Hong Kong has a name for its 3.15pm tea break — “saam dim saam” — and two very different institutions have joined forces to celebrate it. Cordis, Hong Kong in Mong Kok and the century-old Tai On Coffee & Tea Shop in Yau Ma Tei have teamed up with illustrator Kai for “Art In Residence: Tea Time Stories,” an exhibition and reimagined tea menu running until 31 October 2026.
In This Guide
What is Art In Residence: Tea Time Stories?
The crossover pairs a 5-star hotel with a beloved neighbourhood cha chaan teng to mark Hong Kong's 3.15pm tea culture, often called "saam dim saam" — the mid-afternoon break where office workers and shopkeepers alike stop for a cup of tea and something sweet. At the centre of the collaboration is Kai, an illustrator named to the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list in 2025, known for sketching restaurant scenes live and finding the stories behind ordinary dining moments.
From 17 August to 31 October 2026, Kai's signature illustrations of dining experiences and culinary culture are on show across both the lobby of Cordis, Hong Kong and the nostalgic dining room of Tai On Coffee & Tea Shop, more than a kilometre apart but linked by the same artwork and the same theme.
The reimagined tea menu
Both venues have leaned into the theme with reworked classics. At Tai On, look out for a peanut butter egg tart (from about HK$28) and a thick-cut French toast (about HK$82), alongside drinks such as a salted kumquat espresso tonic (about HK$50). Over at The Place, Cordis's all-day dining restaurant, the collaboration menu reimagines classic afternoon-tea treats including peanut butter mille-feuille, caramelised peanut toast cakes, and coconut red bean baked French toast.
Spend HK$250 or more on pastries at the Cordis Goodies Shop and you'll take home a Tea Time Stories tote bag featuring Kai's artwork; the tote is also sold separately at Tai On for those who don't want to hit the spending threshold.
Address, hours and how to get there
Cordis, Hong Kong
Exact set pricing for the collaboration menu can shift, so confirm the current afternoon tea price directly with Cordis, Hong Kong before booking.
Tai On Coffee & Tea Shop (大安茶冰廳)
Tai On has served this stretch of Canton Road since 1969, and the Tea Time Stories collaboration is a rare moment where a heritage cha chaan teng shares a theme and a menu with a 5-star hotel across town.
Good to know before you go
If you want the free instant photo at The Place, arrive close to 3:15pm — it's limited to the first ten guests each day, so it can fill up on weekends. For more of the city's food and hotel news, browse our guides to the best afternoon tea in Hong Kong and the best cha chaan teng in Hong Kong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan your visit
Two venues, one theme, until 31 October 2026. Art In Residence: Tea Time Stories, Cordis Hong Kong & Tai On Coffee & Tea Shop.