Lan Fong Yuen

Lan Fong Yuen has been serving customers on Gage Street in Central for more than 70 years and is closely associated with one of Hong Kong's most famous drinks: milk tea. The tea is strained through a fine fabric that resembles a stocking, which gives the drink its smooth, silky texture and its nickname of silk stocking milk tea. A visit here is a good way to understand why milk tea is such a big part of daily life in the city.

The business has two parts. At the front is a small green stall that sells milk tea and yuen yeung, a mix of coffee and tea, to take away. Behind it is the dining room, where the best-known dish is the pork chop bun, a bun filled with a pork chop, often paired with a cup of milk tea. Order the two together for the classic combination.

The dining room is small and busy, and service is quick. Lunchtime brings long queues of office workers, so arrive before noon or in the mid-afternoon for a shorter wait. If you only want a drink, the takeaway stall is the quickest option.

Prices are low. Cash is the safest way to pay at a small traditional shop like this, so carry small notes. Lan Fong Yuen suits solo travellers, couples and anyone curious about Hong Kong's food culture. It is not ideal for large groups or for a leisurely meal, but it makes a good stop while walking around Central.

The straining is what gives the tea its smooth body, so it is worth trying it plain before adding extra sugar. If you prefer it less sweet, ask when you order, and try a yuen yeung if you cannot choose between coffee and tea. A visit takes as little as 15 minutes if you sit down, or a couple of minutes at the takeaway stall.

The shop is close to several other places in this guide. Tai Cheong Bakery on Lyndhurst Terrace is a short walk away for egg tarts, and Mak's Noodle and Yat Lok are within a few minutes on foot. Tai Kwun on Hollywood Road is nearby, so you could pair a milk tea with an afternoon exploring the heritage buildings and galleries there.