HONG KONG, May 10, 2026 (LNA Wave) — Lin Heung Lau, a beloved Hong Kong teahouse dating back to the 1920s, threw a high-energy “dim sum rave” on Saturday night, drawing around 300 Gen Z partygoers who danced under a spinning disco ball while feasting on classic Cantonese bites.
The event at the iconic Central location on Wellington Street blended old-school yum cha tradition with nightclub vibes: dim sum carts rolled through the crowd amid pulsing red lights and thumping bass as a DJ mixed electronic beats with Cantonese music. Guests carried steaming bamboo baskets of shrimp dumplings (har gow) and siu mai as they danced — a surreal fusion of heritage and modern nightlife.
Owner Rocky Wong, who took over the nearly century-old institution after its two-year pandemic closure and reopened it in 2024, organized the rave to revive business following what he called Hong Kong’s “cold winter” for the hospitality sector.
“Gen Z is a very energetic group,” Wong said. “We aim to pass on culture by combining traditional yum cha, music and dim sum. By merging these elements we hope to encourage more young people to participate in our cultural historical activities. We want them to understand that going for yum cha isn’t just for older people — younger people can enjoy it too.”
The night served as an official farewell party ahead of the teahouse’s relocation to Sheung Wan due to redevelopment in Central. It followed an earlier “Dim Sum Rave” collaboration with RaveDAO in April that also proved popular.
Attendee Luna Chan, 30, who traveled from Macau for the event, captured the appeal: “I think what’s most special is that there are shrimp dumplings, siu mai, and a DJ spinning records. Normally at clubbing events, it’s just the DJ along with alcohol or cocktails. But here, there’s the atmosphere of a teahouse, so I feel it’s a place really worth visiting.”
The creative event highlights a broader effort by Hong Kong’s heritage businesses to stay relevant amid shifting dining habits, proving that century-old traditions like trolley-served dim sum can evolve without disappearing. While some locals express nostalgia over the changes, many see it as a smart way to keep cultural landmarks alive for new generations.
Lin Heung Lau, long known for its traditional birdcage decor and bustling yum cha experience, will continue operations at its new Sheung Wan home.
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