---

Understanding Cha Chaan Teng Culture

One of the most iconic pillars of Hong Kong’s dining culture is the cha chaan teng (茶餐廳). While the term literally translates to “tea restaurant,” it more closely resembles a casual diner that serves a unique fusion of Western and Chinese-style comfort food. These establishments first emerged in the 1950s with the idea of offering Western-style meals at affordable prices.

Cha Chaan Teng Classics

The hallmark of a cha chaan teng lies in its unexpected fusion of Chinese cooking techniques and Western ingredients. Common offerings include buttered toast, scrambled eggs, macaroni soup, and instant noodles, typically served with the quintessential Hong Kong-style milk tea. The menu may seem unconventional at first glance, but the creative blend of flavors captures the essence of Hong Kong’s culinary history and cultural openness on one plate.

---

Mon Kee Cafe (旺記冰室)

Tucked away in a quiet alley behind Gloucester Road, Mon Kee Cafe is a local-style cha chaan teng that captures the authentic charm of Wan Chai. It’s about a 3-minute walk from Wan Chai Station Exit A1 and roughly a 6-minute stroll from Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. The surrounding area is a typical Wan Chai neighborhood mix — low-rise residential buildings, small office spaces and corner markets all nestled together.

Vibe of Mon Kee Cafe

Mon Kee Cafe is a small, cozy spot with around 10 tables that seat two to four people each. Although the space is compact, the turnover is quite fast so even if there’s a short wait, you’re likely to be seated quickly — especially if you arrive early in the morning. When I visited around 8am on a weekend there was no line but the restaurant was already full of early risers enjoying their breakfast. The vibe wasn’t that of a traditional old-school cha chaan teng, but rather leaned more casual and modern with clean white tiled walls and glass-top tables.

Menu & Pricing of Mon Kee Cafe

Mon Kee Cafe’s menu is divided into breakfast, lunch, and dinner/tea sets. Alongside classic Hong Kong breakfast staples like tomato macaroni soup, there were sandwiches and noodle dishes with Mon Kee’s own twist. Most of the breakfast dishes were priced around HKD 40.

We initially thought each item was served as a la carte and ordered 3 different dishes—and later realized most breakfast menu came in a set that included toast and scrambled eggs. The sets were generous in portion and filling enough that just one menu per person would’ve been more than sufficient. We also paired our food with Mon Kee’s signature Hong Kong-style milk tea, known for its bold black tea flavor balanced with creamy milk, priced at around HKD 20. And as an FYI they only accept cash or Octopus card for payment.

What I Ordered

Macaroni with Luncheon Meat in Tomato Soup

The tomato macaroni soup made a strong first impression from the first bite. The tomato base had a nice balance of tanginess and subtle sweetness with a stew-like consistency—which made it feel like a comforting Western-style porridge. While the perfectly al dente macaroni gave it a fresh and chewy texture, the luncheon meat topping added a salty kick tying the flavors together.

Instant Noodle with Satay Beef in Chicken Soup

Another dish we tried was a fusion-style instant noodle dish which had a familiar yet slightly exotic taste. The first thing that came to mind was Korea’s famous Sari Gomtang instant noodles—a savory, milky broth reminiscent of chicken or beef bone stock. The springy texture of the noodles also resembled Korean ramyeon. The satay beef on top was surprisingly high in quality, with a tender galbi-like texture that added depth to the overall flavor.

Japanese Scramble Eggs on French Round Bread

True to its label “Japanese-style,” the scrambled eggs had that soft, barely-set texture you’d find on runny omurice. The eggs themselves weren’t seasoned much, so they paired well with the savory tomato soup.

Milk Tea

One of the joys of dining at different cha chaan tengs in Hong Kong is discovering how milk tea varies subtly from place to place. At Mon Kee, we tried both the iced and hot versions. The hot milk tea was served in the classic Black & White cow-print cup which added a nostalgic touch. Their milk tea was a textbook example: rich, fragrant black tea mellowed by the smoothness of condensed milk. It was pleasantly sweet, making it a perfect way to start the morning.

---

My Cup of Tea (我杯茶)

My Cup of Tea is located slightly further south from Mon Kee Cafe, deeper into the heart of Wan Chai. It’s just a minute walk from Exit D of Wan Chai (灣仔) Station, and about a 10–12 minute walk from Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, a bit farther than Mon Kee. Nestled among local shops and older residential buildings, the area has the quintessential Hong Kong feel that offers an authentic urban vibe.

Vibe of My Cup of Tea

The shop itself is quite small, with mostly bar seating or tiny tables against the wall. During busy hours, it might be better to get your food to-go and enjoy it back at your hotel room. When we arrived around 8am on a weekend, the place was nearly full with a mix of locals and tourists, but luckily we didn’t have to wait.

Menu & Pricing of My Cup of Tea

As the name suggests, My Cup of Tea offers a wide variety of teas and coffees. We both ordered hot classic milk tea, which you could customize with options like extra milk, less milk, or added condensed milk. They also sold bottled milk tea to take away. The food menu was surprisingly extensive — while rice dishes were available from lunchtime onward, they offered diverse breakfast menu from sandwiches, noodles, and pineapple buns (bo lo bao), mostly priced between HKD 20 and 30. Like many local spots, they only accept cash or Octopus cards unless you have a local payment app.

What I Ordered

Beef & Tomato Macaroni Soup

Compared to Mon Kee Cafe, the tomato macaroni soup here was lighter in texture — more like a tomato-flavored broth than a stew. It included chunky vegetables like onion, carrot, and corn and was topped with thinly-sliced beef that tasted like a mix of bacon and jerky. I personally preferred Mon Kee’s soupy version, but those who enjoy a lighter broth might favor this version.

Scrambled Egg Sandwich

The scrambled egg sandwich looked very similar to a Japanese tamago sando. It featured soft milk bread with a barely-seasoned scrambled egg filling. Overall it had a mild taste — which is why I craved a touch of jam or mayo. But when paired with their sweet and creamy milk tea, it made for an addictive combo.

Bo Lo Bao

The bo lo bao (also known as the ‘pineapple bun’) is often mistaken for containing pineapple, but I was surprised to find out that it’s actually named for the crackly, sugar-crusted top that resembles a pineapple’s texture (with no fruit flavor involved.) This bun is definitely a staple in Hong Kong’s cha chaan teng culture you must try.

My Cup of Tea offered a variety of pineapple bun sandwiches like beef, pork, egg, and butter, but I went for the plain version. It tasted quite bland on its own so next time I’d love to try the bo lo yau (pineapple bun with butter) or the ice cream-filled bocha-naisure version.

Milk Tea

The milk tea here had a much stronger milky aroma than the one at Mon Kee. It had that powdered milk richness with a lingering creaminess. I personally preferred this one, but my boyfriend liked Mon Kee’s version better saying it had a more balanced flavor. This kind of difference in preference is part of the fun of exploring Hong Kong’s cha chaan tengs — each one with its own unique style.