A hotpot feast with gorgeous waterfront views? Little Sheep Hot Pot at One Fullerton is a popular hot pot restaurant chain which has almost 300 branches all over the world.

Founded 18 years ago in Inner Mongolia, you can be sure that the dishes served here have an authentic Mongolian taste. Standing out from the regular hot pot restaurant, Little Sheep Hot Pot is well-known to serve broths that do not require a separate dipping sauce.

Not only will you enjoy mouth-watering platters and soups, but you also get to dine with a picturesque view if you opt for outdoor seating.

Trust us, the rich, palatable broth base is just enough to satiate your tastebuds. Each broth base blends a harmony of flavours, spices, and ingredients such as goji berries, jujubes, black cardamon pods, ginseng, and herbs.

We ordered their famous broth, the Mushroom Soup (S$9++), which is arguably one of their richest broths, with an earthy flavour that complements the superb meats perfectly.

We recommend pairing this broth with their signature meats, the Kurobuta Pork (S$10++), Signature Lamb Rolls (S$9++), or the USA Beef (S$14++). The meats are thinly sliced, tender, and juicy.

Enjoy a hearty meal with your friends and family while you take in the views of the spectacular Marina Bay waterfront. Feast your tastebuds on the wide array of meat platters offered, paired with equally delicious broth, and feast your eyes on the lovely view of the bayfront. Enjoy!

Little Sheep Hot Pot
One Fullerton
1 Fullerton Rd, #01-05
Singapore 049213

The news of the bubble tea shops closing during the enhanced Circuit Breaker rules broke the hearts of many Singaporeans, and it led to the frantic last-minute bubble tea orders on the final day of these bubble tea stores’ operations. The demand for the popular drink was so high that intense fights broke out, causing both delivery drivers and bubble tea store staffs massive headaches.

However, we have some good news for all your bubble tea fanatics: LiHO is still available for bubble tea delivery on GrabFood!

The popular bubble tea chain in Singapore will be partnering with F&B outlets that are under the same parent company, Royal T Group; so not only do you get to have your much-loved cup of boba, you can also get yourself a hearty meal!

Photo Credit: LiHO Singapore 

The following brands will be partnering with LiHO for the bubble tea delivery.

• Gong Yuan Ma La Tang (Changi City Point, Funan, Heartland Mall, Orchard Xchange, Suntec City, Westgate)
• Paik’s Bibim (Bedok Mall, NTU, Tiong Bahru Plaza, VivoCity)
• Tino’s Pizza (Tiong Bahru Plaza)
• Woo Ricebox (Orchard Xchange)

They have also recently created a new platform, Boss Happy Delivery, which delivers items for a few companies that are also under LiHO’s parent company. There is also islandwide delivery so you can order your favourite drinks and food from anywhere in Singapore!

Bangkok is well-known for its beautiful cafés, and Luka is no exception. If you’re craving for a hearty brunch at an idyllic spot, this café is more than perfect for you. It is not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye; the food they serve will also excite your tastebuds.

Luka’s laid-back ambience will keep you coming back for more. Having multiple branches around Bangkok will certainly make it easier for many tourists and locals alike to dine at this tranquil café.

Luka has branches in Silom, Thonglor, and Soi Som Kid. In every Luka café, their concept is unique and innovative. That makes them stand out from other cafés in Bangkok.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/lukabangkok/

In Silom, their first branch, Luka shares its space with a furniture shop called Casa Pagoda. It is no surprise that one can easily feel the warmth and cosiness emitting from the all-day brunch joint.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/lukabangkok/

In Thonglor, they are known as Luka Moto. This branch is in the heart of Sukhumvit. Teaming up with the luxury brand BMW, they have motorbikes decorated around the café - something else to feast your eyes on, other than the delectable brunches and treats served.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/lukabangkok/

The last Luka branch is located in Soi Som Kid. More specifically, in Bangkok’s favourite “at-home” hangout spot, Siri House. Whenever you need a spot to chill out, or a short getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, Luka Siri House is your best bet.

Luka is well-known for its all-day brunches and homemade sweet treats. One of our favourites is the Luka Breakfast Burrito (310 baht), and for good reason.

The burrito boasts a substantial amount of sausage, black quinoa, avocado, capsicum, sour cream, grilled corn salsa, and special Luka spices, all wrapped in a flour tortilla. Imagine enjoying the homely feels of the cafe while indulging in a homemade burrito. It sounds like heaven to us.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/lukabangkok/

What pleasantly surprised us was the Acai Bowl (280 baht). The acai berries are blended with coconuts and banana milk, contributing to the dish’s milky and wholesome taste. Add fresh fruits such as bananas and kiwis, pomegranate seeds, house-made granola, toasted almonds, and you have the perfect bowl.

Luka Bangkok
64/3 Thanon Pan, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Nearest BTS Station: Surasak
Mon to Sun: 9am to 6pm

Lucid is a new addition to the cafes in Lavender that serves artisanal coffee and pastries in a comforting and cosy setting. If you’re on the hunt for a quiet place to work or a place for good conversations, Lucid will fit the bill perfectly.

Its quiet ambience and clean aesthetic completely won us over. Kickstart your day at this cafe which offers a quick caffeine fix for coffee junkies or sweet treats for dessert addicts. Good vibes guaranteed.

This minimalistic cafe with mainly grey cement tones had a modern industrial design that was aesthetically pleasing with beautiful natural lighting that entered the space. You’d definitely be able to capture some good pictures for the gram!

We do not need to travel to JB just for Hiap Joo Bakery anymore because Lucid’s Banana Bread (S$3.50) won our hearts with its dense and immense banana flavours. It had the right amount of sweetness along with slight notes of savouriness from the butter. Undoubtedly one of the best banana breads we’ve had so far.

They have other in-house bakes like brownies and cakes that are made fresh daily at the open-concept kitchen situated in the cafe as well.

Served in a cute glass, the Iced White (S$6) comes with two shots of espresso, cold milk and ice. An antidote for sunny days indeed, the coffee had a nutty aroma with a bitter profile, hitting the right spot when in search of a good cuppa.

This mellow cup of coffee made a good pair with the Banana Bread available amongst their bakes.

On a rainy day or not, a cup of hot Chocolate (S$5) will warm your soul and soothe your heart. Aromatic flavours of the semi-sweet cocoa layered our tongues concomitantly with the velvety and creamy consistency, we did not want to put the cup down. This is a perfect drink for those who are in search of caffeine-free options.

Though they offer a small menu, we will definitely be back to Lucid for their up to snuff drinks and pastries!

Hasten your footsteps and visit this cafe pronto because they are operating with a tipping-only system for their soft launch until 31 January 2020.

Lucid
38 Hamilton Road
Singapore 209208
Mon to Sun: 10am to 6pm

For those of you who have small appetites or just need something small to munch on before your next meal, boat noodles are a perfect meal option. Tiny yet incredibly hearty and substantial, don’t underestimate these little bowls of goodness that pack a powerful punch.

There are multiple places in Bangkok that serve up decent bowls of boat noodles but one of our absolute favourites is Lung Prathunam Boat Noodle. Located right smack in the middle of bustling Pratunam, its convenient location makes it a great pitstop for ravenous shopaholics who need to refuel after a tiring day of shopping.

The menu here at Lung Prathunam Boat Noodle is pretty straightforward. Here, they have 6 different broths and 8 different types of noodles to choose from. Mix and match to get your desired bowl of boat noodles; the combinations are endless!

Each bowl costs a mere 30 baht and an upsized version would be 40 baht. For those of you who are in a rush, you can also do a take away for 50 baht.

We decided to try a combination of Thicken Beef Soup with Rice Noodles. The beef soup was outrageously robust and packed full of umami. For such a small bowl, they were rather generous with their serving of beef slices which were chunky and not too tough on the teeth.

For something a little lighter, you can choose to have their Clear Soup with Minced Pork and Fish Ball. We had our bowl with glass noodles. The soup was less heavy on the palate as compared to the Thickened Beef Soup, yet, it still was satisfyingly flavourful. The minced pork also added a nice meaty bite to the dish as well as enhanced the flavour of the soup.

Other soup flavours that you can try are Dark Soy Sauce with Pork or Beef, Dry Tom Yum, Yong Tau Fu and Tom Yum Soup.

Lung Prathunam Boat Noodles 
960/14 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 85 919 1994
Daily: 8am – 5pm

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/11/lung-prathunam-boat-noodle/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/11/littlepeople-cafe-kuala-lumpur/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/11/littlepeople-cafe-kuala-lumpur/#comments Fri, 08 Nov 2019 02:14:22 +0000 Natasha Ng https://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=191412 Continue reading →]]>

Littlepeople Cafe is a cafe in Kuala Lumpur that specializes in fresh pasta, all made by hand by their skilled team of chefs. Their menu consists of classic pasta renditions and unique desserts as well.

For those of you who are planning a weekend getaway to Kuala Lumpur, add this place to your list.

We had the Seafood Marinara Pasta which came with a traditional spaghetti. The pasta is drenched in a tangy tomato sauce with a kick of spice and fresh basil. Atop the spaghetti is a medley of shrimp, squid and octopus.

We liked how vibrant the sauce tasted and it was easy to eat – not jelak and cloying in the least. We appreciated how generous the portion was and how much seafood there was. The pasta was springy and had a good bite too!

Try their Beef Ragu pasta and their Pesto variations as well if you’re not a seafood fan! They go well with Littlepeople Cafe’s Tagliatelle form of pasta.

One of the menu items that caught our eyes was the Popiah Ice Cream. We simply had to order it to see how it was supposed to look and taste!

We definitely weren’t disappointed because when it arrived at our table, we were pretty wow-ed by it. Mini scoops of yam and strawberry ice cream were garnished with crispy popiah skin, with more popiah skin underneath. There were cookie crumbs, pomegranate seeds, lemon zest and mint leaves as well.

It was such a flavour explosion yet brought back some nostalgic memories with the familiar-flavoured ice cream.

The last dessert we tried was their ever-changing flavour of soft serve from Littlerabbit Softserve. The one we tried was a Single-Origin Coffee Softserve, sitting atop dry ice for that Instagram-worthy effect.

We loved how smooth the soft serve was – it wasn’t too icy as well. The flavour of the coffee in the ice cream was simply ambrosial, lulling our spoons to fight over it.

Littlepeople Cafe
G-01, Avantas Residences
Jalan Klang Lama, Taman Shanghai
58100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3-7971 9209
Mon, Wed to Sun: 10am – 11pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)

Home to an enclave of mouth-watering cafes and restaurants, Serangoon Gardens is a foodie heaven second to none in Singapore. With new eateries popping up here so often, it is undoubtedly the perfect place to bring out the glutton in you!

The Larder Café first started in Toa Payoh in 2016 and they have recently opened another new outlet in Serangoon Gardens, taking over the premise of the now-defunct Arbite which closed down after 9 years.

Boasting a plethora of mains, brunch, big bites and desserts, you can expect to be torn between their delectable options. There’s even alcoholic drinks and a kids’ menu!

To start off our meal, we chose the Cheese Fries (S$8). The basket of straight cut fries came with a side of cheese dip; the fries were nicely fried without it being overly oily. The dip had a light buttery texture with just the right amount of thickness. Together, the pairing tasted sinful.

The Carbonara Spaghetti (S$13) was served next. We are not fans of carbonara as it usually tends to be overbearingly creamy, but the pasta here was done well! The cream sauce was rich in flavour without it being too cloying or thick. It also came with generous, juicy strips of bacon and button mushrooms.

Last but not least, we had the Bacon Eggs Benedict (S$15) — it was plated beautifully, with succulent bacon strips and large poached eggs atop fluffy brioche bread. This was the star of the show; the toast was crispy on the sides with a soft middle, while the creaminess of the egg yolk and sliced tomatoes gave the dish an extra sweetness.

If you’re looking for a café that offers quality mains and sweet treats at affordable prices, The Larder Café is the place to go. We will definitely be back the next time round to try out their other items.

The Larder Café
66A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555962
Tel: +65 6253 8382
Tues to Sun: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Just recently, news has been going around about a stall at Golden Mile Tower that specialises in a popular Thai dish called Leng Saap. Since then, the internet has been splattered with pictures of a gargantuan mountain of pork and everyone has been scrambling to try this Instagram-worthy pile of meat.

Leng Saap essentially translates to ‘Spicy Pork Bone Soup’ and it basically consists of giant portions of pork ribs and spine that are generously doused in a rich and addictively spicy broth as well as plenty of lime, coriander and chilli.

We’ve tried the one at Golden Mile Tower and were instantly hooked, so naturally, when we were in Bangkok, we HAD to try the original to see how it measured up. And boy, were we impressed.

Leng Saap can be found in a number of places in Bangkok but the more popular spots are at the Rot Fai Train Markets. We had ours at the Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin Night Market but if it is too far for you, you can always hop on over to Ratchada Rot Fai Train Night Market instead. 

With Leng Saap, you either go big or go home, so we went straight ahead and ordered ourselves an XL (290 baht). If you are aren’t a picky eater, they have smaller portions available in M (150 baht) and L (220 baht) and if you’re coming with a big group of friends, go ahead and order yourselves an XXL for just 599 baht. For the amount of meat you’re getting, it is a complete steal.

If you can’t handle spice very well, we recommend that you tell them to go gently on the amount of chilli because Leng Saap can get unbearably spicy at times.

Skip the forks and spoons and just dig right in with your hand; the great thing about this place is that they provide plastic gloves for those of you who don’t like to get your hands all nitty-gritty.

We were blown away by how tender and lip-smackingly good the pork was; it was the literal definition of fall-off-the-bone. We didn’t need to do too much with our hands to get all that succulent meat out and we love how the fat to meat ratio on each piece was just right.

What truly elevated the dish was the pork bone soup which consists of crushed green chillis, a generous scattering of cilantro as well as plenty of zesty lime. Each mouthful of this ambrosial soup was tangy, savoury and spicy all at once and despite it being so spicy, we couldn’t help but gulp it down with tears in our eyes and dripping noses (no exaggeration here, the broth is REALLY very spicy).

While Singapore’s Leng Saap is phenomenal, trying the original is absolutely life-changing and if you don’t have this while you’re in Bangkok, you are completely missing out. Plus, this towering sight makes for a great picture for the gram!

Leng Saap
Soi Srinagarindra 51
Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250, Thailand
Thu to Sun: 5pm – 1pm
(Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays) 

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/09/leng-saap-bangkok/feed/ 1 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/07/lhong-tou-cafe/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/07/lhong-tou-cafe/#comments Sun, 28 Jul 2019 16:12:15 +0000 Melissa Teo https://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=186645 Continue reading →]]>

If you’re in Bangkok and are on the hunt for eateries that not only have a smorgasbord of delicious food but also a unique layout, this is one place that you should add to your list.

Situated right smack in the middle of Yaowarat—Bangkok’s Chinatown—is Lhong Tou Cafe. This eclectic, cosy eatery is popular for their dim sum as well as their very interesting interior; both of which are incredibly Instagram-worthy.

The common thing about quirkily designed eateries is that they usually have pretty subpar food. This isn’t the case for Lhong Tou Cafe; we never thought that we would ever have some of the best dim sum of our lives in Bangkok and the dim sum here puts some of the ones we’ve tried in Hong Kong to shame!

We’ve attempted to come to Lhong Tou Cafe twice and the very first time we did, we found ourselves stuck in the middle of a 2-hour queue which we left within 10-minutes. This time around, we went at an odd hour of 4pm and it had been raining as well, so we managed to skip the crowds and snag ourselves a table pretty quick.

What we absolutely love about this place is the design of the seating area. Here, wooden panels and metal pipes are strategically placed to form a double-decker structure where people can choose to either sit on the top level or at the cubbies at the bottom when they take their queue ticket.

We also love how the entire place was also filled with plenty of lush greenery, giving the entire space a lovely botanical touch.

We started off with a plate of Lhong Tou Shumai where 3 very plump dumplings were doused in a delightfully sweet and savoury sauce. The dumplings were filled with a generous amount of meat that was chock full of umami and the meat to skin ratio was perfect.

Next up, we had the Thai Tea Bun (which features a fluffy, fragrant bun that comes chock full of satisfyingly good Thai tea custard. Tear open the bun to reveal its rich, creamy contents and watch in satisfaction as it slowly oozes out of the bun. The custard here tastes remarkably like actual Thai tea and we highly recommend this dish to anyone who is a huge fan of the drink.

Salted egg lovers will be happy to know that Lhong Tou Cafe has a menu item that resembles the popular salted egg yolk buns that we have here in Singapore. What makes Lhong Tou Cafe’s Egg Lava Bun so different (and better) is its exterior. Instead of a soft, pillowy bun, the lava is encased in a flaky, crispy pastry that provides the dish with plenty more bite and flavour.

Break open the bun to let out all its sinfully good contents; the egg lava here is both salty and sweet at the same time with a distinctive salted egg taste. Coupled with its pastry exterior, we can safely say that this is one of the best salted egg items that we have ever eaten in our lives and we will undoubtedly be back for it the next time we are in Bangkok.

The most adorable and unique item out of the lot was the Shitake Mushroom Bun. This bun looks like a carbon copy of an actual mushroom and what makes it even better is its earthy shitake mushroom filling. Our only gripe with this one is that we wish that there had been more filling because it was so good!

All in all, we highly recommend this place and you definitely need to check it out the next time you’re in Bangkok.

Lhong Tou Cafe
538 Yaowarat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong
Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 935 6499
Daily: 8am – 10pm

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/07/lhong-tou-cafe/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/03/lavender-bakery-singapore/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/03/lavender-bakery-singapore/#comments Tue, 26 Mar 2019 07:29:33 +0000 Melissa Teo https://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=177355 Continue reading →]]>

The popular artisanal bakery and patisserie Lavender from Johor Bahru is finally crossing over the causeway to set up shop on our sunny little island. The opening is slated to be 17 April 2019 at Jewel Changi Airport.

Founded way back in 2000, they have come a long way since then and have expanded from a humble bakery to a cafe, bistro and restaurant business. They will be opening up just a bakery here in Singapore for the time being.

Lavender is well-known for its desserts and cakes that are made from Japanese and French pastry making techniques. The result is premium quality confectioneries that are an absolute treat to the senses.

The food here is a fusion between modern European, French, Italian and Japanese cuisines so you can expect to sink your teeth into a number of unique creations that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. They also have a pretty extensive array of drinks to go along with your pastries and cakes.

So, get ready to indulge yourselves in some really high-quality desserts and pastries!

Lavender Bakery Singapore

78 Airport Boulevard
Jewel Changi Airport
Singapore 819666
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

Read: Jewel Changi Airport Food Directory – 111 restaurants, cafes and eateries to dine at.

Lee’s Confectionery, the newest gem in the West of Singapore, is tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood of Jurong East. Near the entrance of an HDB carpark, it’s a sight that would intrigue many. Its glass walls display a stark white interior that plays up its minimalist decor as well as a glass display filled with an assortment of gorgeous haute pastries.

Lee’s Confectionery is not just a pretty rarity in the West of Singapore. It’s an exhibition of passion and a work of heart and soul, fuelled with a sense of nostalgia.

Stepping past the doors of Lee’s Confectionery, you’ll see a young man hunched behind the counter constructing pastries like a sculptor. Lee Yin Quan has been running a one-man show here since he opened the classy café last December and he sells elegant patisseries that are made to order.

Instead of trays of the day’s bakes, Lee’s Confectionery has a long glass case of seven exquisitely designed pastries on display. They not only add to the aesthetic look of uncluttered and clean simplicity but are also a testament to Lee’s attention to quality.

His insistence on making each piece upon order is to ensure that the original texture of each pastry isn’t lost to sitting in its moisture and to keep it from the subtle staleness from baking in batches.

Jiao (S$8), named after the Chinese translation of banana, is a very experiential dessert. A thin film of white chocolate was sprayed on, making a shell that cracks with a crisp as your teeth sink into a moist and fluffy banana sponge cake.

Jiao is injected with banana compote and creamy mascarpone. As Lee confirmed, it’s essentially like a traditional banana cake upgraded to haute pastry. The sponge was light and mildly flavoured. Slices of banana were sprinkled with caramelised brown sugar but the overall sweetness of Jiao was balanced by its tart compote and its base of cinnamon oat crumble.

Tart (S$8) was the best part of our trip. The base of its crisp tart shell was lined with almonds and layered with cream that had a citrus flavour without any artificial taste. Its tanginess, nuttiness, and baked cookie flavour was a very pleasant combination.

Lee’s attempt at finding kaya another partner other than toast is Puff (S$7) which is earl grey-infused kaya clasped between pastry puffs. Kaya is cooked with earl grey leaves to create a spread that has the fragrance of earl grey but with the essence of coconut and pandan of kaya. Take in its generous centre—thick, sweet, and very smooth—together with the hint of bitterness of flaky feuilletines that have a sugary glaze and crispy croissant-like crunch. 

The current selection also includes Beri (S$8) which is Lee’s favourite but, as he sighs while saying, also the most complicated to create. It’s a chou filled with tea-infused cream cheese and mascarpone then topped with a shortbread cookie and strawberry jam-filled dome.

The owner Lee Yin Quan spent two years in Paris learning under the award-winning chef patissier Nina Métayer in the two Michelin starred-Restaurant Jean-François Piège, and famed chef patissier François Perret in Ritz Paris. He returned to reunite with family and embarked on this first solo venture in the heartlands of the West to give back to where he grew up in.

Lee’s Confectionery
343 Jurong East Street 31, #01-59
Singapore 600343
Tel: +65 9183 8447
Wed to Mon: 12pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Chinese Garden

When the founder of Lana Cake Shop, Violet Kwan, announced back in 2016 that she was ready to call it quits, and was offering to handover her pride and joy (her shop) to potential buyers, many Singaporeans were called to attention. Many of whom had grown up eating her iconic Chocolate Fudge Cake, either for birthdays or just because.

In an interview with Straits Times, Mr Jason Kwan (the founder’s son) shared his decision to continue his mother’s legacy. Having left his previous job as a banker, he has been working on revitalising Lana Cake Shop over the past 18 months, breathing new life and improving it slowly from branding to work processes.

Of course, not forgetting perfecting his mother’s timeless Chocolate Fudge Cake recipe.

Putting his own little twists into his mother’s original recipe, while being careful not to make a blunder of such a beloved icon of a cake, he claims to have given it a more intense chocolate flavour while balancing out the qualities of saltiness, sweetness and bitterness so as to achieve the perfect chocolate fudge cake.

Other improvements include the efficiency of their kitchen, which is now able to sell up to 500 cakes a week. Good riddance to having to call way in advance. If you’re lucky, you just might be able to walk away with one without pre-ordering.

After everything that’s been said and done, and being avid fans of Lana Cake Shop’s iconic Chocolate Fudge Cake, all we can do is to hope that Mrs Kwan’s legacy is carried forward properly and not turned into another commercialised product.

Lana Cake Shop
36 Greenwood Ave,
Singapore 289239
(Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Tue to Fri: 10am – 6pm
Sat: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

Famed for its contemporary approaches to traditional Chinese food along with its unyielding commitment to theatrics and witty presentation, Lokkee, part of the TungLok Group, is one Chinese restaurant that impresses time and time again.

The restaurant reinterprets and elevates the traditional Chinese recipes with a dash of Western influence, celebrating the unique style of cuisine that is commonly found in Chinatowns dotted across major, non-Chinese cities around the world such as New York, London and Sydney.

Through marrying culinary prowess along with fresh, top quality ingredients, the chefs here continue to push boundaries to what many of us know and understand about Chinese cooking, creating a whole new genre of Chinese cuisine altogether. Our favourites include their Firecracker Chicken Nest that draws its inspiration from Sichuan’s cuisine as well as their ‘Bakkwa’ Bacon Salad—a starter that marries both the East and West perfectly.

‘BAKKWA’ BACON SALAD

A meaty snack that has risen in popularity over the years is bakkwa. Salty, sweet, smoky and everything one could ever want to munch on when feeling peckish, this barbecued beauty—similar to jerky—has won the hearts of many and even of those who live abroad.

Featuring bakkwa in one of its top-selling salad dishes, the ‘Bakkwa’ Bacon Salad (S$32++) arrives at the table surrounded by a moat of dry ice that aims to mystify the dish and excite the senses. In this dish, bacon strips are grilled bakkwa-style and coated with toasted sesame and hung over a bed of oriental greens and lotus root croutons. Hung immediately after the bacon strips are cooked, the fat is allowed to drip down onto the salad, giving the salad a buttery sheen and smoky flavour.

The bacon ‘bakkwa’ is on a whole different level in terms of taste and texture. Coated in a sweet glaze and a substantial amount of luscious liquid fat to tie it all off, every bite comes with the promise of sensorial pleasure.

FIRECRACKER CHICKEN NEST

A crowd-favourite and one that took us by surprise was the Firecracker Chicken Nest (S$28++).

Reinterpreting the iconic Chinese takeout dish, kung pao chicken, what you get is a vibrant mess of dried chilli, Sichuan peppercorns, chicken bits that have been coated in five-spice powder and deep-fried. Contrary to the heaping mound of dried chilli, the heat is actually pretty manageable and the chicken, extremely tasty.

But should you feel a need to cool off your palate, the mango purée—the bright-yellow blob cleverly designed to look like an egg yolk—instantly cools the tongue and delivers a sweet, fruity explosion.

AWESOME FLAMING PINEAPPLE BEEF

From appearance, right down to its gentle marriage of flavours, the Awesome Flaming Pineapple Beef (S$34++) dish truly epitomises the cuisine associated with fortune cookies and Chinese takeout boxes commonly seen in Hollywood movies.

Fruity and tangy rather than savoury and robust, the braised chunks of beef borrows flavour from its host, resulting in a lovely flavour that marries the best of both ingredients wonderfully. For theatrical purposes, the pineapple is set aflame upon serving so be sure to have your cameras at the ready.

DRAGON PHOENIX POT

A new addition to Lokkee’s menu is the Dragon Phoenix Pot (S$30++), a one-pot-wonder that seems strangely familiar to the classic drunken prawn dish. Neatly arranged at the base of the pot is chicken wings, prawns, wolfberries and enokitake mushrooms. However, the fun only begins the second an entire bottle of Gosnells London Mead is emptied into the pot.

Mead, an alcoholic beverage that’s made by fermenting honey and water, gives the dish a sweet, honey flavour and helps to bring out the sweetness of the other ingredients as well. As it reduces down, the flavour of the soup develops and becomes enriched with all its various components, giving you a concentrated soup with depth.

THE MERMAID WITH FRESH FISH MAW

A juggernaut of a dish and one that demands to be shared between more than two people at least, THE MERMAID with fresh fish maw (S$128++)—inspired by the recently-popular grilled fish from Sichuan—sees a massive fillet of grilled barramundi, topped with fish maw and accompanied by squares of tofu. The dish first arrives in dry form before the servers eventually spoon over two large blobs of collagen and a concentrated broth.

Healthy, fragrant and apparently great for your complexion as well, the broth is made simply using fish bones and fish skin. The result? A full-bodied broth that brims with clean, comforting flavours and some serious umami. The fish itself is grilled beautifully, boasting flaky, delicate flesh that pairs exceptionally well with the flavourful broth.

PUMPKIN BUTTER CREAM SHRIMP

Smelling, looking and tasting like salted egg yolk but devoid of it, the all-new Pumpkin Butter Cream Shrimp (S$26++) is truly a stunner. Served on skewers, it makes for easier consumption and also looks appealing when plated.

Savoury, buttery and adorned with a velvety sheen, the shrimps possessed a tender and succulent texture that made gobbling the entire dish up an easy a task.

WAGYU TRUFFLE ‘HOR FUN’

One of our ultimate favourites at Lokkee would have to be their Wagyu Truffle Hor Fun (S$60++). Served in a gigantic bowl, a serving of tender hor fun is topped with crispy shards of fried dough and topped neatly with thick slices of medium-rare Wagyu beef.

As if the bowl filled with top-quality beef wasn’t enough, a viscous truffle-infused sauce is drizzled over top, completing the dish and giving it a heightened richness. Delicious and decadent, this dish has stolen the hearts of many and continues to wow diners new and old.

KING PRAWN ‘CHAO TA’ NOODLES

Yet another new addition to the restaurant’s menu is the King Prawn ‘Chao Ta’ Noodles (S$38++).

Sitting on a bed of crispy fried egg noodles is a heaping mound of king prawns coated in a luscious tomato-based sauce. The prawns are soft and tender and came out of their shells with ease. The sauce is tangy, spicy and sweet, much like our iconic chilli crab but with a flavour that’s considerably more held-back.

Complementing the prawns beautifully, the ‘chao ta’ noodles—fried till its base achieves a blackened char—provided a smoky backbone and an enticing crispy texture that made the dish more addictive.

FRIED DURIAN

There’s an undeniable finesse and a great deal of skill and knowledge of gastronomy that guides each dish from the kitchen to table, and the chefs here really pull all the stops to make dining here an unforgettable experience for all.

A dish, or rather dessert, that best exemplifies this quality is their Fried Durian (S$16++), a sweet treat that introduces a symphony of sensations on the tongue. Scattered around the perfectly deep-fried durian fritters is a carefully organised mess comprising strawberry caviar, popping candy, flecks of flower petals and coconut flakes that do well to beautify as well as to tease.

Fried till perfectly golden, the initial crunchy bite reveals a molten durian centre that is both sweet, velvety and warm like a custard and while the pop rocks and sago do not contribute much to the overall taste of the dessert, it does provide interesting textures.

Lokkee Plaza Singapura, #03-01 68 Orchard Road Singapore 238839 Tel: +65 6884 4566 Daily: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

This post was brought to you by Lokkee. 

Proudly standing as one of Hong Kong’s oldest and most popular tea houses and perhaps one of the only few places left that still serve dim sum the traditional way—chaos, screaming old ladies and all—Lin Heung Tea House was speculated to close for good in February 2019 but has since, managed to renew its lease for another 3 years, operating under a new name, Lin Heung Tea Room, on March 1—so hoorah for that!

Hailed as one of the top attractions in Hong Kong and a tourist hot spot for those who crave the ultimate and most authentic dim sum experience, the age-old establishment is one spot to visit if you want to experience traditional Cantonese dim sum.

As authentic as a proper Cantonese yum cha experience can get, dining at Lin Heung Tea House over in Central has always been a must for us with every visit to Hong Kong. The only main difference now is that dinner services will no longer be available, so we suppose our only option is to get ourselves out of bed earlier from now on.

Granted that dining there is always one heck of an intimidating and at times frustrating experience, that’s part of the whole experience. No one is going to have their hand held here. You need to go with the flow and be as ravenous as a local.

We love everything about the place, from the ambience, the high levels of stress you experience just to have your order placed and of course, the wonderful dim sum dishes.

What’re you waiting for? Get those tickets booked and have yourselves a solid dim sum meal at Lin Hueng Tea House.

Lin Heung Tea House
162 Wellington Street,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2544 4556
Daily: 6am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Central

If you’ve ever travelled to Europe, you’ll understand the joy that walking up to a pastry stand would entail. The aroma of freshly baked bread comes second to none and the endless varieties of brightly coloured tarts and pastries never fails to seduce the senses. Over at La’Farine located in JB’s Taman Mount Austin, you can experience just that with their many numerous French desserts and pastries.

For the love of Western pastries, local delicacies and everything in between, this is one place to visit to kickstart your JB day trip proper. For first-timers, Taman Mount Austin is just a short 15-minute drive from the checkpoint. We suggest hailing a cab or booking yourself a GRAB because it’s literally impossible to walk there.

Combining the best of Western bakeries and Malaysia’s local cuisine, La’Farine offers diners a well-rounded experience. We took a gamble and went for their Rendang Nasi Lemak (RM15.90) as opposed to the more conventional version.

There was nothing to complain about. The rice was fluffy and aromatic, the sambal was fresh, piquant and sweet and the chicken rendang was hearty, flavourful and extremely tender. The rendang gravy was thick, full-flavoured and paired exceptionally well with the rice.

A fried chicken rice dish stemming from Eastern Java, the Ayam Penyet Rice (RM14.90) impressed with its brilliantly seasoned, super crispy skin.

The chicken was succulent and the exterior, although crispy, was not oily at all. Served alongside it was a halved calamansi fruit which, when squeezed over top, gave the fried chicken a nice citrusy zing.

Their dessert selection is seriously off the charts. They have anything from cakes, crème brûlée, tarts and freshly baked bread with a selection of jams to pair with it. Many of the desserts seem to draw its influences from classic French recipes, especially their La’Farine Classic Dessert (RM15.90).

Without even taking a second to ponder, the wait staff confidently recommended it. Comprising layers of almond dacquoise—basically, a meringue made using almonds—fresh cream, diced fruits, toasted and toasted almonds, this dessert impressed with its many interesting textures underscored by a fruity, creamy decadence.

La’Farine (Taman Mount Austin) Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 19-343 1415 Mon to Sun: 9am – 12am Tue: 11am – 10pm

Put all your weekend plans on hold because from 16 November to 18 November 2018, you need to head down to Singapore Turf Club @ Kranji for Let’s Go Jalan Jalan, an inter-generational food and music festival that marries amazing food and live music—all for a single weekend!

A food and music event of mega proportions—we’re looking at more than 130 booths dedicated to food and festival grub alone—this is one event you do not want to miss out on. There are also game stalls scattered all over the event space and even a go-kart. On the main stage, be swept off your feet to the sounds of local musical acts such as ORANGECOVE, Goose (Angus Sham) and local jazz maestro, Robert Fernando.

Suitable for both the young and young at heart who adore good music and better food, you are guaranteed to find a vast diversity of fun things to do here, so if you’re all out of ideas for plans for the family this weekend, you know where to go. Here’s a little insight into the things we saw, did and ate!

BUTTERBEER  – SAIKO BUTTER BREW (BOOTH 125)

Fancy something ice-cold to cool yourself off with? Then you should definitely get yourself a Butter Beer (S$5) from Saiko Butter Brew. Made to taste, look and feel like beer without actually containing any alcohol, the froth at the top is actually made using a butterscotch foam that is both creamy, luscious and well, buttery.

MALA POPCORN CHICKEN – SHACKMIE (BOOTH 75)

Festival grub comes in all shapes and sizes nowadays. Many of them stem from different cuisine and the one that has recently gained quite a following for its sheer versatility is fried chicken.

Over at Shackmie, be sure to try their signature Mala Popcorn Chicken (S$4) that comes coated generously with their own blend of mala powder. Punchy, numbing (just the way we like it) and tasty, this is something that we can imagine ourselves going back for.

SATAY, PUFFS AND OTHER MALAY DELIGHTS – MALAY FOOD BOOTH (LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE MAIN STAGE)

For a hit of nostalgia and the flavours of good-old Singaporean local food, be sure to stop by the Malay food booth right in front of the main stage to savour one of their many traditional Malay delights.

Backed by several years of experience cooking authentic Malay food and ultimately, with lots of heart, their satay, assorted puffs and nasi biryani come with the promise of vibrant flavours and alluring aromas.

DURIAN ICE CREAM – 211 HOUSE OF DURIAN (BOOTH 183)

Being massive fans of the iconic ‘king of fruits’, there was no way that we were going to pass up on the durian ice cream from 211 House Of Durian. A notch more flavourful (and richer) than its recent McFlurry counterpart, we highly recommend getting this if you’re looking to cool off or simply satisfy your craving for durian.

And costing S$5 for a large cone, this is something many people would often brush off, but we assure you that doing so would be a huge mistake.

NEON BUBBLE WAFFLES (BOOTH 194)

Inspired by the popular Hong Kong street food snack, ‘gai dan zai’, this stall sells innovative egg waffles that come in all shapes, colours, fillings and toppings.

We ordered for ourselves their signature Bubble Waffles (S$6) which comes filled with all sorts of sweet, diabetes-inducing delights such as Oreos, whipped cream, M&Ms and more.

CHEESEWHEEL PASTA – GIOIA (BOOTH 120)

When it comes to creamy pasta, cheese is a must—and lots of it. Over at Goia, get your hands on their Cheesewheel Pasta (S$8) that features freshly cooked pasta, mixed around directly on a cheese wheel.

Tossed and swirled until everything is properly covered in cheese, the pasta develops a rich, creamy exterior that tastes as delicious as it looks. S$8 may seem hefty but it really is worth the splurge.

LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES (MAIN STAGE)

In between activities, be sure to pop by the Main Stage to check out the repertoire of musical acts in store. The music line-up comprises various local talents ranging from the established musicians to the young and budding ones, so what you can expect is a vibrant mix of sounds from yesteryear and of today.

Let’s Go Jalan
Singapore Turf Club @ Kranji (Carpark B)
16 Nov – 18 Nov 2018
Fri: 5pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Kranji

L’amant Café impresses with both their gorgeous decor and a sensational medley of tasty treats. Conveniently located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, the elaborate yet cosy café is best known for their range of Vietnamese coffee and contemporary Vietnamese dishes.

Upon stepping into L’amant Café, you will be amazed by the huge and spacious interior and the massive range of instant coffee in their retail section. From the food, the coffee and even the service, here is what we loved about L’amant Café in Ho Chi Minh City.

Craving a taste of Vietnamese coffee (after so long), we went right for the most unique item on their coffee menu—L’amant Egg Café (65,000VND, S$3.82).

Floating above strong, black Vietnamese coffee is a sweet egg custard. The frothy custardy layer was sweet, eggy and creamy and it complemented the bitter coffee exceptionally well. Having egg in coffee was something that we had never tried before and we were pleasantly surprised.

The café doesn’t have many food items on their menu since they specialise in coffee, but we went for a breakfast item that seemed (to us) like a deconstructed banh mi sandwich

Costing us 90,000VND (S$5.30), this platter consisting of fried eggs, Vietnamese pork sausages, hams, luncheon meat, cilantro and pickled vegetables arrived at our table on a sizzling hot griddle. It is then accompanied by (you guessed it) a baguette.

The dish was tasty and made for a pretty decent breakfast (and picture), but it was truly nothing exciting. We could have easily gotten a version that boasted similar flavour profiles on the streets for a fraction of the price.

It certainly is a must to pop in for a nice warm cuppa before continuing on the rest of your trip in Ho Chi Minh City, or some cafe food too if you fancy it.

L’amant Café
12 Nguyên Huê, Ben Nghé
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Tel: +84 28 3827 7978
Sun to Mon: 7.30am – 11pm
Sat: 7.30am – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Capturing authenticity in both its appearance and cuisine, Lao Beijing in Velocity@Novena Square is where you’ll more than likely find well-executed Northern Chinese fare in the form of exquisite fish dishes, noodle dishes as well as an array of juicy dumplings. Famed for their xiao long bao and famous customisable popiah, the restaurant has bagged numerous awards over the years and sees a constant flood of loyal patrons daily.

A favourite venue for family dining and cosy gatherings, the restaurant enthrals with their contemporary approach to traditional classics. Take their highly acclaimed Signature Beef Noodle for instance that features 3 delectable soup base varieties, or even Signature Grilled Fish with Tomato Broth that paints a fresh new look on the traditional ‘kao yu’ dish of Southwest China.

Besides its Signature Dishes, the restaurant also presents diners with 7 intriguing new dishes. These are set to wow the palates of customers old and new. If you haven’t dined at Lao Beijing before, you’re completely missing out. If you have, there is no reason to not go back again for more affordable, mouth-watering food that’s great for communal dining!

SIGNATURE DISHES

Some folks may shun the idea of eating with their hands, but we absolutely love it. Doing so provides us with a heightened sensory experience and it just makes food taste better (if that even makes sense).

Which is why when it comes to Lao Beijing’s two stellar DIY dishes—signature Lao Beijing Famous Popiah (S$28++) and Lao Beijing Crispy Skin Roast Duck (S$60++ for a whole duck)—we get really excited. Not only do they look and taste divine, they require some elbow grease as well.

Every single component from the individual popiah skin to the star attractions and even the various ingredients are done to perfection. The turnips are tender and cooked to the right consistency and the roast duck is fragrant, succulent and delectable.

A stunning centrepiece and one that is as gorgeous as it is delicious, the Signature Grilled Fish with Tomato Broth (S$68++) is what you totally have to try.

Prepared in pretty much the same way as many cities in China, the colossal fillet of fish is first grilled separately before being placed in a large rectangular pot alongside fresh vegetables, enoki mushrooms and pineapples.

Once it reaches the table, a piping hot tomato broth would then be doused over top, cooking the vegetables, heating up the fish and at the same time, imparting its sweet, umami-packed qualities onto every single ingredient.

Another fish dish that had us diving in for seconds and thirds in a hurry was the Braised Fish with Pickled Cabbage and Chilli (S$24++). With its slight sour tang, gentle amount of heat and refreshing clarity, this dish was easily one of our favourites of the entire spread.

Pickled in-house, the cabbage takes on a rather sourish appeal but is well balanced with both salty and sweet notes. Having been braised over a period of time, the fish slices take on a warm and refreshing flavour whilst retaining its structure really well.

Arguably one of Lao Beijing’s most popular dishes is the Xiao Long Bao (S$10++ for 10 pieces). Expertly hand-moulded and served piping hot every time, every bite comes with the promise of luxury in the form of a rich, savoury pork broth that washes over the palate nicely. Spoon over a drop or two of plum vinegar and a few slivers of ginger, and that is happiness right there.

To complement those potstickers, why not order up a serving of the restaurant’s prided Beijing-Style ‘Zhajiang’ Noodle (S$10++)? Essentially a savoury and fragrant noodle dish consisting simply of soybean paste, julienned vegetables and stir-fried ground pork, this top-seller is great for if you’re looking for something mild yet filling.

Perhaps one of the most underrated yet tasty side items you can possibly get is the Zhenjiang Pork Ribs (S$18++). Deep-fried to golden perfection before being coated in a luscious, sweet sauce and topped with sesame seeds, this dish is one that begs to be eaten with white rice.

You’d be silly not to order up a bowl of the Original Beef Noodle with Triple Treasure (S$18++). Featuring a beefy trinity of brisket, tendon and tripe, alongside springy hand-pulled noodles and a hearty broth, this bowl is undeniably one of the most comforting delights around.

This flavour bomb comes in three different varieties of soup base: original, spicy and tomato broth.

NEW DISHES

Adding on to Lao Beijing’s stellar repertoire of quality favourites is 7 new dishes. This gives you another reason to visit the restaurant!

KUROBUTA PORK SERVED ON SIZZLING HOT PLATE

Dazzling in both the theatrical element that comes along with it, as well as its addictive flavour is the Kurobuta Pork served on Sizzling Hot Plate (S$24++). Served sizzling on a hot plate, before being flambéed, this dish is a sight to behold.

The Kurobuta itself was incredibly tender and the sticky sauce that envelops it is sweet and savoury with a tangy, almost vinegar-like kick.

STEAMED ‘SOON HOCK’ WITH  PICKLED CHILLI

If you’re looking for a sharing dish, our recommendation is to opt for the Steamed ‘Soon Hock’ with Pickled Chilli (Market Price).

The overly generous topping of red chilli may intimidate at first, but the pickling process—to our greatest relief—does take the fiery edge off the chilli, resulting in a tangy, almost sweet concoction that complements the freshly steamed fish beautifully.

BRAISED SUPERIOR FISH MAW AND MUSHROOM

For the ladies who fancy something jam-packed with collagen, then perhaps the Braised Superior Fish Maw with Mushroom (S$48++ (S), S$58++ (M), S$68++ (L)) should sit right with you.

This classic Chinese dish is packed with skin-healing properties and is absolutely flavourful. Braised in a flavourful sauce for several hours, the fish maw acts like a sponge that not only becomes tender during the process but also soaks up all the intense sauce.

‘MALA’ SOFT-SHELL PRAWN

We were particularly thrilled to have a go at Lao Beijing’s new ‘Mala’ Soft-shell Prawn (S$28++); it not only looked majestic, it was also accented with one of our all-time favourite flavours—mala.

Essentially the same flavour components of the iconic cereal prawn but with a spicy accent to it, the dish really did taste as good as it looked. The outer layer was crispy, savoury, and the iconic mouth-numbing spice added a nice touch to the sweet prawn.

Both the Four Vegetable Delicacies with ‘Huai Shan’ (S$18.80++) and Homemade Black Beancurd with Wild Mushroom and Seafood (S$18.80++) were cooked using only the freshest seasonal vegetables and masterfully prepared to retain as much of its natural flavour and colour as possible, on top of a layer of solid wok hei flavour.

BRAISED RED-SPOTTED GROUPER WITH GINGER WINE

A hearty concoction of fresh grouper and an aromatic sauce, we were pretty darn sold by their Braised Red-spotted Grouper with Ginger Wine (S$36++). Infusing ginger and wine, the sauce took on a pungent and zesty appeal with a nice kick from the wine.

We really liked that they went with grouper among all other fish varieties as it really held its firmness well without crumbling.

Lao Beijing 
238 Thomson road
Velocity@Novena Square, #02-11/12
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 6358 4466
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am – 3pm, 3pm – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

This post was brought to you by Lao Beijing. 

When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, no one ever leaves without paying the acclaimed Lunch Lady a visit. This internationally-renowned street food stall—located just a few steps away from popular pho joint, Pho Phuong 25—is famous for their down-to-Earth, rustic charm and menu that rotates daily.

The stall made its mark less than a decade ago after the late, great Anthony Bourdain visited them as part of his food programme, No Reservations. Until today, Lunch Lady is still highly patronised by locals, tourists, as well as food bloggers from around the world—like us.

The humble stall is owned and run by Ms Nguyen Thi Thanh, also known as the Lunch Lady. An international street food icon, her modest stall in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 is packed daily and for good reason–her food is truly out of this world. Period.

The moment you get yourself seated down, you are welcomed with an abundance of side dishes from deep-fried prawn fritters to an assortment of traditional Vietnamese spring rolls. Feeling rather stuffed, and with our stomach’s set on trying Ms Nguyen’s ever-popular Thursday Noodles, we decided to give the sides a miss.

For those of you pining for a taste of legit Vietnamese spring rolls, you’ll be happy to know that the snack is available here too. Having it alone won’t leave much of an impression, but accompanying it is a special dip that you simply must try.

A beautiful harmony of sweet, savoury and umami notes with an assertive characteristic of dried shrimp and roasted peanuts, the sauce really does elevate the taste of the spring roll, allowing the fresh herbaceous qualities from the basil to really shine through.

Lunch Lady specialises in serving noodle dishes with a different variant on the menu every day. We got ourselves what she calls, the Thursday Noodles (50,000 VND), and what it is is basically noodle soup dish with generous amounts of roasted pork belly, sliced pork, large prawns, fish cake, morning glory (kang kong) as well as cuttlefish.

The ingredients were fresh and for what the dish was worth, we were utterly shocked by how generous she was with her ingredients, but more so by how incredibly tasty the entire dish was from the rich broth to its individual components.

The broth was a hearty mix of deep, meaty flavours with a hint of savoury seafood, perfectly melded together to form a concentrated yet deeply satisfying combination of flavours. Despite it being so simple, the manipulation of skill and passion really showed, and every spoonful of the flavourful broth propelled our tastebuds into gastronomic nirvana.

Lunch Lady
23 Hoang Sa Street
Phuong Da Kao, District 1 (Quan 1)
Tel: +84 93 388 79 22
Daily: 9am – 3pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Lin Heung Tea House in Sheung Wan is one of the oldest teahouses in Hong Kong and it is one of the few Chinese restaurants that serves dim sum the traditional way.

An unassuming Chinese restaurant which offers both locals and tourists the most authentic Cantonese dining experience you can get, this restaurant is definitely a place that is worth visiting—if you are willing to brave the crowd.

Lin Heung Tea House has been in business since 1889. For first-timers, get ready to fight for your food when you get to Lin Heung Tea House. You’ll find diners swarming to a pushcart whenever it gets out of the kitchen, and some dishes can get sold out within minutes so you have to be quick on your feet!

This teahouse is almost perpetually crowded, but it truly is a must-visit destination when you are in Hong Kong. What else can we say? Lin Heung Tea House may not be the best option for the faint-hearted, but it sure is one hell of an experience.

Lin Heung Tea House
162 Wellington Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 25444556
Daily: 6am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sheung Wan MTR Exit E2

Read: 15 Best Dim Sum Restaurants in Hong Kong that offer the quintessential dim sum experience.