No one has ever contradicted the rumor that there are more than 5,000 restaurants listed in Hong Kong's telephone directories. The exactitude of that figure is debatable, but a hungry fact remains: anywhere you turn in Hong Kong, there is a restaurant.

Cantonese Food

The Yung Kee in Central is one of Hong Kong Island's famous Cantonese eateries, because once - many years ago - it was named one of the 10 best restaurants in the world by Fortune magazine. Regardless of its place in the dining Olympics, this Cantonese restaurant is justifiably famous for its goose dishes. It is also one of the few restaurants that uphold local tradition and still serve paydaan (hundred year old eggs) as an appetizer. Other reputable Cantonese food places are Tin Tin Seafood, North Sea Fish Village, NorthPauk, Unicorn, Sung Tung Lok (ask for the shark fin soup), King Bun and Tao Yuan.

Vegetarian Cantonese Food

For vegetarian-only Cantonese food, try the Wishful Cottage, the Bodhi or the Vegi Food Kitchen.

Northern Chinese Food

When one sees a sign advertising Northern Chinese Food, one's mind usually conjures up images of crisp Peking Duck. This is accurate, but remember that there are other types of Northern prepared duck quite different from the usual barbecued Peking Duck. The Pine and Bamboo, the American Restaurant, the Peking, the Spring Deer, the Kowloon Peking, the North China and the several Peking Gardens should satiate any duck craving palate. These Northern style places also feature Mongolian hotpots and barbecues. If you're looking for places that specialize in hotpot only, try the Mongolian Barbecue and the Genghis Khan.

Spicy Szechuanese Food

The Red Pepper in the Causeway Bay area is a particularly popular Szechuanese restaurant, especially with expatriates, but fire breathing aficionados contend that the Red Pepper's food is not as hot as true Szechuanese food should be. For a place that holds no barrels against outrageous levels of spiciness, try the Kam Chuen Lau, the Cleveland Szechuan, the Sichuan Pep 'N Chilli, or the Sze Chuen Lau.

Filipino Food

Only a few restaurants specialize in Filipino food, but here you can sample the much loved sinigang, a sour soup seasoned with tamarinds, mangoes and limes. Filipinos are also fond of dinuguan, a rich casserole of pork stewed in blood, and the national beverage is the halo halo, a lush concoction of cooked fruit in milk and sugar topped with crushed ice. For the latest Filipino treats, try the Little Manila, the Luneta or the Mahubay.