In Hong Kong, you’ll find plenty of food markets, but if you’re after the freshest and most affordable fruits, the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market is the place to go.
Established in 1913, the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market is Hong Kong’s oldest fruit market. Initially named the Government Vegetable Market, it used to sell vegetables and meat as well. However, the government later moved the vegetable and meat stalls to a newly constructed space in Cheung Sha Wan, leaving the Yau Ma Tei site exclusively for fruit stalls.
The Fruit Market is a major supplier, meeting about 70% of Hong Kong’s fruit consumption needs. It features around 300 stalls at its peak and stretches along the entire street, with over 200 fruit stalls offering a wide variety of exotic berries and produce.
Life at the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market begins around 4 o’clock in the morning, when fruits from various countries are unloaded from trucks, box by box. These boxes are then wheeled into the stalls by hardworking laborers.
Around 5 o’clock, many buyers flock to the fruit market to snag the best-quality fruit available. They haggle and shout prices back and forth. Some stalls even use code words for prices to keep them confidential from other stores. Selling continues until around 9 o’clock when the banks open, prompting shop owners to head there to deposit their earnings.
Although this Hong Kong street market has been granted Grade II Historical Building Status by the Government, talks about relocating it have been ongoing for a while. The market’s unusual hours have been a nuisance for local residents, and the presence of fruit has led to sanitation issues with rats and bugs. However, the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market still stands because many believe it embodies the essence of old Hong Kong, where people were friendly and open to each other.
These days, some wholesalers at the Fruit Market have started selling directly to customers. So, visitors can grab all sorts of delicious fruits at great prices. Plus, it’s just a quick 5-minute walk from The Cityview.
Address: Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market, Waterloo Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon 油麻地果欄
Leave a Reply