Cha Chan Tengs... for real or over-glorified? - Singapore's Online Community

**StompTrooper** · 08-03-2008, 10:45 AM

Cha Chan Tengs... for real or over-glorified?

A typical cha chan teng in Hong Kong

Hong Kong-style Cha Chan Tengs must be the ultimate embodiment of fusion. Offering a mind-boggling selection of Chinese and Western dishes, sometimes both fused in one dish, this unique food culture is best experienced where else, but in the Pearl of the Orient itself.

It was only in these two years or so that the Cha Chan Teng concept began its export into Singapore, quickly gaining a foothold. Now, Cha Chan Tengs are everywhere.

They aim to introduce Hong Kong's perculiar style of blending western food and eastern cooking processes and experimentation to local palates. So now, Singaporeans also get to taste popular dishes like Cheese Baked Rice; Instant Noodles with Luncheon Meat and Eggs; Condensed Milk and Peanut Butter Toast, etc.

But one thing that is starkly different - the Cha Chan Tengs you find in Singapore seem to be a tad too upscaled.

While snack houses in Hong Kong can be found along every street and at every corner and provide comfort food for the typical man-in-the-street, those in Singapore are usually mid-range cafes with modern deco. In Hong Kong, many of these snack houses have stayed and operated the same way for decades and their age show not only in the deco, but also in their cutlery.

Savouring Hong Kong milk tea,chipped cup notwithstanding

It is not unsual to find yourself being served Milk Tea in an old-school porcelain cup with really thick rims... chipped in several places. But that's what adds to the charm of dining in a Hong Kong snack house.

Sadly, I must say, once making its way to our shores, the food may have stayed true to its roots, but Cha Chan Tengs have certainly shed their characteristic old-world demeanour. It's like Cinderella's fairy godmother waving a giant wand and turning a pumpkin into a chariot.

Chariots may be glitzy and nice, but don't forget, humble pumpkins can pack a good deal of flavour as well.

http://www.can.com.sg/content/neocan...chan_teng.html

livinghubb · 09-03-2008, 11:59 AM

Wat the Hell is this CHA CHAN TENG...?????

Kaze.YonGMinG · 09-03-2008, 12:43 PM

read it in chinese...
its like a chinese restaurant

**StompTrooper** · 09-03-2008, 11:23 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by livinghubb
	Wat the Hell is this CHA CHAN TENG...?????

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Kazehana
	read it in chinese... its like a chinese restaurant

Yes, simply put it as Tea Cafe.

**wildswans** · 09-03-2008, 11:32 PM

Most of what they serve taste different from the real stuff in HK

**Voodoo Vince** · 10-03-2008, 12:10 AM

And also most of them are expensive.

**honhon** · 10-03-2008, 02:14 PM

The food is so oily. Different outlets have different taste and quality.

**ms.siqi** · 10-03-2008, 03:42 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by honhon
	The food is so oily. Different outlets have different taste and quality.

To me, not oily, but salty. Must drink lots of water, especially after eating their ramen.

**CaRe** · 11-03-2008, 10:07 AM

I think most of them are over-glorified.

**wildswans** · 11-03-2008, 01:47 PM

some has lots of msg too

**Akiranger** · 11-03-2008, 07:14 PM

i believe it is just some business gimmick. it will fade away after a couple of years. Just like the bubble tea craze.

**Sonic Bear** · 11-03-2008, 09:33 PM

it think it is just a food trend after all. new novelty

**darrenlee** · 11-03-2008, 11:25 PM

Some are good but the food is nothing close to what the real cafes in hongkong offer.

**ChaCho** · 11-03-2008, 11:44 PM

i love HK food.

but to me, all these HK cafes in s'pore are nothing but just a alternative variety of food

**wildswans** · 12-03-2008, 02:40 PM

ANd their desserts are no where near the quality of the hong kong ones