Traditional Cantonese milk tea is available on the menu of all local diners across Hong Kong and Macau – a thick and freshly brewed tea poured on top of evaporated full cream milk, using almost the same brewing technique, but with slight variations in the charred kettles they are served in.
Over the last 16 months, I’ve wandered into many Cha Chaan Tengs and found four wonderful places that serve great milk tea in different styles, but their provenance without doubt from the region.
Kum Ma Lun serves up delicious freshly baked egg tarts and local confectionary with milk tea made with a “tea sock” which gives the drink a finer, smoother consistency. My local friends strongly agree that Café Vong Kei in Old Taipa Village serves up a good cuppa milk tea.
Dumpling Town, around the corner from Livraria Portuguesa serves up delicious noodles and dumplings (my favourite is the chicken satay with diced celery), but it is their almond milk tea that really tugs at my heartstrings. Almonds play a significant role in the culinary landscape of Macau, with the famous almond cookies. Using unsweetened almond milk instead of evaporated milk, Dumpling Town distills the very best of almond essence in a thick cup of tea. They serve them cold as well – perfect in summer.
Yee Shun Milk Company made its name in Hong Kong with its double skinned milk pudding, but the company actually originates from Macau, and the original shop still stands in the same location. While many make the pilgrimage here for the milk puddings, their milk tea served alongside caramelized condensed milk (upon request as you battle the grumpy old ladies), gives your milk tea that extra kick just like Dulce de leche.
Finally, Maquette is a cosy bistro in Taipa run by Macanese chef / proprietor Maggie Chiang. A Cordon Bleu trained chef, Maggie lived abroad and missed the traditional milk tea so much, she re-created the “Exotic Milk Tea”. Using special teabags she found in London, fresh milk and some “secret spices”, she was able to satisfy her daily morning “spiritual drink” routine while she was living in Italy.
