Hotpot, dim sum, dessert: Hong Kong restaurants a Chinese food fan loves to eat at

Barista Chester Tam is the first Hong Kong coffee professional recognised by The Speciality Coffee Association of Europe. He is the founder of coffee shops Ideaology and InFuse Speciality Coffee, and operates the Page Common restaurant at hotel Page148.

I am very typically Chinese. I love Chinese food at home and outside. Hot dishes in dai pai dongs and hotpot are my favourites, always. The taste of Chinese food has been embedded in me since childhood and I have a lot of happy memories. I also like Italian and Thai food.

I like Dim Sum Square (27 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan, tel: 2851 8088). You can find most dim sum varieties here and it’s all handmade traditionally in shop to keep their quality and freshness. My favourite is the char siu bun in “snow”. It’s different from the traditional pork bun in that it’s crispy with a nice texture.

Kai Kai (29 Ning Po Street, Jordan, tel: 2384 3862) is a very local dessert shop. Normally it is very crowded at night. You can find all kinds of Chinese dessert here. Each time I visit I order tong yuen, dumplings with black sesame paste inside. They have a strong sesame taste and the silky texture will impress you for sure. Everything is reasonably priced as well.

I would take someone new to Hong Kong to Central for a mix of old and new culture, like all the small shops and the local market near Graham Street. I recommend Pici (24-26 Aberdeen Street, SoHo, tel: 2755 5233) with their handmade pasta. It almost feels like you are in Italy. There is a tasting menu if you want to try different pastas at once.

If you visit the historic PMQ, go to Levain Bakery (Shop H105, 1/F, Block B, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, tel: 2559 0889). The owner is passionate about making quality artisan bread. The taste will impress you. I love the sourdough – the texture and flavour is unique.

I like hotpot dinners with family and friends. We can go the whole night enjoying the food and atmosphere. San Ming Kee Hotpot (2-8 Battery Street, Jordan, tel: 3188 0286) has my favourite pork bone soup base, and the selection is very fresh. I always overeat. The fresh beef is my favourite.

E Pot (East Wing, 2/F, Loft by 20, 104 Soy Street, Mong Kok, tel: 8300 2868) is a new all-you-can-eat buffet-style hotpot at a reasonable price. The home-made meat balls and fish balls are signatures. It is crowded with young people every night. Kids will be happy with the unlimited ice cream and drinks.