Hong Kong milk tea and its flavors are making waves on TikTok in the USA, with the trend spreading across Europe. While the culinary scene boasts a variety of global cuisines, the city’s traditional diner-style cafés, known as “cha chaan tengs,” continue to capture the locals’ fascination.
These establishments offer affordable versions of regional favorites, including macaroni and noodle soups, fried egg sandwiches, and buttery French toast. A staple accompaniment is milk tea, or “lai cha,” a rich, dark-tan beverage crafted from black tea blends meticulously brewed to extract maximum strength, combined with evaporated or condensed milk.
Though the milk tea trend may be subsiding, dessert establishments are capitalizing on its popularity by introducing new, themed items. Among the viral Hong Kong milk tea desserts are:
Shaved Ice with Thai Milk Tea: ChaTraMue has introduced a dessert called Thai Milk Tea Shaved Ice, featuring biscuit puffs, grass jelly, and condensed milk tea sauce, creating a refreshing and flavorful treat.
Bubble Milk Tea Avalanche Cake: A best-seller from Miss Marble, this cake features layers of Japanese flour chiffon cake and Twinings Earl Grey tea-infused cream, creating a visually appealing cascade when the plastic lid is removed.
Milk Tea Macarons: Jouer, founded by Le Cordon Bleu graduate Anne Cheung, offers creative macaron varieties, including the Hong Kong Milk Tea Macaron, capturing the essence of cha chaan teng flavors.
Milk Tea Red Bean Ice: Caring Tea in Tsim Sha Tsui modernizes the classic red bean ice by adding milk tea, presenting a stylish twist on regional drinks with a visually stunning skyline-adorned cup.
As the TikTok community continues to explore and appreciate Asian culinary delights, Hong Kong milk tea remains at the forefront, captivating audiences worldwide.
