Ultimate Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng Guide + Best Places to Eat! — *Hong Kong Cha Chaan Tengs are places where you can find simple yet delicious dishes*

What could be more iconic in the Pearl of the Orient than the humble Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng? A deliciously unique result of British Colonialism, these local style diners ca be found everywhere in Hong Kong, from the street corners of Mong Kok to the charming rods of Old Town Central.

Cha Chaan Tengs combine new (well new for the time) Western cuisine with traditional Chinese flair to create something that is affordable, satisfying, and nostalgic, with dishes like Scrambled Eggs, Elbow Macaroni Soup, French Toast, and of course the Hong Kong Style Milk Tea.

On my recent 5 Day Trip to Hong Kong, I went on a mission to try as many famed Cha Chaan Tengs as possible and to immerse myself into this local nostalgic food culture. And in this bog post I am happy to share with you my findings! So if you’re hungry, join me as a I share with you all there is to know about Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng Culture as well as bringing you to the must eat places!

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What is a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng?

The Cantonese phrase “Cha Chaan Teng” literally translates to “Tea Restaurant” but to make it more relatable, the humble Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng is something akin to a rustic American diner. It’s something that is uniquely Hong Kong that you won’t find anywhere else in the word.

Now despite the name, Cha Chaan Tengs are rarely about tea, they’re generally spots for locals to pop in for a quick breakfast or lunch. You’ll find dishes like fried spam and egg, macaroni soup, baked pork chop rice, milk tea, french toast, and so on. It might sound cheap and low quality but it’s rustic and highly nostalgic, like you’re a kid again, you know what I mean? I’ll go into further detail about the must try dishes at a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng later in this blog post.

If you're planning your own Hong Kong Street Food crawl and explore more of this city’s amazing street food culture, I highly recommend joining the Hong Kong: Street Food Tasting Tour in Old Town Central available on GetYourGuide.com. This 3 hour small group walking tour took me to various spots and alleys all around Central, to taste some of the best Hong Kong Street food I’ve ever had, with a lot of these places being Michelin recommended. I especially like the Chinese BBQ place they took us to. Our tour guide was very informative and very friendly. I can’t recommend this tour enough. You can book the tour here at GetYourGuide.com.

Hong Kong Cha Chaan Tengs really took off during the recovery era of post World War 2, when mainland Chinese refugees flee to Hong Kong and British Colonial Rule was established. This naturally brought in an influx of Western ingredients and cuisine, though these were considered a luxury to the working class and many of the local Hong Kongers.

Locals who wanted a taste of this exclusive cuisine began adapting Western ingredients and dishes into affordable local creations known affectionately as “Soy Sauce Western”, where ingredients are swapped out in favor of affordable versions like fresh milk to evaporated milk or French bread to local buns. This eventually led to the rise of your iconic Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng, a place where locals could enjoy Western style dishes like toast, coffee, and pork chops all at affordable prices, but with a local Cantonese twist of course.

By the late 1960s, the Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng concept spread throughout the country and serves as a place for many of the city’s office workers, students, and elderly to enjoy a quick, easy, and affordable meal.

What to Expect at a Cha Chaan Teng in Hong Kong

What really defines a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng is its cramp fast-paced atmosphere and affordable food. The cramp-ness can really be jarring though, as often you’ll have to share tables with other people if the restaurant gets too busy. sharing as in like, sitting face to face kind of sharing, it can be very awkward, especially if you’re an introvert like me, but you’ll get used to it as the other person is too busy eating to notice you anyways.

The goal of a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng is to provide a quick service and quick turnover. You’ll be handed a menu the second you sit, and the staff expect you to know what you want pretty quickly. It’s very jarring and you might feel it’s a bit rude, but trust me, it’s part of the process.

Cha Chaan Teng menus (especially for breakfast) are often served as combo meals, for example: Scrambled Eggs + Toast + Spam + Coffee. These are more affordable and worth the price compared to lunchtime menus or later where combos might not be available. Once you order, the food comes out within minutes (or maybe even seconds).

I want to set your expectations straight before you head into one a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng. It’s not fancy food, in fact, it’s very simple food that you can make at home, so then… why not make it at home? Well Cha Chaan Tengs open early, some as early as 6:00 AM and they open until late in the afternoon. A lot of the office workers and students don’t have time to cook breakfast so they head out instead.

Want to Stay Near the Hong Kong Cha Chaan Tengs?

Metropark Hotel Mongkok — *The Metropark Hotel Mong Kok is near the train station, perfect location for exploration!*

This local food culture is why I always recommend staying in neighborhoods like Mong Kok, Central, or Causeway Bay both are packed with authentic Cha Chaan Tengs many of which have been serving happy customers for generations. So if you’re serious about eating like a local and having EASY access to food and breakfast, staying near a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng is a foodie’s dream.

On my recent 5 day trip to Hong Kong, I stayed in the Mong Kok area, an area known for the greatest Hong Kong Street Food, and I loved having easy access to a Cha Chaan Teng just downstairs from my hotel, it makes it really easy to grab a quick meal before heading out to explore the many attractions of Hong Kong like the Kowloon Walled City Park.

Here are some hotels that I recommend that are close to the best Hong Kong Cha Chaan Tengs:

Rosedale Hotel Hong Kong - A cozy hotel with great views of Victoria peak and Victoria Bay, short distance from MTR with great local Cha Chaan Teng options.
Metropark Hotel Mongkok - The hotel I stayed at. Modern, clean, and comfy, near Prince Edward MTR station and in between both Mongkok and Sham Shui Po.
Cordis Hong Kong - Modern luxury hotel above the Langham Place shopping mall, great access to Mong Kok street food and Cha Chaan Tengs.
Mini Hotel Causeway Bay - Budget friendly yet comfortable and within walking distance to favorite local spots.

Popular Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng Dishes You Must Try

Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng Dishes boh loh bao milk tea — *The best way to start the day is at a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng*

Alright, we’ve come to the fun part, talking about all the delicious foods that you can find at a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng! Now, the following dishes I am about to show you may look simply but please don’t judge a dish by its ingredients. No joke I’ve had literally the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever had in my life at one of these Cha Chaan Tengs, I know it sounds silly but I’m not kidding.

So anyways here are the most popular Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng dishes that I recommend you try…

Hong Kong Style Milk Tea

The quintessential beverage at any Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng is the iconic Hong Kong Style Milk Tea. I’ve been to a handful of Cha Chaan Tengs during my Hong Kong holiday and without fail, I’ve ordered this drink every single time.

Known locally as “silk stocking milk tea”, and this name comes from the brewing method used which is a fine mesh strainer similar in looks to a stocking, you’ll find this brewing method all over Asia, especially in my home country of Thailand. Traditionally, Hong Kong Style Milk Tea is made by blending strong black tea (a mix of Ceylon teas) and evaporated milk. There is a version called “Cha zau” which is made with condensed milk but the recipe depends on that particular Cha Chaan Teng.

Hong Kong Style Milk Tea can be served hot or iced and it is usually paired with one of the combo sets I’ve mentioned earlier. The resulting milk tea is rich, creamy, and almost velvety in texture with a nice bold and strong bitter tea flavor, it’s not very sweet but if you like your tea sweet then they often have the option to add sugar.

If this is your first time at a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng, then trust, this is one beverage you need to try, it’s the perfect drink to start your day (aside from coffee of course, but that’s just me).

Pineapple Bun (Boh Loh Bao)

The Pineabble Bun, Polo Bun, or as the Hong Kongers called it “Boh Loh Bao” is a classic pastry in a lot of east Asian countries, like Japan and South Korea. It is also a very popular item at a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng.

Now some of you might be disappointed (or relieved?) to hear, that contrary to the name, the Boh Loh Bao does not actually contain any pineapple, the name actually comes form the crackly, golden brown crumbled topping on top of the bun that represents the texture of a pineapple’s skin. This crumble is crunchy, buttery, toasty, and sweet while the bun itself soft and fluffy.

The Boh Loh Bun is served warm and my favorite way to eat it is the version known as Boh Loh Yau where a thick (and I mean THICC) slab of creamy salted butter is stuck in between a sliced open Boh Loh Bao. The textural contrast between the hot bread and the slowly melting butter is incredibly satisfying. The sweetness from the crumbled topping goes perfectly with the creamy richness of the butter. Now, admittedly it felt very wrong eating a slab of butter like that, like I’m reducing my lifespan by a year, but it’s worth it.

If you’re visiting a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng and only have time for a quick snack or just want to try one baked item, make it the Boh Loh Bao, preferably the Boh Loh Yau version.

Hong Kong French Toast with Condensed Milk

Pancakes or French Toast for breakfast? If you’re in Hong Kong the answer is always a nice thick and fluffy slice of a Hong Kong Style French Toast. One of the most indulgent dishes you’ll find at a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng, The Hong Kong French Toast is two thick slices of the softest white bread dipped egg and deep fried until golden brown, served hot and fresh with a generous drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, syrup, and butter. If you really wanna clog your arteries in the morning, you can even ordered it stuffed with peanut butter or kaya jam.

I tried the Hong Kong French Toast at Shui Kee Coffee and instantly understood why it’s such a beloved comfort food. The sweetness from the condensed milk balances the salty butter, and the crispy fried toast gives each bite a satisfying crunch, and it pairs so well with a hot cup of milk tea that I’ve mentioned earlier.

It’s definitely not a light snack, but if you’re visiting a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng, this dish is a must try especially paired with a hot beverage like the Hong Kong Milk Tea or a nice cup of bitter black coffee. Just make sure you’re watching your physical health while eating this…

Hong Kong Style Scrambled Eggs

Ok ok ok, I’ve been raving about the Hong Kong Style Scrambled Eggs for a while now, but hear me out. These Hong Kong Cha Chaan Tengs are just built different, the scrambled eggs there are nothing like the dense overcooked versions you’ll find in many western restaurants or hotel breakfast buffets.

Hong Kong Style Scrambled Eggs are ultra soft, creamy, silky, and some might call it “undercooked” but I urge you to open your taste buds for this one. The secret to the Hong Kong Style Scrambled Eggs is the technique, the eggs are beaten until submission, and mixed with a little dash of broth then they are stir fried quickly over a high flame in a well oiled wok. The resulting eggs are rich, buttery, and not greasy at all.

I had mine at Luen Fat Restaurant near the Kowloon Walled City Park (great place to explore after a filling breakfast by the way), and my first bite, I’ve had that Ratatouille moment, where I literally questioned all the previous scrambled eggs I’ve ever had. I know it’s sound so simple and unassuming but trust me on this one, like how you’ve trusted me on my other recommendations. ;)

Macaroni Soup with Ham

One of the most bewildering and confusing dishes I’ve had a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng is the Macaroni Soup with slices of ham. I mean, Macaroni soup? In Asia? What??? But actually the humble Macaroni Soup is one of the most iconic comfort foods for local Hong Kongers.

A bowl of light, clear soup broth with a generous portion of elbow macaroni and thin slices of processed ham (or any other proteins like spam, shredded chicken, or a fried egg). It’s the most basic and unassuming dish, it even looks really really bland. But that’s the magic.

Its sliced ham is simple, its macaroni noodles are hearty, and its clear soup broth is comforting. For a light breakfast, this is perfect, for when you’re overworked and you just wanted a hug, it’s beautiful. It just hits the spot you know? Sometimes you don’t want fancy intense flavors, for those moments where you need comfort, the Macaroni Soup will be there for you at your local Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng.

Baked Pork Chop Rice

If you want a heartier meal at a local Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng, then the Baked Pork Chop Rice is what you’re looking for. A bed of fried rice (or plain white rice) is layered with a thin breaded and deep fried pork chop, and on top of that goes a generous helping of a tangy tomato sauce, followed by a layer of melted cheese. Then the whole dish is then baked until bubbly and slightly browned. It’s basically Chicken Parm but instead of spaghetti it’s rice and instead of chicken it’s pork.

The pork chop is tender and juicy, with a crispy shell that retains its crunch. The melted cheese on top adds richness and saltiness, and come on, who doesn’t like cheese? But it’s the tomato sauce that really brings this dish together, slightly sweet, slightly tart, it’s made with a combination of canned tomatoes, onions, garlic, and sometimes a splash of Worcestershire. It does a great job of cutting through all the fat and grease of the deep fried pork chop and the cheese.

I had my favorite version of this dish at Café de Coral, a popular Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng chain. Their version uses egg fried rice instead of regular white rice which gave it extra flavor, their pork chop is surprisingly thick and well seasoned too. If you’re real hungry and want something that feels both local and familiar, baked pork chop rice is a solid choice.

Hong Kong Style Instant Noodles with Luncheon Meat

The last Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng dish that I wanna share is something we’ve all had in our college years. Instant noodles. But the Hong Kong version adds in eggs, spam, and a variety of other proteins that makes it a more hearty and filling dish.

Sure you could technically make this dish yourself at home, and for way cheaper too but if you’re a local white/blue collar worker you might not have time to make food, and plus most Cha Chaan Tengs put their own spin on the classic instant noodles.

The instant noodles are usually from a local Hong Kong or Asian, brand chewy, springy, and cooked just long enough to soak up the broth without turning mushy. Each Cha Chaan Teng has their own recipe but usually the broth is often made richer with a bit of soy sauce, sesame oil, or chicken stock. The proteins like the Spam is lightly pan fried to give it a crispy edge. Some places let you add extra toppings like cheese, satay beef, or vegetables to customize your bowl of instant noodles even more.

It’s not fancy or special by any means, but that’s the charm I think. It’s a staple dish at every Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng and a popular one at that.

Best Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng Restaurants to Visit

Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng Luen Fat Restaurant — *No English signage at all, wouldn’t even know this is a Cha Chaan Teng*

OK, so now that you’ve gotten a good idea about the deliciousness that happens inside these Hong Kong Cha Chaan Tengs, let me recommend you some of my absolute favorites as well as ones that are very popular with local Hong Kongers.

If you’re not sure where to go, or how to start exploring the Hong Kong food scene, I recommend joining a local food tour like this Tasting Hong Kong tour on Viator or even booking a hotel near Mong Kok where you have easy access to plenty of authentic Hong Kong Cha Chaan Tengs that you can try every morning.

Australia Dairy Company

Australia Dairy Company is a legendary (and maybe the most famous) Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng located in Jordan just south of the Mong Kok district. Despite the name however, there is nothing Australian about this Cha Chaan Teng, the name came from its owner who worked at a dairy farm in Australia in the 1940s. With that in mind, this restaurant has been serving locals nostalgic and comforting dishes since the 1970s!

When you go there, you have to order their signature breakfast set, the ultra rich and creamy scrambled eggs with thick buttery toast. It doesn’t beat my personal favorite though but still, many people consider the scrambled eggs here to be the gold standard in Hong Kong. Their smooth and sweet steamed milk pudding is also another popular item on the menu.

But be prepared for the service though, it’s fast paced, the staff are always in a hurry, and you’ll likely be seated at a table with strangers, but that’s to be expected. It’s a very speedy environment, you come in, eat, then get out.

Google Maps Rating: 4/5 (4,820+ Reviews)

Phone: +852 2730 1356

Location: 47 Parkes St, Jordan, Hong Kong

Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM | Mon - Sun (Closed Thursdays)

Kam Wah Cafe

Kam Wah Cafe in the Mong Kok district is THE quintessential Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng famous for their legendary Boh Loh Yau (Pineapple Bun with butter). Kam Wah Cafe is a family run business that started in 1973 and has since earned countless awards and favoritism among the local Hong Kongers. One such award is the Title of the “Best Cha Chaan Teng in 2011” and “Best Restaurant in Mong Kok 2012-2014”.

Now who gave them those titles? I honestly don’t know, I tried searching all over the internet but haven’t found a source for this claim, only a couple of articles and blog posts regurgitating this information without linking a source… If you happen to know the official source for the above claim please tell me in the comments below, I would love to know!

But what I do know is that Kam Wah Cafe’s Boh Loh Yau is damn good. Soft fluffy bun, sugary and crunchy crumble topping, and a creamy slice of salted butter, it’s beautiful. Oh and their Hong Kong style French Toast drizzled with condensed milk is also a winner!

Google Maps Rating: 3.7/5 (5,510+ Reviews)

Phone: +852 2392 6830

Location: 45-47 Bute St, Mong Kok, Hong Kong

Opening Hours: 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM | Mon - Sun

Mido Cafe

Mido Cafe was established in 1950 and to this day they still retain the classic Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng decor of the post war world! I’d say the most notable aspect of Mido Cafe is of course the atmosphere, with its original mosaic tiling, wooden booths, and stained glass windows. Fun fact, the aesthetics are so vintage that Mido Cafe was a filming location for many Hong Kong movies like “The World of Suzie Wong” and “Days of Being Wild”.

Of course, all that style won’t matter if there is no substance, luckily Mido Cafe is famous for their signature Baked Spare Ribs with Tomato Sauce over Fried Rice, a hearty dish where a serving of egg fried rice is topped with the most tender spare ribs and drowned in sweet and tangy tomato sauce, the whole thing is then baked to a golden bubbling perfection. Also, you don’t wanna miss out on their Hong Kong Style French Toast. Trust me.

Google Maps Rating: 3.3/5 (650+ Reviews)

Phone: +852 2384 6402

Location: 63 Temple St, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong

Opening Hours: 10:30 AM - 7:30 PM | Mon - Sun (Closed Wednesday)

Lan Fong Yuen

Lan Fong Yuen is a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng known for 2 things, their original “silk stocking” Hong Kong Milk Tea, and their fried juicy Pork Chop Bun.

Originally started in 1952 as a humble food stall, Lan Fong Yuen has since expanded to become a full on restaurant. Their pork chop bun is fried to a golden brown, crispy, and still juicy with a great porky flavor. the buns are lightly toasted and a little bit of healthy lettuce and mayo is added if you so desire. Again, pork chop buns are such a simple dish but it’s so satisfying chomping through the juicy meat.

But Lan Fong Yuen’s claim to fame is definitely their Hong Kong Style Milk Tea. bold in flavor, and creamy with the addition of the evaporated milk. This single menu item is so popular in fact that locals and tourists literally come here just for the milk tea.

So if you are planning on coming to Lan Fong Yuen then be prepared to face a huge crowd…

Google Maps Rating: 3.8/5 (2,160+ Reviews)

Phone: +852 2316 2311

Location: 44 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Opening Hours: 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM | Mon - Sun

Luen Fat Restaurant

Now Luen Fat Restaurant is an underrated one, not known to many tourists but very popular with the locals, I’ve stumbled upon this Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng for breakfast while I was exploring the nearby Kowloon Walled City Park and it was the best start to the day.

What makes Luen Fat Restaurant popular is their eggs. Egg Sandwiches and Scrambled Eggs to be more precise. What? You Egg? Their scrambled eggs are prepared in a similar style to the previously mentioned Australian Dairy Company (the Luen Fat Restaurant owners have ties) in that the eggs are whisked to submission creating a buttery and smooth scrambled egg. Coupled with thick pieces of white bread toast and you got yourself an amazing breakfast.

I am not kidding when I say that Luen Fat Restaurant is where I had the best scrambled eggs of my life, so smooth, so buttery, and so creamy, with a dash of salt, it’s perfect.

Seriously, do not overlook this Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng.

Google Maps Rating: 3.5/5 (1,000+ Reviews)

Phone: +852 2718 8832

Location: Hong Kong, Kowloon City, Hau Wong Rd

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM - 10:30 PM | Mon - Sun

Tips for Visiting a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng

Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng Coffee Milk Tea — *Can anyone tell me what these cups are? I see them at literally every Cha Chaan Teng I’ve been to*

I know you’re eager to start eating, in fact you’re probably reading this blog post right as you’re about to leave your hotel room to go to a Cha Chaan Teng. Well, hold your horses there’s some advice and tips that I wanna share with you to hopefully make your Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng experience go smoothly and more enjoyable:

Don’t wait to be seated - Just walk in and grab a seat, seriously. Most Cha Chaan Tengs don’t have staff waiting at the door to greet you, If there’s an open seat, even at a shared table, just sit down. It's all part of the fast paced local dining culture.
Be ready to order quickly - I know menus might be a mix of Chinese and odd English translations, but staff expect you to decide fast. I recommend keeping mental notes of the dishes I showed you in mind (like macaroni soup or French toast). If you’re nervous, a guided food tour like this Kowloon Night Street Food Tour with a Local can help you get an idea of the local Hong Kong food culture.
Carry small cash - Most (if not all) Cha Chaan Tengs accept cash only or only accept local payment apps. I highly recommend you to have some small HKD bank notes on hand, as even then the staff might not have change for larger denominations.
The staff can seem rude - But that’s ok, in fact it’s the Hong Kong charm, and they’re not actively trying to be rude, it’s just how these diners operate, they have to be fast and efficient after all. You’ll still get your food fast and hot, often in under five minutes.
Go early for the best breakfast sets - The Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng shines as a morning breakfast eatery. In the morning, the menus often have cheaper combo meals (like Set A with macaroni soup, toast, and milk tea). If you go for lunch or later, then there might not be combo meals to choose from.

Looking for Things to Do in Hong Kong?

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Useful Resources for Traveling in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket - Easy and convenient travel from the Hong Kong International Airport to the city center
Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card - Reloadable card to ride the MTR, bus, ferry, coach, and tram
TurboJET Ferry - Ferry ticket between Macau and Hong Kong
Tourism Information - Official Macau government tourism website