Yum Cha Tea Parlour 得閒飲茶 is a modern HK style café located at Lebuh Gereja. Its Chinese cuisine inspired by Shanghai and Taiwan cooking methods are a fan favorite among locals and visitors alike. The term ‘Yum Cha’ means drink tea in literal terms in the Cantonese Dialect. In Malaysia, ‘Yum Cha’ is commonly spoken among Malaysians, especially to invite friends over for a chat, in a café just like Yum Cha Tea Parlour.
We really liked the internal design of Yum Cha Tea Parlour – where the upholsteries are heavily influenced by Chinese culture. The menu is not extensive, but has everything from appetizers to dessert.
To start my feast, I ordered the signature Iced Yin Yong. Yin Yong means ‘Yin & Yang’ in Cantonese, where tea and coffee are mixed together. Surprisingly, the coffee was made using a coffee grinder. The drink was surprisingly good and we really liked the combination of Oriental and Western methods in making a simple drink.
Another staple dish is Ma Po Tofu Rice. This is a classic rich dish, which is served with a side of vegetable. The tofu is mixed in a thick red and spicy sauce, along with minced meat. We also liked the addition of a Japanese-style soft boiled egg.
The star attraction of Yum Cha Tea Parlour is the Crab Noodle. Covered in a thick crab-infused sauce, each mouthful of noodle comes with a strong aroma of crab flavor. This dish is pretty limited, and we would advise you to check with them if it’s available before visiting.
Last but not least, we have to try the famous Polo Bun. Polo Bun, or pineapple bun, is commonly eater with a thick cut of butter. The bun is usually served warm, whereas the butter is cold. This gives a very interesting sensation. Despite it’s name, the Polo Bun doesn’t really contain pineapple – the name was given due to its resemblance to a pineapple.
Final Thoughts
We really enjoyed the food at Yum Cha Tea Parlour 得閒飲茶. We would highly recommend trying out their drinks, especially the fusion of Oriental and Western brewing method. You must also try out their crab noodle, which is one-of-a-kind and rarely have I come across other shops/café that sells this dish.
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