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The food and drink world is experiencing the rise of a secret ingredient straight out of the history books: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
For centuries across Chinese cultures, TCM has emphasised balancing the body’s qi, its vital life and energy source. One of the easiest ways to achieve bodily harmony is by treating food as medicine.
Now, these historic medicines are getting a modern, delicious makeover – preventive wellness made easy, tasty and Instagram-worthy – that appeals to a younger generation.
From Shanghai to Kuala Lumpur, here are three gelato and cocktail businesses incorporating TCM into their menus.
Que Tang Yu Fang is a tea shop in the Malaysian capital’s Bukit Jalil neighbourhood that freshly brews TCM-inspired drinks daily, balancing unique flavours with therapeutic efficacy.
A wall of TCM ingredients is displayed at Que Tang Yu Fang in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Charmaine Yu
When this herbal tea shop launched in September, Asean Records – a body that recognises exceptional achievements and contributions across the Asean region – anointed it as the “first TCM cafe chain to integrate AI health screening for real-time diagnosis and herbal drink recommendations from patented TCM formulas”.
Que Tang Yu Fang’s innovation lies in its use of two tools: AI tongue analysis and AI pulse diagnosis devices. They provide data used in an on-the-spot health assessment to recommend a herbal drink on the menu suited to the customer’s health needs.
Some of these drinks include the Yin-yang Harmoniser, made from mulberry juice and goji berry; the Crimson Comfort, brewed with dried ginger and longan aril; and the Feather Effect, distilled from lotus leaf and dried tangerine peel.
Que Tang Yu Fang’s AI-powered tongue analysis helps recommend the best herbal drinks for customers. Photo: Facebook/Que Tang Yu Fang, MY
Those who visit will not only leave the store with a tasty drink in hand, but also a digital health report, which can be sent to their phones for future reference.
Lot 2.07.00, Level 2, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Breaking boundaries in the dessert world, Zhong Yao Tang burst onto the Shanghai scene in 2024 with TCM-infused gelato.
Located in the city’s Xuhui district, which is also home to the Shanghai Botanical Gardens and historic places of worship such as the Buddhist Longhua Temple, this gelato shop transforms traditional herbal remedies – think Pei Pa Koa cough syrup and chrysanthemum flowers – into surprisingly sophisticated and balanced ice cream.
Gelato made with natural herbs and fruits from Zhong Yao Tang. Photo: Instagram/ zhongyaotang_gelato
Each scoop is crafted with natural herbs and fruits, with its unique TCM-inspired flavours including pistachio chrysanthemum, bamboo jasmine and white tea singhara nut.
Patrons should be aware that TCM generally discourages cold foods, which are thought to disrupt the balance of qi and weaken the digestive system.
However, Zhong Yao Tang’s menu items are less sweet than typical desserts, making them a pick-me-up treat that you can indulge in while also being mindful of your health.
For those who are not ice cream lovers but would still like to check out this shop, the store also offers herbal jelly, herbal drinks and fruit candy.
267 Xiangyang Nan Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
Alcohol is not strictly discouraged in TCM; in fact, medicinal wines are still used as powerful tonics to treat ailments, as alcohol can help extract the functional compounds of herbs.
If you are looking for that perfect weekend buzz but want to nourish your body with enriching ingredients at the same time, Herbal Bar in Shanghai might be your next stop.
Founded by TCM students from Shanghai University, Herbal Bar began in China’s Anhui province and now operates in two different locations in Shanghai.
Customers visiting between 8pm and 11pm can receive a consultation from recently graduated TCM doctors and medical students, which involves having their pulse and tongue checked.
Looking at customers’ individual needs, staff curate specific concoctions with a huangjiu base with either heat-clearing, liver-soothing or energy-boosting properties, along with providing personalised lifestyle and dietary recommendations.
Non-alcoholic herbal teas are also available along with low-alcohol cocktails.
Blending herbal wisdom with modern bartending techniques, this Shanghai bar is quickly becoming a gathering place for Chinese youth to explore trendy herbal drinks.
Shop 1603, 16/F, 248 Daxue Road, Shanghai, China and 100 Xiangyang North Road, Shanghai, China
Medicine
