K-in-HongKong: Lan Fong Yuen, Tsim Sha Tsui

Anyeong! Noona always tries to eat at Hong Kong cha chaan teng because online article says this is considered lifestyle in Hong Kong. What is cha chaan teng? The phrase literally means tea restaurants and they are famous in Hong Kong and Macau. The unique concept of a cha chaan teng is the extensive Hong Kong dishes menu that they offer to the customers. The common concept shared amongst the cha chaan teng in Hong Kong is they are swift, fast (sometimes to the extent of rude service) and dislike customers for lingering for too long in the restaurant. Sounds pretty nerve-wracking, but Noona ain't back out without trying at least one. 
And just like that, here we are at one of Lan Fong Yuen's branches at Tsim Sha Tsui. 


K-in-HongKong: Lan Fong Yuen, Tsim Sha Tsui

Just like the sign says, Lan Fong Yuen has been around in Hong Kong since the year 1952 (older than Noona's parents, omo!). It seems that tourists are willing to drag their luggage here (making the meal is either their first or their last in Hong Kong) to have the meal. The cha chaan teng was fully packed when we came around 5PM-ish (not even dinner time!). 

The busy Hong Kong cafe, Lan Fong Yuen

If you see a full house, do not worry and just let one of the servers know how many people are dining in. Sharing culture is deeply embraced (or forced) in Hong Kong's cha chaan teng's scene so yes, be prepared to share a table with other customers. Most diners just tend to their own business so introverts, we can do this! 

Sharing seats culture at Lan Fong Yuen

Make sure you know what to order though (otherwise, you'll get scolded by the famously rude Hong Kong restaurant service). Not sure if Lan Fong Yuen has English menu but they sure ain't gonna give you one if you have Oriental look even though you may not possess the Mandarin/ Cantonese language. Luckily for people like us, picture menu is available. So, let's just let our fingers do the pointing when ordering. Noona's finger-pointing method has landed her a glass of iced almond milk. 

Iced Almond Milk at Lan Fong Yuen

A plate of condensed milk buns (Tsui Wah's one is better, btw). Her buddy's Hong Kong milk tea. 

Condensed milk buns at Lan Fong Yuen

The two speciality dishes of Lan Fong Yuen (because the menu displays the picture of these two dishes prominently). The first is chicken chop instant noodle. The chicken chop is delicious but the noodle (or to be exact the sauce that they put in the noodle) tastes pretty weird. Don't mix the garlic in before tasting them, Noona does not really appreciate the taste of these chopped garlic inside her noodle. 

Chicken Chop Instant Noodle at Lan Fong Yuen

Travelling buddy's ordered the other popular dish (which also comes with instant noodle), Chicken Wing + Fried Egg Instant Noodle. Yep, the weird instant noodle tastes exactly the same as Noona's. The restaurant is packed and yet, the two top dishes taste weird? Noona starts to wonder if her tastebud is somewhat screwed for Hong Kong's food scene. 

Chicken Wings and Egg with Instant Noodle at Lan Fong Yuen

The waiter/ waitresses are mostly uncles and aunties and oh boy, you can dream forever if you think you can order them around. Noona's travelling buddy asked for a glass of hot water for her to take the medicine and well, it's considered good enough that the uncle gave her a glass of warm water (before refusing her in the first place). You could try eating at Lan Fong Yuen since it's an oldie cha chaan teng and stuff, but you don't really have to go all the way here to try the experience of eating at cha chaan teng. 

Lan Fong Yuen's address:

Shop 26, WK Square, Basement
Chungking Mansion, 36 - 44 Nathan Road
Tsim Sha Tsui

Opening hours:

10AM - 10PM everyday

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