34. Nitro ginger tea, Bo Innovation
This one is all about the spectacle. A bucket of dried ice is rolled to the table before the server puts the ginger mixture onto a spoon and immerses it in liquid nitrogen until it becomes a solid ball. It’s better than a magic show. Part of the chef’s 13-course menu ($1,080). 2/F, 60 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai, 2850 8371.

35. "Not-so-Shanghainese" foie gras Shanghai wontons, Ta Pantry
These tasty mini morsels of bok choy, foie gras and Chinese mushroom wrappers swim in a fragrant chicken consommé. The egg knots are inspired by the egg strips found in the chef’s mother’s recipe of this delicious dish. Part of the set ‘Shanghainese’ menu ($500). Flat 1C, 2D Star St, Wan Chai, 2521 8121.

36. Food-free food, Pierre
The chef and the chemist have combined to create the gastronomic version of astronaut food. Chef Pierre Gagnaire and chemist Hervé This have created “Note à Note”, the world’s first dish made entirely of chemical compounds. The dish tastes and resembles apple pearl jelly, but in fact has no apples or fruits of any kind whatsoever, just ascorbic acid, citric acid, and glucose. This is part of an 11-course synthetic compound menu available until May 31 ($1,688). Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Rd, Central, 2825 4001.

37. Comté cheese, Caprice
With 18 choices on the cheeseboard at any given time, make sure you select the cow’s milk cheese as one of them. Five hundred litres of unpaturised milk is used to make each 30kg wheel of cheese; nutty and salty in flavour with granular crystals, it’s a bit less severe than Parmesan Reggiano. Caprice is currently serving the 2005 version that can’t be found anywhere else in Asia. Enjoy the amazing view while pairing it with a glass of the 1996 Chateau Chalon. $190 for five cheeses. Four Seasons, 8 Finance St, Central, 3196 8888.

38. German pork knuckle, Horse and Groom
After climbing a flight of stairs you might be distracted by billows of smoke, the old-school jukebox, or dice rattling in the background. Don’t be. Focus. Go straight for the pig knuckle. Big enough to serve three, it comes with a side of coleslaw and mashed potatoes. It’s the perfect combination of crackling, fat, and tender meat. $88. 161 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai, 2519 7001.

39. Tuscany T-bone “Fiorentina”, Spasso
This 40-45 oz porterhouse steak is very (and we mean verrrrry) shareable. It is purchased by the weight ($45 per oz) and prepared Florentine style, which is to say licked with garlic, generous black pepper, lemon and herbs during the marinating and cooking process. The dish is served with grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes. And if the displaced Florentines dining here for this are anything to go by, then it must be authentically good. Shop 403, Level 4, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2730 8027.

40. Brioche French toast, Duke’s Deli
Maybe it’s the use of brioche, maybe it’s the overnight bathing in sweet cream. Whatever it is, this French toast is darn good. Not just breakfast good, but 4pm sugar-craving good as well. This creamy, pan-fried piece of decadence served with strawberries and syrup also doubles as a dessert during breakfast or tea time. $36. G/F, 135 Des Voeux Rd, Central, 2544 7587.

41. Scrambled egg with corn beef submarine, Tsui Wah
Is there anything better for a Sunday hangover? Greasy scrambled eggs whose frying oil is absorbed into dry toast as processed salty corn beef sloshes backward and forward in the ‘wich with each bite. Makes the stomach turn doesn’t it? But in a good way. $17. Citywide

42. Hot pot, Hip Sing Daipaidong Chosen by Josh Tse, "Char Xiao Bao" food blogger
"The best meal so far for 2009 was a hot pot dinner at Hip Sing Daipaidong. All the ingredients, especially the homemade fish mousse and beef neck, were retardedly fresh. You’d feel as though you had lived a full life even if you’re struck by a bus on Nathan Road right afterwards." Meal for two: around $100. G/F, 130 Electric Rd , Causeway Bay, 2571 2222.

43. Wet African chicken, Café Litoral
Make a reservation to try this one: the new outlet of this Macau institution is packed every night of the week. We favour their wet African chicken above all others. The smouldering gravy of spices and sweet onion is king with the smooth chicken acting as the delivery vehicle. Get yourself some bread or rice to sop it up. $88. Rua Do Regedor, Block 4, 53-57 Wai Chin Kok, Taipa, 2882 5255.

44. Four-day suckling pig, Nino’s Cozinha
Why does it take four days? We asked. Well, the first day is for ordering the baby pig from the supplier, says the manager, then it is hung to dry for two more days so it drip-drains the blood, concentrating the flavours. On the last day it sits in a hot sauna waiting for your arrival. And yes, it’s worth the wait. $1,280 for a full pig, $680 for a half portion. 31 Ship St, Wan Chai, 2866 1868.

45. Pork tonkatsu, Butagumi Tonkatsu
The pre-show to this dish is a textured box of sesame seeds you grind up with a mortar before pouring tonkatsu sauce into the dry paste. When the platter of pork cutlets arrives you’re ready for feasting. The meat is tender, wonderfully golden-fried in panko crumbs, and unexpectedly light. An endless serving of ‘salad’ (actually just shredded lettuce) and rice accompanies the meal. $180. 7/F The Goldmark, 502 Hennessey Rd, Causeway Bay, 3428 2862.

46. Dinner at Chan Hon Kee Chosen by Kenneth Chan, Executive chef, 3R
“Chan Hon Kee is my favorite restaurant. The special dishes are hot pot rice with spare ribs, congee, cheong fan. All the hotpot rice is cooked to order – very fresh and tasty.” Meal for two: around $80. Shop B, G/F, 91 Wan Tau St, Tai Po, 2544 8368.

47. Dinner at Imamura Chosen by Christopher Mark, Executive chef, BLT Steak
“My best meal of the year was my birthday dinner at sushi Imamura in Causeway bay. Imamura always has the freshest ingredients flown in from Japan. Seasonal specialties are always available. Be sure to book a table as they are always full.” Meal for two: around $600. 16/F, Continental Diamond Plaza, 523-527, Hennessy Road,, Causeway Bay, 2836 0035.

48. Pork and leek dumplings, Dumpling Yuan
These little treasures are gorgeously delicious after a big night out when you just need some comfort food healing. The delicately chewy skin tears apart with a chopstick’s touch. The juicy pork filling is wonderfully falvourful and the leek gives them a soft oniony sweetness. $44. 96 Electric Rd, Tin Hau, 2887 9885; G/F, 69 Wellington St, Central, 2525 9018.

49. Negi toro don (Toro and spring onion bowl), Sushi Toku
A fave among media tycoons and pop stars, this place takes privacy seriously. They have great sushi sets (moderately priced at lunchtime: $98 for eight pieces), but our favourite is the toro bowl with chopped spring onions. Fatty toro cut with a bite of fresh onion over shot grain rice; it’s the perfect storm. $280. Unit B, 2/F, Cameron Plaza, 23-25A Cameron Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2301 3555.

50. Macaroni three-cheese gratin with truffles, Gusto
Poems should be written about this dish. All the elements of good comfort eating are here. Creamy: check. Gooey: check. Crusty: sort of check. Carby: yes! A touch of white truffle oil perfumes this baked fontina, smoked mozzarella, and cheddar mess to food-heaven status. $75. 41 Yik Yam St, Happy Valley, 2838 2689.
 

The categories:
Angels & Demons
The Bored Tongue
Weird & Wonderful
Around the World Comforts