The exact method of creating yuenyeung varies by vendor and region, but it generally consists of brewed coffee and black tea with sugar and milk.

[5] It was originally served at dai pai dongs (open-air food vendors) and cha chaan tengs (cafés), but is now available in various types of restaurants.

[6][7] The name yuenyeung refers to mandarin ducks (yuanyang), which is a symbol of conjugal love in Chinese culture, as the birds usually appear in pairs and the male and female look very different.

[5] A Hong Kong dai pai dong–style restaurant called Lan Fong Yuen (蘭芳園) claims that both yuenyeung and silk-stocking milk tea were invented in 1952 by its owner, Lin Muhe.

It is made using Horlicks and Ovaltine, malted milk drink mixes that are common in Hong Kong cha chaan tengs (cafés).