Experience Hong Kong’s cha chaan teng culture at Art Basel Miami Beach

By Elliat Albrecht

The clatter of cups, the sizzle of a stove, and lunch orders being called out in rapid Cantonese – this is the soundtrack of a cha chaan teng, or ‘tea restaurant’. Serving quintessential Hong Kong-style Western fare in a fast-paced, no-frills setting, these cafés are beloved institutions in the territory. Yet to call a cha chaan teng Hong Kong’s answer to America’s diner is to tell only part of the story. They encapsulate a cross section of Hong Kong life. For artists like Trevor Yeung and Mak2, they offer a backdrop for broader stories about connection and change.

Cha chaan tengs trace their origins back to the 1950s and are known for their bustling ambiance and eclectic menus of comfort food. By merging…