I know a place: Antony Szeto, martial arts choreographer

Antony Szeto is a martial arts choreographer and film director, whose credits include DragonBlade, Jackie Chan Presents: Wushu and the upcoming The Living Dead

Having been brought up in Hong Kong, I’ve developed quite an extensive palate. Like most older locals, I believe it is more about the food and the people you’re eating with than the place you’re eating at.

Let’s start with what Hong Kong is famous for: seafood. After wakeboarding in Sai Kung, our favourite hangout is an underground restaurant in Pak Sha Wan. Phonetically it’s called Tao Tao (141 Pak Sha Road, Sai Kung, tel: 2719 0116). It can be found below a popular Thai restaurant near the pier, but don’t expect any views of the sea. Even fishermen frequent [Tao Tao], so that tells you all you need to know.

Expect to share your table, but dine like kings for a fraction of what you would pay in Central. I highly recommend the garlic prawns and cooked scallops served in their shells.
Ask for recommendations on the fresh catch. It’s family-run so they take personal pride in their food, but not their service.

The next place I’m about to divulge is frequented by film people, so much that in one of their dining areas they even made faux film posters featuring the celebrities who go there. Tai Chung Wah Restaurant (539 Fok Wing Street, Cheung Sha Wan, tel: 9045 4863) is situated in a poor area of Cheung Sha Wan. Don’t be put off by this little hole-in-the-wall and don’t worry about hygiene; I’ve never heard of anyone getting food poisoning here.