Food: Situated in the mid-level of Tai Mo Shan, the highest mountain of Hong Kong (i.e. the buttock of nowhere). Driving up all the way on the winding and narrow road, you may happen to see the supercharged world of Hong Kong's street racing: this locale is a popular place for street racers to show off their "drifting" technique, one spinning stunt made famous and in vogue by a Japanese animation called "Initial D." But that adrenal gland free flowing beyond, this teahouse has long been a great treat for families during weekends. It is widely known for its Chinese teas brew with shan shui, or fresh mountain water. The shan shui comes from the streams of Tai Mo Shan; here is probably the only place in Hong Kong safe enough to use natural water for tea. Traditional Chinese tea wisdom still had us believe that running shan shui is by and large the best water for brewing a cup of good tea.
Expect no greeting but plenty of table sharing. This is comfort food at a comfort place we are talking about. Everything in this lovely dim sum hideout is DIY. Approach the gigantic bamboo steamer, open its lid and radar the dim sum you have in mind; find it and take it home. If can’t find it, order it (reads: shout it out loud, the most civilized way for any crowded Chinese eatery) it with the waiter and the cook will steam it right away for you. Here, water is the key. Try everything that is conditioned with the famous shan shui, like cheung fan (steamed rice rolls) and tofu fa (only available during weekends) . Don't forget to try their watercress if you drop here during its in-season (circa August to October). Grown in farmyards nearby the teahouse, it is much more fresher, and hence tastes different than those you could eat elsewhere.
Drinks: Chinese teas boiled with shan shui (fresh mountain water)
Specials: Home grown watercress, shan shui tofu fa(tofu pudding), cheung fan (steamed rice rolls) with different toppings
Address: 2 Chuen Lung Street, Route Twisk, Tsuen Wan 荃灣荃錦公路川龍街2號
Tel: 2415 5041
Opening hours: 5:30am – 2:30pm (Mon-Sat), 5:30am – 3pm (Sun & public holidays)
Seating: 80-120
Fare: 30-60, cash only
Service: Moderate, free parking available
Nearest railway: Tsuen Wan MTR
Transportation: Bus 51 from Tsuen Wan Pier
Michelin Hong Kong on the cheap rating: **
