A Very Different English Breakfast
Chris Granet, on holiday in Hong Kong, stumbled upon a peculiar version of the English breakfast at a traditional cha chaan teng. The Victory A Cafe on Hennessy Road in Wanchai blends the feel of a British greasy spoon with an American diner. It was bustling with locals and tourists, a promising sign.
What Was on the Plate
The meal included fried bacon, sausage, scrambled egg, baked beans, a small salad, tomato, a glazed brioche bun, and garnished with diced green leaves. The surprise item: fried fish in breadcrumbs. On the side, milky tea was a must.
Taste Test
The bacon was fatty, the sausage bland, but the beans were decent. The scrambled egg stood out—light, fluffy, rich, and buttery, made with cream and cornstarch as is common in Hong Kong. The fried fish, though unusual, became Granet's favorite, especially with a dash of local chili sauce.
Unique Tea and Dessert
The tea, made with "silk stockings"—cotton bags for straining Ceylon tea leaves—was incredibly strong, even with condensed milk. For dessert, a "pineapple bun" had a crusty sugary top and soft, subtly sweet inside, complementing the tea perfectly.
Cost and Verdict
The total bill was HK$85 (£8.50): HK$62 for breakfast, HK$23 for the bun. Granet found it filling and worth the 6,000-mile trip, noting that despite colonization's drawbacks, the Hong Kong breakfast is a positive fusion.
Travel Information
Cathay Pacific flies direct from London from £549 return. Dorsett Wan Chai and Dorsett Kai Tak offer doubles from £113 and £115 per night respectively, with breakfast and shuttle service. More at discoverhongkong.com.
