HereWeGo
April 13, 2026 • 3 min read
I recently tried the famous lei cha in Kuala Lumpur and was pleasantly surprised. Join me as we explore this unique dish!
My Lei Cha Journey
In my ongoing food exploration series, I decided to dive into a completely new dish that I had never heard of until just a few days ago—lei cha. Some refer to it as thunder tea rice, but I think this dish is truly vibrant and green.
While doing my research, I stumbled upon Hor Poh Cuisine in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur. This restaurant boasts 828 reviews and a solid 4.3 stars on Google (at the time of writing). Even more exciting, it has been included in the Michelin Guide 2024. As soon as I stepped inside, the aroma of fresh herbs welcomed me, promising a delightful experience.
The Charm of the Restaurant
The restaurant's interior is quite cozy, featuring brown wooden walls and round Chinese-style tables. It felt like I was transported back in time to a place that was much more affordable than today.
Experiencing Hor Poh Lei Cha
Today, I intended to try just one dish—Hor Poh Lei Cha (RM15). To be honest, I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t enjoy it. Why? Because I’m not a huge fan of vegetables (sorry, Mom). But I was determined to give it a shot, with no turning back now.
When the server brought out the bowl of lei cha, I noticed she was holding a huge pot of green tea. At first, I thought she would pour the tea directly into the bowl, but thankfully, she poured it into a smaller bowl first. Phew! Upon inspection, the ingredients in the lei cha bowl were plentiful, featuring peanuts, greens, fried tofu, and rice. I couldn’t pinpoint everything in the bowl, but there was certainly a lot of vegetables.
✈️ Tìm chuyến bay giá tốt
Đặt vé ngay với giá ưu đãi từ các hãng hàng không
The Distinct Flavor of Lei Cha
Before mixing everything together, I took a sip of the green tea. Instantly, the fresh aroma of ground green tea filled my senses as I brought the spoon to my lips, and I savored a rich flavor that was both bitter and sweet, with hints of tea leaves and roasted peanuts. Honestly, I could enjoy this tea on its own.
I began to mix everything together before adding the tea. As they say, it’s better to add than to take away, so I just added two spoonfuls. Taking a deep breath, I took a bite. To be frank, I was quite surprised. Each bite delivered a powerful punch of various flavors, blending beautifully with the creamy texture of the green tea.
Challenges in the Flavor Battle
This dish gave me a very earthy and nutty feeling. Was this a flavor I was familiar with? Definitely not, but it wasn’t bad at all. As I continued eating, I noticed a very distinct flavor—a combination of light sweetness and bitterness that I believe came from the tea. After about ten spoonfuls, I had to call it quits. Not because I didn’t like it, but because the flavor had become too intense for me.
My Thoughts on Lei Cha
In the end, I can say my first experience with lei cha was positive. I understand why some people love it while others don’t. Personally, while I don’t plan to seek it out again, I wouldn’t mind enjoying a bowl every now and then.
The popularity of lei cha at Hor Poh Cuisine is evident, as nearly every diner had a bowl beside their drinks. So, if you’re looking to try lei cha, I highly recommend visiting this restaurant.
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