You will find that dining out in Hong Kong is an adventure that you simply cannot miss out on. Venture out and explore the world of ethnic food and other offerings available in the multitude of restaurants.

No trip to Hong Kong is complete without experiencing the delightful tradition of dim sum. Visiting one of the multitude of teahouses for breakfast or lunch and enjoying the delicate offerings will give your tastebuds a treat. To experience authentic dim sum, go to Lin Heung in Central. You cannot make reservations, so getting a seat and snagging food off the carts will give you something to chuckle over for many years. It is an art you will have to master quickly in order to eat in a timely manner.

There are some foods that you must try when in Hong Kong. If you are ready to eat some truly succulent meat, Hong Kong has incredible roast goose, pork and duck. These items are usually served with noodles or rice. Another taste experience is a type of rice pudding called congee.

For those with a taste for seafood, it doesn’t get much better than Hong Kong’s seafood. There are a variety of places along the coast where you can dine on fresh seafood. The restaurants that specialize in seafood have tanks that the marine life is kept alive in until it is cooked and served. It is not unusual to see bamboo clams, abalone, and conch appearing on the menu with a broad range of other seafood. You will want to educate yourself before you go so that you are not feasting on rare and endangered sea creatures. Avoid buying shark fin soup, as this is a senseless slaughter solely for the fin.

Another tasty delicacy to try while enjoying Hong Kong is snake meat. Widely available in the winter, there are numerous restaurants that specialize in it.

Teochew restaurants are also relatively easy to find. The braise goose is very good and no Teochew meal is complete without a yam dessert.

There is no shortage of eateries in Hong Kong and the menus can be incredibly different from pace to place. For the adventurous diner, meals could be the high point of their visit to Hong Kong. One place that everyone should go is to Lin Heung and experience dim sum unlike any you’ve ever experienced before.

A trip to Hong Kong without experiencing to the market is akin to going to the seashore without even dipping your toes in the water. The hustle and bustle of the markets will make your senses hum and energy flow. Markets are central to daily life in Hong Kong , not to mention a great place to hone your bargaining skills.

When visiting the markets, it is important to know that prices are not what you should pay for items. The prices in a market are a suggestion and it is expected that you will bargain with the vender. Believe it or not, there is are rules that should be observed when you are haggling over that must-have item that you have your eye on.

· Always assume that the seller is lying to you. Their goal is to get the most they possibly can and your goal is to get a bargain.
· Buying a big-ticket item? Know what it is worth before going out to buy it. If you go unprepared, you are likely to pay much too much for the item.
· Pay in Hong Kong dollars. To do otherwise is asking to be taken advantage of unless you are very well versed in the exchange rates. Sellers will helpfully offer to accept US dollars but bargain you just made will not be much of a bargain.
· Start the bargaining low and be prepared to haggle for a while. Assume that everything is 20% – 30% overpriced so you might want to start at 50% and come up slowly. Haggling is an art in which the sellers are well versed and they know that they can wear you down with time. Don’t be in a hurry!
· Dress casually. Walking around the market in expensive clothes with designer accessories is like waving a sign “Please take advantage of me”
· Although bargaining in the markets is expected and welcome, bargaining in malls and other stores is not.
· Fakes and copies abound in the markets. Remember to use common sense. You are not going to get a Louis Vuitton handbag for $5 or $10USD.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the aptly named Mongkok area is the world’s most populated area. Mongkok is Cantonese for “busy corner” and it is very busy area. Mongkok’s Ladies Market is likely the most famous market in Hong Kong. The name is deceptive because the market isn’t gender specific. There is plenty of merchandise for both genders. There is an endless stream of clothing, curios and souvenirs.

A market that is a “must see”, if you don’t have time to go to any other market, is Temple Street Market in Mongkok. This night market transforms Temple Street into a booming area with food venders, bright displays, and an incredible array of merchandise. The market comes to life after dark so plan on a late night and much haggling

A few other markets of note are: Mongkok’s Wan Chai Street Market, Cat Street in Sheung Wan, and the Golden Shopping Arcade. Wan Chai Street Market is where the locals shop and has the air of being a huge department store. Although treasures can be found at Cat Street if you look hard and spend time, most of the items are made to deceive so be wary. Computer geeks have to go to Golden Shopping Arcade. If you want the best in technology at a reasonable price, this market will be a hit with you.

Enjoy immersing yourself in the markets and haggle for a trinket or two to get in the mood. Most of all, have fun!