A British tourist in Hong Kong was surprised to find battered fish included in an English breakfast at a local cha chaan teng. The Victory A Cafe in Wanchai served a plate featuring bacon, sausage, baked beans, salad, tomato, a glazed brioche bun, and a light, fluffy egg made with cream and cornstarch.
The fried fish, initially met with skepticism, became the highlight of the meal, especially when paired with local chili sauce. The accompanying 'silk stocking' tea, made by repeatedly straining Ceylon tea leaves through narrow cotton bags, was strong and served with condensed milk.
To finish, the tourist enjoyed a pineapple bun, a sweet bun with a crusty topping that resembles the fruit. The total bill came to HK$85 (£8.50), leaving the diner satisfied until dinner.
The writer concluded that despite the ills of colonisation, the Hong Kong breakfast is a positive legacy worth travelling 6,000 miles for.
