One of Hongkong's oldest Tea Houses closed its doors...

Famous for its authentic Cantonese tea house ambience and delicious dim sum, 蓮香樓 𝗟𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝘂𝗻𝗴 ('𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘁𝘂𝘀') 𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 was founded in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province (Canton) in 1889.

At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a proliferation of tea houses in China. In 1926, two Lin Heung branches were opened in Hong Kong: one in Mong Kok, Kowloon and another in Central, Hong Kong Island. In 1980, Lin Heung Tea House moved to the corner of Wellington and Aberdeen street in Central district until its closure last week.

The name Lin Heung "fragrant lotus" originates the lotus seed paste, an essential ingredient found in steamed lotus-seed-paste buns, mooncakes and their 'double-lotus pie'. The lotuses used in Lin Heung House are called Xiang-lians (香蓮), imported from Hunan province and known for their smooth flavor.

Aside from Lin Heung's famous Lotus-seed-paste Buns, other unique signature dim sum dishes were Steamed Chicken Bun (雞球大包), Shumai Made with Liver (豬膶燒賣), Whole Winter Melon Soup (冬瓜盅), Pa Wong Duck (蓮香霸王鴨) and eight treasures duck (八寶鴨).

Lin Heung Tea House had been an icon for local Hongkongers and featured in several films, including The Longest Summer (1998) and In the Mood for Love (2000).

The tea house previously announced in February 2019 that it would close at the end of its lease. However, it was successfully able to bounce back after renewing the contract in 2020, but due to the COVID pandemic measures, it was finally forced to close down last week.

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