I've decided to write about a few of the things I truly enjoy about living here, and one cannot write about HK without first mentioning its greatest asset - the food. Of course as (arguably) the most international city in Asia, almost every cuisine is well represented here (even authentic Mexican & texmex - not American 'pseudo-mexican' where everything's buried under a 1/2 inch of cheddar). Due to its colonial and economically diverse past, HK also has its own unique creations and traditions; and one of the best is milk tea. Milk tea - and its hot weather incarnation, ice milk tea - is based on English breakfast (oolong) tea, but much stronger, usually strained through mesh, with heavy infusions of condensed milk and sugar. The result is similar to Vietnamese coffee (itself based on strong, espresso-like french roast coffee) not as strong but just as addictive. Hong Kong 'diners' and tea shops can be found throughout the city, and many locals start the day with a milk tea and sweet bun - or vaguely english breakfast of eggs and toast, though with HK additions like ramen with satay beef. Like 'plate lunch' in Hawaii, milk tea is one of those unique HK things I know I'll miss if/when we leave, as its just not the same anywhere else...

Tags: food, beverages, best