Good-bye, Starbucks!

Good-bye, Starbucks!

Good-bye Starbucks, hello Wong Chun Loong! For decades the Loong-beverage franchise has dominated the Guangzhou scene, and for good reason. They serve drinks that are thirst-quenching, healthy, and taste good (sometimes). The most popular drink is Huomaren, a beverage made from crushed hemp seeds (it's the brown beverage displayed on the counter) and yezi, or coconut milk. A cup of either only costs Y2.

Wong Chun Loong also brews Chinese medicinal teas -- some of the bitterest stuff you're ever likely to taste. If you'd like to try some, point to your throat and say "wo gan mao" -- "I have a cold." If you're nice, they may give you a free piece of candy to cut the aftertaste.

There are about 800 branches in the city, so if you walk a few blocks in any direction, you're bound to stumble on one of them.