[HK] Sinmei Tea | 川善茶居
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Discreetly tucked away on the 5th floor along the busy streets at Sheung Wan, I must say this was a hidden gem. Apparently, they endeavour to promote traditional Asian tea ceremonies with a modern touch. With no lack of appropriate interior decorative items and a corner specializing on proper tea-drinking ceremony, I would highly recommend it to tea-drinkers.
Despite having visited the eatery twice, I had yet to sit down proper for a tea-session as they are closed quite early in the evening at just after 7pm. What lured me back for a second visit was the hospitality offered on my first visit. The staffs were accommodative to my requests, friendly and attentive to my needs. They even went on to pack my box of green tea cakes and wrapped it up like a gift with some fresh flowers upon knowing that it was a surprise for my other half.
Green tea 'Yo-Yo'
'Yo-yo' is an Australian-invented biscuit' tasting somewhat like cookie and shortbread. The crisp surface complemented the moist inside which crumbled nicely in the mouth. The icing on the cake with each bite was the rich green tea cream sandwiched between the cookies. It tasted fresh, natural and the sweetness was to our liking, enough just to please and not satiate. For those expecting a strong matcha punch, then you might find it slightly lacking yet.
It is a shame but till date, we still have not had the chance to try their green tea beverages for on both occasions that I visited, they were takeaway orders.
Despite having visited the eatery twice, I had yet to sit down proper for a tea-session as they are closed quite early in the evening at just after 7pm. What lured me back for a second visit was the hospitality offered on my first visit. The staffs were accommodative to my requests, friendly and attentive to my needs. They even went on to pack my box of green tea cakes and wrapped it up like a gift with some fresh flowers upon knowing that it was a surprise for my other half.
Green tea 'Yo-Yo'
'Yo-yo' is an Australian-invented biscuit' tasting somewhat like cookie and shortbread. The crisp surface complemented the moist inside which crumbled nicely in the mouth. The icing on the cake with each bite was the rich green tea cream sandwiched between the cookies. It tasted fresh, natural and the sweetness was to our liking, enough just to please and not satiate. For those expecting a strong matcha punch, then you might find it slightly lacking yet.
Verdict: 8.0/10
Signature green tea cake slices
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These green tea cake slices were too sinful to look so demure. The natural flavours of matcha was overwhelming in a good fashion for usually green tea flavoured products tasted too mild to give that 'oomph'. It was baked to perfection, retaining just the right amount of moisture in the cakes without leaving it taste too dry, which enhanced the taste of the cake.
Verdict: 8.5/10
Green tea cupcake
During my visit, I was told that this was an improved version of the cupcake due to feedbacks received from customers. What I particularly enjoyed was the variance in texture. Replacing the usual sweet icing was cream cheese, though a thin layer of icing was spread atop the green tea cake separating the cream cheese. Personally, I found the cream cheese still a touch too sweet for my liking. The cake was not too different from their signatures, and the cream cheese was rich and smooth, similar to the one used in the 'yo-yo'.
Verdict: 7.5/10
It is a shame but till date, we still have not had the chance to try their green tea beverages for on both occasions that I visited, they were takeaway orders.
The set-ups for tea ceremonies!
About time that we have a proper dine-in session the next time we visit Sinmei Tea, so that we can try their green tea beverages! It is the the hospitality of the staffs and their genuine approaches which make me willing to travel out of the way to visit, not to mention the premium quality ingredients used. What could possibly be improved upon was the presentation of the cakes, though at the moment it could pass off as good homemade cakes.
Sinmei Tea 川善茶居
5/F, CS Tower, 50 Wing Lok Street,
Sheung Wan,
Hong Kong
Tel: 3690 8238
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