When a restaurant has comfort food on the menu, it’s essentially selling you a home cooked meal, something that reminds you of mum’s dinners – a culinary security blanket that leaves you feeling warm (and full) inside. Altogether now, there’s no place like home…

Wonton noodles at Lau Sum Kee
While Mak’s Noodles and Ho Hung Kee might rule Hong Kong Island as the kings of wonton noodles, if you ever venture out to Sham Shui Po (forget about Cyberport, Ap Liu Street is our answer to Silicon Valley), stop by the always busy Lau Sum Kee for a bowl of comfort goodness. They make their noodles fresh daily, and only use ocean harvested shrimp to give their wontons a juicy, succulent texture. $28. 82 Fook Wing St, Sham Shui Po, 2386 3583.

Sliced soya goose at Sheung Hing Chiu Chow
There’s a reason why all the tycoons flock to this shabby hole in the wall for their fix of Chiuchow chow. Not only do they do an incredible plate of sliced soya roast goose over fried tofu ($80), but they also produce a soft, eggy oyster omelette to cry for. It was explained to us over these dishes that tycoons become tycoons not by spending a shitload of money on overpriced food, but rather as little as they can on quality fare. Makes sense. 29 Queen’s Rd West, Sheung Wan, 2854 4557.

Tandoori at Handi’s Indian
Sure, it’s all the way out in Tung Chung, but we still love the fact they come to pick you up from the MTR station in their seven-seater van. The door-to-door service works for us lazy foodies. So does their $55 tandoori chicken. Handi’s Indian chef knows a thing or two about the inside of a tandoori oven, blackening the chicken to a beautiful burnt just on the right side of tasty. G/F, 8 Ha Ling Pei Tsuen, Tung Chung Rd, Tung Chung, Lantau Island, 2988 8674.

Fish and pork congee at Wai Kee Congee
This place becomes one of the busiest dai pai dongs around come lunch and dinnertime. So much so, they have to open up a second kitchen in the adjacent shop. Their fish and shredded pork congee ($13) gets its flavour from a slow-brewing stock, with a taste and price that are truly comforting. G/F, 82 Stanley St, Central, 2551 5564.

Bak kut teh at Malaymama
On a cold day, there is something so soothing about a herbal soup, even better if it is made with spare ribs that are cooked until the bone falls apart. If you’re seeking either hotness or a crunch factor, you can add a bit of spice and cilantro to this delicious Bak kut teh ($40). It’s all good at Malaymama. Shop 11A, 13 Mercer St, Sheung Wan, 2542 4111.

Sushi platter at Kaisen Maru
This place is a complete hole in the wall. Their main source of revenue is takeout sushi, but there is some seating. However, that is all a distraction to the real reason you should try out this place: the $28 sushi platter. As well as importing fish for some of the best Japanese restaurants in town, they also sell their own. The chirashi is a sure bet and they have Grade A1 Wagyu as well. G/F, 50 Third St, Sai Ying Poon, 2548 6628.

Beef ball noodle soup at Lok Yuen Beef Ball King
So what if they make beef ball noodle soup? The whole block does. But the difference is that, unlike its competitors, Lok Yuen’s beef and pork balls contains the part of the fish innards that make them float. The soft, gelatinous float is embedded into the heart of the ball, cooked in a meaty broth, and presented in a bowl with noodles ($30). However, we recommend you skip the noodles altogether and order extra balls. Mmmm, balls. G/F, 138-144 Sai Yeung Choi St South, Mong Kok, 2395 2882.

Congee adventure at Sun Kau Kee Noodle
This total dive gives you a clay pot of virgin congee and a burner. You do whatever you want to pervert it. Oysters? You got it. Beef? Here’s a platter. Fishhead? Take the whole fish. For $95 per person you can have whatever you like, how you like it. 9 Tai Wong St, Wan Chai, 2865 2827.

Fatty pork over rice at Dai Wing Wah
The man who owns this joint seriously knows his rice, which explains why his restaurant’s fatty pork over rice (especially shipped in from China, because he thinks Thai rice is too silky for the dish) keeps Hongkongers from all over coming back time and time again. $52. 2-6 On Ning Rd, Yuen Long, 2476 9888.

Curry chicken at Curry King
This cheap and cheerful curry eatery will have you breathing fire in no time with its extensive selection of Indian curry chicken, Fried Morning Glory with chilli and shrimp paste, deep fried curry samosas and Thai Tom Yum Goong. Most dishes are under $50, and you can order freshly made roti to dip in the yummy sauce. Seating is a bit crowded, but the service is efficient. 88 Soy St, Mong Kok, 2332 2780.

Read the features:
Home comforts
It's a date
Café society
Standing room only
Sweet as
The dumpling index
The $100 Cook off