Wong Kar Wai Vibes Meet Hong Kong Tapas in Jalan Besar’s Cha Chaan Teng

When we discovered Cha Chaan Teng (CCT) tucked away on Lavender Street, it felt like we had stumbled upon a little piece of Hong Kong. As self-proclaimed fans of HK’s vibrant food culture and the unique buzz and spirit of cha chaan teng (茶餐厅), we just had to check it out.

The interior gave off a really cool, old-school vibe. The red and yellow neon lights reminded us of Wong Kar Wai’s movies. We couldn't help but be transported back to scenes of quaint convenience stores and hidden kitchens from films like Chungking Express. It felt like an ideal spot to unwind and catch up with friends, surrounded by a vibe that was both comforting and exotic.

The concept of CCT is simple yet profound – think of it as a tapas bar, but with a Hong Kong twist. The food & drinks menu is an adventurous journey through traditional Hong Kong flavours, each with unexpected yet delightful combinations. The dishes are best savoured when shared.

Signature Dishes

Har Cheong Tin Gai (Prawn Paste Frog Legs)

The Har Cheong Tin Gai was something else! A play on Prawn Paste Chicken 虾酱鸡, 田鸡 coated in prawn paste might sound unusual, but they were super tasty. The outside was crispy, and the meat inside was soft and juicy – a real treat.

Wu Tau Gou (Yam Cake)

We all love a good yam cake, and at CCT, the house-made (芋頭糕/ Yam Cake) was cut into strips like fries and served in a bag along with a “shaker-fries” hae bee hiam salt. Perfectly chewy with a big burst of umami, this was super addictive!

Ha Gow (Prawn Dumplings)

These aren’t your everyday ha gow – crunchy Argentinian prawns are encased in a Vietnamese rice paper, topped with shrimp mousse and shrimp jelly giving it a burst of flavour. It's a personal favourite of mine, a delightful twist on the classic that's both surprising and incredibly satisfying.

Drinks Menu

The drinks menu was just as cool as the food. Every cocktail had a bit of a Hong Kong twist to it. We tried the Hung Dau Soeng Si, inspired by the classic red bean ice dessert. It was a mix of tequila, red bean, coconut milk, and citrus – really unique and super decadent.

For those who want something more refreshing, Nei Hoi Sum Jau Ho (你開心就好), is an aromatic, tart and sweet drink with gin, pomelo sago syrup and fresh lemon juice.

For the adventurous, this seemingly simple rum & coke (Tong Pak Fu) has your name on it. Made with rum that has been fat-washed with roasted duck fat, and with the addition of smoked sour plum – it’s smoky, it’s sour, it’s savoury and it’s simply delicious.

Estimated Cost

$$

Store Address

284 Lavender Street S338802

Operating Hours

Mon to Sun: 5pm to 12am

(Closed on Tuesdays)