A working-class establishment that screams authenticity. I had read reviews about this place and many describe it as like stepping back into 1962 and that couldn’t have been more true.

After winding through some back streets to find the restaurant, we felt a bit overwelhmed as we walked in as we appeared to be the only non-locals, the place was packed, and the dining is at shared tables as ceiling fans whir and the noise and chatter is formidable.

This decades-old parlor makes no concessions to modernity or to tourists, but what Lin Heung does offer is a tasty and unmediated slice of Old Hong Kong.  No one explained what to do, they just pointed at a table where a little old Chinese couple were sat and thankfully the gentleman spoke some very broken english and told us to wash our own utensils in the boiling water provided and pick baskets off the trolley that was being wheeled around in a rush. No one spoke enough english for us to ask questions about what each dish was (luckily we don’t have any special dietary requirements and we love to try and experiment with new food). We just pointed at what we thought we might like and the lady ticked boxes on our menu (all in Mandarin) so the waiter would be able to charge us accordingly.

The food was incredible.  Absolutely delicious, the rice, the dumplings, the roast meat and pork buns – everything was so tasty.  The little old couple we sat with found it hilarious that we put soy sauce on our pork buns, they couldn’t stop giggling. It was such a experience for us so I’m glad we also provided some entertainment to the locals.

The tea house dates back to 1928 and it ended up being my most memorable Hong Kong highlight of our trip.

Lin Heung Tea House

(Nearest MTR: Central)
160-164 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong; 852-2544-4556