Miss flying to Hong Kong and eating your way through all the cosy eateries the city has to offer? You’re not alone, since many people have been going crazy over authentic Hong Kong food, with wanton mee queues stretching up to 2 hours.
If you’re craving for a homely cha chaan teng experience though, not many places in Singapore can offer that intimate and rustic vibe as the new Friends Cafe does.
Opened by a Hong Kong couple, Friends Cafe is a striking replica of the traditional tea houses of Hong Kong with familiar decor and furniture that wouldn’t look out of place in Mongkok.
You’d be greeted by the iconic vintage mosaic tiles filling out the walls, while charmingly rustic glass-top tables are used for their booths. It all looks very retro and authentic — great for those hoping to bask in some of those retro HK cha chaan teng vibes in Singapore.
Besides the well-thought-out interior design, you can also find the same style of signature comfort food that cha chaan tengs in HK are popular for here at Friends Cafe.
You won’t go wrong with simple staples such as Curry Fishballs (S$4) or the black-pepper-sauce-laden Chicken Chop Rice (S$7). But nothing really beats out the iconic Luncheon Meat Noodles with Egg set (S$6.50) when it comes to cha chaan teng food.
Besides the more substantial items, you can also opt for a relaxing brunch at Friends Cafe and munch on some of their French Toast (S$3.50), which are another must-order at most HK teahouses.
So if you’re looking for an authentic taste of Hong Kong without the unnecessary glitz and neon lights of many new modern cafes, this homely spot might just help scratch the itch until we finally get a travel bubble up without it bursting again.
朋友冰室 Friends Cafe HK
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???? 60 Springside Walk, #01-18, Singapore 786020
????️ 11am–9pm (Wed–Mon)
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*Top images from @bimbiboon/instagram, HG Tan/google maps & 葉美美/googe maps
The guy who will go on a 30 minute monologue about artisan coffee when you ask if they want Starbucks.