Complete Guide To Enjoy Tea House in Hong Kong

126

Experience Hong Kong-style tea drinking culture like a local Hong Konger

Hong Kong is almost the city with the most teahouses in the world. You can find several Hong Kong-style teahouses serving dim sum near every subway station. If you want to taste the most authentic and traditional dim sum, you will not find a more suitable place other than Hong Kong.

However, since the main customers of most teahouses in Hong Kong are Hong Kong people, and the shop staff only know how to speak Cantonese. Therefore, for many tourists, it is definitely difficult to visit a Hong Kong-style teahouse. Therefore, this article will introduce you to every step that Hong Kong people usually take when visiting a Hong Kong-style teahouse, as well as some little-known tips. So that you can experience the fun of drinking tea in Hong Kong like an authentic Hong Kong person.

The general process of drinking tea in a Hong Kong teahouse

In Hong Kong, you will find several Hong Kong-style teahouses near almost every subway station. Moreover, each Hong Kong-style teahouse has different charges, menus, and operation modes. Sometimes it is not clear what each Hong Kong-style teahouse is. habits can even lead to misunderstandings. Because of this, we all hope that the following process can help you get the best experience in a Hong Kong-style tea house.

Choose a teahouse

There are several different types of teahouses in Hong Kong, such as cheap teahouses located near housing estates, mid-priced teahouses located in large shopping malls, and high-priced teahouses located in high-end hotels.

If you want to get the most authentic tea-drinking experience in Hong Kong, those cheap teahouses located near housing estates will be best for you, so that you can taste some Hong Kong-style dim sum at the lowest cost. Otherwise, you can also go to teahouses located in high-end hotels. You will experience the best service and taste some Hong Kong-style dim sum made with high-end ingredients.

In other words, if it is your first time to drink tea in a tea house in Hong Kong, you can choose to go to tea houses in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, or Causeway Bay. This will make it easier to find the best Hong Kong-style dim sum. However, if you want to experience Hong Kong’s tea-drinking culture in depth, choose some teahouses located near your residence, such as some in North Point and Sheung Wan, so that you can get the same tea-drinking experience as a local Hong Konger.

More Hong Kong food recommendations: Recommended list of Hong Kong teahouses / Hong Kong Food List / Hong Kong dining deals

Waiting to be seated

If you choose to go to some teahouses located in high-end hotels, you must make a reservation in advance by phone. Of course, you can also go to those teahouses to try your luck on the same day, but there may not be enough empty seats for you.

On the other hand, if you plan to go to some teahouses located in shopping malls or in residential areas, you need to reserve 30 to 60 minutes to queue outside the door during peak hours. Of course, there is another way to save time, which is to use the mobile APP to collect "queuing tickets" in advance. In this way, you can go shopping while waiting for a seat, and save time waiting outside the teahouse.

More Hong Kong travel mobile apps: 7 commonly used mobile apps for Hong Kong travel

Choose the type of tea

Under normal circumstances, a teahouse will have 4-6 types of tea for you to choose from. Usually, the waiter will prepare hot tea for you after arranging your seat. You only need to choose the tea you like accurately, and the waiter will prepare a pot of tea and a pot of hot water for everyone.

Waiter: What kind of tea do you want? (Yum Meh Cha?)
Guests: Xiangpian Tea/Pu'er Tea/Shoumei Tea/Daffodil Tea

If you have more than 4 people visiting the teahouse together, you can also ask the waiter to prepare a few more teas of different flavors for you. As for fees, since each guest needs to pay for tea, when multiple people visit the teahouse at the same time, you can safely ask the waiter for an extra pot of tea.

On the other hand, some Hong Kong-style teahouses will focus on tasting dim sum as their main selling point, rather than letting you drink tea and kill time for a long time. Therefore, this type of teahouse generally only provides one kind of tea, and it is usually Pu'er tea.

The custom of washing cups while drinking tea in Hong Kong

When drinking tea in Hong Kong, do you need to wash the tableware yourself?

If you have experience drinking tea in Hong Kong, I believe you will have encountered a waiter giving you a small bowl, saying it is used to clean tea cups and chopsticks. In fact, cleaning teacups and chopsticks by yourself is part of Hong Kong-style tea-drinking culture.

Since most teahouses in Hong Kong were restaurants frequented by the lower class in the past, they did not have high requirements for the cleanliness of tableware, so many people would wash the tableware themselves before having a formal meal. Of course, many teahouses have now raised their awareness of hygiene, so washing cups before drinking tea has become a habit, more so than actually having to wash the tableware again. .

Of course, some people also like to wash the tableware with tea before eating, so that the aroma of tea leaves can be stained on the tableware before they start eating Hong Kong-style dim sum. So before drinking tea in Hong Kong, do you have to take the time to clean your teacups and chopsticks? In fact, there are no special regulations.

Place an order

Currently, most teahouses in Hong Kong use "dim sum paper" to place orders, or use mobile APPs to place orders. Only a few teahouses still use "dim sum carts" to sell dim sum. Both methods of placing orders have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Take "dim sum paper" ordering as an example. Since each Hong Kong-style dim sum will be made after the official order is placed, you can enjoy the freshest Hong Kong-style dim sum, but you will need to spend a little more time waiting.

As for using "dim sum carts" to sell dim sum, the advantage is that you don't need to spend time waiting, you can eat the Hong Kong style dim sum you want immediately. However, the quantity of each Hong Kong-style dim sum is very limited, and there is no fixed production quantity. So during peak hours, you might not be able to get the Hong Kong-style dim sum you want to try.

Ask the waiter to refill the hot water

There is a traditional custom of drinking tea in Hong Kong teahouses, that is, the waiters will not take the initiative to refill the hot water for you.

The main reason is that the waiters in the teahouse do not know how much hot tea is left in your teapot, and they cannot take the initiative to open the lid to check, because this is a very rude approach to the guests. . So when you finish drinking the pot of tea, you only need to open the lid and let the teahouse waiter refill the hot water for you.

Check out and leave your seat

When you've finished all your Hong Kong-style dim sum, you can ask the waiter to pay the bill for you.

Most teahouses in Hong Kong will classify Hong Kong-style dim sum into different levels, and then charge a uniform price for different levels of Hong Kong-style dim sum. So you can calculate the quantity of large/medium/small Hong Kong-style dim sum, and then add the tea table fee and 10% service charge, which equals the price you need to pay.

Under normal circumstances, each person spends an average of HKD $100 to HKD$150 and can eat a lot. Only a few Hong Kong-style teahouses located in high-end hotels require a budget of more than HK$$300. In addition, most teahouses accept payment by cash, credit card, and Octopus. As for those "cash only" Hong Kong-style teahouses, they generally only appear in residential areas, and they are very small ones. Unless you specifically look for these teahouses, you won't have the chance to encounter them.

Recommended snacks for drinking tea in Hong Kong teahouses

What are the must-eat snacks for drinking tea in Hong Kong teahouses? For those of us editors living in Hong Kong, almost every Hong Kong-style dim sum at Hong Kong teahouses is a must-try. However, if it is your first time to drink tea in a Hong Kong tea house, and there are only 2-3 people, then the following Hong Kong-style dim sum are worth trying.

• Shrimp dumplings – steamed dim sum stuffed with fresh shrimp and pork, and then wrapped in a thin white skin
• Siomai – Steamed dim sum stuffed with shrimp, pork, and mushrooms and wrapped in a thin yellow skin
• Barbecued pork buns – sweet steamed buns filled with barbecued pork and sweet sauce.
• Rice rolls – steamed snacks wrapped in rice milk with various fillings
• Spring rolls – fried snacks stuffed with mushrooms, shrimps, and vegetables
• Chicken Feet – Fried snack made of chicken feet, peanuts and sweet and spicy sauce

Basically, the above 6 snacks are enough for 2 – 3 people, and are most suitable to be enjoyed during lunch time. Of course, if you also want to taste more different types of Hong Kong-style dim sum, such as some steamed dim sum containing rice, some fried Hong Kong-style dim sum, and some unique desserts in Hong Kong teahouses.

• Sticky rice chicken – a steamed snack made of glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaves and stuffed with mushrooms, chicken, and eggs.
• Carrot cake – a snack made with radish mixed with starch paste and then fried
• Egg Tart – Hong Kong Style Egg Tart
• Custard Bun – a salty and sweet steamed bun stuffed with salted egg yolk and cream.

To be honest, there are more than ten types of Hong Kong-style dim sum in Hong Kong teahouses that are worth trying. Therefore, if you want to taste more different types of Hong Kong-style dim sum at one time, the best way is to bring a few more friends to the teahouse!

Frequently Asked Questions & Tips on Drinking Tea in Hong Kong Restaurants

To experience the fun of drinking tea in a tea house like an authentic Hong Kong person, in addition to understanding the process of drinking tea in a Hong Kong tea house and the must-eat Hong Kong-style dim sum, there are actually some frequently asked questions and tips worth paying attention to.

The difference between dim sum restaurants and traditional teahouses

In addition to traditional teahouses in Hong Kong, many restaurants that specialize in selling dim sum in the form of fast food have recently appeared.

The most obvious difference between these dim sum restaurants and traditional teahouses is that the interior decoration of most dim sum restaurants is relatively simple and the store space is relatively small. Moreover, some dim sum restaurants do not provide a variety of teas for you to choose from.

Because the main selling point of this type of dim sum restaurant is that you can eat Hong Kong-style dim sum at a relatively cheap price. The actual function is more like a general restaurant, allowing you to eat quickly and then leave. Therefore, this type of dim sum restaurant will not make you a pot of delicious tea, giving you the opportunity to spend time in the restaurant.

Hong Kong tea house discount hours

As we all know, drinking tea in Hong Kong teahouses requires a relatively high budget. This is because compared to the food sold in Hong Kong-style tea restaurants, even if the dishes and portions are exactly the same, the charges in Hong Kong-style tea restaurants are higher.

It is true that drinking tea in a Hong Kong-style teahouse requires a relatively high budget, but this does not mean that there are no ways to save the budget. For example, you can choose to avoid the busy period at noon and go to a tea house to drink tea. Some Hong Kong-style tea houses will provide you with morning discounts and afternoon discounts, usually 20% to 10% off the normal price.

In other words, as long as you leave your seat before 11:30 in the morning or get in after 14:30 in the afternoon, you can enjoy the same Hong Kong-style dim sum at a discounted price.

How many dishes of dim sum should 2 people order?

If this is your first time to drink tea at a Hong Kong-style teahouse, don’t underestimate the portion size of Hong Kong-style dim sum. Because about 6 plates of dim sum can satisfy 2 people. Basically, order 2 plates of steamed buns, 2 plates of fried snacks, 1 plate of steamed dim sum with rice, and 1 plate of Hong Kong-style dessert, which is a very rich lunch.

Do I need to tip when visiting a teahouse?

Do I need to tip when visiting a teahouse in Hong Kong? Nowadays, most Hong Kong-style teahouses charge a tea table fee and a 10% service fee, so most people are not in the habit of tipping. On the other hand, not all teahouses allow guests to tip the waiters privately, so you only need to pay the amount on the bill.

Do you need to share a table to drink tea in a restaurant?

Except for a few teahouses that adopt the traditional operation model and some teahouses operating in residential areas, most teahouses currently do not require guests to share tables. If you really don’t like sharing tables with strangers, it is recommended that you book high-end teahouses located in high-end hotels. Since there are fewer people visiting, they can arrange a wider space for you.

How can I pay for tea at the restaurant?

Cash/credit card/Octopus card are the payment methods accepted by most teahouses in Hong Kong.

Summarize

Through this article, we hope you will have the opportunity to understand Hong Kong’s tea drinking culture and experience the fun of tasting Hong Kong-style dim sum in Hong Kong teahouses. On the other hand, we have also prepared more different types of Hong Kong travel information and Hong Kong travel discounts for you. We hope that you can also get a unique travel experience during your trip to Hong Kong.

More new discoveries in Hong Kong travel

Must-visit attractions in Hong Kong

• 60 Top Hong Kong Tourist Attractions & Best Places to Visit Recommended by Local Hongkongers 
• 25 Things to do in Tsim Sha Tsui
• 15 Things to Do in Central Hong Kong: Local Attractions/Local Food/Authentic Travel Experience
• Victoria Peak Hong Kong: Complete Guide to the BEST Spot in Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Peak Tram: Riding Guide with Latest Tram Fare, Opening Hours, Discount Ticket and More!
• Symphony of Lights: All You Need to Know Before You Go!

Hong Kong suburban attractions

• MONSTER BUILDING (Hong Kong, Quarry Bay): Complete Travel Guide
• Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car: Ticket Price, Opening Hours, Recommended Attractions
• Tai O Hong Kong: A Day Trip to Explore the Traditional Fishing Village
• Hong Kong Ocean Park: The Ultimate Guide You Must Not Missed Before You Go

Hong Kong Accommodation Planning

• 15 Best Hotel in Hong Kong: From Budget Hotels to Luxury Hotel near Tsim Sha Tsui and Central
• Park Hotel Hong Kong Review: The Best Hotel near Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station
• Sleeping in Hong Kong Airport: Where to Find Sleeping Pod, Showers, Food and More!
• Agoda Promo Code: 60% OFF on Hong Kong Hotels & Selected Accommodations

Preparation before traveling to Hong Kong

• Hong Kong Travel Guide 2024: Ultimate Guide for First-Timers, Tips, Checklist
• Hong Kong Itinerary: Things to See and Do for 3Days/4 Days/5 Days in Hong Kong!
• How much does it cost for three days and two nights and four days and three nights in Hong Kong? A summary of travel budget discount packages!
• 7 Apps for Traveling in Hong Kong: Get THIS Taxi/Bus/MTR/Map Apps Before You Go!
• Hong Kong Travel Tips: Seasonal Weather/Manners/Culture/Languages

Hong Kong Traffic Planning

• Ultimate Guide for Hong Kong Transportation: Tram, Bus, MTR, Taxi & Ferry
• Hong Kong Airport Transfers: Complete Guide to Airport Bus, Taxi and Trains
• How to Get to Tai O: Complete Guide to Local Bus, Cable Car & Ferry

Authentic Hong Kong travel experience

• Hong Kong Food: 48 Must-eat Dishes in Hong Kong Recommended by Local Hongkongers!
• Best 25 Hong Kong Street Food You Must-try and Where to Find Them
• What to Buy in Hong Kong? 30 Unique Souvenirs Only Available in Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Tram: Complete Guide to Riding DING DING Tram Like Local Hongkongers!

Latest Hong Kong travel offers

• Klook Promo Code 2024: Extra 40% Discount on Hong Kong Airport Express & & Attraction Tickets
• Hong Kong Tourist Prepaid SIM Card: Everything You Need to Know
• Hong Kong Airport Express: Latest Timetable, Fare & Extra 40% Ticket Discount!
• Octopus Card for Tourist: Where to buy, Top-up & How to add Octopus Card to iPhone Apple Pay

⋯⋯View more Hong Kong travel information

More Hong Kong Travel information:

• Must-visit attractions in Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Accommodation Planning
• Preparation before traveling to Hong Kong
• Hong Kong food recommendation
• Hong Kong Traffic Planning
• Authentic Hong Kong travel experience
• Latest Hong Kong travel offers

Klook latest discount code / Agoda latest discount code