Restaurants in Hong Kong that you MUST eat at?

[foodsnob14]

A friend of mine just moved to Hong Kong and was curious about any restaurants that she MUST dine at? Any ideas would be greatly appeciated! Or even any type of food or dish that she should try while living there?

[kobuta]

If I can piggy back on this thread, I'll be in HK at the beginning of December and would love to try Shanghai Hairy Crab. What are the best places specifically for this food? Thanks!

[rubyyao]

at reputable shanghainese restaurants such as liu yuen on lockhart road (not sure of the english names)....non shanghainese restaurants don't really know hairy crabs and they are just selling them because they are 'in season' and everbody wants them. ask for the male ones and specifically ask them to choose the ones with a lot of 'white' roes. must have them steamed whole and eat plain.

[K K]

The list is endless.... even thinking about the below makes me drool and dream

Hakka Cantonese style salt baked chicken
Roast goose
Roast squab
Shanghai hairy crab
Dishes that involve stewing pomelo skin
Chiu Chow style food (e.g. marinated goose, chiu chow style congee, pepper chicken, cold crab, cubed marinated pork blood)
spicy crab (typhoon shelter crab or under the bridge crab)
hot pot
congee from any place that specializes in it
places that specialize in won ton noodle soup and beef brisket noodle soup shops
fishball noodles (Jieh Kee in Aberdeen would be one I would try)
lo mein doused with shrimp roe with a side of broth
tomato beef instant noodles at Sing Heung Yuen Central (dai pai dong)
Hong Kong Milk Tea (Lan Fong Yuen, Central)
Dim Sum (many different places)
various bakery items (e.g. pineapple bun, egg tarts)
Chinese style fried sugar doughnut (sa yung, of which Tai Cheong is famous for that and cookie crust egg tarts)
Chinese desserts (sugary broth but overall light eats like almond puree or black sesame puree)
sugar cane juice
cold herbal teas (usually I just stick with chrysanthemum)
curry fishball skewers

etc etc etc

[PeterL]

It depends on what her experience with Chinese food has been. For example, if she has never had dim sum, then that'd be one thing she must try, multiple times. How about snake (now in season), Shanghai hairy crab (also in season), various other Chinese regional cuisines, HK tea cafe's, congee of various kinds, won ton noodles from several of the top noodle houses, etc.

[chinmoy.lad]

Tell her to try any 'roast' (pork/duck).

[coco9nyc]

Bo Innovation and pretty much any private kitchen.

[Charles Yu]

Bo Innovation - Yes, may be?!
Pretty much any private kitchen - No!.
( We had a 'chowmeet' at a Wan Chai Private kitchen two years ago after doing tons of research. The food unfortunately was OK at best! )

[rubyyao]

bo innovation is HORRIBLE! i'm having my doubts on anthony bourdain for even endorsing it kind of. the michelin guide knows nothing about asian food. innovation maybe but of a bad kind. something is simply not meant to be!

[Hapydiner]

Pls read the wonderful blogs! HK is an amazing place and willcater to all tastes. A good chef told me, no need to spend big, simply follow any local queue at any eating place and you cannot go wrong!