Women’s stockings and milk tea… while others call it a strange mix, Hong Kong calls it a legacy
Imagine brewing milk tea with women’s stockings… The thought of that might scare many away, but to Lan Fong Yuen, it is a legacy of 72 years; a recipe that originated from a sailor friend bringing Celyon Black Tea to fellow Mr. Lam Muk-ho, who eventually established his criteria of the perfect milk tea. “Great colour, be neither too strong nor too weak, not leaving the tongue feeling dry, and leaving a bitter-sweet taste after it has gone down.” is Mr. Lam’s guide to a good milk tea. Of course, I had to try it to believe it. The milk tea was served in plastic cup, dripping in ice water due to condensation. That signalled to me that the milk tea was iced and refreshing, made even better with the crunch of the ice seeped in with milk tea. As I took my first sip, I was startled by its minimal sweetness. Compared to other modern milk-tea shops, Lin Heung’s milk tea was slightly bitter, but in a sensational way.
“脾氣好，好運自然來”. “If you have a good temper, luck will naturally follow you.” These were the words hung up on the white wall tiles that the servers must have forgotten to read, as evidenced by their fast-paced and blunt attitude. Nevertheless, the tight enclosed space of the restaurant made up for this with the cozy and warm feeling it provided, despite it being a hot summer day. Locals and tourists alike shared small circular wooden tables and would occasionally exchange a few casual words while trying not to fall off from the uneven wooden stools. Colourful rubber plastic cups filled the tables along with local HK french toast, instant noodles with a crisp fried egg, and many more. It was a masterful execution of a safe food combination you could never go wrong with.
On the exterior of the restaurant stood Lan Fong Yuen’s metal kiosk where the milk tea was specially made. For those looking for just a refreshing beverage, you will be served the restaurant’s delicacy in a matter of seconds. However, I can’t promise you will get to witness the stocking-brewing process first hand, especially since the baristas’ quick hands makes it seem like the drinks suddenly appear out of nowhere. Expect to pay a reasonable 25HKD (cash only) for an Iced Milk tea. Meanwhile, those looking for a light meal have to spend a minimum of 40HKD to be granted dine-in access.
Situated in Central, just at the end of Gage street, you’ll find this restaurant always busy. It's a perfect option for a quick and light meal with your friends or colleagues in the district. If you’re an early bird, Lan Fong Yuen has your back! With a 7:30am opening time, you’ll definitely be able to enjoy their traditional Hong Kong refreshments to start your day off right!
