My schedule during the week is pretty tight, but I always try to make time for a quick meal at the convenient cha chaan tengs around town.

One of my favourites is Australia Dairy Company (47-49 Parkes Street, Jordan, tel: 2730 1356). The classic buttered toast and milk tea are the best in the city and keep me going back for more.

Another favourite is Sing Heung Yuen (2 Mee Lun Street, Central, tel: 2544 8368). It does a delicious bowl of classic macaroni in tomato soup, which I usually order with a sunny-side-up egg. This place brightens up even the dullest day, as their friendly staff bring your meal just minutes after ordering.

I’m a fiend for noodles. Whenever I find myself craving a bowl, I head to Wah Lam Noodle Restaurant (5-11 Thomson Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2527 2478) for thick rice noodles with cuttlefish balls. I like to spice things up with two extra teaspoons of chilli oil.

The extra spicy dan dan noodles at Golden Valley (The Empire Hotel, 1A Wang Tak Street, Happy Valley, tel: 2961 3330) are another winner. The restaurant does great Guangdong and Sichuan cuisine.

When I want to treat myself, I head to T’ang Court (The Langham Hong Kong, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel 2132 7898) for the crispy chicken, which is served like Peking duck. The dish comes with wrappers, onions, and hoisin sauce and goes really well with a bottle of Sancerre. As expected of a three Michelin star restaurant, the décor, service and food are impeccable.

VEA (The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, tel: 2711 8639) is another great option. In addition to superb service and chic interior, its menu changes often. No matter how many times you dine there, it always feels like the first. I recently tried the restaurant’s pan-seared sea cucumber dish – remarkable!

Favourite Hong Kong cafes, restaurants and coffee shops of Vienna-born Regina Larko

I have to mention Elephant Grounds in Wan Chai (Win Fung Building, 8 Wing Fung Street, tel: 2778 2700) for its amazing coffee. But it’s the ice cream sandwich that’s the star. Ice cream flavours change weekly and vary from coffee mocha fudge to Japanese taro. On cheat days, there’s nothing better than popping in for an espresso and try the ice cream sandwich for the day.