Century-Old Lin Heung Tea House Rises from Pandemic Collapse to Open Fourth Branch
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's century-old Lin Heung Tea House, which closed all outlets during the pandemic in August 2022, has staged a remarkable turnaround under new ownership. The iconic dim sum institution has expanded to four branches in just two years, including locations at Knutsford Terrace in Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong International Airport. The revival strategy blends traditional cart-service dim sum with bar-style entertainment, featuring World Cup broadcasts and monthly retro Cantonese music nights to attract both local patrons and tourists.
Key Points
- Lin Heung Tea House closed all outlets in August 2022 during the pandemic, then reopened under new ownership in Central in April 2024
- The chain expanded to four branches within two years: Central Wellington Street (reopened Apr 2024), Tsim Sha Tsui Knutsford Terrace 24-hour outlet (May 2025), Mong Kok Lin Heung Residence (January 2026), and Hong Kong Airport terminal (July 2026)
- The company invested over 200,000 Hong Kong dollars to acquire broadcasting rights for the World Cup, Premier League, and La Liga, generating a 30 percent monthly revenue increase during tournament periods
- Design and Marketing Director Wong Chi-yin (王智賢), a DJ and electronic music producer, hosts monthly Retro Golden Hits Nights featuring classic Cantonese pop songs under disco lighting
- Wong stated that passive waiting is no longer viable in today's competitive market: You simply cannot sit back and wait for luck to come your way—those days are over
Why It Matters
Lin Heung Tea House's reinvention illustrates how traditional Hong Kong establishments can survive economic headwinds by merging heritage with innovative entertainment concepts. The chain's success in attracting mainland and overseas tourists while retaining local customers offers a potential template for the broader dim sum industry, which has faced declining patronage as Hong Kong residents increasingly spend weekends across the border. Wong has called on landlords to show flexibility and urged the government to consider consumer vouchers in the upcoming Policy Address to support struggling traditional restaurants .
Lin Heung Tea House's reinvention illustrates how traditional Hong Kong establishments can survive economic headwinds by merging heritage with innovative entertainment concepts. The chain's success in attracting mainland and overseas tourists while retaining local customers offers a potential template for the broader dim sum industry, which has faced declining patronage as Hong Kong residents increasingly spend weekends across the border. Wong has called on landlords to show flexibility and urged the government to consider consumer vouchers in the upcoming Policy Address to support struggling traditional restaurants .