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Chinese herbal tea shops are a staple among locals seeking a quick health boost while on the go. But the lack of English signs and menus makes it a touch tricky for those who don’t speak or read Canto. Here’s our guide on the teas to pick according to their benefits and where to get them!
While hitting the gym and ordering healthy meal services are great choices for well-being, you’re in Hong Kong after all, so why not try a more local tonic (that’s quick and effective we might add!). Enter Chinese herbal teas, also known as ‘Leung Cha’! These bad boys are time honoured for a reason.
Wander through the city, and you’ll stumble across a variety of traditional and contemporary herbal tea shops, each serving a range of brews ready for takeaway. Here’s the lowdown on some of the most popular and the best spots to find them!
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Traditional Chinese Medicine
Chinese Herbal Teas You Need To Know
With bizarre names like 24 herbs, chicken bone grass and snake needle grass, it can be bewildering to figure out what you’re actually ordering and what their benefits are. Whether you’re seeking relief from a cold or to ease a scratchy throat, this guide will help you navigate the ideal herbal remedy for what ails you!
Sassy tip: Most Chinese herbal teas are super potent and their taste and pungency might take you aback at first. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!”
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24 Herbs Tea 廿四味
Known for its blend of 10 to 24 components, 24 herbs is the most frequently encountered Chinese herbal tea. This concoction eliminates internal heat, enhances digestion and helps detoxify the body.
What it’s good for: A dodgy tummy. Just note it might get worse before it gets better!
How to pronounce: Ya Say Mei
Chicken Bone Grass Tea 雞骨草
If you’re struggling to catch some Zs, reach for a bottle of Canton Love-pes Vine (aka Chicken Bone Grass) — it’s believed to improve liver function and reduce dampness and bloating!
What it’s good for: Bloat buster — perfect drink after heavy meals like hot pot or Korean BBQ!
How to pronounce: Gai Gwat Cho
Five Flower Tea 五花茶
Made from five types of flowers — chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, silk cotton, plumeria rubra and pueraria lobata — this herbal tea is great for easing sore throats and calming inflammation.
What it’s good for: Soothing the throat after you’ve gone too hard at Karaoke!
How to pronounce: Ng Fa Cha
Monk Fruit Tea 羅漢果茶
If you start feeling the onset of flu symptoms, this elixir might just save you a trip to the doctor. It’s believed to lubricate the lungs nice and while treating nagging coughs.
What it’s good for: When you’re hacking away. Yikes!
How to pronounce: Lo Hon Gwo Cha
Common Selfheal Spike Tea 夏枯草
Typically enjoyed in the summer, Common Selfheal Spike is celebrated for its capacity to lower blood pressure and balance glucose levels. It also has a subtle sweetness and is a hit with kids!
What it’s good for: A great everyday drink that’s healthy, naturally sweet and refreshing!
How to pronounce: Ha Fu Cho
Snake Needle Grass 白花蛇舌草
Hedyotis Diffusa (aka Snake Needle Grass) is known for its ability to promote blood circulation. Good blood circulation is essential for overall health and can also help to alleviate menstrual cramps and promote reproductive health.
What it’s good for: That time of the month
How to pronounce: Bak Fa Se Sit Cho
Rorippa Indica Tea 野葛菜
Benefits: Rorippa indica tea is a fantastic choice for detoxing the liver and strengthening bones. It’s also a go-to tea option for hotter temperatures or after a long night of partying, as it’s known for reducing internal heat.
What it’s good for: Rehabbing following a night of questionable decisions!
How to pronounce: Ye Got Choi
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Where To Drink Chinese Herbal Teas
Good Spring Company 春回堂藥行
Good Spring Company has its roots in Guangzhou’s Panyu district. In 1916, it opened shop in Hong Kong, now located near the entrance of the Mid-levels escalator. You can find go-tos like 24 Herbs tea (廿四味), Chicken Bone Grass tea (雞骨草) and more. They also offer professional TCM consultations within the shop too.
Good Spring Company, 8 Cochrane Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2544 3518
Yip Heung Lau 葉香留
Yip Heung Lau is a favourite spot, with a branch in Kowloon and two in Wan Chai (one right across from MTR Wan Chai Station). Popular orders include Rorippa Indica Tea (野葛菜) and Monk Fruit Tea (羅漢果茶). Customers can opt for either the bottled or smaller cup version.
Yip Heung Lau, various locations across Hong Kong
Yeung Woo Tong 養和堂涼茶館
Yang He Tang has been a Hong Kong favourite since 1988 when the Zhao brothers opened their first herbal tea shop in Tai Po and Yuen Long. It has since established a factory and expanded to 23 branches across Hong Kong, ensuring fresh brews are delivered daily! Try the shop’s Guilinggao (tortoise shell jelly), it’s said to reduce body odour, improve digestion, quench thirst and prevent summer heat strokes!
Yeung Woo Tong, various locations across Hong Kong, 2473 5368, www.yeungwootong.com
Kung Yuen Tong 恭源堂
Kung Yuen Tong provides not only beverages but also a range of tasty local street snacks like fish balls, siu mai and boiled eggs simmered in Chinese herbal tea (a must-try!). You’ll see a lineup of labelled herbal teas (make sure to refer to this article!) along with others like Orange Peel Bellfower Tea (桔梗茶) and Tortoise Herbal Tea (龜苓茶). If you need a break after all that city walking, you can sit down with your herbal tea and snacks at the shop.
Kung Yuen Tong, Shop A, 188-192 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 3689 2515
Hung Fook Tong 鴻福堂
You’ve probably strolled past a Hung Fook Tong more times than you can count in MTR stations and supermarkets’ beverage aisle. Founded in 1986, the traditional Chinese herbal tea spot has levelled up to become a citywide sensation, serving healthy food and herbal tea drinks with zero additives. Luckily the drinks have English names on the label — no more guessing games!
Sassy tip: Products are stored in fridges in the physical stores, but don’t hesitate to ask the staff to heat them up if you prefer them hot!
Hung Fook Tong, various locations across Hong Kong, 2920 2206, www.hungfooktong.com
Read More: Top Health Food Stores In Hong Kong
Main image courtesy of Getty Images.
Image 1 courtesy of Pexels, image 2 of Good Spring Company Ltd. via Flickr, image 3 of Yip Heung Lau Herbal Tea Shop courtesy of Monkey-Jerrical via Open Rice, image 4 courtesy of Yeung Woo Tong Herbal Tea Shop via Facebook, image 5 of Kung Yuen Tong Herbal Tea Shop courtesy of ms_curious via Open Rice, image 6courtesy of Hung Fook Tong via Facebook.
