Ever passed by a Chinese herbal tea shop and wondered what they’re selling? Here are some of the most popular local herbal drinks that you should try.
Cantonese food is subtle and humble. While it might not look the most extravagant – think Cantonese desserts and street food in Hong Kong – you’ll probably find much of it is surprisingly delicious and addictive. Liang cha (cold tea), while not addictive per se, is one of the most frequently consumed traditional drinks in Hong Kong, with each type of liang cha having its unique health benefits and backed by TCM (traditional Chinese medicine). Feeling under the weather? Maybe all you need is a trip to the neighbourhood cha chaan teng for a hearty meal, followed by a nourishing cup of herbal tea to wash things down. Here’s where you can hunt down some of the best Chinese herbal teas in the city.
Types of Chinese herbal teas
1. 24 Flavours Tea (廿四味)
Why’s it called 24 Flavours Tea? Because it’s a mixture of around 24 ingredients. We say “around”, because vendors use as few as 10 or as many as 28 types of herbs in their mixes. As one of the most common Chinese herbal teas in Hong Kong, the 24 Flavours Tea is great in aiding digestion, alleviating sore throats and common colds, as well as clearing toxins and “internal heat” (yeet hei) in the body.
2. Spica Prunellae (夏枯草)
Spica Prunellae is known for lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as treating liver fire and conjunctival congestion. While a lot of Chinese herbal teas are described as bitter and dull, Spica Prunellae is one of our personal favourites in terms of flavour, as it carries a subtle sweetness. It’s probably the best one to start your journey into the world of Chinese herbal teas in Hong Kong.
3. Five Flower Tea (五花茶)
A staple in traditional Chinese medicine, five flower tea is a blend treasured for its soothing and restorative properties. Containing chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, red cotton, coltsfoot, and sweet chrysanthemum buds, this sweet herbal infusion helps detoxify the liver, boost immunity, improve vision, and prevent heat stroke. Hong Kongers have long turned to five flower teas as a gentle health tonic, consuming them regularly to balance the body’s systems.
4. Rorippa Indica (野葛菜)
Valued for its calming properties, Rorippa Indica is made from wild watercress. With a flavour reminiscent of watercress soup, this infusion helps dissolve phlegm, ease coughs, and reduce internal heat. A touch of monk fruit sometimes adds sweetness, but the subtle herbal notes shine when left unsweetened. When Hong Kong’s humidity stokes coughs and throat discomfort, you can rely on Rorippa Indica’s traditional formulation for gentle relief.
5. Canton Abrus Herb (雞骨草)
Known as “chicken bone grass” for the appearance of its curved seed pods, Canton Abrus Herb is celebrated for its ability to dispel dampness and heat from the body. Often utilised in the treatment of jaundice and other damp-heat related conditions, a brew of Canton Abrus Herb tea can offer relief by clearing the liver and alleviating any discomfort in the chest and ribs. Though beneficial for certain cases of internal heat, those with deficiency conditions are advised to either avoid Canton Abrus Herb tea, or consult a healthcare professional before consumption.
6. Monk Fruit Tea (羅漢果茶)
Naturally sweet, monk fruit (aka luo han guo) is loved by many Chinese households for its health benefits, such as curing sore throats and coughs. Since it is believed to have cooling effects, it is widely consumed by Chinese during summer. Although it tastes very sweet, monk fruit contains barely any carbs and calories, thus your insulin levels will not rocket after drinking.
7. Detox and Dampness Clearing Tea (去濕茶)
A potent blend of white mulberry, dried tangerine peel, and ginger, the Detox and Dampness Clearing Tea targets the concept of “dampness” – an excessive retention of water in the body thought to trigger various illnesses. This tea works by stimulating the spleen and enhancing the body’s capacity to eliminate excess moisture and accumulated toxins. For those struggling with poor appetite, fatigue, acne, or bloating, this light infusion offers an aromatic remedy.
8. Fire Hemp Seed Tea (火麻仁茶)
Rich in monounsaturated fat, protein, and vitamin E, fire hemp seeds are believed to have many health benefits. Constipation prevention, anti-aging, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases – just to name a few. Moreover, fire hemp seeds have been used as Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years, and are still loved by many Chinese medicine practitioners today.
9. White Sugar Cane Cogon Grass Root Tea (竹蔗茅根)
A popular summertime drink in Hong Kong, Sugar Cane Cogon Grass Root Tea provides a sweet, refreshing way to cool excess internal (and external!) heat. Other properties include relieving sore throats, coughs, nosebleeds, and other signs of heat. Made from cogon root, this liang cha clears heat in the body while replenishing its fluids.
10. Chrysanthemum Tea (銀菊露)
At the heart of this potent brew is the chrysanthemum flower, widely revered in traditional medicine for its heat-clearing, detoxifying, and Yin-nourishing properties. For Hong Kongers prone to sore throats, fever, or dryness, sipping warm Chrysanthemum Tea provides gentle relief. With its subtle sweetness and pretty petals, Chrysanthemum Tea conjures memories of healing remedies passed down through generations.
11. Guilinggao (龜苓膏)
Also known as tortoise jelly, Guilinggao is a traditional Chinese dessert and medicine that’s been treasured for centuries for its wide-ranging health benefits. According to legend, this formula cured the Tongzhi Emperor’s smallpox until he prematurely stopped the treatment. While a paste sourced from tortoise shells was originally one of the key ingredients in the ancient and authentic recipe for Guilinggao, it’s been increasingly replaced by agar due to increased demand for this Chinese herbal tea. The rich brown jelly may be bittersweet, but do give it a try – it’s believed to improve your circulation, muscle growth, skin complexion, and kidney function!
12. American ginseng tea (花旗參茶)
Although not native to Chinese soil, the American ginseng plant has become a staple in traditional Chinese medicine. This herb is primarily valued for its rejuvenating properties, with added benefits such as heat-clearing and Yin-nourishing. The best time of the year to enjoy this drink is in autumn when the weather turns cooler and drier.
Where to buy Chinese herbal tea in Hong Kong
1. Herbaceous Teas
Bringing artisanal herbal brews to Hong Kong since 2013, Herbaceous Teas handcrafts premium infusions designed to restore wellness. Using only top-grade herbs and time-honoured formulations, the liang cha shop expertly selects and combines ingredients for optimal potency. Its freshly made teas provide traditional remedies for modern life, prepared locally on a daily basis.
Herbaceous Teas has multiple locations in Hong Kong.
2. Chau Ka Yuen Herbal Tea
With over half a century’s experience under its belt, this Chinese herbal tea shop is a staple family business in Ap Lei Chau. Everyday, the shop owner carefully washes the herbs and prepares everything by hand, earning Chau Ka Yuen many loyal customers. While drinks like the twelve-hour boiled Canton Abrus Herb Tea and 24 Flavours Tea are customers’ all-time favourites, Chau Ka Yuen’s Gui Ling Gao (龜苓膏) herbal jelly is also a must-try during hot summers.
Chau Ka Yuen Herbal Tea, G/F, 52 Ap Lei Chau Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong
3. Chuen Chun Tong Chinese Herbal
Known for its original 28 Herbs Tea, Chuen Chun Tong has long been supported by Kowloon residents for the effectiveness of its remedies. A Chinese medicine practitioner first established the store over 60 years ago and passed on the business to his son. Some must-try items including Five Flower Tea, Apple Pear Tea, Fieldcrest Maculata Soup, and Canton Abrus Herb Tea. After enjoying a bowl of refreshing herbal tea at Chuen Chun Tong, make sure to grab their handmade five-spice pork dumplings to take home!
Chuen Chun Tong Chinese Herbal, Shop B2, G/F, 29 Nga Tsin Wai Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong, p. 2383 7081
4. Hung Fook Tong
With stores inside MTR stations and shopping centres across Hong Kong, Hung Fook Tong brings Chinese herbal teas to the masses. As the city’s largest herbal retailer, Hung Fook Tong’s expansive network makes traditional apothecary-style shops an everyday convenience. Guided by its motto “Naturally Made, Wholeheartedly Good,” the brand rigorously controls its quality, using no additives or artificial ingredients. By modernising ancient herbal brews like chrysanthemum tea or ginseng infusions into grab-and-go formats, Hung Fook Tong shares time-honoured Chinese medicine with on-the-go Hong Kongers.
Hung Fook Tong has multiple stores across Hong Kong.
5. Good Spring Company (春回堂藥行)
Located near the Soho escalators, Good Spring Company maintains a low-key presence, often missed by both locals and tourists passing by. Turns out, though, that Good Spring Company is a true hidden gem that exudes the charm of a century-old store. The store offers a wide selection of herbal teas and pre-made drinks, capturing the essence of traditional Hong Kong herbal medicine shops. One of the highlights is the ginseng tea, which has become a personal favourite for many. Grab a cup before a night out in Lan Kwai Fong or Soho, and you’ll feel energised and ready to take on the night.
Good Spring Company, G/F, 8 Cochrane Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2544 3518
6. Kung Lee Sugarcane Juice (公利真料竹蔗水)
Having served Hong Kongers since 1948, Kung Lee Sugarcane Juice is a staple in Central. Specialising in all things sugarcane-related, you’ll find this cooling and nourishing ingredient in juices, teas, and glutinous steamed cakes. In addition, Kung Lee serves a menu of common liang cha. Immerse yourself in the nostalgic atmosphere of its Hollywood Road store, which retains the majority of Kung Lee’s interior at the time of its opening, and savour the subtle sweetness of pure sugarcane juice.
Kung Lee Sugarcane Juice, G/F, 60 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2544 3571
[This article was originally published in November 2019 and updated in 2024 by Celia Lee.]
