Cha Chaan Teng
Cha Chaan Teng, or 茶餐廳, is a type of cuisine very prevalent in Hong Kong. It originated from Bing Shi (冰室), an inexpensive alternative that boomed in popularity around the World War II era, aimed at 'mimicking' the taste and feel of the then costly Western food. It provided snacks such as coffee, milk tea, sandwich, toast, etc., providing an intriguing insight into the fusion between Western dishes and the derived Hong Kong re-creation of them. It was not before long did the culture of Cha Chaan Teng start to grow and expand, further incorporating even more dishes to the plethora of choices. It is an integral part of a true Hong Kong experience, as no trip here is complete without a visit to a local Cha Chaan Teng restaurant.
One interesting thing about the culture of Cha Chaan Teng is the cup or glass of warm water customers would be served before enjoying the meal. While confusing to many foreigners, the water itself is used for cleaning the utensils before one starts to eat. In many cases, tea leaves are added to the hot water, giving off aroma and adding a 'classier' touch to the originally mundane chore.
Another notable tidbit about Cha Chaan Teng is how its positioning have changed and evolved throughout the decades. Due to the ever rising cost of material and leasing in Hong Kong, some part of the restaurants have been pivoted toward a mid-to-high end pricing range within the demographic.