Hong Kong’s Only Seaside Direct-Operated “Sea Urchin Farm” – Fried Rice Topped with 20 Sea Urchins

▲ Sea urchin fried rice topped with 20 sea urchins.

Reported and photographed by You t
ru / Hong Kong
 
Just a 15-minute boat ride from Sai Kung in Hong Kong lies a “sea urchin farm” worth mentioning. A small Chinese stir-fry eatery sits tucked away by the dock, with makeshift tables and chairs set up under a canopy. There, staff shuck sea urchins on the spot for immediate consumption, and there’s also a “sea urchin fried rice” dish made with over 20 sea urchins. The sweet and briny flavor of the sea urchins, paired with the sea breeze, creates a rare and unique sight to experience in Hong Kong.


▲ The eatery at the sea urchin farm is located right next to the dock.

Hong Kong has only one “sea urchin farm,” located in Dongya Village, Leung Shuen Wan, Sai Kung. The peak season runs from February to June each year. Reservations must be made by phone to visit, and the farm typically only accepts group bookings on weekdays, with individual spots available on weekends. At noon, head to the new pier in Sai Kung and look for a small boat marked “Sea Urchin Farm.” After checking in with the boat owner, board the vessel—you’ll arrive in just 15 to 20 minutes.

During the boat ride, you’ll see many people mooring their yachts in the waters known as “Cape D’Aguilar.” Though Hong Kong isn’t large and doesn’t offer many seaside activities, these boats in the inner sea often feature inflatable slides, providing sea lovers with a day of fun.


▲ %The place fills up quickly and easily. Many people will dock toward the front. There are also slides here that kids can enjoy.%


The “sea urchin farm” is situated right by the dock. Even before the boat pulls up, you can see people on the dock carrying bags full of sea urchins in preparation for lunch. Wang, the operator here, says that in Hong Kong, the best time to enjoy sea urchins is during the mild months of February to June. The local waters are clear and pristine, making them ideal for sea urchin farming. “The sea urchins here are even sweeter than those from Japan.” Because fresh sea urchins are so rare in Hong Kong, the farm attracts many Japanese tourists who come specifically for the experience.

The standout offerings here are raw sea urchins, sea urchin fried rice, and steamed egg with sea urchins. When you order sea urchins, the staff will shuck them fresh for you to try. By the time I visited in June, the sea urchins weren’t as plump as they were in the previous two months, but their sweet and briny flavor was distinctly different from the richer taste of Japanese sea urchins. It’s hard to say which is better—just sitting on a Hong Kong island bay, looking out at the sea while eating fresh sea urchins, feels like a luxury.


▲ %The sea urchins are fresh and incredibly delicious.%


The sea urchin fried rice is equally impressive. Made with about three to four bowls of rice and 20 to 30 fresh sea urchins, the dish is piled high with generous amounts of sea urchin on top. Even the steamed egg is packed with sea urchins in every bite—it’s a hearty dish. While cooked sea urchins lose some of their fresh briny sweetness, they develop a richer, more intense flavor that’s definitely worth trying.


▲ Sea urchin fried rice.
%The boat ride takes about...%


Sea Urchin Farm
Address: No. 2, Dongya Village, Sai Kung
Phone: 2791 2668 / 6443 8101 (Reservations required by phone)
Transportation: Take a boat from the new pier in Sai Kung. The fare is approximately HK$50 per person, subject to change based on conditions.
Prices: Steamed egg with sea urchins – HK$260; Sea urchin fried rice – HK$188; Raw sea urchin (per piece) – HK$35