HONOLULU (KHON2) — Have you heard of a cha chaan teng? It’s an experience out of Hong Kong that is taking the world by storm, and Hawaiʻi has one that is delighting locals.
Cha chaan teng (茶餐廳) translates to “tea restaurant”. It’s a type of Hong Kong diner that originated during the British colonial period when these eateries primarily served Hong Kong-style Western cuisine.
Today, they are a classic mix of Western and Cantonese cuisine; and you can experience one right in our very own Chinatown.
HK Cafe is located at 1113 Maunakea Street and does not disappoint.
As soon as you sit down, you don’t have much time to decide what to eat before someone asks for your order. We asked for a bit of extra time to decide since the menu is quite extensive.
But it really follows how a classic American diner offers breakfast, luch and dinner options all day long. So, you can come it at 2 p.m. and get a minced beef and egg sandwich breakfast or at 8 a.m. and get a yummy curry or noodle dish.
After you order, you’ll get a small cup of tea or water. But don’t drink it! It’s not for drinking. People usually use it to clean their chopsticks, spoon or even their fingers by dipping them into the cup.
This cha chaan teng was white, bright and clean and had a diverse array of customers.
One kupuna named Siu Lan came in for her usual pickled mustard with sliced pork noodle soup. She said it makes her day better to enjoy this savory dish her mom used to make.
A man named Winston came in for Hong Kong milk tea. “It is the best milk tea on the island,” he declared.
So, we tried the milk tea; and it was yummy. Not too sweet. Not too milky. It was just right.
One item that many are encouraged to try when going to a cha chaan teng is their toast. We ordered the Hong Kong style toast with peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk. It was ono. Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, it was both sweet and savory and checked all the yummy boxes.
You can click here to see HK Cafe’s takeout menus for weed days and weekends. They’re also on social media.
The next time you are looking for a bit of fun that includes enjoying some tasty food, then check out Honolulu’s own cha chaan teng, HK Cafe.