The desire for food products from Auvergne, the central region of France she hails from, is what compelled Sophie Monatte to start online food shop Comme a la Maison. Monatte, who's been in Hong Kong for five years, says that while many of the bigger French brands are available across the city, it's difficult to find the rustic, traditional food she grew up with.

'When I talked with my French friends in Hong Kong, they always asked, 'Why are these products not available?' Every time I went [to Auvergne] I would fill my suitcase with food and they said, 'Why don't you start a business?' So I decided to give it a try,' Monatte says.

Although for now imported products available through the website are limited primarily to goods in jars and bottles, Monatte says she hopes to add cheese and fresh meat soon. Wines and olive oils are to be expected, but, Monatte's e-shelves are also currently stocked with blue cheese and poppy-seed crackers, piment d'Espelette confit, tuna spread with grapefruit and organic apricot nectar.