Sai Kung, this small seaside town located in the eastern part of the New Territories, has long been known to outsiders for its fresh seafood and sunny beaches. But for those who truly know good food, another not-to-be-missed experience in Sai Kung is the milk tea found hidden in its alleyways. Unlike the hurried pace of the city, the milk tea shops in Sai Kung have a unique laid-back charm—here, milk tea is not something rushed, but a slow-drink companion to coastal life.
The word "hidden" is no exaggeration. Sai Kung's town center has just a short street, yet it hides several tea stalls with either no signboards or extremely low-key signage. No flashy decorations, no queues of people, but what they do have is genuinely good quality ingredients. About ninety percent of the customers at these tea stalls are local residents—uncle types who come early in the morning to enjoy milk tea while reading the newspaper, grannies who grab a lemon tea to go after doing their grocery shopping. This kind of scene has almost vanished in areas already overtaken by chain stores, but in Sai Kung, it's still an everyday sight.
What makes Sai Kung milk tea special is that the masters' dedication to the "pulling tea" technique has been well preserved. The traditional method involves pouring the tea base back and forth between two teapots more than ten times, resulting in a richer tea flavor while removing the bitterness. This technique has been lost in many city-center tea restaurants, but in some longstanding shops in Sai Kung, it remains a daily ritual. The tea leaf mix also has its own secret recipes—some masters prefer the strong Ceylon tea, while others favor the lingering sweetness of Indian tea. In short, each shop has its own character.
Market Trends, in recent years, affected by global supply chain fluctuations, tea costs have risen, and some small shops need to adjust prices slightly. However, Sai Kung tea stalls generally maintain reasonable levels, averaging about 10-15% cheaper than core Hong Kong Island areas. The reason is that rental costs here are relatively lower, plus neighbourhood business is about relationships—masters would rather sell more at lower margins than arbitrarily raise prices.
As for recommendations, here are several distinctive hidden gem tea stalls:
Ming Kee Tea Restaurant is located in the alley behind Sai Kung Market, and is considered the "original" choice among locals. Their milk tea has a stronger tea flavor, with the milk aroma balanced just right so it doesn't overpower the tea. The master still insists on pulling each cup fresh. The shop is small, the seating is tight, but the advantage is its convenience—perfect for grabbing a cup after doing your grocery shopping.
Rainbow Cafe offers a different style. This historic establishment has been operating for over forty years, still maintaining a nostalgic 1970s look with faded movie posters and old photographs of Sai Kung hanging on the walls. Their milk tea is slightly sweeter, suitable for those who "prefer it sweeter." What's especially commendable is their egg tarts—milk tea with egg tarts is the standard combo for many old-time locals.
If you're looking for something a bit more "hipster" oriented, in recent years, several tea stalls combined with coffee shops have also appeared in Sai Kung. For example, Time Gallery Tea House—the owner is originally a barista, but has done extensive research on Hong Kong-style milk tea. He approaches brewing milk tea with the same attitude as brewing specialty coffee, with standardized processes for water temperature, tea temperature, and the force of the tea-pouring technique. The environment is more comfortable than traditional tea stalls, with seating and air conditioning, suitable for travellers who want to chill out for half a day.
The final one is Seaside Tea Stall (no official signboard) located near the pier. It's a mobile operation and sets up by the waterfront on good weather days. Their milk tea may not be the best, but the "Location" wins—sitting on a seaside bench, sipping milk tea in the sea breeze, watching the fishing boats moored in the typhoon shelter. This is the true way to experience Sai Kung milk tea. Many tourists come specifically for this experience, and it's perfect for Instagram-worthy photos.
Practical Information
Regarding transportation, take KMB route 299X from Sha Tin MTR Station directly to Sai Kung town center, with a journey of about 30 minutes; alternatively, take KMB route 792M from Tseung Kwan O Station. For those driving, there are several car parks in Sai Kung, but they fill up quickly on weekends—it's recommended to go early.
Regarding consumption, regular milk tea costs about HK$15-22, while set meals (milk tea with egg tarts or pineapple buns) cost about HK$25-35. All are considerably cheaper than core Hong Kong Island areas.
Operating hours are generally from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with some old shops closed every Wednesday. It's recommended to go in the morning when the masters are more alert and milk tea quality is more stable.
Travel Tips
It's best to avoid weekend noon hours—that's peak tourist time, and you may have to wait longer for your milk tea. Late weekday afternoons are ideal—you can chat with the masters, and they're happy to share their brewing insights. Remember to bring cash—these old shops generally don't accept electronic payment except for Octopus. If you want to take Instagram-worthy photos, the seaside tea stall is recommended—that environment is the true soul of Sai Kung milk tea.
