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

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

There are many versions of egg tarts across the world, but the rendition that resonates best with us Singaporeans would probably be the Hong Kong-style egg tart. These rich and creamy egg custards encased within flaky, buttery pastry shells are mad delicious and best eaten lukewarm.

It is something that can be eaten for breakfast, as a midday snack, or even supper. We are always up for a good egg tart.

From Honolulu, Tong Heng Confectionery to Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries, here is our guide to the 8 Best Egg Tarts in Singapore that are worth all the damn calories.

#1 CANTON PARADISE

Canton Paradise’s mini egg tarts (S$4.20 for three) are delightfully light and is one dish we would always order when we dine in the casual restaurant. We love how well its soft, velvety custard complements the crispy, flaky pastry.

1 Vista Exchange Green
B1-45, The Star Vista, The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

#2 HONOLULU CAFE

Honolulu Cafe’s freshly baked egg tarts (S$1.70 each) are the best in town. Its signature flaky tarts – characterised by a very buttery and mildly sweet light-coloured pastry shell – are filled with smooth, creamy egg custard.

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

#3 LEUNG SANG HONG KONG PASTRIES

Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries’ amazingly buttery flaky egg tarts (S$1.30 each) are incredibly addictive. The egg custard boasts a distinct pastel yellow shade and is creamy, silky and sweet. Hands down one of the best egg tarts you can find in Singapore.

#01-06, 18 Jln Membina
Singapore 164018
Tel: +65 6271 6056
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#4 SONG GARDEN

As far as egg tarts go, it is more than just the yellowish custard that defines a really good one. The short-crust pastry that encases it is just as important—if not, more. Here at Song Garden, the Mini Egg Tarts (S$4.20++ for 3 pieces) are far better than your traditional flaky egg tarts. Buttery, crumbly and filled with a luscious egg filling, each bite will transport you to heaven.

What we particularly loved about this was the fact that it was small enough to eat in one bite, which for one, does away with the nuisance of crumbs falling everywhere, and allows you to taste every single component at one go.

122 Middle Road
Mercure Singapore Bugis
Singapore 188973
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#5 TAI CHEONG BAKERY

Hailing from Hong Kong, Tai Cheong Bakery is a reputable institution in Hong Kong with 14 outlets across the city. Tai Cheong Bakery has been serving irresistibly tasty egg tarts for over half a century. Instead of the usual flaky case, Tai Cheong’s egg tarts come in a hard shell.

Takashimaya Basement 2
391 Orchard Road
Singapore 238873
Tel: +65 6738 1111
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#6 TONG HENG CONFECTIONERY

Od-school bakery Tong Heng has been around since Singapore’s colonial days and is renowned for their iconic diamond-shaped egg tarts; slightly flaky crust encasing a wobbly pure egg custard (S$1.40). Definitely one of the most popular egg tarts in Singapore.

285 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058833
Tel: +65 6223 3649
Daily: 9am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

#7 TUNGLOK SIGNATURES

TungLok Signatures’ Baked Mini Egg Tarts (S$4.50 for 3) are always consistency good and they have never disappointed us. The dimsum restaurant may be famous for many reasons, but their egg tarts is one that always draws us back.

Orchard Parade Hotel #02-18
1 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247905
Tel : +65 6834 0660
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#8 YAN TING

Located in St Regis Hotel, Yan Ting is an upscale Chinese restaurant that serves gourmet delicacies and refined dim sum dishes. Their traditional Cantonese egg tarts ($1.60 per piece) are a tad too small, but nevertheless yummy.

29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 6506 6887
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Tai Cheong Bakery will be opening its first outlet in Singapore at the basement of Takashimaya on 27 June 2016.  

Tai Cheong is an institution in Hong Kong, and its egg tarts are well-loved by people from all around the globe. Egg tart is one of the must-try local food in Hong Kong, and we are extremely delighted to know that Tai Cheong Bakery’s egg tarts are going to be so accessible for us soon!

While Tai Cheong Bakery has 14 branches in Hong Kong, both locals and tourists alike still flock to the main store along Lyndhurst Terrace in Central to pick up their bakes.

Tai Cheong Bakery’s outpost in Singapore will be a joint venture with Food People – a company by Mr Wei Chan – the managing director of The Pine Garden Bakery – and Mr Han Jin Juan of Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant.

Other than the much-lauded egg tarts, the old school bakery will also be selling pineapple buns (bolo buns), doughnuts, egg rolls, pastries and local cha chaan teng dishes. Much to anticipate; that goes without saying.

Tai Cheong Bakery’s egg tarts are priced at S$7.60 for a box of 4.

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best food places in Hong Kong.