The number of Chinese restaurants in Singapore is more than the number of times we crave dim sum, but the good news is we get to compile a list of our favourites – places that do not go wrong, with an incredible array of options so that we never get sick of dining there, and have price tags that do not scare us away.
A recent addition to our list of go-to places for a hearty Chinese meal is TungLok Teahouse at Far East Square that serves all day dim sum during lunch and dinner. Yes, all day dim sum. You can snooze your alarms a hundred times and you still won’t miss the dim sum hour. Oh, we could do egg tarts and siew mai for dinner too!
TungLok Teahouse is one under-the-radar outlet, and if you haven’t been, it is high time to make plans, because it really is one place that is for everyone. We are looking at about S$3.80 to S$5.80 for dim sum, and what you get is very piquant food and a wide selection of quality teas in a cosy teahouse setting – complete with paintings from the 60’s and Peranakan-inspired décor.
From now till 30 September 2014, TungLok Teahouse is offering different dishes – Chilli Crab (S$19++), Flaming Drunken Prawns (S$14++), and Teochew-styled Combination Platter (S$16++) – at 50% promotion for dinner every night.
[ Giveaway ] We are also giving away S$400 worth of TungLok Teahouse dining vouchers. Leave a comment below, and share this post on your Facebook timeline to win. More details on the giveaway at the end of this post.
There are so many things on the menu that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to choose one. But if there was a dish that we would not leave without having, it would be the Baked Barbecued Pork Buns (S$4.50 for 3 pcs). Sweet and juicy chunks of barbecued pork encrusted within soft and crumbly baked buns – we could gobble down three at a go.
First-timers here must order the four Royal Trumps – TungLok Teahouse’s signature dim sum, or what we prefer to call ‘the best of the best’. Besides the Baked Barbecued Pork Buns, the other three highlights are the Traditional Sponge Cake (S$3.80) – also known as Ma Lai Gao – Steamed Truffle Dumplings with Wild Fungus (S$4.80 for 3 pcs), and Signature Rice Roll Cheong Fun (S$8).
On a lighter note, the Ma Lai Gao speaks of fluffy and moist brown sugar cake that is perfectly steamed with passion, and before having this, we never knew Ma Lai Gao could be so addictive.
Another dim sum that caught our attention was the Steamed Custard Bun with Lotus Seed Paste (S$4.80 for 3 pcs). Before you get too excited, TungLok Teahouse’s rendition is slightly different from the usual custard buns, and it does not have a molten center.
Instead of salted egg yolk, it comes with a decadent lotus seed paste. Our first reaction upon sinking our teeth in to the piping hot buns was “mooncake buns!” We really love how it reminds us of the Mid-autumn festival delicacy, and now, we need not countdown to that one month a year to savour lotus paste baked goodies. TungLok Teahouse, you win our loyalty for this creation.
And you need to have your usual suspects like Siew Mai (S$4.80 for 4 pcs), Xiaolongbao (S$4.80 for 4 pcs), Steamed BBQ Pork Bun (S$3.80 for 3 pcs), and Pan-fried Turnip Cake (S$4.50), be happy to know that these freshly prepared dim sum are always on the menu to satisfying those cravings of yours.
If you are feeling adventurous, check out the interesting alternative dim sum like Baked Winter Melon Pastry (S$4.80), Red Dates Cake (S$5.20), Steamed Glutinous Rice Roll (S$4.50 for 3 pcs),
Dim sum aside, TungLok Teahouse has a lineup of Chinese favourites and Teochew cuisine. Highlights include appetisers like Deep-fried Ngoh Hiang (S$8) and Crisp-fried Eggplant with chicken floss (S$7); nourishing soups that are boiled for many hours; seafood dishes like Deep-fried Prawns with Wasabi-Mayo Sauce (S$24) and Steamed Pomfret (S$18/100g); as well as meat dishes like Stewed Pork Shank (S$26) and Stewed Chicken in Red Fermented Wine (S$16).
And we do not forget desserts. Sweet pleasures at TungLok Teahouse include the highly popular Chilled Snow Lotus Pudding with Ice-cream (S$8.00) that is served in a young coconut. So divine, we were tempted to order a second portion, and it is exceptionally perfect for the hot weather in Singapore!
Another dessert that deserves a worthy mention is the Yam Paste in Pumpkin (S$8.00). Apart from the very smooth yam paste that is moderately sweet, we love how it comes in a cute little pumpkin that is personalized by TungLok – with a classy engraving, no less.
As mentioned earlier, TungLok Teahouse has special star dishes during dinner at 50% off every day from now till 30 September 2014. On Mondays, 300g Flaming Drunken Prawns are only S$14++. On Tuesdays, a 600g Soon Hock with roast pork and garlic is priced at S$16++. Our favourite is definitely the promotion on Wednesdays. Read: Chilli Crab at only S$19++. SCORE!
Equally irresistible is the special dish on Thursdays – Double-boiled Soup with Sea Whalk and Chinese Tonics (S$16++, serves 2-3 pax) which is boiled for five hours.
Fridays’ Teochew-styled Combination Platter (S$16++) is also a good deal. It comes with four classic Teochew dishes and is ideal for sharing.
On Saturdays, look forward to the restaurant’s signature Spicy Chicken and Fish Maw in Claypot (S$14++), as well as the tantalising Deep-fried Crispy Boneless Duck (S$14++ for half duck) on Sundays.
And if you are always on the lookout for Chinese restaurants for private dining and parties, the good news is that at TungLok Teahouse, there is no additional charge for booking of the private room. The only condition is to fulfill the minimum number of 10 people, and the space is all yours! Don’t we all love such fuss-free arrangements?
TUNGLOK TEAHOUSE S$50 X 8 DINING VOUCHERS GIVEAWAY
1. TungLok Teahouse is giving away S$50 X 8 dining vouchers.
2. Leave a comment in this post and tell us which dishes you want to try at TungLok Teahouse.
3. ‘Like’ TungLok Group on Facebook.
4. Share the link of this post on your Facebook timeline.
5. The contest starts from now till 14 August 2014, 2359 hrs.
6. Winners will be notified by email.
Updated on 19 August: The 8 winners are Beatrice Wong, Michelle W, Charlene, Sandra Sia, Xiuyun, Yvette Lee, Quaffle and Xue Wei.
TungLok Teahouse
Far East Square
9-13 Amoy Street, #01-01
Tel: +65 6877 1123
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun & PH: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place/Telok Ayer
This post is brought to you by TungLok Group.
I am dying to try the Steamed Custard Bun with Lotus Seed Paste and xiaolongbao! :3
All Day DIM SUM?????
YUM YUM ~ HERE I COME ~
I want to try the baked BBQ pork buns and see whether they can beat Tim Ho Wan’s. Hehe.
I am SO going to order the 4 Royal Trumps! It’s got all my favourite dim sum dishes!
Simply love all the dim sum but definitely there is a special one which will sure to order and that is Baked Barbecued Pork Buns. The snell and juicy filling will make you just remember this.
Ooohh… i wanna try the teochew-styled combination platter! Yumz…
I would like to try their yam paste in pumpkin,teochew styled combination platter,red dates cake, spicy chicken, siew mai, Xiao long bao and steamed BBQ pork buns.Wow, so much I want to try, unexhausive list, chilli crabs too.
Love to try the yam paste!
There are many things to choose from, if I can only choose one would be Baked Barbecued Pork Buns
As it’s seems like a combi of my fav Bo Lou Pau & Char Siew
Mmmmm! Have always loved Tung lok dim sum afternoons. Especially the one at ECP when it was still there….
My family love spicy food therefore I will choose spicy chicken as my favourite dish. I want to win so that my family can eat that.
I would like to try the Spicy Chicken n Fish Maw in claypot. We have been there last year to celebrate my mom’s 70th birthday together with our relatives from China. Cosy restaurant with good service. Dim Sum is also good too????
Craving for dimsums like xiao long bao and siew mais ^^
Teochew-styled Combination Platter – MUST TRY!
Dear Ladyironchef, first thing first for me, will be the best of the best- I would like to try Tunglok Teahouse’s signature- Royal Trumps!
Cheers
As a cantonese, tim sum is a comfort food..will like to try this dim sum.thanks.
I would love to try the crispy boneless duck, siew mai, xiao long bao and the turnip cake! Can’t get enough of tim sum!
I want to try EVERYTHING!!
Would like to try all the classical dimsum dishes like siew mai, xia jiao etc!
I would like to try the Spicy Chicken and Fish Maw in Claypot & Double-boiled Soup with Sea Whalk and Chinese Tonics:)
The crispy duck and desserts…
Would love to bring my whole family there to try their dishes!! ????
From the traditional platter to start of the meal, to the yam paste in pumpkin to end the meal, plus everything in-between… I can’t wait to try the food in this old school setting!
I would like to try the Teochew-styled Combination Platter
I want to try the Soon Hock with roast pork and garlic!
I would love to try
Steamed Truffle Dumplings with Wild Fungus
Signature Rice Roll Cheong Fun
Steamed Custard Bun with Lotus Seed Paste
Snow Lotus Pudding with Ice-cream
<3 <3 <3
This used to be my favorite Tim sum place for lunch with colleagues. Din know its still there! Wld definitely plan for a trip there soon! I wanna try their barbecue pork buns!
I want to try the baked BBQ pork buns please
i really really wanna try the crispy boneless duck! It looks like a new and improved version of the standard peking duck! Craving it already!!
I love to try all the super value for the day with my family and friend using my first pay check that soon to come. Hope the xiaolongbao is good as is one of my fav. Also the ngoh hiang that my girlfriend love. ????
I would love to try the mooncake buns
Thanks.
I’m a first-timer to eat in this place incase I win I will surely try the four Royal Trumps – TungLok Teahouse’s best of the best dimsum.The Baked Barbecued Pork Buns,Traditional Sponge Cake (Ma Lai Gao),Steamed Truffle Dumplings with Wild Fungus, and Signature Rice Roll Cheong Fun.It would be totally scumptious to have a dessert too…Chilled Snow Lotus Pudding with Ice-cream! Now I’m screaming & dying to try all of this.
Definitely I would love to try the all day dim sum & those delicious chilli crabs with my family. But seriously, I would be happy with any of those food porn served!
I would love to try their rendition of the Steamed Custard Bun with Lotus Seed Paste. You make it sound so delicious! Hmm moo cake bun yum yum!!
BBQ Pork Buns, crispy duck, Fish Maw in Claypot, teochew-styled combination platter.
They still served good food @ commoners’ price!
barbecue pork buns
I would like to try one of my favorite dessert – yam paste in pumpkin
Look very unique n appetizing !
I would like to try Steamed Truffle Dumplings with Wild Fungus & the four royal trumps.
Siew Mai & Cheong Fun!no dim Sum is complete without this 2 ????
I love tung lok!
I would love to try Spicy Chicken and Fish Maw in Claypot.
Oops, my saliva is dripping! I would love to sink my teeth into the four Royal Trumps, Teochew-styled Combination Platter, Deep-fried Crispy Boneless Duck and Chilled Snow Lotus Pudding with Ice-cream to satisfy my craving for these delish dishes and desserts.
I want to try the Baked BBQ Pork Bun as I didn’t know Tung Lok sells this too.
I’m teochew! Dim sum is in my blood!!!
I love the BAKED BARBEQUED PORK BUN and would like to bring my family and girlfriend there for a nice weekend lunch!
I would love to try the Flaming Drunken Prawns!! ????????????
Would love to try their custards buns and fish maw in claypot, all of my favourite! ^__^
All day dim sum is good! Teochew Style Combination Platter looks tempting!
I would love to bring my mum to try out their Teochew-styled Combination Platter and Yam Paste in Pumpkin!!
I would love to try the Yam Paste In Pumpkin because i am really impressed that they uses the pumpkin as the ‘bowl’!