Tea, a staple beverage in China, can offer an exquisite tasting experience when sourced and prepared with care. LockCha, established in 1991, embodies this philosophy, focusing on premium Chinese tea. LockCha merges the Chinese words for "joy" and "tea," signalling a commitment to delivering pleasure and satisfaction through high-grade tea.

Founder Wing-Chi Ip initiated LockCha as a modest enterprise retailing loose tea leaves in Hong Kong. However, the blended tea on offer fell short of the standards of tea connoisseurs and aficionados. In response, Mr. Ip turned to sourcing and retailing single-species, unblended, single-harvest Chinese tea, now celebrated as "single-harvest" tea.

The Tea

At LockCha, the emphasis is clearly on tea, offering an extensive selection to choose from. Novice tea drinkers may find the following suggestions helpful:

1. Rose Velvet HK$48
2. Honey Black Tea HK$78
3. Rose White Tea HK$68
4. Golden Flower Fu Brick Tea (2019 Gold Award) HK$78

Vegetarian Dim Sum

Complementing the tea is a menu of vegetarian dim sum, merging tea art, health care, and urban life. A hot favourite is the Golden Mushroom Samosa, showcasing golden mushrooms and carrots wrapped in delicate translucent squash skin. Other popular choices include Steamed Truffle Siu Mai, Longhua Temple plain rolls, and Traditional Vegetarian Cheese Spring Rolls.

Beyond tea and food, LockCha also offers traditional music performances on Saturdays (7 pm to 8.30 pm; free) and Sundays (4.30 pm to 6.30 pm; HK$150). Additionally, tea appreciation classes are available on weekdays, with arrangements made a day in advance (HK$1000 for three tea tastings for up to five people). A reservation at LockCha ensures a culturally rich and flavourful experience that is a must on any visit to Hong Kong.