Lan Fong Yuen 蘭芳園: One of the Popular Cha Chaan Tengs (Hong Kong-Style Cafe) in HK Known For Inventing Silk Stocking Milk Tea
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This article is part of the Hong Kong Food Trip 2026 series. Check out the installments in this series: Chukfo Taipan Restaurant (Roast Meats) | One Dim Sum (Formerly MICHELIN-Starred Dim Sum)
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Literally “tea restaurants”, Cha Chaan Tengs are Hong Kong-style cafes that serve food with Western influences. Staples include egg tarts, macaroni/spaghetti soup, sandwiches, and the iconic Hong Kong-style milk tea.
Aside from Australia Dairy Company (read my review here), another popular cha chaan teng is Lan Fong Yuen in Central. Founded in 1952, this institution is also famous to be the origin of Silk Stocking Milk Tea.
Lan Fong Yuen
The technique was invented by Lan Fong Yuen’s founder, Lam Muk-ho. Because tea strainers were of poor quality back then, Lam asked his wife to tailor-make the strainers, who ended up using the fabric of cotton padded jackets. Because the constant straining of tea turned the strainer’s color to dark brown, people thought they were silk stockings.
Silk Stocking or Pantyhose Milk Tea Being Prepared
It must be mentioned that Lan Fong Yuen is also a Dai Pai Dong. Literally “big license plate stall”, dai pai dongs are open-air, street side stalls serving Cantonese dishes. These stalls are a dying breed, as there are only a few left in the city. Some have gone indoors. Lan Fong Yuen, while retaining is outdoor shack, has moved most of its operations indoor.
Inside Lan Fong Yuen
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Let’s now talk about the food, starting with their signature Pantyhose Milk Tea. It has milder tea flavor compared to others, and is on the creamy side, which I like. It actually reminds me of Malaysia’s or Singapore’s Teh Tarik (pulled milk tea).
Pantyhose Milk Tea (Hot: HKD27; Cold: HKD30)
Honestly, there’s nothing special about the milk tea taste-wise. You can get the same milk tea in restaurants. But if you’re in Central and want to taste a piece of history, you might as well try it out.
Another bestseller of Lan Fong Yuen is lou ding or dry instant noodles. I tried their Scallion Oil Chicken Fillet Lou Ding. It has tender chicken thighs that are nicely brown and slightly sweet.
Scallion Oil Chicken Fillet Lou Ding (Set with Coffee or Tea: HKD70)
The noodles are bouncy, chewy, and covered in sweet sauce with subtle five spice flavor. Plus, there is a scallion oil that adds saltiness. This is my favorite here!
I love the noodles!
My wife ordered their Luncheon Meat and Fried Egg with Macaroni, which is a classic cha chaan teng dish.
Luncheon Meat and Fried Egg with Macaroni (Set with Coffee or Tea: HKD64)
It has a tasty broth and its macaroni aren’t borderline mushy. Overall, it’s a simple yet comforting dish.
We had a pleasant visit to Lan Fong Yuen. Their food is good and the establishment is historical. If you want to experience a piece of Hong Kong’s culinary history, then make this a part of your eat-inerary. I highly recommend it to you!
Lan Fong Yuen
Address: Gage St., Central, Hong Kong | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7:30AM-6PM | Contact No.: +852 2544-3895
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