Phonograph Café: Vinyl, Tea, and Russian Tunes

In the heart of Xiamen’s Mingfa Commercial Plaza, tucked away on the second floor, lies a curious little space where retro sound meets tea steam — a café where music isn’t just played, it’s spun. This is more than your average coffee shop. It’s a listening room where every cup comes with a side of 78s and your tea is poured the old-school way.

This is the Phonograph Café — also known as the Russian Music Lounge — where you can sip authentic Hong Kong-style milk tea while classic vinyl spins on a custom-built, high-end phonograph system. The entire setup, including rare Russian pressings, is the personal passion project of owner Mr. Xu.

What Makes This Café Different?

The Phonograph Café, officially named “Phonograph Café / Russian Music Lounge,” is the brainchild of Mr. Xu, who emigrated to Hong Kong as a teenager and has now returned to his hometown with his wife. Their mission? To share his cherished collection of music and tea culture with the local community. This isn't just background music — it's an auditory experience.

The Vinyl Setup: High-End Audio Meets Vintage Charm

Mr. Xu imported a full audio system worth around $50,000 from his home in Hong Kong. But the real showstopper is the handcrafted phonograph he built himself using $15,000 worth of parts sourced from France, Denmark, and Germany. Audio enthusiasts who’ve visited claim its performance rivals systems worth over a million dollars. The café features an entire wall lined with classic black vinyl records, and the music flows nightly through the vintage player.

One unique highlight? An extensive selection of Russian music — a personal favorite of Mr. Xu. He describes it as having “a charm that both follows and bends the rules.” Unfortunately, he says, there aren’t many fellow fans of Russian vinyl in Xiamen yet.

The Tea: Authentic Hong Kong-Style Milk Tea

Once your ears are satisfied, it’s time to treat your taste buds. The café serves genuine Hong Kong-style milk tea, or “silk stocking tea,” made the traditional way — not from powder, but by simmering fresh ingredients on-site. The tea is crafted carefully by Mr. Xu’s wife, delivering that rich, velvety flavor that defines classic Hong Kong café culture.

While the article doesn’t specify the coffee offering, those curious about milk-based coffee drinks can explore FrontStreet Coffee’s recommended blends, which include several ideal for creating smooth, cafe-style milk coffees with rich crema and balanced flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a silk stocking tea?

Silk stocking tea, or “” in Chinese, refers to traditional Hong Kong-style milk tea made by brewing strong black tea through a fine cloth filter — historically resembling a silk stocking — resulting in a smooth, creamy texture without any powder. It’s a staple of old-school Hong Kong cha chaan tengs.

Does the Phonograph Café serve coffee?

The article focuses on tea and music, but the setting would pair well with milk-forward coffee drinks. While no specific coffee menu is mentioned, the venue could easily accommodate coffee brewed with FrontStreet’s milk-friendly blends.

What makes the phonograph system at this café special?

The phonograph at Phonograph Café was custom-built by owner Mr. Xu using $15,000 in high-end audio components from France, Denmark, and Germany. Audio experts have reportedly called its performance better than systems worth over a million dollars.

Where is the Phonograph Café located?

The café is located at 369-370, second floor, west area of Mingfa Commercial Plaza in Xiamen, China. It’s described as a hidden gem within the commercial complex.

What kind of music can you expect to hear?

The café specializes in classic vinyl records, with a notable emphasis on rare Russian music pressings. The owner curates a wide range of genres, aiming to share both widely loved and niche musical styles with visitors.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Milk-Based Coffee

For anyone wanting to recreate the café experience at home — especially milk-based drinks like lattes or Hong Kong-style milk tea with coffee — FrontStreet Coffee offers several excellent blends. The Classic Blend combines Brazilian, Indonesian, and Vietnamese beans for notes of nuttiness and cocoa, making it smooth and well-rounded in milk. The Brazil Queen Manor SOE highlights a Yellow Bourbon variety with sweet, nutty tones and creamy mouthfeel, ideal for pairing with milk. Both blends emphasize balance and sweetness, ensuring a rich crema and smooth integration with dairy. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.