Where to eat the best dumplings in Hong Kong, according to a mega fan, and the city’s best coffee

Public relations executive Ivan Theodoulou is Newell PR’s regional director, and a resident of Sai Kung.

My tastes tend to be more Chinese-oriented although there are lapses. I also have an airline mentality, ie, chicken or fish, when it comes to choosing dishes because I’ve never been a big red meat eater. And for lunch, I tend to go “al desko” – bring my own to work.

For some time, I’ve been on a mission to discover the best salmon eggs Benedict in Hong Kong. The clear winner is The Conservatory (26 Wan King Path, Sai Kung, tel: 2792 1105).

It’s exceptional and cooked to perfection, and you can literally taste each ingredient layer in every mouthful. Their outdoor seating is great to relax in the open and people watch.

Another mission is to discover the city’s best cup of coffee. Notable places include Hungry Elephant (KP Tower, 93 King’s Road, Tin Hau, tel: 3105 9600), Elephant Grounds (various locations including 8 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai, tel: 2778 2700), N1 Coffee & Co. (34 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 3568 4726), Le Pain Quotidien (various locations including Shop G40-41, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, tel: 2520 1801), Nowhere Man (36 Sai Kung See Cheung Sreet, Sai Kung, tel: 5744 8573), and Taps (34 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, tel: 9760 6824).

I also enjoy coffee and breakfast at Simplylife (various locations including Shop B32, B1/F, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, tel: 2978 3929). There’re plenty of seating with a far too-tempting selection of sandwiches and croissants. They also make a cappuccino properly and I will have a cheese and ham toasted panini to accompany it. It’s the perfect way to start the day.

I’m a mega dumplings fan. I regularly ingest spicy and sour soup, steamed dumplings and potstickers from Bafang Dumpling (various locations including Shop 112, The Lane, 15 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, tel: 2430 9018). When you’re perched on a little stool, eating steamed dumplings, there’s hardly any other dining pleasure to match.

Even better is Guan Tang You Qing Tang Nan (Shop 26-27, Kwun Tong Centre, 68 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong, tel: 2885 1536). It’s my favourite Sunday lunch spot. They don’t have an English name.

Nowhere else serves wonton noodles like it. The staff say I’m the only Westerner to eat there.

I have hotpot during the winter season with family and friends. The experience is also great to share with overseas visitors. Sitting around a table and cooking in a group is epic and fun.

The food at Big Boils Club (1/F, 33 Marble Road, North Point, tel: 2331 3838) is nicely presented and tasty, with authentic interior, big heavy wooden tables and a few private rooms.

For drinks, The Picture House (66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, tel: 2792 6991) is a pub restaurant with seating inside and outside. They are famous for their Sunday roasts, and there are plenty of other food and drink choices.

Finally, I’ve got back into Indian curries. Tulsi (various locations including Fairview Court, 7 Tsat Tsz Mui Road, North Point, tel: 2568 3806) serves a delicious and authentic chicken korma – perfect with Kingfisher beer.