One of the best Char Chaan Teng in Singapore, So Good Char Chan Teng is opening its first outlet in the East of Singapore at i12 Katong. It will be opening in Q4 2022.

From Crispy Bun with Condensed Milk to Hong Kong Dim Sum, roasted barbeque meats and egg tarts, So Good Char Chan Teng serves classic Char Chaan Teng fare at reasonable prices.

They have some of the best baked egg tarts you can find in Singapore which are perfect with Hong Kong-style Milk Tea.

You won’t go wrong with their classic Hong Kong-style breakfast with scrambled eggs, crispy bun and baked beans.

We also love their Roasted Pork Belly, Roasted Duck and Steamed Chicken (Gui Fei Ji) with noodles.

The new outlet at i12 Katong will be located at level four and it will be So Good Char Chan Teng’s 6th outlet in Singapore. You can also find them at Midview City, 111 Somerset, Capitol Piazza, 100 AM, and Republic Plaza.

So Good Char Chan Teng
i12 Katong
112 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428802
Level 4

Missing Hong Kong? There’s a new Cha Chaan Teng in town!

You can satisfy your cravings for authentic Hong Kong-style noodles, roast meats, and cha chaan teng classics at Pi Food, a new Hong Kong-style eatery located at UBS Singapore Business Hub (formerly known as Park Mall).

The kitchen is helmed by Hong Kong Head Chef Tsang Tak Ching, who worked as a Sous Chef at Lei Garden (Hong Kong) for 7 years before heading to Singapore.

Photos credit: Pi Food

You can look forward to Pi Food’s house specialities such as Hong Kong Fresh Shrimp Wanton Noodles, Iberico Pork Char Siew, Crispy Pork Belly, Sweet and Sour Pork and Gui Fei Chicken; as well as Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng classics including Hong Kong-Style Baked Rice with Pork Chop and Hong Kong Beef Brisket in Curry Sauce.

Pi Food
9 Penang Road, #01-18
Singapore 238459

Joy Luck Teahouse is bringing in the signatures from the 3 top iconic Hong Kong brands—Hoover Cake Shop, Kam Kee Cafe & Tak Hing Fish Ball Company.

The newly-launched Hong Kong-style Café at Ion Orchard is conceptualised by former TVB producer Mr Robert Chua who is behind Kam’s Roast Singapore and Tim Ho Wan.

Look forward to Hoover Cake Shop’s egg tarts (choose from puff pastry and a butter cookie type, Kam Kee Cafe’s pineapple buns and Hong Kong-style milk tea, and Tak Hing Fishball Company’s Hong Kong Fish Balls.

Joy Luck Teahouse will be offering two types of egg tarts from Hoover Cake Shop—a puff pastry and a butter cookie type.

Kam Kee Cafe’s pineapple buns (Bo Luo Bao) and Hong Kong-style milk tea will be making their debut in Singapore. Other than the classic Bo Lou Yau (pineapple bun with a thick slab of butter), the Bo Luo Bao also comes with different fillings including kaya and luncheon meat.

Fans of Tak Hing Fishball Company will be delighted that the authentic Hong Kong curry-flavoured fish balls are now available in Singapore.

Joy Luck Teahouse will be opening a second outlet at Bugis Junction next month.

Joy Luck Teahouse
ION Orchard, B4-61

Photo credit: Joy Luck Teahouse

Any trip to Hong Kong would not be complete without having a meal (or should we say every meal?) in one of their many cha chaan tengs, snacking on a couple of Hong Kong egg tarts in one seating and slurping up some Hong Kong-style milk teas to end your day on a sweet note.

Even though that the service is definitely not the best around, Hong Kong still remains as one of the best food destinations in Asia. Thankfully for us, there are quite a number of iconic Hong Kong restaurants that opened in Singapore over the past few years.

Forget about the 4-hour flight to Hong Kong, here are 7 Hong Kong food concepts in Singapore that will gau dim any lingering HK food cravings.

HONOLULU CAFE

Founded in the 1940s, Honolulu Cafe started out as just a humble eatery that serves Hong Kong-style coffee, tea and baked goods. They have since expanded their menu extensively and now serve Hong Kong classic dishes such as macaroni noodle dishes and weekly specials alongside their freshly baked egg tarts.

Their egg tarts (S$1.70) are to-die-for and we dare say that Honolulu Cafe dishes out one of the best renditions in Hong Kong.

#01-33 F/G, 176 Orchard Road
The Centrepoint
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6734 6609
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TAI CHEONG BAKERY

As if the Holland Village area isn’t already a food haven, Tai Cheong Bakery has opened the brand’s first ever sit-in concept there in 2016.

Tai Cheong Bakery has been serving these irresistible delicious egg tarts for more than half a century and they hold a special place in the hearts of Hong Kongers across generations. Fret not if you are looking for more substantial meals for they also serve main courses such as Scrambled Egg Toast and Beef Brisket Curry Rice.

31 Lor Liput
Singapore 277742
Tel: +65 9828 1954
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

TIM HO WAN

Hailing from Hong Kong and perhaps one of the biggest openings here in Singapore is dim sum chain, Tim Ho Wan. With certain outlets open for 24-hours, this is another supper spot to consider should the likes of steamed, baked or fried dim sum peak your fancy.

The Baked Bun with BBQ Pork, Spicy and Sour Dumplings and the hugely underrated Vermicelli Roll with Shrimp are our go-to dishes at Tim Ho Wan and they never disappoint.

68 Orchard Rd, 01-29A/52
Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6251 2000
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

TSUI WAH

Despite opening its doors only in June 2018, Tsui Wah has already been a hit amongst Singaporeans to get affordable and undeniably satisfying Cantonese cuisine.

Similar to what you will find in their Hong Kong outlets, Tsui Wah Singapore offers a variety of their signature dishes including Crispy Bun with Sweet Condensed Milk (S$4), Pork Chop Bun (S$7.50), King Prawns in XO Sauce with Tossed Noodles (S$11) as well as their legendary Swiss Sauce Chicken Wings (S$11).

3A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay #01-03
Singapore 179020
Daily: 11am – 1.30am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

MAK’S NOODLES

Mak’s Noodles has got to be one of the best (if not the best) noodle stores in Hong Kong. Starting out as just a small eatery, Mak’s Noodle expanded to a chain of 6 eateries all over Hong Kong and now, a couple of outlets in Singapore too.

Their dishes are simple, comprising just noodles topped with their signature wontons but do not be fooled by their simplicity for every mouthful will envelop your taste buds with myriads of flavours!

#01-63/64, 176 Orchard Road
The Centrepoint
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6235 5778
Daily: 11am – 10pm

MUI KEE CONGEE

Mui Kee Congee serves delectable congee that is a league of its own. Using recipes and cooking techniques that have been passed down through three generations, you can count on Mui Kee Congee to deliver silky smooth congee filled with old-school ingenuity.

Be prepared to queue for up to an hour at this real-deal congee stall during lunch hours before laying your hands on a bowl of their delights. During dinner time, they also serve a variety of claypot dishes as perfect accompaniments to your meal.

1 Scotts Road, #01-12
Shaw Centre
Singapore 228208
Tel: +65 6737 2422
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

KAM’S ROAST

Kam’s Roast has earned itself a one Michelin star for 3 consecutive years and for good reason. If you are there for the first time, opt for their classic char siew and roast pork noodles set (S$11.80) that features perfectly caramelised char siew and crisp roasted pork nestled atop springy egg noodles.

Granted that these dishes do not come cheap, what you get is a solid meal that will leave you satisfied and planning your next visit here.

9 Scotts Road
Singapore 228210
Tel: +65 6836 7788
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Good news for all cha chaan teng lovers—the renowned Tsui Wah has officially opened their second outlet at Robinsons The Heeren on 17 September 2019.

After their first outlet at Clarke Quay, you can now enjoy Tsui Wah’s popular dishes—including the Swiss Sauce Chicken Wings, King Prawns in XO Sauce with Tossed Noodles and Hong Kong-style milk tea—in town.

Fans can expect the same quality and consistency because the culinary team has been trained by chefs from Hong Kong.

For authentic cha chaan teng fare at a great price point, you know where to make a beeline for when Tsui Wah opens their doors at Robinsons The Heeren!

Robinsons The Heeren
260 Orchard Road
The Heeren
Singapore 238855
Nearest Station: Somerset

The wait is finally over—famous Hong Kong cha chaan teng, Tsui Wah, opens its doors to the public on 15 June 2018, 1pm!

Known for their Swiss Sauce Chicken Wings, King Prawns in XO Sauce with Tossed Noodles and Hong Kong-style milk tea, Tsui Wah Singapore will take over the space of former Attica Club at Clarke Quay which faces the Singapore River.

Fans will be delighted to know that the culinary team has been trained by chefs from Hong Kong to ensure that standards are kept high. So if you are ready to find out what Tsui Wah has to offer, continue reading on.

With its reputation in the Hong Kong food scene, it is little wonder why many Singaporeans (including us) are excited about the opening of this popular Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng in our city.

Tsui Wah’s flagship restaurant at Hong Kong Central is a popular spot for party-goers at Lan Kwai Fong as it opens for 24 hours daily. So we are not surprised to know that Tsui Wah Singapore has chosen Clarke Quay as its first location.

Similar to what you will find in their Hong Kong outlets, Tsui Wah Singapore will be offering their signature dishes including Crispy Bun with Sweet Condensed Milk (S$4), Pork Chop Bun (S$7.50), King Prawns in XO Sauce with Tossed Noodles (S$11), Malaysian Beef Brisket Curry with rice as well as their legendary Swiss Sauce  Chicken Wings (S$11).

Enjoy your food with the iconic Hong Kong-style Milk Tea (S$3.50), of course. However, you might have to wait a little longer for their iconic Bo Luo Buns and Chicken Rice as Tsui Wah will be slowly rolling out the full menu in Singapore.

The King Prawns in XO Sauce with Tossed Noodles (S$11) is fragrant and prawns served are plump and juicy. The noodles are cooked to a great al dente texture which we enjoyed thoroughly.

The Kagoshima-style Pork Cartilage in Fish Soup with Mixian features tender and delicious pork with a generous amount of smooth cartilage. You can also have it dry with instant noodles–the true Hong Kong-style.

Tsui Wah’s Signature Pork Chop Bun is a Hong Kong staple and it comes highly recommended. Simple but oh-so-satisfying!

The Crispy Bun with Condensed Milk is one those with a sweet tooth must not miss out on. The condensed milk adds texture and so much flavour to every bite. Ultra-addictive!

If you are looking for more sweet options, the Savoury French Toast Bites Served With Vanilla Ice Cream is a great way to end a hearty meal at Tsui Wah.

Tsui Wah Singapore’s new operating hours are from 11am to 1.30am daily and there are four new menu items especially for supper which will start from 10.30pm with the last order at 1am.

For quality Cha Chaan Teng fare at really affordable prices, head down to Tsui Wah Singapore to truly have a taste of authentic Hong Kong food.

Tsui Wah Singapore
3A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay #01-03
Singapore 179020
Daily: 11am – 1.30am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Read: 17 Best Cha Chaan Teng in Hong Kong you must dine at.

Tsui Wah—Hong Kong’s famous cha chaan teng—is finally opening in Singapore on 15 June 2018! Locals and tourists alike flock to Tsui Wah Restaurant for their signature Hainanese chicken rice, fishball noodles, and Bo Luo Bao.

Jumbo Group will be partnering Tsui Wah to bring the Hong Kong-style Cha Chaan Teng to Singapore.

For the uninitiated, cha chaan teng is a no-pretence, fuss-free local eatery in Hong Kong that serves comfort food at affordable prices. These local diners are everywhere in Hong Kong and you will always find locals dining in those nondescript outlets.

The Tsui Wah Group currently has 70 outlets in Hong Kong, China and Macau; and one of the most impressive things about Tsui Wah is that it manages to maintain its high standards across all the branches.

Jumbo has just announced the opening date of Tsui Wah in Singapore on 15 June. The first outlet will be at Clarke Quay, taking over the former Attica unit on the ground floor facing the Singapore River.

Watch this space as we bring you the latest update of Tsui Wah’s opening in Singapore.

Tsui Wah Singapore
3A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay,
Singapore 179020
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

One of the primary reasons why we always enjoy our time in Hong Kong is, of course, the food. Hong Kong has many restaurants with different types of cuisine but those can never win our love for its local food.

Dine in a local Cha Chaan Teng (literal translation: Tea Restaurant) over local casual fare such as wanton noodles and roast meat rice, or venture into the streets and get yourself some curry fishballs, egg tarts or even the ever popular egglets.

On a budget? No worries; we are going to show you how you can stuff yourself silly with a small budget. Here is How to Conquer the Best of Hong Kong’s Local Food in A Day With S$50.

BREAKFAST AT AUSTRALIAN DAIRY COMPANY

Something about Australian Dairy Company that makes it so special. The breakfast, of course. You must try the scrambled eggs.

A breakfast set goes for HKD$28 (S$5.09) and it is served with toast and a cup of tea.

47 Parkes St, Jordan, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2730 1356
Daily: 7.30am – 11pm
Nearest MTR: Jordan

Average expenditure: S$5 per person

LUNCH AT ONE DIM SUM

Listed on the 2013 Michelin Guide, it goes without saying that the dim sum served at One Dim Sum is a cut above the rest. The restaurant, however, is pretty tiny and waiting times can be up to an hour long.

But trust us—the wait is worth it. The dim sum is also unbelievably affordable, with most items below HKD$25 (S$4.54). Go in a group so that you can order more items to share.

Shop 1 & 2, G/F, Kenwood Mansion
15 Playing Field Road, Prince Edward
Tel: +852 2789 2280
Mon to Fri: 11am – 12.30 midnight
Sat & Sun: 10am – 12.30 midnight
Nearest MTR: Prince Edward (Exit A)

Average expenditure: S$10 – S$15 per person

TEA AT DIM SUM ICON

Dim Sum Icon changes their theme every three months. When we visited, they had the Little Twins Stars theme up and boy, were we in love with the adorable pastel blues and pinks in our dim sum!

Since it is tea time and you probably need a little break in between shopping, all you need is to order one dim sum each and a drink.

Shop L308, 3F, The ONE, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 2885 1345
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui

Average expenditure: S$10 – S$12 (for one dim sum and drink only) per person

SALTED EGG CROISSANT AND EGG TARTS

Urban Bakery Works is indeed the first bakery to start serving the ever-popular Molten Salted Egg Croissants (HKD$22) at their Landmark outlet, much to acclaimed success everywhere. It is a must-try food item and you will know just why it is so popular once you have had your first bite.

From the buttery outer layer to the smooth and tasty molten centre, everything about this croissant is baked to perfection.

Room 322, 3/F The Landmark
15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3565 4320
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 8pm Sat, Sun & PH: 8.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Central

Average expenditure: S$4 – S$8 per person

ROAST GOOSE DINNER

Nothing completes a day of gastronomical fun in Hong Kong than with some juicy roast goose. We have rounded up some of our favourites here, so you can take your pick from these popular restaurants.

A whole roast goose can be pretty pricey so it is always best to go in a big group, or you can simply order an individual portion with rice or noodles. Roast goose in Hong Kong is of another level and nowhere else does goose better!

Average expenditure: S$20 – S$40 per person

Total food expenditure for the day: S$44* onwards

*Do note that this is a rough number and that menu prices might differ slightly, as with currency fluctuations.

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

Renowned Hong Kong brand Tai Cheong Bakery officially opens a full-fledged Cha Chaan Teng in Holland Village today. Everyone knows Tai Cheong Bakery—after all, it is the mother of all egg tarts!

Unsurprisingly, a long queue is already formed outside the Cantonese restaurant; everyone is eager to try Tai Cheong Bakery’s legendary egg tarts (S$1.90 each).

Signature egg tarts aside, you can now look forward to a one-page menu of authentic cha chaan teng dishes. We are talking about classic Hong Kong delicacies such as Beef Brisket Curry Rice (S$9.90), Hong Kong Milk Tea (hot – S$2, cold – S$2.50) and Bolo Bun (S$2.20).

Holland V dwellers, brace yourselves—your neighbourhood is going to be even more crowded than before!

Tai Cheong Bakery’s glorious egg tarts boast a consistently smooth texture and a glossy sheen. Instead of the ubiquitous flaky short-crust pastry, Tai Cheong Bakery uses a buttery cookie-like crust as the base instead. These crisp shells are currently premade at a factory, before they are baked and filled in-house.

Tai Cheong Bakery has been serving these irresistible delicious egg tarts for more than half a century and they hold a special place in the hearts of Hong Kongers across generations.

Today, there are 14 outlets across the Pearl of Orient and we are so glad to see the reputable brand choosing Singapore as the destination for their overseas outpost.

You can choose to either dine-in or takeout. Don’t worry about wasting your precious time on queuing up—the restaurant has cleverly implemented an SMS system to inform you when your fresh-from-the-oven egg tarts are ready. But here’s a warning: You might have to wait up to an hour to get your hands on one.

Tai Cheong Bakery’s Bo Lo Bao (S$2.20 each) is a must-order too. The freshly baked bun’s crunchy sugary top bears an uncanny resemblance to pineapples—hence deriving its apt name. A slab of butter is sandwiched between the soft and fluffy bread. Perfect for a midday treat!

The main courses are very affordable and range from S$6.50 to S$9.90 for a Scrambled Egg Toast and Beef Brisket Curry Rice respectively.

The former features a moist pillowy white toast topped with a generous amount of scrambled eggs. Mind you, these egg are no ordinary eggs—they are exceptionally creamy and literally melts in your mouth. Do not underestimate this dish, it is actually pretty filling.

On the other hand, the latter is a savoury hearty dish that hit all the right spots. All you need is one mouthful of the aromatic beef brisket and you will be instantly teleported back to Hong Kong. The tasty succulent meat is cooked till tenderness and we devoured it instantaneously.

The restaurant remains true to its roots and its decors are every bit Hong Kong-style. Even the space is exceptionally limited; there are only five tiny booth seats indoors and 24 proper seats outdoors. Upon sitting down in the booth, you will realise how little room there is between the table and the cushioned seat.

Tai Cheong Bakery Singapore
31 Lorong Liput
Singapore 277742
Sun to Thu: 8.30am – 11pm
Fri and Sat: 8.30am – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Local Cha Chaan Teng Chau Kee in Hong Kong has become quite an Instagram sensation with its splendid Golden Lava French Toasts. While our love for Liu Sha Baos remains eternal, we got to admit that we have too taken a liking to these fluffy French toasts with a Cantonese twist.

Of course, Golden Lava French Toast is not the only item being sold here. Chau Kee’s comprehensive menu includes an impressive selection of handcrafted dim sums and Chinese-style dishes such as Siu Mais and Silver Pin Noodles.

Due to Chau Kee’s overwhelming popularity, guests will have to wait up to at least 20 to 30 minutes before getting a seat.

Look around and you will soon realise that every table will order the bestselling Golden Lava French Toast (HK$25).

The hearty buttery toast is injected with generous amount of salted egg yolk which oozes out instantaneously when you slice through the fragrant toasted bread. These Liu Sha French Toasts ain’t just gimmicky treats; yes, they actually taste pretty damn good!

For a savoury alternative, order the French Toast stuffed with Creamed Corn (HK$28) instead.

The piping hot delicate fried toast – encased in crisp egg wash – is an absolute joy to cut into! Knife it and watch the viscous cream corn mixture flow out rapidly. Sinful, but who cares?

French toasts aside, we would also highly recommend the Shrimp Toast with Sesame (HK$30) and Siu Mai with Black Truffle and Crab Roe (HK$24).

The former is a scrumptious platter of triangular toasts stuffed with aromatic al dente shrimp paste and covered in sesame, while the latter is a basket of classic steamed Siu Mai dumplings topped with premium ingredients.

For something more substantial, get the Fried Silver Pin Noodle with XO Sauce (HK$30). These noodles have also been interestingly nicknamed as “Rat Noodles” due to its uncanny resemblance to the rodent’s tail – but don’t worry, it smells and tastes nothing like the pests. Hand rolled and stir-fried with a spicy seafood sauce, the rice noodles are chewy and tasty.

First there was Urban Bakery’s Salted Egg Yolk Croissant, next it was Dim Sum Icon’s Gudetama Molten Custard Buns. Now, the latest craze is Hong Kong is Chau Kee’s Golden Lava French Toasts. We wonder what will be next.

Chau Kee
Shop H1, G/F, Tung Lee Mansion
Water Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
Tel: +852 2559 2389
Closed on Mondays Tue to Sun: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: HKU / Sai Ying Pun

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best cha chaan teng in Hong Kong.

Famous Hong Kong cha chaan teng Honolulu Café has officially opened its inaugural international outpost in Singapore and we had the honour to savour their menu firsthand just a few hours ago.

Local chefs from Hong Kong’s Honolulu Café are also sent to Singapore to ensure that the dishes served here remain similar to the flagship store’s.

Honolulu Café was founded in Hong Kong during the 1940s, where it started out as a humble eatery selling coffee, tea and baked confectionery. The casual eatery is renowned for their scrumptious egg tarts, pineapple buns and Hong Kong milk tea – we are glad that we no longer have to board a four-hour flight just to satisfy our cravings!

No trip to Honolulu Cafe is complete until you have tried their signature Honolulu Egg Tarts (S$1.70++ each). Each palm-size flaky pastry encases to-die-for sweet soft egg custard; the dough had been frozen overnight and folded into many layers to achieve a crisp shell.

Is it exactly like those god-like ones we had in Hong Kong? Close enough. Well, we have to be honest that we were too carried away with taking photos and swooning over the tart of our dreams, so by the time we bit into the case, it was cold. That said, the custard was distinctly creamy, smooth, wobbly and subtly sweet; we remembered the ones in Hong Kong to be like that. The pastry was no doubt flaky, and fragrant with strong primary notes of butter.

Hopefully the next time we visit, we’d get to taste them warm for more exact comparison!

Honolulu Cafe’s next bestselling item is the popular Hong Kong snack, Honolulu Pineapple Bun with Butter (S$2++ each). Known as Bo Lo Bao in Cantonese, these buns are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and served lukewarm with a slab of melting butter in-between.

Yes, get this.

Another favourite is the Chicken Wings with Swiss Sauce (S$6++ for six pieces) – which actually has zero link to Switzerland. Instead, these tender chicken mid wings have been marinated in a myriad of Chinese wine, soy sauce, spices and sugar. The plate came with generous sauce, and we took the effort to coat our wings in the soy sauce further before eating them. Mamma mia!

Now, this may sound random but another must-order savoury dish would be the succulent Sweet and Sour Pork with Rice (S$7.80++). You would think it is weird to eat a typical “tze char” dish at Honolulu Cafe, but trust us – these succulent pork chunks are well executed. Those with a stronger palate may find it a tad too bland, but we thought it was just the right balance of flavours.

We have always struggled to find authentic Hong Kong-style curry fish balls in Singapore and boy, are we glad that Honolulu Cafe has finally filled the gap! Bouncy and “full”, these Curry Fish Balls (S$3++) pack an addictive punch with every bite.

The curry paste is imported from Hong Kong and cooked to order here in Singapore, so it is definitely one of those highly recommended that you should get.

Mr. Luo Tak – the Winner of both 2010 International Hong Kong Milk Tea Competition and 2011 Hong Kong Yuan Yang Competition – is stationed at Singapore’s Honolulu Cafe to make sure that customers can enjoy authentic Hong Kong-style milk tea.

Help yourselves to Tea or Coffee with Condensed Milk (hot – S$3++, cold S$3.20++) or a glass of Yuan Yang (hot – S$3.30++, cold – S$3.50). Yuan Yang is essentially a beverage that has infused Hong Kong tea and brewed coffee into one kick-ass caffeine-loaded rejuvenating drink.

However, if you prefer your milk tea to be super sweet with overpowering evaporated milk afternote, this ain’t for you. We prefer ours to come with a lingering bitterness from the tea, and this met our mark.

With up to 35 dishes on the food menu, 13 drinks on the beverage list and three desserts, there is surely something you would definitely fancy at Singapore’s Honolulu Cafe. Other familiar Hong Kong delicacies such as Beef brisket in Soup (S$6), Pork Chop Bun (S$5++) and Condensed Milk Toast (S$2++ each, S$2.50++ for two).

It is only natural that new restaurants would have teething problems, mostly with operations. Honolulu Café has taken a very good first step by opening their first overseas outpost here in Singapore – because we love Hong Kong cuisine, right?

Hopefully, the team will be able to adapt well to Singapore’s service climate, and that the restaurant would run more smoothly in months or even weeks to come. For now, can we just say again how much we love Honolulu Café? You might have read this one too many times but it stays true.

BEST. EGG. TARTS. EVER.

Honolulu Café
The Centrepoint #01-33F/G
176 Orchard Road
Singapore 238843
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post was brought to you by Honolulu Café.

Hong Kong’s famous cha chaan teng Honolulu Cafe is opening in Singapore! Famous for its egg tarts with flaky pastry, it will open a 1,500 sq ft restaurant with 50 seats at The CentrePoint in Orchard Road at the end of April 2016. We will go out on a limb to say that Honolulu Cafe has the best egg tarts in Hong Kong.

Over the past years, we have seen several openings of successful Hong Kong food brands in Singapore.

Honolulu Cafe is a franchise brought in by a new company set up by Mr Lee Yuen Yong – the managing director of F&B company Asia Gourmet. For those who are unfamiliar with the name, it is the same company that brought in wonton noodle specialist Mak’s Noodle from Hong Kong. Unsurprisingly, it is opening Honululu Cafe at CentrePoint where Mak’s Noodle first debuted.

Here’s some background knowledge about Honolulu Cafe – it was founded in the 1940s by the late Mr Yeung Jin Hei. The cafe started out by selling Hong Kong-style coffee, tea and baked goods.

But over the past 20 years, it has gradually expanded its menu and added more dishes, and today you can find everything from noodle dishes to sandwiches, baked pastries and rice dishes. Honolulu Cafe in Hong Kong is now a full-fledge cha chaan teng, and whenever we are in the city, we find ourselves returning to Honolulu Cafe again and again for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It currently has three shops in Beijing and one in Shanghai. Honolulu Cafe in Singapore will be its fifth overseas outlet and it will serve freshly baked egg tarts (S$1.70 each), along with the Hong Kong classic dishes such as macaroni noodle dishes and weekly specials.

And of course, when Honolulu Cafe hits our shores, the egg tart is what you must try, for it was what made Honolulu Cafe so famous today. Its signature flaky tarts boast a very buttery and mildly sweet light-coloured pastry shell, filled with a center of smooth, creamy egg custard.

Other than the amazing egg tarts, you should also save room for their Pineapple Buns (Bo Luo Bao).

We are the biggest fans of Honolulu Cafe and everyone knows that by now, so you bet we are most excited about their arrival in Singapore!

With Tai Cheong Bakery and Honolulu Cafe set to enter the Singapore market, would we see a new egg tart craze this year in 2016? We cannot wait to find out.

For more recommendations, read our guide to the top 11 Cha Chaan Teng in Hong Kong.

Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is arguably the biggest name in the local Hong Kong ‘Cha Chaan Teng’-style restaurant scene. When you think of Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe, you think affordable prices, comfort food and a relaxing casual ambience.

In conjunction with their 10th anniversary celebration, Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe has launched a specially curated #AWESOMELY10 menu. Since their first outlet opened in Heartland Mall (which is also their flagship outlet), 19 other outlets have popped up in every corner of Singapore; there is definitely an outlet near you.

What we love best about Xin Wang is that most outlets are open till 2am to cater to the late-night dining crowd. With an entire menu priced S$15 and below, we learned lately that all the dishes are cooked a la minute to ensure freshness and tastiness.

Here are some highlights from the #AWESOMELY10 menu and some other signature dishes that are ever popular.

Our eyes were first drawn to the Scallop Cheese Baked Rice (S$11.90) which featured two plump and juicy scallops atop a bed of rice with sauce and cheese on top, baked till crisp. It is nothing fanciful, but makes a simple, casual dish that is value for money.

The Sliced Beef Claypot Ee Fu Noodle (S$11.90) fared better, though. That is our idea of basic comfort food at its best. Ee Fu Noodles have always been a local favourite and the addition of sliced beef really kicked the dish up a notch.

We were extremely stoked to try the Pork Cutlet Dry Curry Ramen (S$10.90) as we have always been fans of their Asian-style curry dishes. For just S$10.90, you get a massive piece of perfectly deep-fried pork with noodles doused in tasty, thick curry. The varying textures sure got our hearts.

Then, there is the Smoked Duck Fried Rice (S$9.90) that was created to bring a unique twist to their classic fried rice offerings.

This other curry-centric dish, the Seafood Curry with Rice (S$11.90), features a variety seafood simmered in a bowl of not-too-fiery curry. We are the typical Asians who find comfort in curry with rice, and you bet this flavourful one sealed the deal for us.

We were a little skeptical about the Ham Ying Yong Sauce Spaghetti (S$11.90) when we first saw it on the #AWESOMELY10 menu, but it turned out to be pretty comforting. The brave marriage of cream and tomato sauce sure turned out well. Of course, those ham slices were added comfort; simple goodness that we can always count on for supper, right?

People in Hong Kong love their spaghetti with an Asian twist. Or more specifically, a Hong Kong twist. The Fried Fish Fillet Spaghetti might scare the Italians away, but not us. Al dente spaghetti is tossed in a tomato sauce, and accompanied with a huge serving of deep fried fish fillet; that is how they roll in Hong Kong. By the way, this dish is only S$9.90!

Sometimes, we can be creatures of familiarity and we just want to return to dishes that we know. Those are the all-time favourites that we’ve relied on, and the Eel Hot Pot Porridge is one of them. Just look at how great this claypot dish looks!

Grilled and slathered in Japanese sauces, the generous slab of eel adds sweetness to the porridge. Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is probably the only place where you can find such a unique combination, and it is only S$12.90.

Now, here comes the star – one that we will never be sick of. Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe’s signature Pork Chop and Egg Papaya Soup Bee Hoon has over 3 million bowls sold. Papaya might seem intimidating to some, but we can assure you that the soup is really just a rich broth that is sweet and milky, and tastes nothing like papaya at all.

Accompanied by an egg, sweet corn and pork chop, we find ourselves gravitating towards this dish every time we don’t know what to eat. You know how menus can confuse us sometimes because there are just too many (great) choices, but this – we know it will never go wrong.

Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe has two other signature dishes that have been crowned favourites since day one – the Signature Stir-Fried Rice and the Signature Stir-Fried Noodles that are at S$11.50 each.

Both are extremely flavourful and come with generous seafood and meats. The latter is our favourite. The springy noodles are stir-fried in a sweet sauce, and every mouthful boasts a ‘wok hei’ that is so intense with each bite.

For the uninitiated, ‘wok hei’ simply means the essence of the stir-fried taste “imparted” by the wok over high temperature. You know it is a good dish when the ‘wok hei’ is robust.

These two desserts are new and are part of the new #AWESOMELY10 menu. We tried them both and loved both; so good that we couldn’t pick a favourite.

The Kiwi and Mango Shaved Ice (S$3.90) is a refreshing alternative and we know that we will be ordering this if we need something tart yet sweet.

The Glutinous Rice with Coconut Ice Cream (S$4.90) brought back many childhood memories of growing up with this dessert that we all so affectionately know as ‘pulut hitam’.

Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe (Flagship outlet*)
205 Heartland Mall
Hougang Street 21 #01-133/135
Singapore 530205
Tel: +65-487 3481
Daily: 11am to 2am
Nearest Station: Kovan

*Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe has a total of 20 outlets islandwide.

This post is brought to you by Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe.

There are many things to eat in Hong Kong, but one of the must-eats is definitely roast goose. A good roast goose has plump, juicy and tender meat with crisp skin. Served with a sweet plum sauce, it is unbeatable, and so good that you won’t be able to stop eating. Hong Kong has many good roast goose restaurants – you can find one on every street – but we will save you the trouble and share with you 6 of the best roast goose restaurants in Hong Kong.

Joy Hing

Joy Hing Roast Restaurant in Wanchai is pretty good. This small eatery is packed with locals throughout the day, so expect to eat under an elbow-to-elbow condition, but the roast goose will make it worthwhile. What we also liked about Joy Hing is that the staff are surprisingly friendly. For an eatery so small and minimally-furnished, so rundown-looking yet with a non-stop flow of diners, so truly Hong Kong that a visitor might be intimidated, the last we would expect is good service that make us feel welcomed and at ease.

1C Stewart Road, Wan Chai
Intersection with Hennessy Road
Tel: +852 2519 6639
Nearest Station: Wan Chai

Kam’s Roast Goose

Hardy Kam Shun-yuen, the grandson of Yung Kee’s founder, started Kam’s Roast Goose to continue the legacy, and though Kam’s Roast Goose has only been in operations for slightly past a year, it has earned its 1-Michelin Star already.

Here’s the million dollar question – is Kam’s Roast Goose really better than Yung Kee? There are many versions of the verdicts, and we do think Kam’s is the winner. The overall experience of dining at the small outlet is more pleasant as well, with the staff being more hospitable and helpful with your questions and requests.

Nothing unnecessarily pretentious about dining at Kam’s Roast Goose; just sheer satisfaction from savouring the classic Hong Kong roasts.

226 Hennessy Road
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2520 1110
Nearest Station: Wan Chai

Sham Tseng Chan Kee

One of the cha chaan teng in Hong Kong that we always go to is Sham Tseng Chan Kee. Besides the local classic dishes, Chan Kee is also known for its roast goose, which is easily one of the best renditions in town.

427-427A Reclamation Street
Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2381 6161
Daily: 7.30am – 12 midnight
Nearest MTR: Mong Kok

Tai Hing

You can find Tai Hing all over Hong Kong (it also has outlets in Macau and Singapore), but don’t let it fool you into thinking that this is a mediocre chain. Tai Hing’s version is nothing extraordinary, just roasted to a good standard. Not the best roast goose in Hong Kong, of course – but still better than most places.

The char siew and soy chicken were also excellent. Only the roast pork was disappointing. Besides roast meat, Tai Hing also offers a selection of cooked dishes on the menu. Make sure to try their chilled iced milk tea – it is served in a bowl of ice, so that the drink remains chilled without being diluted.

Shop 1 G/F Cigna Tower
470-484 Jaffe Road
Causeway Bay
Tel: +852 2577 7038
Daily: 7.30am – 12 midnight
Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay

Yat Lok

There are many roast meat restaurants in Hong Kong, but one of the perennial favourites on any round up of roast meat shops will always include Yat Lok. This small local eatery on Stanley Street is not only popular with locals, but also in-the-know foodies who are visiting the city.

28 Stanley Street, Central
Tel: +852 2524 3882
Nearest MTR: Central

Yung Kee

The legendary roast goose restaurant in Hong Kong. Yung Kee is the place where everyone goes – regulars who return again and again to satisfy their roast goose craving, and visitors who want to check it out to see what the fuss is about.

Some people find it to be over-hyped and expensive, while there are others who are loyal supports and return again and again to satisfy their craving for the famous roast goose and century egg.

We belong to the former camp. While we agree that Yung Kee’s roast goose is good, we do not think that it is the best. Nonetheless, it is still a place to check out for first-timers to Hong Kong.

32-40 Wellington Street, Central
Tel: +852 2522 1624
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest MTR: Central

For more recommendations, read our Hong Kong Food & Travel Guides.

Occasionally I like to indulge in a sinful supper, and even though I have my trusty list of late night dining places to turn to, there are times when I would run out of places to go to, too.

Some restaurants are great spots for late night dining, but they often close by midnight, and of course, it is impossible to dine at expensive restaurants all the time. Some eateries, on the other hand, have good supper food, but they are not places where you would want to linger for long.

My ideal supper place should be somewhere that a) opens across wee hours, b) serves hearty supper food at affordable prices, c) offers a nice environment to hang out and d) is located conveniently. And Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe fits the bill perfectly.

I was thrilled when I learned that 13 of the 16 Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafes have extended their opening hours till 4am daily. Whoopie! What a great news for supper lovers.

The good people from Thai Express Group (parent company of Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe) hosted us for a late night party, and all of us had so much fun playing games while pigging out.

Also, to celebrate the newly revised operation timings, Xin Wang Hong Kong Café is launching a new Facebook ‘Spot the Wee Owls’ contest. Read more to find out more about Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe and the contest.

I am sure Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is a familiar name for most people. But not everyone knows that it has 200 items on the menu. Diners can choose from not only the typical Hong Kong cafe dishes – like Bo Lo buns (pineapple buns), congees and noodles – but also local Singapore favourites, tim sum and tea-time snacks.

Some of the items that you cannot miss out at Xin Wang include their Hong Kong style western food, uber-thick French toast with maple syrup, cheese baked dishes, and of course, the signature mango shaved ice.

Besides the food, I love that Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe has a cosy ambience, with nice cushioned seats and seating booths for us to lounge around chit-chatting to the background music.

Anyway back to the ‘Spot the Wee Owls’ contest. It will commence in mid-October for four days throughout the month – 14th (Sunday), 20th (Saturday), 26th (Friday) and 1st November (Thursday). All you have to do is to visit any of the five selected Xin Wang Hong Kong Café outlets on every contest day from 12am to 4am and spot Xin Wang Wee Owls cosying up in the restaurant. Snap a photo together with the Wee Owls and post it on Xin Wang’s Facebook Page.

There will be a total of 12 Lucky winners with three chosen per contest day. Each winner will receive an Exclusive Limited Edition Xin Wang Wee Owls Membership Card. So, be sure to stay tune to Xin Wang’s Facebook Page for the five selected outlets set to be announced a day before every contest day!

Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is definitely the place to visit when you have food cravings late into the night. And remember to follow them on facebook to get the latest updates.