When people think of Aberdeen (香港仔), their first impressions are usually "Ocean Park" or "Jumbo Seafood Restaurant." Many tourists don't consider coming here for milk tea. But if you ask the old locals, there are several milk tea stalls in Aberdeen that have been quietly serving for many years, and they've just been elevated to become hidden gems on the new Hong Kong Island milk tea map.
Aberdeen is quite a special place. What you may not know is that it was once the largest fishing village concentration in Hong Kong. The boat people living on their small sampans depended on milk tea in their daily lives—because it was cold out at sea, drinking a cup of hot milk tea helped warm the body, which gradually gave birth to the unique "boat milk tea culture." Of course, most boat people have now moved ashore to public housing estates, but that spirit of "slow sipping" has remained.
The milk tea in this district has several distinctive characteristics: First, the rent is relatively cheaper than the city center, which is why many long-established shops have been able to operate for over thirty years. Second, the area is not far from the University of Hong Kong (HKU), so there's a steady flow of local students and exchange students. Third, because it's close to the fish wholesale market, milk tea is available in the early morning hours (around dawn)—this is something a typical tourist area cannot offer.
【Recommended Shops】
1. Keung Kee Tea Restaurant — Over 50 Years of History
Address: G/F, 203 Aberdeen Main Road
This place truly has a long history that not everyone knows about. The shop is small, and its layout is almost identical to what it was in the 1970s—the wall panels still feature the same decorative tiles from that era. The milk tea quality is consistent, with a stronger tea flavor and相对 lighter milk aroma—this is the traditional method. The uncle working there says they usually open at 6:30 AM, and early in the morning, fishermen from the New Territories already come here to fill their stomachs. At $18 to $22 per cup, it's very neighborhood pricing. Their beef balls are also worth trying, but you'll need to go in the afternoon because in the morning they mainly serve working locals.
2. Ming Kee Tea Restaurant — Students' Favorite Budget Option
Address: 15 Aberdeen Nam Ning Street (Near HKU Dormitory Area)
This place's biggest selling points are "affordable" and "convenient location." Many HKU local students will come here for milk tea after school, and both the tea and snacks are much cheaper than in the city center. The milk tea quality is decent—above passing, though you can't compare it to chain stores, but that's precisely the meaning of "student pricing." At $15 to $18, this price is basically unbeatable anywhere else on Hong Kong Island.
3. Cheung Kee Tea Restaurant — Night Owl's Must-Visit
Address: Junction of Aberdeen Main Road and Shing Nam Street
One of the few late-night tea restaurants in the Aberdeen area, typically open until 2 AM. For those who want to go to Soho East for a drink but are looking for a place to sit down and chat leisurely, this is a good alternative. The milk tea quality is quite good—the tea base is strong enough, and the environment is genuinely "nostalgic"—but that's precisely the authentic flavor of Aberdeen. At $20 to $25 per cup, you won't have to compete with crowds during the late-night hours.
4. Shun Hing Tea Restaurant — Pier Workers' Collective Memory
Address: Aberdeen Old Main Street (Near the Typhoon Shelter)
This place is truly "off the beaten path"—you'd never find it without a local leading the way. In the past, there were many pier workers doing night shifts at the Aberdeen pier, and after finishing work in the early morning hours, they'd all come here for a cup of milk tea before heading home. Although the pier has relocated, the old shop has been preserved. The milk tea quality, given the location, could be described as "outstanding"—the tea base is well-chosen, and the milk is added with a generous hand, at $22 per cup. Their egg tarts are also highly recommended by old locals, but you'd need to go during the afternoon as they're typically available then.
5. Tung Kee Tea Restaurant — Representative of Modern Tea Restaurants
Address: G/F, Aberdeen Centre Commercial Building
This tea restaurant opened in recent years, with more modern decor, but the food quality maintains traditional standards. The milk tea is made with more finesse, and you can watch the tea-pulling process—making it absolutely Instagram-worthy for tourists who want to take photos and post on social media. The prices are relatively higher, at $25 to $30, but the environment is comfortable with air conditioning and ample seating.
【Practical Information】
Transportation:
- While the MTR doesn't have a station directly in Aberdeen, the nearest station is "Wong Chuk Hang" station (South Island Line). From Exit B, it's about a 10-minute walk to reach the tea restaurants along the main road.
- If you want to experience "local transportation," you can try taking green minibuses from Causeway Bay or Wan Chai—it's approximately 20 minutes.
-There are many minibuses. Red minibuses coming from Central or Admiralty mostly pass through Aberdeen Main Road, costing $8 to $12.
Price Range:
- Traditional old shops: HK$15 to $22 per cup
- Newer or chain-style tea restaurants: HK$22 to $30 per cup
- These prices are notably cheaper than the city center (HK$28 to $40)
Business Hours:
- Most traditional old shops operate from 6 AM to around 7 PM
- Night owls can choose "Cheung Kee," which typically opens until late night
- Note that many old shops are closed every Wednesday
【Travel Tips】
1. If you want to experience the "authentic" Aberdeen flavor, I recommend going to "Keung Kee" in the morning—they open at 6:30 AM, so you won't have to compete with crowds, and you can observe the real neighborhood life.
2. Aberdeen and "Soho East" are only one stop apart on the MTR, but the spending can be one-third cheaper or more. If you have a limited budget but still want to enjoy milk tea, consider the route of "Aberdeen in the morning, Soho East in the evening."
3. Tea restaurants here generally accept Octopus and cash, but some old shops still prefer cash—it's recommended to have some small change ready.
4. The fish wholesale market in Aberdeen starts operating daily at 3 AM. If you want to see "how Hong Kong people eat seafood," you can go to the nearby wet market around 5 AM—that's when the seafood is freshest, though you may not be able to get milk tea then. You can go to Keung Kee after the morning market closes.
5. If you're not traveling alone but with friends and want to find a shop with more seating—it's recommended to avoid lunch hour (12:00-14:00) when going to "Tung Kee" or "Ming Kee."
The milk tea in Aberdeen doesn't have the most beautiful packaging, nor the most beautiful environment, but it has a flavor that has been "preserved." If you're used to the chain stores in Causeway Bay,不妨try this place—this old-school tea restaurant milk tea is precisely the collective memory of Hong Kong people.
