Even before I stayed in China, I already had this liking for Wong Lo Kat (王老吉, Wang Lao Ji), one of the most popular refreshments in the mainland.
The Wong Lo Kat brand has been around for about two centuries now. Introduced in 1828 by Wong Chat Bong (王泽邦) in Guangdong and Guangxi , Wong Lo Kat has grown in populary partly because of the link between the brand and the practice of herbal tea brewing. The unique brewing process was discovered by the Wong family during the Qing Dynasty, giving their products value beyond the name and taste.
Although the drink tastes sweet and with just a mildly characteristic herbal taste, most of my Chinese friends very rarely drink it, saying that the drink has bigger fans in older people (So what does that make me?).
Wong Lo Kat drinks are available in red cans and 250 mL cartons in most Chinese convenience stores. In the Philippines though, they are more commonly seen in restaurants (and some stores) that line the busy streets of Manila's Chinatown.
Wang Lao Ji (It just sounds weird to me, calling it Wong Lo Kat) remains to be one of my most favorite drinks, too bad it's not readily available in 7-11 and nearby supermarkets. :(
Siyempre it's not available in 7-11 o_o We're not in China! Tho that would be great, noh? :)) Maybe in SM or Robinsons first..
ReplyDeleteTo begin with, there's not much 7-11 stores in China :P They have Family Mart and the like. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Wang Lao Ji! :) I buy the carton box versions at the supermarket. :) Wish the Philippines would have this too.
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