A-One
Bring your own tissues, tolerate the blaring television set, and deal with a large hungry pack of diners – it’s all worth it when you sit down for a large bowl of pork chop and rice. Here, it’s pickles mixed with pork fat, mixed with plump grains of absorbent rice topped with thin-cut chops. Amen. Meal for one: around $35. G/F, 3 Tsat Tsz Mui Rd, North Point, 2840 1070.

Aborigine Vietnamese Baguette House
You can tell we have a soft spot for banh mi sandwiches. This French-Viet combo is a gorgeous thing. Toasted charcoal baguette, pate, sweet and sour pickled vegetables, salami – all wrapped in one wonderful concoction. Priced at $33 for the classic, you have enough coins leftover for a Viet coffee. Shop 9, G/F, Wang Fai Mansion, 2-12 Wang On Rd, North Point, 2660 0119.

Burger Mix
Where else are you going to get a decent burger that costs just $18? This burger has height, stacked with thick slices of tomato, crisp lettuce and meat. They’re made to order and should be eaten fresh, lest the burgers lose their towering effect. Shop 5D2, G/F, Dragon View House, Hoi Tai St, Quarry Bay, 2565 5666.

Marmalade
One of the few Italian places we could find dishing out good eats for under a hundred bucks. Okay, this is really Chinese-interpreted Italian food, but it’s hardy and cheap. Lots of pastas ad risottos here, much of it doused in cheese sauce. Nice café style atmosphere, and only a few block to the waterfront. Shop GC08, 35 Tai Hong St, Sai Wan Ho, 2884 4428.

Mouthful
A grab-n-go spot for waffles, curry fish balls and siu mai on sticks. Get the man behind the counter to spread some Srichacha. Snack for one: around $20. Shop C1, 15 Electric Rd, North Point, no phone.

Mr. Taco Truck
It’s safe to say no one is doing a proper fish taco in this town – and certainly not for $16 – but this taco shack, converted to look like a truck, does a damn good job. Filled with grilled onions, cilantro and salsa, the fish tacos are a not-to-be-missed highlight here. With meat tacos coming in at $13, it’d be hard to spend more than $40 at any visit. Shop E, G/F, Oceanic Building, 22 Finnie St, Quarry Bay, 2590 6911.

Misocool
The first branch of this budding ramen chain started in Quarry Bay. These are noodles with attitude. The place is rock’n’roll, much like its owner Gilbert Yeung – very much Hong Kong’s answer to Wagamama. Order their tonkotsu (pork bone milky broth) or the cold seafood noodle, and don’t forget an order of beef negimaki. Meal for one: around $80. Shop SLG8-9A, Sub-lower G/F, Westlands Gardens, 2-10 Westlands Rd, Quarry Bay, 2565 1001.

Noodles
A minimalist shop serving Sichuan-style noodles and other spicy eats. There’s much more than dan dan mein here, including a slew of Tibetan-style dishes such as bowls of noodles filled with fatty lamb, and lamb chops blessed with cumin served on hot plates. We recommend both. Great cold weather eats. Meal for one: around $70. G/F, 27A Kam Ping St, North Point, 2151 0506.

Toppings
As the name suggests, it’s all about the toppings here. The base is a hot dog or burger, one of which is made with cuttlefish. They load it on, mushrooms, bacon, chopped veggies, corn, pickles, chilli, gravy – the works. Good luck keeping your shirt clean. Meal for one: around $40. 18 Victor Court, 14 Wang On Rd, North Point, 2887 0832.

Xi Yan
A modern and artful atmosphere with a thoughtful menu and service that’s not rushed. Chef Jacky Yu ties Chinese cuisine with influences from all over Asia. It’s all the classic comfort food, but with a global upgrade. While dinners will run you about $150 per person, lunches here are a bargain, starting at $56. Shop G505 & 508, Ning On Mansion, Stage 5, Taikoo Shing, 2380 0919.

Yo Bago
Here bagels are served in untraditional fashion, holding together towering sandwiches filled with smoked salmon, pineapple, and egg. Of course, you could just order cream cheese. Bagel sandwiches start at $37. G/F, 80 Pan Hoi St, Quarry Bay, 2561 7700.

Cheap Eats by Neighbourhood:
Mong Kok and Jordan
Wan Chai and Causeway Bay
Kowloon East and Hung Hom
Hong Kong Island East
Tsim Sha Tsui
Central and Western