Monocle's Guide to Hong Kong

vocabulary 

• While you may be able to get around with English, knowing some Cantonese may be an interesting away to connect with locals and may come in handy (and win some respect). Here, Monocle compiled several quintessential words for you to learn. 
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• Beeh-tzao: Beer
   
  Ciu Bao: Very cool
   
  Ding ding: Street trams
   
  Gei dor chihn ah?: How much is it?
   
  Ho Muhng: Very cute
   
  Jo San: Good morning
   
  Ng-goy: Thank you
   
  Sap Sap Soy: No big deal

food and drink 

Ho Lee Fook, Central

Chinese cuisine with a twist headed by Taiwanese-Canadian chef Jowett Yu.

RETAIL 

• Kapok, Wan Chai

• Future classics. The St Francis Yard outpost focuses on fashion including homegrown womenswear label, while the Sun Street location stocks up on homeware such as trays by Hay from Denmark. 
• 5 St Francis Yard and 3 Sun Street
• ka-pok.com

• Woaw, Central 

• Everything under the sun. Woaw is one of the city's best concept stores, stocking everything form tech acessories designed by Hong Kong's Native Union to toiletries from Malin + Goetz.
• 11 Gough Street
• woawstore.com

• Loveramics, Causeway Bay 

• Tableware with an edge: An urban loft style china tableware shop set up just off Leighton Road in 2009. William Lee founded te company with his wife Grace Ching and the couple take pride in the timelessness of the products they design and sell. 
• GF, 97 Leighton Road
• loveramics.com

TIPS

• Taxi tactics: Affordable and abundant, Hong Kong’s taxis may not be the most charming in the world but they’re an efficient way to get around the city.
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• The big smoke: Hong Kong’s temples are hubs for each community, where incense sticks and coils are lit to honour the dead and the gods.
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• Come rain or shine: The weather here can be as dramatic and changeable as the skyline. If you’re caught without an umbrella the city’s myriad convenience stores always sell them.
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• Dignified approach: Be sensitive to the pride that many people here take in their unique culture and history. Many identify themselves as Hong Kongers first and Chinese second.