Wan Chai, located on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, is a vibrant and bustling neighborhood known for its mix of old-world charm and modern attractions. Amidst its bustling streets and towering skyscrapers, Wan Chai is also home to some of the best Cha Chaan Tengs (Hong Kong-style tea restaurants) in the city. These beloved eateries offer a unique culinary experience that combines traditional Chinese dishes with Western influences. In this article, we will take you on a delightful gastronomic journey as we explore Wan Chai's top five Cha Chaan Tengs that are not to be missed.
1. Sun King Yuen Curry Restaurant
Sun King Garden Curry Restaurant is one of the most popular Cha Chaan Tengs in Wan Chai, located on Jaffe Road. As the name suggests, the specialty here is curry, which can be paired with pork, beef, lamb, seafood, or vegetables. One must-try dish is the Curry Pork Chop Rice, featuring a large pork chop which is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, accompanied by a flavorful and slightly spicy curry with a hint of coconut fragrance. It's absolutely delicious! Another dish worth trying is the Stir-Fried Beef Ho Fun, where the flat rice noodles are cooked perfectly, not greasy, and the beef is well-seasoned.
Must-try: Curry Pork Chop Rice, Curry Beef Brisket Rice, Stir-Fried Beef Ho Fun.
2. Kam Fung Cafe
Located on Chun Yuen Street and is an established eatery that has been serving the local residents and tourists for over half a century. Kam Fung Cafe is renowned for its Hong Kong-style breakfast, offering a variety of freshly baked Pineapple Buns with butter, Chicken Pies, Egg Tarts, Iced Milk Tea without Ice, and Satay Beef Noodles. Their signature Pineapple Bun is a must-try delicacy. The bun is crispy on the outside, soft and chewy when you eat, while the milk tea is rich and flavorful when serving without ice.
Must-try: Pineapple Bun with butter, Ham and Egg Sandwich, Satay Beef Noodles, Chicken Pie, Milk Tea without Ice, Egg Tart.
3. Capital Cafè
Located on Jaffe Road and is another highly recommended Cha Chaan Teng. The nostalgic design of the storefront is adorned with autographed records of famous singers. Their specialties include milk tea, scrambled egg toast, red bean and lotus seed ice, and crispy bun with condense milk and butter. The ingredients used are of the highest quality, with the scrambled eggs made from Hokkaido 3.6 milk and the satay beef buns made with halal beef.
Must-try: Milk tea, scrambled egg toast, red bean and lotus seed ice, crispy bun with condense milk and butter, BBQ pork with flat rice noodles.
4. Honolulu Coffee Shop (Hennessy Road)
Located on Hennessy Road, is another long-standing establishment that has been around for decades. This Cha Chaan Teng is loved by tourists for its nostalgic atmosphere and vintage decor. It is most famous for its egg tarts, and the Napoleon and Sachertorte are also highly popular! The Sachertorte has a crispy outer layer coated with plenty of sugar, while the inside is soft and fluffy. The Napoleon is crispy, with the perfect ratio of cream to puff pastry, and it is topped with walnuts for added texture.
Must-try: Egg tart, Napoleon, Pineapple Bun, Sachertorte, French Toast.
5. Rose Kitchen
This Cha Chaan Teng that is loved by the local community. Almost every table orders their signature crispy roasted spring chicken, which is grilled to order. Half a chicken is already a generous portion, with the skin salty, fragrant, and crispy, while the meat is tender, juicy, and flavorful without being greasy. The restaurant provides gloves for guests to enjoy the chicken with their hands and its original taste. It is served with potato salad, French fries, tomato sauce spaghetti, or rice, making for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Must-try: Crispy roasted spring chicken, Vitasoy red bean ice, Black pork chop with scallops.