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 would love to try Teochew-styled Combination Platter because it comes with four classic Teochew dishes. So worthy!!
Always love dim sum @tunglok! It’s a great way to start the morning/day!
I want to try the custard bun!
Yam paste!
Chilled Snow Lotus Pudding with Ice-cream…Yam paste with pumpkin. .. Teochew-styled Combination Platter…Must try!
The dish I would want to try will be the Steamed BBQ Pork Buns. I LOVE CHAR SIEW BAO. The texture of the bun is so foully soft and matched with the BBQ pork fillings, its HEAVEN.
And if I win the vouchers, I can bring my family to have dim sum together on family day(Sunday) ! Because I seldom have family day.
And we also heard from people that dim sum for Tunglok Teahouse are really nice. And I saw this post, so I think should give it a try. Hope to win the vouchers! (:
Looking at the great offers, its definitely attractive for a dim sum foodie like me!
Barbecue pork buns
OH MY GOODNESS!!! I’m spoilt with choices. I can’t really decide, but I would really love to get my hands on the custard bun with lotus seed paste, Baked Winter Melon Pastry (S$4.80), Baked BBQ Pork Bun!!! AHHHH!!!
I want to try the yam paste in pumpkin, baked winter melon pastry. Definitely would like to go for Tunglok food with it’s good reputation.
i wanna try the yummylicious looking baked bbq pork buns!
I want to try yam paste in pumpkin and all the dim sum make me drooling.
I would like to try the dessert yam paste pumpkin! Tats 1 of my all time favourite! Actually all of dishes is fantastic, impressive! Oppz!my saliva is dripping =P
The teochew palette looks interesting….
I would like yo try the Deep-fried Crispy Boneless Duck
Wow. All the mouth-watering dim sums. So hard to decide which dish I’d like to try but I choose Baked Barbecued Pork Buns out of all because I’ve yet to tried baked barbecued pork buns before rather than the usual steamed ones we eat.
The mooncake and baked BBQ buns paired with freshly brewed longjing probably is the perfect start to the weekend.
I wanna try the Liu Sha bao!!! Dim sum is my fav!!
I would love to try the chilled snow lotus pudding with ice cream!! Seems like a wonderful dessert to end the closure of a dim sum feast!!
I want to try Deep-fried Boneless Duck and BBQ baked buns that looks so yummy!
So wanting to go!!! Dim Sumsss my favourite. I m a Teochew married to a Cantonese! Our parents would love to go Tunglok Teahouse for a get together!
Steamed custard bun with lotus seed paste and many others.
I had been to the place to eat dinner but have not tried their dim sum. It seemed I must go again. I will definitely try my favourite dim sum like Siew Mai, Xiaolongbao, lor mai chicken.
As a cantonese I love dimsum so much! However I seldom get to find a dimsum restaurant which serves good dimsum so I would love love to try the Crispy boneless duck & Xiao long bao!! It would be a first time for me dining here if I win. Hehe!
Will love to have chilli crab.. drunken prawns.. And those dim sum!
Am a dim sum fanatic! Wld love to try everything you’ve mentioned. So very delighted to know that I can enjoy dim sum at dinner time too.
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I want to try the yam paste in pumpkin and the chilled snow lotus pudding with ice-cream!!! I have always love wasabi with prawns at Tunglok.
The Deep-fried Crispy Boneless Duck – I don’t think I’ve ever had deep fried duck, does it taste as good as deep fried chicken?
Liu Sha Bao and xiao long bao are my favourite. Hope to have a chance to win this contest.
I’ll love to bring my 87yr old Grandma to try the DimSum and Teochew Platter. For me, I’m eyeing the Chilled Snow Lotus Pudding with Ice-cream
Thanks for introducing this tea house to us!
I would love to try the yam paste in pumkin cos it’s a traditional teochew dessert and i,m a teochew.
Heard Tunglok before but have not try yet their dim sum…Hopefully, able to bring my family there soon.
Wow!!! yummilicious !!! My daughter would love to try the BArbercued Pork Buns
Another great place to go into our list to bring fil and my parents.
Looks very impressive. Very different from the usual tim sum offering elsewhere. Yet to try. Must make an effort.
Hi Ladyironchef, dishes I would really love to try from TungLok Teahouse would be their dimsum, such as the Baked Barbecued Pork Buns, Signature Rice Roll Cheong Fun, and also Tunglok’s unique Steam Custard Bun.
I would love to bring my parents for the food as Chinese cuisine is their absolute favourite cuisine and I am sure that they would enjoy their dining experience at TungLok.
Thank you very much.
Would love to try the dim sum and teochew platter!
Wahhh the Yam Paste in Pumpkin looks super delicious lor
I would love to try the Baked BBQ Pork Buns and Steamed Custard Bun with Lotus Seed Paste!
double-boiled Soup with Sea Whalk and Chinese Tonics!
Deep fried crispy boneless duck! Definitely a new creation and would love to try!
Baked Barbecued Pork Buns
Dear Brad,
I am a foodie who loves dim sum!
I would love to try the Steamed Custard Bun with Lotus Seed Paste and Baked Barbecued Pork Buns.
The fillings of the Steamed Custard Buns look so creamy and the buns look fluffy! Would definitely love to try them as they are always on my “MUST-EAT” list when I go to dim sum restaurants.
These Baked Barbecued Pork Buns may look unpretentious but I bet they taste delicious.
Would love to bring my parents out for a good meal as they have worked so hard providing for my family.
Thank you very much for the contest
Kind Regards,
Xue Wei
These looks good I got to try
I would like to try EVERYTHING. If only my stomach is a bottomless pit.
would love to try all of the dim sum .. hope the food is gd after the change of chef in tung lok group
Evidently, the chilli crab at S$19++ is a real steal indeed! My stomach is rumbling now haha..another dish I wanted to savour is the Chilled Snow Lotus Pudding with ice-cream..Bon Appetit!
Everything looks yummy! Would love to bring my parents there to try the crabs, platter and the baked BBQ pork buns!
I would love to try Teochew-Styled combination platter. Always love variety and to try everything, hence, the platter is always my favorite either during wedding dinner or any kind of Chinese dinner cause I can try a bit of everything.
Family gatherings over great dim sum is my idea of a great Sunday brunch! Love love love the looks of the baked bbq buns and would absolutely try the “mooncake” bun as a lead up to the Mid Autumn festival.