When asking yourself about something to do near me in Salt Lake City with a group of friends or family, consider
Hong Kong Tea House
Why Hong Kong Tea House is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Hong Kong Tea House is a reputable Hong Kong style fast food restaurant located within Singapore’s IMM Building, offering a convenient and authentic dining experience. Established as a local company since 2006, it operates daily from 9 am to 9:15 pm, making it an ideal meeting place for friends at almost any hour. The restaurant is known for serving Hong Kong style delicacies and a variety of teas, framed within a serene and relaxed ambiance that balances a refined atmosphere with accessible fast food. Although the exterior may seem modest, the interior is welcoming with wooden tables with marble inlays and ornate seating, inviting diners to leisurely enjoy their meals. The tea culture is embraced through traditional serving styles, such as using smaller pots and repeated steepings to enhance the flavor throughout the meal. This attention to tea detail complements the food offerings, creating a well-rounded experience perfect for casual meetups or lasting social gatherings. Its integration within a well-frequented shopping mall adds to its convenience for meetups before or after shopping trips.
Here's what people think of Hong Kong Tea House
As of recent, Hong Kong Tea House holds a 4.2-star rating based on 815 reviews.
Customer reviews of the Hong Kong Tea House reflect a generally positive experience, averaging a solid rating of 4.2 from over 800 reviews. Positive comments frequently highlight the pleasant and attentive service, with staff known for their friendly approach and careful tea service, including refilling water and ensuring proper tea steeping. Diners often commend the cozy and relatively quiet atmosphere, which allows for enjoyable conversations even when the place is busy. The traditional tea service particularly resonates with tea enthusiasts who appreciate the gong fu cha style, enhancing the cultural authenticity of the visit. On the food side, while the tea house is appreciated for decent dim sum and fast food, some reviewers note it is not the absolute best but still a reliable option within the city context. Negative feedback tends to focus on occasional dryness in dumplings or thicker skins in dim sum items, which may detract slightly from the overall quality. Some suggest that while the venue is inviting, it may not offer a standout culinary experience compared to more specialized or upscale dim sum restaurants. Overall, reviews conclude that Hong Kong Tea House is a dependable and pleasant spot for casual dining and tea, excelling especially in service and atmosphere, making it a solid choice for social gatherings with friends.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Mariya Pugacheva
Dim sum platter from appetizers was delicious, live up to the hype. My favorite were the shrimp. But pork and crabmeat also yum. Scallops ones a little too fishy for me. Pork fried rice was fine, on the dry and not super tasteful side but not terrible. Same for Mongolian beef dish-have had better. We ate there around 6pm on a Tuesday and no one in the restaurant but us.
Jason Fair (Nomadic Nerd Project)
This was such a great meal. We love dim sum and they are hard to find. They had some of the best, like the most perfect sticky rice in lotus leaf. All the dim sum was perfect. The crispy pork special for the weekend was so delicious. Always a favorite. We tried the black sesame dumpling and loved it. It was one of my new favorites. The house tea is a must. Service was excellent. Everyone was great. Excellent prices and quality. This is a must visit place.
Adriel Romo
I had a great experience here. I wasn't sure if they had takeout, so I walked in and asked and they said they did. While I was waiting, the server brought me a water which was really nice. Not sure why other reviews were saying they were rude. They were really nice, not just the server, but everyone there. I didn't have to wait too long for my food. It was cooked fresh so expect to wait the amount of time it takes to cook fresh food. I ordered the Sweet and Sour Chicken. It came with a side of fluffy white rice. The chicken pieces were huge and everything tasted great. Nice sweet and sour sauce. This is a good place. This seems more like a traditional Hong Kong restaurant, so I would like to try other things than my go to which is Sweet and Sour Chicken. I recommend dining inside instead of takeout because the atmosphere is good, and the food is restaurant quality where you just want to sit down and relax. Someone mentioned homeless around. There is a homeless shelter not too far away where homeless hang out around. There were no homeless people in the area where the restaurant is. I pass by this place a lot and never see homeless around the restaurant, just in front of the shelter, if you don't like homeless people.
Kara West
I’ve seen several reviews that the service is horrible, well they are wrong! The service is great! The waitress/hostess had a several minute conversation with two young children and was very engaging with them as they told her all about their day, school and likes in Disney! Anyways, more to the food…. Delicious! We ordered the kung poa chicken, bbq pork (app), chicken chow mein, general tso, and the bbq pork fried rice.. it was just me and the husband but we had to keep trying things because it was so good! Winners were the generals and bbq pork fried rice! No refills on soda tho. We will definitely be back to try other menu items. The atmosphere is wonderful! Not that big of a place, maybe 10 tables. Super clean! Didn’t even see dust on the bottom of the table
Pol Ty
Food is good but server seems not polite she was not happy when I gave her below 15% tips she told me next time I will charged you 15% then I asked for what she said I need to pay her tips 15% as minimum I won’t come back and recommend to anyone … just go somewhere else!!
How to reach Hong Kong Tea House
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Why Hong Kong Tea House may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Rallying at Hong Kong Tea House with your friends offers a unique and inviting experience that transcends the typical dining outing. This restaurant is not just a place to eat; it’s a venue where social connections flourish through shared culinary adventure. The ambiance strikes a delicate balance between cozy and refined, featuring ornate seating and a serene atmosphere conducive to lively conversations without overwhelming noise. Whether you desire a casual afternoon tea or an engaging dim sum brunch, the setting promotes togetherness and relaxation. The attentive and friendly service, often praised by regulars, enhances the feeling of being welcomed into a warm community space. Over the years, Hong Kong Tea House has established itself as a reliable and enjoyable destination for groups seeking a memorable gathering spot with authentic Cantonese flavors. The combination of traditional teas served in the gong fu cha style and a broad menu designed for sharing makes it especially suitable for friends to catch up, celebrate, or simply enjoy a taste of Hong Kong-style dining away from home.
What activities can you enjoy at Hong Kong Tea House, and why is it perfect for group meetups?
Dim sum is the centerpiece at Hong Kong Tea House, making it an ideal activity for groups. Dim sum involves ordering a variety of small plates—such as steamed dumplings, BBQ pork buns, and rice noodle rolls—that everyone can try, fostering a communal dining experience. Ordering multiple dishes to share encourages conversation and experimentation with flavors, a perfect fit for groups with diverse tastes. The relatively quiet and partitioned space within the restaurant provides a comfortable environment where people can talk without competing with loud background noise. Additionally, the traditional service style, where servers are attentive to refilling tea and guiding guests through multiple steepings, adds an interactive and culturally immersive element that can spark curiosity and discussion among friends. This cultural experience combined with delicious food makes Hong Kong Tea House more than just a restaurant but a lively social venue to bond over Cantonese cuisine.
Why is Hong Kong Tea House an excellent place to host meetups with friends or family?
One of the key strengths of Hong Kong Tea House as a group venue is its welcoming and knowledgeable staff, who contribute significantly to the atmosphere. The servers are recognized for their friendliness, attentiveness, and smart service, making visitors feel cared for and valued. Their ability to explain the tea ceremony process and menu choices helps guests feel comfortable, especially those new to dim sum or Chinese teas. The restaurant layout, with several rooms and large round tables, encourages communal dining and easy sharing, which is ideal for family gatherings or friend meetups. While some critiques mention limited seating capacity and occasional parking challenges, the intimate scale ensures a quieter, more personalized experience. Families will appreciate the ability to try a variety of traditional dishes in one setting, and friends can enjoy the leisurely pace of tea drinking paired with flavorful bites. The combination of meal and tea ritual creates a relaxed rhythm that is conducive to meaningful interactions.
What kind of food and tea options make Hong Kong Tea House stand out?
Hong Kong Tea House specializes in Cantonese cuisine, with dim sum ranked among the best in Salt Lake City. Signature items such as fluffy BBQ pork buns, delicate dumplings, and other steaming baskets stand out for their balance of authenticity and quality, praised by patrons who have experienced dim sum in Hong Kong itself. The restaurant also offers unique dishes like Peking duck, which is uncommon in many regional Chinese restaurants, providing an exceptional choice for those looking to try something special. Besides the food, the tea selection is a highlight: Hong Kong Tea House serves tea in the traditional gong fu cha style, where high-quality teas are steeped multiple times in small pots and served in thimble-sized cups. This offering not only complements the flavors of the meal but also creates a refined cultural moment that connects diners to centuries-old tea practices. The diversity of teas can suit various palates, from lighter greens to stronger oolongs, making every sip an enjoyable complement to the meal-sharing experience.
How does Hong Kong Tea House’s ambiance enhance the group dining experience?
From the outside, Hong Kong Tea House may appear modest, but the interior reveals a more refined and inviting space. The decor includes dark wooden tables with inlaid marble and ornate chairs that add a touch of traditional elegance. Rooms are thoughtfully partitioned to provide privacy without isolating guests too much, helping maintain an intimate ambiance even when the restaurant is busy. The noise level remains balanced, allowing conversations to flow naturally without the din present at louder dining spots. This tranquil environment allows groups to focus on the culinary delights and each other's company. Moreover, the historical resilience of this eatery—surviving urban development and a pandemic—imbues it with a sense of community and authenticity that guests appreciate. A visit here feels like joining an ongoing local tradition rather than just a commercial dining experience.
What should you know before planning your meetup at Hong Kong Tea House?
Planning ahead will greatly enhance your group's experience at Hong Kong Tea House. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and tends to be busiest during dim sum hours, so reserving a spot or arriving early (before 3:00 PM is recommended) can help avoid long waits. Parking near the restaurant is limited, so carpooling or using public transit, especially the TRAX line that conveniently stops nearby, is advisable. Be prepared for a menu that may not have photos, so if some in your party are unfamiliar with Cantonese cuisine, consider asking the servers for recommendations—they are known for their helpfulness. The intimate size of the dining rooms means smaller to medium-sized groups will have a more comfortable experience compared to very large parties. Finally, keep in mind that dim sum is designed for sharing, so plan your order to include a variety of dishes to maximize everyone’s enjoyment and exploration of flavors.
What testimonials highlight the appeal of Hong Kong Tea House for groups?
Customer reviews consistently highlight the friendly and attentive service, which enhances the group dining atmosphere. Many patrons value the authentic taste of the dim sum, with some comparing it favorably to places they have visited in Hong Kong itself. The softness and flavor of items like the BBQ pork buns are often singled out as crowd-pleasers perfect for sharing. Although some diners note that the dim sum range is limited compared to larger metropolitan dim sum halls, most find the quality of food makes up for this. Others appreciate the quiet, relaxed setting, which is ideal for intimate conversations without the rush or noise that can spoil group meetups elsewhere. Some negative comments point to parking challenges or small seating capacity, but these are generally minor inconveniences overshadowed by the overall positive experience many guests describe.
In conclusion, Hong Kong Tea House offers an exceptional option for hosting a meetup with friends or family. The combination of traditional Cantonese dim sum, a variety of teas, warm service, and a serene dining environment makes it a versatile venue suited for casual socializing, celebrations, or cultural exploration. Its dedication to authenticity and community has helped it endure as a beloved spot in Salt Lake City, making it a dependable choice for groups seeking both quality food and meaningful shared moments.