Missing Hong Kong? There’s a new Cha Chaan Teng in town!
You can satisfy your cravings for authentic Hong Kong-style noodles, roast meats, and cha chaan teng classics at Pi Food, a new Hong Kong-style eatery located at UBS Singapore Business Hub (formerly known as Park Mall).
Everyone thinks of cha chaan teng when it comes to casual dining in Hong Kong. For the uninitiated, cha chaan teng is a no-pretense, fuss-free local eatery in Hong Kong that serves comfort food at affordable prices. These local diners are everywhere in Hong Kong and you will always find locals dining in those nondescript outlets.
A cha chaan teng is not known for service, unfortunately. It is really a place where you eat and go, or do a few quick readings of your newspapers. That said, the essence lies in savouring a moment of local delicacy amidst the humdrum of the city life.
A trip to Hong Kong is not complete without eating at Cha Chaan Teng. Here is our guide to the best cha chaan teng in Hong Kong that we can always count on for a good local meal.
Mido Cafe in Yau Ma Tei is one old-school cha chaan teng to visit when in Hong Kong.
Untouched by time, the cafe seems to be at a standstill. Its decor is as old-school as it can be; ancient Hong Kong still exists at Mido Cafe. Colourful wall tiles that are so tacky yet so nostalgic complemented with old tables and chairs; Mido Cafe is exactly how a cha chaan teng should be.
Our friends from Hong Kong have been urging us to make a visit and we finally did. And we finally understood why they have such high regards for this nondescript cafe that they grew up eating.
There is no lack of cha chaan teng in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. When you ask locals about their favourites, you’d get a myriad of answers—Hong Lin Restaurant in Mong Kok would probably be one of them.
We cannot agree more that it is one local eatery that you must visit if you are on the Kowloon side. Here’s what we loved from our visit, some of the must-orders and some misses.
Shui Kee Coffee in Hong Kong has been around for decades and it is as old school, as traditional, as Hong Kong as you can get to a cha chaan teng.
You almost don’t see tourists dining there; just locals who want breakfast in the most comforting form they know, without having their wallets take a beating.
Where Hong Kong-style buns, sandwiches, French Toast, noodles and milk tea are concerned, Shui Kee Coffee does it in the most traditional no-frills way. You have to try it for yourselves if you want a true taste of Hong Kong-style breakfast.
One of the primary reasons why we always enjoy our time in Hong Kong is, of course, the food. Hong Kong has many restaurants with different types of cuisine but those can never win our love for its local food.
Dine in a local Cha Chaan Teng (literal translation: Tea Restaurant) over local casual fare such as wanton noodles and roast meat rice, or venture into the streets and get yourself some curry fishballs, egg tarts or even the ever popular egglets.
On a budget? No worries; we are going to show you how you can stuff yourself silly with a small budget. Here is How to Conquer the Best of Hong Kong’s Local Food in A Day With S$50.
Located in Southern Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the most popular and populated districts in Hong Kong. From chic restaurants in shopping malls to hole-in-the-wall eateries, there are so many dining options to choose from.
Tsim Sha Tsui has so many restaurants, eateries and cha chaan teng that it can be quite a headache to decide on where to dine at. For a start, here is a quick guide to the restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong that you can dine at.
Renowned Hong Kong brand Tai Cheong Bakery officially opens a full-fledged Cha Chaan Teng in Holland Village today. Everyone knows Tai Cheong Bakery—after all, it is the mother of all egg tarts!
Unsurprisingly, a long queue is already formed outside the Cantonese restaurant; everyone is eager to try Tai Cheong Bakery’s legendary egg tarts (S$1.90 each).
Signature egg tarts aside, you can now look forward to a one-page menu of authentic cha chaan teng dishes. We are talking about classic Hong Kong delicacies such as Beef Brisket Curry Rice (S$9.90), Hong Kong Milk Tea (hot – S$2, cold – S$2.50) and Bolo Bun (S$2.20).
Holland V dwellers, brace yourselves—your neighbourhood is going to be even more crowded than before!