Hong Kong’s Lock Cha Tea Shop

Lock Cha Tea Shop has a long and colourful story in Hong Kong’s history.  It’s located on Ladder Street in Sheung Wan.  Don’t mistaken it for the tea shop on Queens Road and Ladder Street as Lock Cha’s location will require you to walk up the stairs.  It’s around the bend, don’t let convenience fool you so peer around the corner.  Too often tea shops have a tendency to rip you off and push product down your throat.  They operate under the guise you dare not say No after they pour you a few cups of tea.  At Lock Cha tea shop, they are far from pushy.  They are the exact opposite.  They are there to educate you on teas and inform you on their products.  The tea lesson will take about one hour.  It’s not a tourist trap.

Hot water is the cleaning agent of choice for teas.  No soap is required as there is no grease.  The tea pot as a serving vehicle will impart more flavour as time passes.

A new tea pot in the background and one with 2 years of use.  Notice the shiny texture in the older teapot.  The more you use it, the better it becomes.

This was the start of the tea session.

The little balls unfold into long strands.

Green teas are very popular now.  The health benefits are well known.  Lock Cha has their own special blends which are different than the supermarket variety.

They even require their own type of tea pot.  It’s nothing special.

These tea biscuits are the most special, Pu’er teas.  They get more expensive as they get older.  One thing to note, age takes away their caffeine kick.  A few years ago, many investors were speculating in Pu’er teas driving the market to mimic that of fine french wines.  As similar to fine french wines, the market came to a crashing halt and now it’s back down to a somewhat affordable level.

Pu’er teas are dried, roasted and aged.  It gives a dark funky colour the longer you let it steep.

The teas that deserve special attention as their flavour profiles were the highlight of my tasting:

Taiwan’s Golden High Mountain Oolong.  It carries a floral nose and milk taste with a sweet finish.

Eastern Red Phoenix Oolong.  My favorite as its fruity with a heavy peach and honey flavour.  It’s a Oolong tea so its good for the body.  I am told this tea is perfect for the digestive tract so you’ll suppose to drink alongside food or after meals.

I’m a fan of Lock Cha’s oolong teas.

Percy, is the tea guru at Lock Cha.  Go see her to start your tea journey.

Chan Kan Kee – Michelin star Chiu Chow in Sheung Wan

I’m not a big fan of roast goose.  It’s fattier than duck and I already avoid duck meat unless it’s a special occasion.   I am running out of dining options and being a creature of habit enables me to be a staple at the cooked food centres.  It’s time to sample the other restaurants in the area.  Chan Kun Kee has multiple locations, they have a Sheung Wan location on Queens Road.  They are a Michelin star chiu chow food restaurant so you will need to order the goose.

Chiu Chow food is most famous for its marinated goose.  The lunch special is $50.  The daily soup cost another $12.  Rice dishes generally come with soup as part of a lunch special.  I guess Michelin star establishments use their new status to warrant a la carte pricing.

Their cold drinks come in plastic containers so you can take it back to the office.  It was fun watching the employer drop lemon into the cold milk tea while the lemon tea lacked lemons.

This is Chiu Chow congee.  It is rice in soup lacking the congealed congee consistency.  $50.

Chiu Chow food is also known for their meat/fish balls.  The meat/fish balls came in noodle soup with seaweed over top. $50.  There’s nothing special about the meat balls, soup and noodles.  I don’t think it’s worth the premium pricing.

This is Michelin star Chiu Chow food.  I have now tasted the full gamut of Chiu Chow from Cooked Food Centres to Michelin star restaurants.  The Michelin star pricing is not high by any means but larger portions and the inclination to consume cheap alcohol makes a strong case for the Cooked Food Centres.  Neptune Chiu Chow in TST East makes food the traditional way so it is made right.  This restaurant is part of a chain with multiple locations so I suspect quality control may be suspect.  I will not be a regular customer at this restaurant for lunch.  I may give it a try during supper if I happen to be in the area with hangry friends in tow.