Established in 1962 in Yau Ma Tei, Lai Heung Yuen Cafe offers a smaller-scale cha chaan teng experience. Disappointed with Hong Kong Day, we decided to explore this cafe.
Lai Heung Yuen Cafe operates on a smaller scale compared to Hong Kong Day, with three locations. Each location features a modern design inspired by the old Hong Kong bus blueprint.
It offers traditional Hong Kong café fare along with popular bakery items such as pineapple buns and egg tarts.
Baked Spaghetti Bolognese with Cheese (63 HKD/12.6 AUD, +10 HKD/2 AUD for iceless cold drink (usually 22 HKD/4.4 AUD).
This dish was straightforward, resembling the baked rice dish we tried at Hong Kong Day but with a more gratifying overall experience. The spaghetti, slightly beyond al dente as commonly preferred in Cantonese cuisine, was complemented by a bolognese sauce that offered a more satisfying flavour and depth. The interplay of the sauce with the cheese brought to mind Filipino spaghetti, notable for its prominent tomato flavour and emphasized sweetness.
Stir-fried Macaroni with Sliced Beef (58 HKD/11.6 AUD, +10 HKD/2 AUD for iceless cold drink (usually 22 HKD/4.4 AUD)
This dish presented a novel British-Hong Kong variation of the traditional Singaporean-Malaysian char kway teow, substituting flat rice noodles with macaroni and replacing bean sprouts with lettuce. It was a straightforward yet enjoyable dish, featuring a subtle touch of wok hei with balanced seasoning. The consistent size of the ingredients allowed for convenient consumption with a spoon.
Sichuan Cold Marinated Chicken with Peanut Spicy Sauce Set (71 HKD/14.2 AUD, served with rice and drink, +10 HKD/2 AUD for an iceless cold drink)
The dish did not have as much of the numbing spiciness or the intense heat that D anticipated from Sichuan cuisine. Contrary to expectations, many ‘spicy’ dishes in Hong Kong appeared relatively mild, even for my palate, which is more sensitive to spicy foods. Despite the subdued heat, the chicken retained its juiciness and tenderness, providing a flavourful combination with the rice.
Beef, Scrambled Egg and Fresh Tomato with Rice in Soup (50 HKD/10 AUD, served with a half-price drink)
The tender chunks of fresh tomato offered a soft bite and were complemented by the subtle heat from ginger that added to the overall flavour without overpowering. The smooth scrambled eggs and well-tenderized beef contributed to a light and easily digestible meal, especially suitable when feeling a bit under the weather.
We tried their Milk Tea (on the left) and Yuenyeung (on the right) for our beverages. The milk tea boasted a robust tea flavour, well-balanced sweetness, and, while retaining a hint of harshness, was far superior to the version from Hong Kong Day. The yuenyeung, however, emerged as our favourite and a repeated choice. The combination of coffee with milk tea masked any lingering harshness, allowing for a smoother mouthfeel with both flavours shining through.
Our experience at Lai Heung Yuen Cafe surpassed that at Hong Kong Day. The menu was more diverse, catering to a wide range of customers seeking lighter or heartier meals, and there was a noticeable attention to detail in dish preparation. Adding to the satisfaction,mosty of their dishes were more reasonably priced.
Lai Heung Yuen Cafe is located at Shop 2612-14, 2F MOSTown (Phase 5), 18 On Luk St, Ma On Shan, New Territories, Hong Kong.