Hong Kong Tea

Hong Kong Tea Culture

Although tea comes from China and has been part of the culture for many thousands of years, Hong Kong developed its very own distinctive tea culture as part of the British empire.

During your stay, you must not miss the locally brewed "milky tea" served at Chinese food outlets, dai pai dongs and cafes. It takes a unique blending of tea leaves and superb tea-making skills to make a perfect cup of smooth Hong Kong-style tea. Although fewer places are devoted to tea than in the past, it is worth seeking out the old-style teahouses that dot Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

Unique Menu of Hong Kong Tea Bistros

In Hong Kong, there is usually a local tea cafe nearby, with a wide variety of snacks that cross the East-West culinary divide.

'Milky tea' is a fascinating fusion of cultures. Various tea blends are boiled and then kept brewing in a metre-tall metal container for hours, ensuring its extraordinary strength and smoothness. A silk-like cotton bag filters the tea before milk or condensed milk is added. Yuanyang is another special Hong Kong drink, a concoction of milk, tea and coffee, bringing out the flavours and aroma in a magical combination.

Treats such as deep-fried French toast, topped and soaked with butter and syrup, will satisfy even the most sweet-toothed diner. Many find it hard to resist freshly baked egg tarts, which release a strong buttery aroma. Buns come with an extensive range of fillings, including coconut mix, egg custard and more. Pineapple buns have a crusty and crispy topping that resembles the skin of a pineapple and are best consumed with melted butter.

Known for their fast service and efficiency, these local cafes also serve anything from noodles and rice to porridge, roast meat and even seafood. Cold drinks, such as iced lemon tea, are also extremely popular and are served throughout the day.