#852Basics: How to dine at a Hong Kong cha chaan teng

What you need to try

Hong Kong-style milk tea (奶茶)

Combining the mellow-yet-fragrant aroma of Chinese black tea with the velvety-smooth texture of evaporated milk, Hong Kong-style milk tea is everyone’s go-to. Apart from the simple naai cha (港式奶茶; Hong Kong-style milk tea), there are also many variations of milk tea that you can order. For example, cha zau (茶走) is when the sugar is replaced with condensed milk, and yuenyeung (鴛鴦) is a unique beverage that combines both tea and coffee.

There is much debate as to where the best milk tea in town is, but Waso Café (where you can get bottled naai cha for on-the-go sipping), Yue Hing (a classic vendor that also serves breakfast foods), and Bing Kee (a popular dai pai dong hidden away in Tai Hang) are all worth checking out. If you’re looking for a modern, cold version of naai cha, you can find it at Lo Fung Café, where they top your drink off with milk tea ice cubes to keep it chilled and undiluted.

Corned beef sandwich (牛治)

We know corned beef sandwiches (牛治; ngau⁴ zi⁶) don’t sound like the most exciting thing on the menu, but since every cha chaan teng does them differently, you’ll never know what to expect—in the best way. Some places serve them with oversized scrambled eggs, some do them toasted, and don’t even get us started on ones with cheese! No matter what you choose, a corned beef sandwich makes for the perfect breakfast to start your day. The most famous ones in town are from Sun Hang Yuen (Kin Kee) in Sham Shui Po, but Australia Dairy Company in Jordan and Tsuen Wan’s Gala Café are worth hitting up, too.

Hong Kong-style French toast (西多士)

If you think you’ve had French toasts before, think again. Hong Kong-style French toasts (西多士; sai¹ do¹ si⁶) are made up of two slices of bread, usually with a layer of peanut butter or condensed milk in-between. It is then dipped in egg, fried to golden perfection, with a knob of butter and a heavy drizzle of maple syrup slathered on top. Depending on where you go, there are many cha chaan teng eateries around town that offer Hong Kong-style French toasts with different fillings.

For something simple yet tasty, Shui Kee Coffee in Sheung Wan fries each piece of bread individually to give them an extra bit of crunch, and if you’re looking for something different, Chau Kee is famous for its molten French toasts with a choice of three different gooey fillings: custard, black sesame, and taro.

Egg and spam instant noodles (餐蛋麵)

Yeah, we know you can pretty much make this at home yourself, but there’s something distinctively nostalgic about eating instant noodles in a cha chaan teng that makes it all the more delicious. Egg and spam instant noodles (餐蛋麵; caan¹ daan² min⁶) are basically what it says it is: instant noodles, with few slices of Spam and (usually) a sunny-side-up egg. If you would like other toppings, you can add extra ingredients for a few more dollars. Crowd favourites include satay beef, spiced pork cubes, and ham. Most places also offer lo ding (撈丁), which is basically the same thing, but a dry version without the savoury broth. Head to Sun Kee Cheese Noodles or Lan Fong Yuen, both a popular destination famous for their lo ding.

Pineapple bun with butter (菠蘿油)

Clearly, pineapple buns need no further introduction, and sure, spreading some butter in a bun is not something too significant, but with pineapple buns with butter (菠蘿油; bo¹ lo⁴ jau⁴), it’s a whole different story. With a thick slab of butter wedged inside the bun, pineapple buns with butter are usually served lukewarm. This is so that when you bite into it, the butter, along with the bun, will instantly melt in your mouth.

We definitely recommend heading to Waso Café, where apart from the butter, you can also add scrambled eggs, tomato, marinated chicken, and a pork chop to turn it into an extra flavourful affair for your palette. Cheung Hing Coffee Shop in Happy Valley is another go-to for some freshly baked, golden brown pineapple buns around the clock. Another great option is Kam Wah Café, where the pineapple buns are the size of your palm, packed full of flavour both in the crispy top and fluffy interior. 

Useful phrases to learn

You’re all good to go, but remember…

Don’t expect five-star service: If you like to eat at a restaurant where the waiters can attend to your every need, then perhaps a cha chaan teng is not the right place for you. Working in such a fast-paced environment can be stressful, so don’t be surprised if your waiter doesn’t greet you with a smile.

Gobble, gobble: Sometimes it’s nice to sit back and chat with your friends after a meal, but if you do that at a cha chaan teng during rush hour, you’re going to get cold, stabbing stares from waiters or other hungry diners waiting in line.

Prepare to share: Most cha chaan teng eateries are not that spacious, and if it’s lunch or dinner time, these diners are bound to be packed. So prepare to budge up, make space, and welcome another lovely stranger to your table.

Tissues at the ready: Not every cha chaan teng offers table napkins for the taking, and may even charge for a packet of tissue, so it’s best to bring your own.

Pay up: When you’re done with your meal, don’t raise your hand and ask for the bill. There should already be a receipt at your desk, so just walk up to the cashier with it and pay.