Mandarin Monday: Phrases You Need to Order the Best New Milk Tea in Town

The first rule of thumb for foodies in China: when there's a long line up of locals at a restaurant or stall you better queue up too, for fear of missing out. Such was the case when we stopped by Xiang Gang Mi Zhi Lian (香港米芝蓮), a Hong Kongese milk tea chain, which recently opened a kiosk in U-Town's newly revamped basement.

The throng of eager patrons were drawn by the sweet scent of milk tea, and we can attest that it was more than worth standing in line for. However, ordering at this kiosk will prove challenging for many of us foreigners with average (or less) Mandarin fluency. The entire menu is entirely in Chinese with some offbeat phrases, but learning those words will not only satisfy your tastebuds but also entertain you with an amusing, albeit quirky, backstory.

That eccentricity comes courtesy of Xiang Gang Mi Zhi Lian's tea. Those high quality leaves are sourced from Sri Lanka, but they are readied in the time-honored Hong Kong stockings tea (丝袜奶茶, sīwà nǎichá) method. This involves pouring the tea several times through a high grade filter that oddly looks like a stocking. Yes, we realize that sounds (and looks) more than a bit gross, but the result is actually quite delicious – smooth, pure milk tea, free of any of the bits of leaves that abound in this high-quality Sri Lankan variety. 

We tried two of the tasty tea varieties on offer: specialty cold milk tea (招牌现拉丝袜奶茶, zhāopái xiàn lā sīwà nǎichá), which you'll need to learn in Chinese to order because of the lack of English on the menu and among the staff) and Hong Kong-style hot stocking milk tea (港式现拉丝袜奶茶, gǎng shì xiàn lā sīwà nǎichá). Both are priced at a rock bottom RMB 12, and the iced variety boasts an especially ethereal sweetness that'll dazzle your palate. The hot option, meanwhile, has a bolder sugariness that, along with it being served at a smoldering temperature, makes it a perfect antidote to Beijing's bitter winter.

Peckish patrons should also opt for the tasty waffles (鸡蛋仔, jīdàn zǐ; pictured at top), which come in plain (原味, yuánwèi), cheese (芝士, zhīshì), and red bean (红豆, hóngdòu) varieties, and make for a satisfying snack.

From the price to the flavors, and not to mention bizarre backstory, Xiang Gang Mi Zhi Lian has plenty of ways to tempt passersby in U-Town's basement who are looking for a more distinctive snack than popcorn and soda as they make their way to the mall's movie theater. Preparing for your purchase at this quirky kiosk is also a far more fun way to learn a few mandarin phrases than flipping through a stodgy textbook.

Xiang Gang Mi Zhi Lian (香港米芝蓮)
Daily 10am-10pm. B/1, U-Town Lifestyle Center (across from the movie theater), Sanfeng Beili, Chaoyang District
(400 062 7080)
朝阳区朝外大街三丰北里号B1层

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Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
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Photos: Kyle Mullin