Hong Kong’s popular amusement park Lai Yuen opens cha chaan teng

Hong Kong’s iconic amusement park Lai Yuen has opened its first ever Hong Kong-style tea restaurant (cha chaan teng) under its own name in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.

It held a grand celebration for its 68th anniversary on 8 June and opened its doors to the public the following day.

Lai Yuen can sit 73 guests in its 2,280 sq ft restaurant which also includes a private dining area. The restaurant features a contemporary and cosy colour scheme and oak decor, as well as a carousel chandelier to replicate an amusement park theme.

Chairman of Lai Yuen Amusement Park, Duncan Chiu said: “Lai Yuen is an incredibly unique Hong Kong brand, transitioning from amusement park to “Cha Chaan Teng”, moving from Lai Chi Kok to Tsim Sha Tsui, witnessing the change in times of Hong Kong.”

The menu at Lai Yuen Restaurant offers a modern twist, reviving classic favourites that were served at the park, including chicken drumsticks with a secret marinade served with Hong Kong fried noodles in supreme soy sauce.

Also highly recommended is the roasted whole chicken with glutinous rice, inspired by the chef’s childhood memory of his grandmother taking him to Lai Yuen. The dish is made fusing spring chicken from France with mushrooms, Chinese sausage and assorted meat into glutinous rice.

Also on the menu are Hong Kong-style curries, including slow-cooked beef brisket and rosemary chicken fillet. Other classics include French toast and caramel & poached egg pain French toast.

Lai Yuen Restaurant is located at Shop 12, Granville Building, 12 – 16 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Opens from 10am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, and to midnight on Friday, Saturday and eve of public holidays.