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Manila eats: This cafe brings the HK tea restaurant experience to PH

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Jeeves de Veyra

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2QwY0CCjqko?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>MANILA -- The cha chaan teng is to Hong Kong as the carinderia is to Manila. These tea restaurants are almost everywhere in Hong Kong bringing affordable buns, Hong Kong-style coffee and milk tea, and Cantonese food to the locals. </p><p>Honolulu HK Café brings the cha chaan teng experience to Manila foodies.</p><p>The Honolulu Coffee Shop in Hong Kong is one of the must-visit tea shops in the former British colony. Mostly known for its flaky egg tarts with soft custard, the local version features this treat freshly baked in limited quantities in its local branches.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/10/08/eats1.jpg"/><figcaption>Foodies line up for these egg tarts in Hong Kong. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Start off with the Hong Kong-inspired beverages. Coffee and “stocking” tea are must-drinks at the café. Try the Yuanyang, which is a combination of tea and coffee. There are no powdered iced teas here, rather the iced tea is made with brewed tea on premise and slices of lemon. Speaking of lemon, you can also get cola with lemon slices as this is a popular way of drinking softdrinks in Hong Kong.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/10/08/eats2.jpg"/><figcaption>Have a bo lo bun with a cup of HK coffee or tea. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The tea restaurants often have their own bakeries on-site where they make egg tarts and bo lo buns. Bo lo buns or pineapple buns get their name from their wrinkled exterior. Honolulu HK Café’s version is a little sweet and goes very well with butter or their BBQ pork filling. The BBQ filling is also available with the snow buns.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/10/08/eats3.jpg"/><figcaption>Fishball curry. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The menu features Cantonese entrees for those looking for a heavier meal. The fishball curry made with a Chinese curry that&#x27;s nicely spicy with a bit of Sichuan flavors thrown in goes well with a cup or two of rice.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/10/08/eats4.jpg"/><figcaption>Luncheon meat noodle soup. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Luncheon meat isn’t a usual topping on noodle soup, but this variation can be found in small eateries all over Hong Kong. The slightly salty luncheon meat surprisingly goes well with the light soup. It’s a different alternative to the usual beef and chicken mami.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/10/08/eats5.jpg"/><figcaption>Chinese chorizo sausage mushroom and chicken rice. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>It takes about 20 minutes to prepare the steamed rice casseroles. The toppings&#x27; juices and flavors seep down as the rice is cooking so it does take a while, but is well worth the wait as a bowl can feed two hungry people.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/10/08/eats6.jpg"/><figcaption>Roast soy chicken. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/10/08/eats7.jpg"/><figcaption>Roast pork belly. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/10/08/eats8.jpg"/><figcaption>Barbecue pork. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The newest branch at Robinson’s Place Manila features roasted meats. Roasted soy chicken, pork belly, and barbecue pork are available as sharing portions or as a solo meal with rice.</p><p>Honolulu HK Café serves these at affordable prices. Hong Kong-style coffee and tea with the bolo BBQ buns alone are reason enough to drop by and try the food. All of these make for an authentic Hong Kong culinary experience without needing a passport and an airplane ticket.</p><p>Honolulu HK Café branches can be found at the ground floor of Robinson’s Place Manila and the lower ground floor of SM Aura.</p>

<p>Honolulu HK Café brings the cha chaan teng experience to Manila foodies.</p>