Tea restaurants in Asia
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A
Lan Fong Yuen
Don’t be fooled by the rickety facade. It hides an entire cha chaan tang. Lan Fong Yuen (1952) is largely believed to be the inventor of ‘pantyhose’ milk tea - a strong brew made from a blend of several types of black tea with crushed egg shells thrown in for silkiness. It’s filtered through a fabric that hangs like a stocking, hence the name, and drunk with evaporated milk. Over a thousand cups of the silky brew ($13) are sold per day. Watch staff work their magic while you wait for a table. A cover charge ($20 per head) applies. The new branch (4A-6 Gage St; 8am-8pm), practically next door, is open on Sundays.
reviewed
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Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel
More than a Hong Kong landmark, the Peninsula is one of the world’s great hotels. Though it was being called ‘the finest hotel east of Suez’ just a few years after opening in 1928, the Peninsula was in fact one of several prestigious hostelries across Asia where everybody who was anybody stayed, lining up with (but not behind) the likes of the Raffles in Singapore, the Peace (then the Cathay) in Shanghai and the Strand in Rangoon (now Yangon). Taking afternoon tea at the Peninsula is one of the best experiences in town – dress neatly and be prepared to queue for a table.
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Somushi Kochaya
- Kyoto, Japan
- Restaurants › Tea
This is the only Korean teahouse we’ve ever seen in Japan. It’s a good place to go when you need a change from the creeping monoculture of coffee chain stores. It’s a dark, woodsy and atmospheric spot with a variety of herbal teas (the menu details what they’re good for). The teahouse also serves a few light meals, including some unusual Korean favourites (just don’t expect Korean barbecue).
reviewed
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C
Gion Koishi
- Kyoto, Japan
- Restaurants › Tea
If it’s a hot summer’s day and you need a cooling break, try this tea shop for some typical Japanese summer treats. The speciality here is uji kintoki (¥700), a mountain of shaved ice flavoured with green tea, sweetened milk and sweet beans (it tastes a lot better than it sounds, trust us). It’s the fifth shop in from the corner, between two souvenir-craft shops.
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Mido Cafe
Established in 1950, Mido with its mosaic tiles and metal latticework stands astride a street corner that comes to life at sundown. Ascend to the spacious upper floor and take a seat next to a wall of iron-framed windows overlooking Tin Hau Temple. The food is passable, but when you feel the breeze lapping at your hair, there’s poetry in everything.
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Momiji-an
- Kyoto, Japan
- Restaurants › Tea
Located in a rustic old-Kyoto house overlooking Maruyama-kōen, this is a great spot for a rest while touring the Higashiyama area. Ask for the usucha (thin green tea; ¥600) and the staff will do the rest. It’s just to the right of a traffic mirror, up a flight of steps.
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Star Cafe
This cafe opened in 1966 and little has changed. Designers and office workers come here for the ambience and the red-bean ice. Fans of old Cantonese movies should ask Mr Lam or his English-speaking grandson to show them the mirror given to Mr Lam’s father by veteran Cantonese movie stars.
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Kam Fung Cafe
This cha chaan teng (tea cafe) established in 1956 is famous for its iceless, ice-cold milk tea ($14), a shrewd invention that ensures the prized beverage doesn’t diminish in taste over its lifetime. The chicken pie ($6.50) is lovely when fresh from the oven.
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Wah Nam Cafe Shop
Mr Chow, the 80-year-old owner, who can be seen chatting with customers at this local joint, has a penchant for funky striped walls. The barbecued pork ($16) with egg over rice is a favourite of the geeks who hang out at Golden Computer Arcade.
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Sun Chiu Kee
The best of the Sun Chiu Kee chain. Office workers come to this cha chaan teng (tea cafe) from Central for its cheap, hearty grub, which gives restaurant food a run for its money.
reviewed
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Pak Kung Cafe
The owners of this spacious cha chaan teng have taken such care to preserve the 1960s atmosphere that we spilled our tea when we saw the ESPN Star Sports channel playing on TV.
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Honolulu Coffee Shop
You’ll forgive the nondescript decor of this cha chaan teng once you’ve sampled its highly inhalable egg-custard tarts. They come with a flaky crust and a rich, creamy centre.
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Honolulu Coffee Shop
You’ll forgive the nondescript decor of this cha chaan teng once you’ve sampled its highly inhalable egg-custard tarts. They come with a flaky crust and a rich, creamy centre.
reviewed
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Yeonmudaejeontongchatjip
Rest your feet and sip local teas in this antique-style teashop above the archery centre.
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Gǔcuò Cháfāng
This lovely teahouse in the alley behind the Guandi Temple has a refreshing old-time courtyard ambience, hung with red lanterns, paved with flagstones and laid out with traditional wooden halls and bamboo chairs. There are puppet shows every Friday (8.30pm, Y15 to Y50).
reviewed
