Hong Kong offers such a wealth of food choices that often as a visitor it can be confusing knowing where to dig in first. Below you can find an introduction to the city’s must-tries: the local dishes that will complete your visit and leave you begging to return. We also put the spotlight on Kowloon City, a district famed for its Thai and Chinese culinary heritage.

Hong Kong is one of the most talked-about dining destinations in the world: it’s where celebrity chefs from across the globe compete to showcase their talent—and where diners come in droves to be the first to tuck in. But as densely packed as this city is with Michelin-starred restaurants and venues you’ll queue all night for, it also excels in something you’ll struggle to find anywhere else in the world—rich, local gems steeped in tradition, and humble, neighborhood family favorites.

No visitor can leave Hong Kong without first going for some dim sum—the city’s unofficial pastime. Interwoven into every Hongkongers’ DNA, you’ll see restaurants packed from morning right through ‘til teatime with big groups sat at large round tables for yum cha (this term, meaning “to drink tea,” is interchangeable with dim sum). Although this age-old tradition is most closely associated with the people of Guangdong, the culture of the noisy teahouse—think fluttering birds in cages, trolleys stacked with steaming bamboo boxes—is firmly rooted in Hong Kong’s heritage. For a grand experience, Maxim’s Palace is a visitor’s favorite. You can join in the daily queues at the massive one-room restaurant that looks out onto Victoria Harbour. Classic dim sum dishes to order include the har gau (shrimp dumpling), siu mai (pork dumpling), char siu bao (barbecued pork bun) and cheung fun (rice noodle rolls). For something more adventurous and that will immerse you in the Hong Kong of old, try the classic teahouse, Lin Heung Lau. Although this is an institution in the city, it’s very rarely frequented by foreigners and so you’ll really get a feel for how it’s done. Worm your way to a seat, hail the waitstaff and admire the antique bird cages hanging from the ceiling as you choose your selection from a trolley.

For another uniquely Hong Kong experience, a meal must be had at an outdoor, streetside dai pai dong. Grab a seat on a wooden stool by a rickety folding table at these limited-license mom-and-pop stalls and order everything from wok-kissed seafood to fried rice and noodles. The ones on Stanley Street in Central are particularly popular and easily accessible, and include Yue Hing and Hup Kee among their number. If in doubt of what to try, point to something attractive from a neighbor’s table and ask for that! For a completely different alfresco dining experience, try eating on a boat at Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter and dig into traditional Cantonese seafood.

Noodles of all types and sizes are a favorite staple for Hongkongers, and many local diners serve them in one variation or other, whether in soup, mixed with sauce or stir-fried. The wonton (shrimp and pork dumpling) paired with yellow egg noodles in soup is a very common combination, and Mak’s Noodle is one of the more famous options. This 46-year-old family shop is third-generation-run, and uses the exact original recipe for each delicate bowl. Having been in business for more than 90 years, Kau Kee Restaurant is famed for its beef brisket noodles—the queues that stretch down the street are indicative of its popularity. For no-frills Cantonese fast food, look no further than Tsui Wah, a renowned local chain that offers classic cha chaan teng (greasy spoon) fare such as satay beef with instant noodles, ham and egg sandwiches, and yeung chow fried rice.

Finally—if you still have room—there are plenty of Cantonese desserts and snacks to enjoy after your meal. Yuen Kee Dessert is a long-established restaurant serving traditional puddings such as black sesame or assorted bean soup. Crispy egg rolls and “wife cakes” (a winter melon, almond and sesame-based pastry) can be found at Wing Wah Bakery, a well-known brand for Chinese snacks in Hong Kong and around the world. And for the ultimate in sweet streetside snacks, puffy egg waffles are a must. The egg waffles at Master Low Key Food Shop are especially crispy on the outside, and velvety smooth on the inside.