you can find in any cha chaan teng: spam and scrambled egg. One such option includes the coriander scrambled eggs with a thick slice of spam—the idea being that the fresh herbs cut through the savoury nature of the luncheon meat.
GuzzleAddress: Shop 525B, G/F, Bell House, 525-543 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei
Chief’s Blend: Pesto Sunrise
Vegetarians who don’t eat eggs but do eat dairy can turn to Chief’s Blend in Wan Chai, which offers the Pesto Sunrise toastie, featuring pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella for breakfast-meets-lunch flavours.
Chief’s BlendAddress: Shop No. 4, G/F, Corner of 17, 21 Burrows St, Wan Chai
Rajasthan Rifles: Rifles Rolls
For flavoursome, Indian-inspired breakfast sandwiches, hike up the Peak and satisfy your hunger with the Rifles Roll from Black Sheep-owned spot Rajasthan Rifles. It’s a tandoor-baked naan (again, a type of bread that hold fillings is technically a sandwich) stuffed with your choice of fillings, including the likes of three eggs, bacon and honey, sausage and crushed peppercorns, served with a tomato and chutneys.
Rajasthan RiflesAddress: Shop G01 G/F, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, Victoria Peak
Big Buns: The Hangover
Those suffering from the effects of the night before can find respite in Big Buns’ The Hangover—a breakfast wrap (Bread! technically a sandwich!) that encompasses all elements of a delicious full English such as scrambled eggs, bacon, spam, beans, hash browns and caramelised onions.
Big BunsAddress: Shop G16 Emperor Group Centre, 288 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
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