Living in Shenzhen has placed me near Hong Kong, which puts me near innumerable 茶餐厅 (HK-style cafes).  Besides serving one of my favorite dishes – 蛋挞 (egg tart, it should be one of your favorite dishes too) – there are also great 牛肉粥 (beef rice porridge) dishes.  For drinks, you’re never at a loss, as you can enjoy some 好力克 (Horlicks almond milk), 朱古力 (Chocolate- usually Ovaltine with ice cubes), 鸳鸯 (coffee and tea mixed together), or 柠乐 (coke with lemon).  For great treats, you can always get a good 西多士 (french toast HK style- warning for health-conscious individuals: sometimes it’s fried, others it’s topped with condensed milk) or better yet a 菠萝油 (pineapple bun with butter).  Since 茶餐厅 are usually crowded, it makes sense to 搭台 (share a table) with other people.

茶餐厅 cha2can1ting1 – HK-style cafe
蛋挞 dan4ta2 – egg tart (egg custard)
牛肉粥 niu2rou4zhou1 – beef rice porridge
好力克 hao3li4ke4 – Horlicks
朱古力 zhu1gu3li4 – Chocolate
柠乐 – ning2le4- Lemon coke
鸳鸯 yuan1yang1 – coffee and tea mixed together (refers to a “pair” of unlike elements, originated with mandarin ducks)
西多士 xi1duo1shi4 – French toast
菠萝油 bo1luo2you2 – Pineapple bun (with butter)
搭台 da1tai2 – share a table