Hong Kong cha chaan teng delights Paris with milk tea, char siu during Art Basel show

Pop-up part of Tourism Board’s three-year deal with Art Basel to showcase Hong Kong culture

Reading Time:2 minutes

A source says another cha chaan teng will also be featured at the coming Art Basel Miami Beach from December 6 to 8. Photo: Tourism Board

Published: 5:08pm, 20 Oct 2024

A Hong Kong-style cafe has delighted culture enthusiasts by popping up in a famous Paris museum complex during the Art Basel fair in the French capital, with the Post learning a similar eatery will also appear at the US edition in December.

The authentic cha chaan teng was erected at the Grand Palais in Paris – recognisable for its large glass dome – from Wednesday last week to Sunday as part of a partnership between the Tourism Board and Art Basel.

Guests were able to experience part of Hong Kong’s cuisine culture through signature dishes and decor, with Paris the first event to take place under the three-year deal.

Visitors savoured beloved delicacies such as char siu – or barbecue pork – with rice, pineapple buns, egg tarts, mango pudding and Hong Kong-style milk tea.

Tourism Board executive director Dane Cheng Ting-yat hailed the initiative as a way to show off some of what Hong Kong had to offer.

“It is exciting to see many visitors coming to the cha chaan teng and enjoy a variety of authentic Hong Kong delicacies. We look forward to continuing to showcase Hong Kong’s unique experiences in different ways at Art Basel exhibitions around the world,” Cheng said.