A 40-year-old Hong Kong institution in Causeway Bay — golden, crispy fried chicken thighs that are simply irresistible!

Text and photos byXiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey

The golden, crispy exterior and glistening fried chicken thigh were enough to make anyone’s mouth water. Even though this kind of food is far from healthy, the taste of the Danish Pastry Shop’s fried chicken thigh is so good you won’t even mind the calories — XD.

Although I didn’t do much research for this trip to Hong Kong, thanks to a local friend, I was constantly tipped off about great local snacks. That day, after visiting Times Square and checking in on a friend, I got a message from her saying her colleague recommended a Danish pastry shop nearby that served pretty good fried chicken thighs. At that moment, I completely forgot that I had already planned to go to China Cafe for their fried chicken thigh that evening. Eventually, I decided to check out this little shop and have another go at their fried chicken thigh.

The Danish Pastry Shop is located on Leighton Road in Causeway Bay. Opened in 1971, it has since become one of Hong Kong’s well-known long-standing establishments. Its weathered exterior may not look like much, but there’s always a long queue of people waiting to buy from here. The shop’s delicious offerings have even attracted many Hong Kong celebrities over the years.

Though the space inside is small, it’s always crowded with customers. Despite that, it doesn’t stop the steady stream of foodies from coming in. The shop is divided into two sections: one side is the stall where fried items are made, and the other has an auntie handling the cash register. Although it’s called a pastry shop, I think more people come for items like pork chop buns and other fried foods. Though they do sell some pastries, not many people buy them.

The menu displayed outside for customers is quite worn, showing that this sign has been around for many years. The prices of the food items are all handwritten, which I assume is because rents and prices in Hong Kong have been rising steadily in recent years, so adjusting prices by rewriting them is more convenient. For example, the pork chop bun and chicken thigh I ordered today used to cost HKD 16 two years ago, but now they’re up to HKD 18. Prices at other shops I’ve visited before have also gone up to varying degrees. Living in Hong Kong is truly not easy.

Pork Chop Bun (HKD 18): The pork chop buns at the Danish Pastry Shop aren’t very big, but they’re very fresh, handmade daily and then baked in the oven until the crust is slightly crispy. This delicious item can sell up to 500–600 pieces a day.

The pork chop bun is simply made with a pork chop, topped with a special homemade mayo and ketchup. The slightly crispy bun paired with a pork chop that isn’t too thick but is juicy and crispy with every bite — the flavors really complement each other perfectly. The sweet mayo and ketchup add the perfect touch, making it hard not to fall in love with this simple yet tasty treat.

Although the pork chop bun was good, it just didn’t feel substantial enough, so I had to turn to the fried chicken thigh to satisfy my cravings.

Chicken Thigh (HKD 18): In Hong Kong, “chicken thigh” refers to what we’d call a chicken leg. Even though I had already planned to eat fried chicken thigh at night, I couldn’t resist ordering one when I saw the shop staff cooking them. Just keep in mind that chicken thighs in Hong Kong aren’t very big — even the “big chicken thigh” my friend at China Cafe described is about the same size as what you’d typically get in Taiwan.

The chicken thigh, with its glistening, oily appearance, was incredibly enticing. The skin was thin and crispy, and with one bite, your mouth would be filled with juicy, fatty meat. What’s even more special is the aroma of the roasted chicken that hits you — an explosive flavor that scores off the charts on the deliciousness meter. Compared to the fried chicken thigh at China Cafe, I’d say the Danish Pastry Shop’s version is even better.

Both the pork chop bun and the fried chicken thigh at the Danish Pastry Shop were extremely appealing to me. I heard their other signature item is the fried hot dog. Although I saw quite a few people ordering it, I was there alone and the hot dogs looked a bit ordinary, so I didn’t try one. Next time, I’ll definitely give that other signature item a try. Although the Danish Pastry Shop is a well-known spot, its appearance is still very retro. Someone like me who didn’t do any research beforehand wouldn’t have known it was such an old establishment. These kinds of shops are often hidden away in the streets and alleys of Hong Kong, waiting for people to discover them — which is also part of the fun.

Danish Pastry Shop
Address: G/F, Lai Sun Building, 106 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Phone: (+852)2576 7353
Business Hours: 06:30–19:00

Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey
Every journey, every adventure is a quest. Though I’m not entirely sure what I’m searching for, what I ultimately gain is always more than I imagined. And so, my wandering journey will continue, without end.