Hong Kong’s iconic Cha Chaan Teng has made a surprise appearance at Art Basel Paris, offering visitors a taste of the city’s vibrant culinary culture. This pop-up café, a collaboration between the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Art Basel, served up classic dishes like char siu rice, pineapple buns, and egg tarts, all under the glow of a unique art installation.
“Our guests have been full of praise for the food and drinks from Hong Kong,” said the café manager. “Everyone is truly enjoying their experience here.” Visitors were equally enthusiastic, with one commenting, “It has been a while since I visited Hong Kong, so I was very pleased to savor the city’s signature dishes in Paris.”
This initiative is part of a three-year global partnership between HKTB and Art Basel, aiming to showcase Hong Kong’s unique cultural identity to an international audience. “We are excited to officially activate our pioneering three-year global partnership with Art Basel through the presentation of Cha Chaan Teng at Art Basel Paris,” said Dane Cheng, Executive Director of HKTB.
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The Cha Chaan Teng pop-up was not just about the food; it also featured a specially commissioned art installation by Hong Kong artist Trevor Yeung. His “Chaotic Suns” series added a visual dimension to the experience, further highlighting the city’s artistic scene.
Angelle Siyang-Le, Director of Art Basel Hong Kong, emphasized the connection between art and local culture, stating, “This showcase features Cha Chaan Teng as a quintessential diner concept that evokes Hong Kong’s rich culinary history and cultural diversity for our international guests.”