Sea urchins at Sai Kung Pier in high demand during Golden Week

Sai Kung Pier has turned into a bustling hotspot during mainland China’s Golden Week holidays as locals and tourists flocked in to buy fresh seafood from docked fishing boats. Among the suppliers was a boat selling freshly harvested sea urchins for just HK$230 per bowl, which sold out within 20 minutes.

Sea urchins, known for their sweet and tasty flavor during their peak season from March to June, have recently surged in popularity. This boost is largely attributed to social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, where users have highlighted Sai Kung’s sea urchins as a must-try for seafood enthusiasts.

Due to high demand, boats selling sea urchins operate only on weekends and holidays. A Sing Tao Probe reporter visited the pier on Thursday (May 1), to investigate. Upon arrival, all fresh sea urchins were already sold out. Fortunately, the reporter had pre-ordered a bowl costing HK$230, containing 30 to 40 sea urchins, weighing 160 grams.

In comparison, Sai Kung’s sea urchins are notably cheaper than their Japanese counterparts, which typically sell for HK$248 per 100 grams.

However, food hygiene at Sai Kung Pier has raised concerns. During the visit, the reporter observed Food and Environmental Hygiene Department staff patrolling the area, and sellers were seen posting signage urging consumers to cook the sea urchins thoroughly before consumption.

Concerns over sea urchin hygiene

Following social media guides, the reporter prepared a luxurious sea urchin burger and found the sea urchin to be fresh and sweet.

While some tourists praised the freshness of the sea urchins, a tourist from Hainan expressed reluctance to eat them raw due to hygiene concerns. Additionally, a local resident surnamed Chan voiced worries about the cleanliness of the fresh sea urchins, citing potential contamination of the seawater in Hong Kong.

Dr. Wong Chi-kwan has issued a warning to citizens regarding the consumption of sea urchins from Sai Kung Pier, noting that eating contaminated seafood could lead to infections and parasites.