We love Hong Kong cha chaan teng for a range of reasons – the super wide repertoire of items, old-school comfort food and perhaps quick service.
The décor was what got me curious about Hong Kong Day. Cha Kee at Goldhill Shopping Centre, a short walking distance from Novena MRT station.
Hoping that the place would transport me right back.
The décor and menu were somewhat promising though – a small eatery furbished to evoke the memories of the scrappy but snug tea cafes in Hong Kong.
Opened by a pair of siblings born in Hong Kong, the new café is a reinvention of the previous restaurant sitting in the same spot.
The front-end of the café is coloured in coral green, black and white tiles, and eye-catching neon lights.
To match, the interior is decked out in matching green booth seats, complete with wooden panels and chairs like you would find in a typical cha chaan teng.
The menu is pretty much from the inventory of the owners themselves, who actually went to Hong Kong to pick up the skill of making the dishes served.
Unfortunately, during the initial days, the operations still needed quite a bit of ironing out and the cafe needed to take a temporary closure.
Now, they are back – better and more efficient.
The dishes contain a mix of Western-Asian fusion, which is typical owing to the connection between Hong Kong and Britain.
A good starting point would probably be the so-called “Hong Kong Day Trio”.
Probably their signature items, this includes, first, a Baked Rice with Pork Chop & Tomato ($13.80) dish. There is also a Roasted Char Siu ($12.80, $18.80).
I had the Curry Chicken Chop with Spaghetti ($11.80) for lunch, considered pretty value-for-money.
The chicken chop itself was succulent and juicy, with a crispy exterior.
The curry sauce that accompanied it was rich and aromatic, with just the right amount of spice – combining elements of both Chinese and Indian cuisines.
You can add the gravy as you wish to the chicken or noodles, adding a layer of depth to each bite.
I also went for the Peanut Butter French Toast ($4.50), which was a pretty-decent rendition of lightly crisp toast with a sweet syrup.
Not bad, but hardly anything surprising as well.
On the toast section, there were Bolo Bun to be filled with butter ($2.50), luncheon meat & scramble eggs ($5.80), or pork chop ($6.80); and Assorted Sandwiches ($2.80 – $3.50).
The Scrambled Egg Assorted Sandwich was a straight-forward rendition, and perhaps a little more butter or creaminess in the egg would have differentiated this from the average.
On the menu are other Chef Specials, such as Scrambled Egg & Roasted Char Siu on Rice ($13.80), Macaroni in Borscht ($9.80), and Swiss Sauce Chicken Wings ($9.80).
Of course, there is also a cup of Authentic HK Milk Tea ($3.50).
Made with the Black & White brand of condensed milk (which is used in Hong Kong) and a house blend of tea leaves, you get that tint of edge you get in proper Hong Kong milk tea.
With a décor to replicate a proper cha chaan teng, Hong Kong Day makes a good case for your weekend getaway. Thankfully, they are more ready now than when I first visited.
Hong Kong Day. Cha Kee
Goldhill Shopping Centre, 165 Thomson Road, Singapore 307618
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 8:30pm (Tues – Fri), 9am – 8:30pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Mon
Other Related Entries
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* Written by Daniel Ang and Dean Ang. Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
