Hidden Chestnut Street Hawker with Over 50 Years of History in Kowloon!

This lady started working as a chestnut street hawker when she was in her early 20s. It is hard to imagine such a young lady roasting chestnuts with the big shovel on the street nowadays. Well, in the old Hong Kong it was nothing strange.

After over 50 years, she is still working hard roasting chestnuts and other delicacy on the street in Hong Kong. The quality and aroma of her roasted chestnuts are so nostalgic that it is one of the best I have ever had: nice smoky flavour and easy to peel which is very important, which means they were well roasted.

Currently there are around active 450 licenses of chestnuts hawkers in Hong Kong but only one third of them can sell multiple products other than chestnuts. This is one of them - she also sells many different products in such a small carts - peanuts, sweet potatoes, macadamia, eggs, quail eggs, walnuts, ginkgo (one of the must-try). It may look like a hawker, but I would say it is a one-woman-band doing magic on the street.

For visitors who are not familiar with Chestnuts street hawkers in Hong Kong, roasted chestnuts are a popular snack and can be found in many areas throughout the city, particularly during the cooler months of the year. The chestnuts are typically roasted over charcoal in a metal drum and sold in small paper bags, and customers can choose to buy them by weight or by the bag. Some vendors may also sell other roasted nuts, such as peanuts as well as sweet potatoes. The chestnuts are typically roasted until they are lightly charred on the outside and tender on the inside, with a smoky aroma that is hard to resist.

Chestnut street hawkers have become a part of Hong Kong's street food culture and are a nostalgic childhood memory for many locals. They offer a quick and affordable snack that can be enjoyed on the go, and their aroma and warmth add to the festive atmosphere during the cooler months of the year.

The tradition of chestnut street hawkers in Hong Kong can be traced back to the early 20th century when the city was under British colonial rule. During the winter months, Chinese immigrants who worked as laborers or coolies in the city would look for ways to keep warm while working outdoors. Over time, the practice of roasting chestnuts on the street became more organised. Chestnut street hawkers became a common sight in the city, particularly in busy commercial areas. It remains a nostalgic reminder of Hong Kong's history and its unique culinary heritage.

This lady’s Chestnuts Cart can be found near flower market in Prince Edward: