For Cantonese Chinese, yum cha is a way of life. Literally translated as “drink tea,” yum cha is the tradition of having friend or family come together to have Chinese tea and dimsum. This time-honoured tradition is popular in Guandong, Guangxi, Macau and Hong Kong and during my last trip to Hong Kong together with local lifestyle media, travel and tour operators and Cathay Dragon, I was able to experience what modern yum cha in Hong Kong is all about.
There are literally thousands of little eateries and restaurants dotting Hong Kong perfect for yum cha but yum cha at Yum Cha Restaurant in downtown Central was a unique and fun experience for everyone.
At first glance, the restaurant looked more like a place which serves bagels and coffee. With its New York loft vibe complete with brick walls, industrial copper pipes and even a food truck. But as I was to learn later, there is nothing “fusion cuisine” at Yum Cha as they serve authentic Chinese dishes but with a contemporary, creative, and playful presentation.
While the menu of Yum Cha Restaurant is extensive there are some of my go-to dishes one should try which the restaurant is famous for such as the cute and super Instagrammable, the BBQ Piggy Buns are soft and plump, shaped like a cute piggy, and stuffed with sweet and savoury char siu or Cantonese roast pork.
Another super Instagrammable treat which is popular with kids and adults alike is the restaurant’s Hot Custard Buns which look like they are about to burst. The cute buns are filled with rich salted egg custard which ooze out when you make a hole onto the bun and pinch it.
For something more filling, there is the Spicy Honey Balsamic Wings served with grilled pineapple wedges on the side. The balsamic vinegar and the sweet grilled pineapple balance out the richness of the fried chicken wings.
For dessert, try the Crispy Pineapple Puffs shaped like a cute bird which is a play of the Chinese word for pineapple which also means phoenix. Instead of a traditional crumbly crust, the pastry of this dessert was hard and crispy with the insides filled with warm pineapple jam. I can just imagine squeals of delight (and horror) coming from kids while eating this dessert.
Although Yum Cha may be a bit pricier than the traditional dim sum joint, the uber-cute and uber-instagrammable food and experience is truly worth a visit. Just don’t forget your camera.
Yum Cha is located at 2/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. They also have restaurants at Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mongkok.
