If I ask anyone to name one iconic drink in Hong Kong, most will probably mention Hong Kong-style milk tea (yup, not boba; that's from Taiwan, by the way). How about the much less famous sibling, Yuen Yeung (sounds like Yin-Yang)? Trying out different local food and beverages is a key element of our Best Food and Culture Tours (book here). Interestingly, we found that most of our guests loved, loved, loved Yuen Yueng so much that it inspired us to properly introduce this classic Hong Kong beverage to you all.
What does Yuen Yeung mean?
The name Yuen Yeung itself is poetic. It refers to a type of mandarin duck, of which the male and female ducks have totally different colours. Yet, they are often seen in pairs, seemingly having the most loving relationship anyone dreams of. Therefore, in traditional Chinese culture, Yuen Yueng symbolises harmony in contrast—just like how coffee and tea, two different drinks, complement each other perfectly in this delicious Hong Kong invention.
In the simplest terms, Yuen Yeung = Coffee + Milk Tea. Imagine the comforting silkiness of Hong Kong-style milk tea—made with strong black tea, evaporated milk, and a touch of sugar—paired with coffee's deep, slightly bitter kick. This perfect combo usually involves three parts milk tea and one part coffee, resulting in a lovely balance between creamy sweetness and bold caffeine.
The Origins of Yeun Yueng
The origin of who started to mix coffee and milk tea together is unknown. One popular explanation is that in post-war Hong Kong, Western influence began to blend with the local eating and drinking culture. With British-style milk tea being a staple in colonial Hong Kong and coffee gaining popularity, some inventive minds thought, "Why not combine both?" The result was a surprisingly harmonious mix of flavours: the robustness of coffee balanced the smooth, fragrant notes of milk tea. Another saying is that some manual labourers working in the piers started mixing coffee and milk tea as energy drinks during their break.
So, where to try Yuen Yeung?
You can easily find Yuen Yeung in all Hong Kong-style cafes or cha-chaan-teng. Here are a few popular spots to try out your first Yuen Yeung:
1 - Lan Fong Yuen
Founded in 1952, Lan Fong Yuen is one of the most iconic cha-chaan-tengs in Hong Kong. Near the bustling Graham Street market, there is always a line outside this little restaurant (Tips: get a takeaway instead!). People usually come here for their milk tea, but their Yuen Yeung is equally impressive, too!
Location: 2 Gage St, Central
2 - Kam Fung Restaurant
Founded in 1956, it is another one of the most celebrated traditional cha-chaan-tengs in Hong Kong. The main crowd-drawer is its no-ice iced milk tea, coffee, freshly baked egg tarts and chicken pies. Visit early to avoid waiting in line.
Location: 41 Spring Garden Ln, Wan Chai
3 - Bing Kee Cha Dong
Serving the Tai Hang community since 1957, Bing Kee is one of the most famous cha-chaan-tengs among the locals. Having a drink in Bing Kee in the quint neighbourhood of Tai Hang will make you forget you are in the busy Hong Kong city centre for a moment.
Location: 5 Shepherd St, Tai Hang
4 - Kam Wah Cafe & Cake Shop
Opened in 1973, Kam Wah Cafe is the Hall-Of-Famer for its famous pineapple
bun with butter. This cafe has one of the most extensive lists of classic cha-chaan-teng bakeries, and it's situated right in the middle of the Goldfish Market. Do you still need another reason to visit this place?
Location: 45-47 Bute St, Mong Kok
Comments