[Jally]

After reading that other food thread, I thought I'd see if people have advice on this. I want to get into shopping at the wet markets more, to save money and also to get fresher produce.

Firstly, what are the best things to get at the wet markets, and what is not worth bothering with?

Secondly, I am scared of the meat stalls! I have no idea where to start asking for what I want. From what I can see, they have a lot of pork and chicken, do they also sell beef in the markets? How do you communicate what you want, how much, what cut etc? I would be interested in things like pork chops, chicken breasts, beef steaks, basically western cuts, but would they do those kinds of cuts?

Thanks

[jayinhongkong]

Never bought meat at the wet market. The smell puts me off. There's a place near me that sells beef, but the meat is hanging out in the open and there are vehicles going by all day.

I remember when I was a kid, I went to the market with my mom and there was an enormous black bull's head (hair, horns and all) on the floor, surrounded by a pool of blood. I must have been five or six years old, but I'll never forget that.

My mom used to just point and tell 'em how many catties she wanted. She's lived here for almost 30 years and barely speaks any Canto. :P

[barangzz]

hi jally,

I buy pork from wet markets but only for soups and stir-fry dishes. I usually tell the butcher the purpose like pork ribs for soup or lean meat for stir fry and also how much i need (like $30 or $40). not a meat expert to start with.

i buy chicken from bigger supermarkets like Wellcome at CWB where they sell fresh chicken meat (dun like the taste of frozen chicken). more ex than wet market but the market near my place sells live chickens. I am not too sure if it is a must to buy the whole chicken. maybe someone else who sees this post can help answer this question.

i do think the veggie prices (like turnips, carrots, greens) are quite the same, be it at the supermarkets or wetmarkets. However, that do depends on the prices in your wet market. I did a quick comparison for mine and they are about the same. the good thing about buying in supermarkets is that they charge you to the grams. Sometimes in wet markets, they may round up the prices. i may be wrong. i sometimes feel that the wet market vendors overcharge me but just a little.
but i have to say that the veggies at wet markets are usually fresher (or at least to me)
for fresher veggies in supermarkets, i go for the bigger supermarkets. I always try to go superstore (park n shop and wellcome) if i am buying fresh veggies. in short, not too bother abt where i buy my veggies.

there are some things that i buy at wet markets.
- eggs. supermarkets only sells in pack of 6 and quite expensive. i get my for about 90c to $1 for 1 and buy 5 at a time.
- dried goods. those in the supermarket are not fresh and "branded". For dried seafood, i think some people recommend stanley or something like that. As i buy small qty, i just buy them from the shops in the market. Slightly more ex than the wholesale markets but it is convenient. and for the small amount i buy, it is not worth the distance and travel. Those shops in wet markets will usually sell dried seafood, mushrooms, fungus, beans, perserved vegetables etc.
- garlic, onions, scallions, shallots. i think the supermarket overcharges for them.

i usually buy fruits from supermarkets becos i am just lazy. However, i do think those fruit stalls do sell them cheaper.

my buying is very limited as i dun buy fish, beef, tofu nor seafood. so, maybe some other person can advise on these.

hope this useful.

[Jally]

Thanks barangzz, that's helpful. So I'm guessing you speak Chinese if you can tell the meat man what you want the pork for. My cantonese definitely doesn't extend that far!

[carang]

i NEVER buy meat at the market...the flies and the sanitary conditions in general put me off (i know, i should never eat in a restaurant either!)...

i DO buy fruit, veg, and FRESH seafood from the market

[aussiegal]

I can't go near the wet markets without retching. I don't know how it can be considered sanitary? Yuck.

[jimbo]

No less sanitary than many slaughter houses I wouldn't be suprised.

As long as the meat is washed and properly cooked then its not a problem, I'd rather eat meat from a wet market than meat thats been packed in cling film and people prodding it for the past few days.

Also you can't tell how fresh the meat is from a supermarket because of the packaging and also the artificial lights they shine on it.

[LaGrue]

Jally, there is a pretty cool red meat shop in Causeway Bay selling Australian, New Zealand and American Steaks (beef) which is not too expensive and within a store (it all comes frozen and vacuum packed) on Leighton Street before the Leighton Centre. I would suggest asking a friend to write down the cuts of meat that you want (i.e rib eye, porterhouse ect) as it is a bit hit and miss whether someone on the day can speak enough english to hep you. The meat however is really, really good, so I generally buy in bulk and freeze it. It always has a line of people lining up. Highly recommended.

[carang]

i recommend this place, too...
GREAT price on bacon! and T-bone steaks, too!

[aussiegal]

Do you have a name for the shop in Causeway Bay?