Yan Zhi Chu, a beloved Mong Kok dessert house known for its artisanal stone-ground sweet soups, has launched an irresistible all-you-can-eat buffet starting at just HKD $45 per person, featuring eight classic Chinese desserts with an optional HKD $3 upgrade for four premium herbal tonics.
Located at G/F, Hung Fai Building, 2Q-2Z Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, the dessert shop has built a loyal following over the years for its commitment to traditional hand-grinding techniques. Owner Mr. Au explains that every bowl of sesame paste, walnut cream, and almond milk is prepared from scratch daily—no instant powders, no shortcuts. The meticulous process involves slowly roasting raw ingredients by ear and smell until they release their natural oils, then grinding them with rice to achieve that signature velvety texture without adding any starch.
The Art of Hand-Grinding
The shop’s signature black sesame paste exemplifies this dedication to craft. The chef first soaks the sesame seeds, then dry-roasts them in a wok over low heat—a technique that requires constant attention to prevent burning. When the seeds stop popping and jumping, they are ready for grinding. This painstaking method produces a paste that is gritty yet smooth, deeply aromatic, and utterly satisfying.
Beyond sesame, the menu includes hand-ground walnut cream, almond milk, red bean soup, green bean soup, coconut purple rice pudding, wheat congee, and white fungus with ginkgo and beancurd sheet. Each dessert showcases the same commitment to purity and tradition.
The Buffet Breakdown
The basic buffet package, priced at HKD $45 per person, grants diners one hour of uninterrupted indulgence in eight classic selections. The eating window runs from 1:30 PM to 7:00 PM, with the hour counted from the time of seating.
For those seeking something more elevated, the luxury upgrade at just HKD $48 adds four additional options: papaya stewed with snow fungus, rock sugar stewed papaya, traditional beauty-boosting stewed peach gum, and mulberry mistletoe lotus seed tea. These items are typically priced higher on the regular menu, making even a single bowl of stewed peach gum a net gain for the diner.
Practical Information
- Address: G/F, Hung Fai Building, 2Q-2Z Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok
- Phone: 3111 8709
- Buffet Hours: 1:30 PM – 7:00 PM daily
- Dining Limit: One hour from seating
- Pricing: HKD $45 (classic 8 items) / HKD $48 (all 12 items)
Important Terms: Each dessert variety is prepared in limited quantities—once sold out, it is gone. Diners may order only one bowl per round. To minimize waste, any remaining half-bowl or more will be charged at the item’s regular menu price. The promotion cannot be combined with other offers.
A Growing Trend
This dessert buffet reflects a broader movement in Hong Kong’s food scene: making high-quality, labor-intensive traditional sweets accessible to budget-conscious diners. As living costs rise, establishments like Yan Zhi Chu are finding creative ways to offer value without compromising on authenticity. For dessert lovers, this is an opportunity to sample multiple handcrafted classics in a single sitting—a rare chance to taste the richness of heritage without the usual price tag.