Eat & Drink

Tea Time at Tsui Wah

From sandwiches and pastas to curries and soup noodles, Tsui Wah's unique blend of Chinese and western culture takes us back to its humble beginnings in the city’s colonial past

Malaysian beef brisket curry with rice

If there is one cuisine that is uniquely local, it is the culinary creations commonly found in Hong Kong-style teahouses, also known as cha-chan-teng. Loved and relished by locals and tourists alike, Tsui Wah prides itself as one of the city’s busiest dining spots that offers quality fast food in a casual setting. Don’t be misled – the food may be served fast, but it is certainly far from your typical meal at McDonalds or Burger King!

Shredded pork mushroom with fried noodles

The near half-century old establishment was founded by Choi Cheung Po in hopes of meeting the demands of construction workers who had very little time to spare during the day. By offering affordable meals in a timely manner, the business quickly flourished and became an instant hit amongst locals. Today, Tsui Wah is frequented by people from all walks of life, especially the young, working professionals, and clubbers.

With 21 branches in Hong Kong and the rest in Macau and Mainland China, lunch hour was unsurprisingly brimming with customers in every corner. We were lucky enough to find ourselves a table with the help of a lady who immediately took our orders.

Sizzling king prawns with fried noodles

Our first dish, Sizzling King Prawns with Fried Noodles was heavenly. The noodles were nicely pan-fried to its crunchy texture, paired with sweet and sour king prawns. We instantly found ourselves wanting more.

Fish balls and fish cakes with flat rice noodles in fish soup

Fish Balls & Fish Cakes with Flat Rice Noodles in Fish Soup came next. A popular choice, we knew this was yet another mouthwatering creation. Having no color additives and preservatives, the fish balls were fresh and chewy to the bite. Accompanied with rice noodles in fresh fish soup, the end result is light and healthy meal.

Hainan chicken rice

Other must-try items include Pork Cartilage with Tossed Instant Noodles, Swiss Sauce Chicken Wings, and Hainan Chicken Rice. For a complete local experience, try a cup of hot creamy Milk Tea or a Ying Yueng, a refreshing drink mixed with Western coffee and Hong Kong style milk tea, to further indulge your senses. With over 100 items in the menu, you are bound to find something that will satisfy your taste buds and have you craving for more!

Various locations in Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China. www.tsuiwah.com.