Eat
Cha chaan teng: saying the order is faster than the translator
How to order a Hong Kong cafe set, milk tea, iced lemon tea, less sugar and ice. Share the table, pay at the till, no tip.
Notes dated 2026-09
A cha chaan teng is where Hong Kong sits down for an ordinary meal: metalware, speed, a long menu. It is not a banquet restaurant. First time: order a set, not ten à la carte plates.
Phrases that work
| You want | Say | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ham, fried egg, pasta or noodles | chaan daan min / tong | “Chaan” usually means sliced ham. |
| Hong Kong milk tea | nai cha; dung nai cha | Say hot or iced. |
| Lemon tea | dung ning cha | The default iced drink in a set. |
| Less sugar | jau tim / siu tim | “Jau tim” is almost no sugar. |
| Less ice | siu bing | Hong Kong ice is generous. |
| Pineapple bun with butter | bo lo yau | Crust bun with a slab of butter. |
| Beef hor fun | gon chau ngau ho | Not every cafe fries it well; a noodle shop is safer. |
How a set works
A breakfast or lunch set is usually a carb (macaroni, instant noodles, toast), egg or meat, and a named drink, one price. Iced drinks or milk tea may add a few dollars. Start with the “set” column on the wall, not the dearest page of a hundred-item menu.
Paying
- When finished, call for the bill or take the slip to the till.
- Usually no tip.
- Octopus, cards, or cash — read the sticker.
Questions
No English menu?
Point at photos or the numbered sets on the wall. “Chaan daan min”, “nai cha”, “dung ning cha” are widely understood. A translate app works; at peak the waiter will not wait for a paragraph.