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Hong Kong's teahouses: Will they be toast soon?
Cha chaan teng sprang up to meet the needs of post-war industrial workers. They are still popular today, but have to adapt to meet new demands of millennials
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The ubiquitous Hong Kong-style teahouse, or what is known as cha chaan teng, was born out of a mishmash of practicality, colonial-era nostalgia - and pure and simple need.
The blend of Eastern and Western cultures is what set the foundation for catapulting these eateries to become a city icon. Indeed, a trip to a cha chaan teng is a "must-do" for visitors.
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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 16, 2019, with the headline Hong Kong's teahouses: Will they be toast soon? . Subscribe
