Carrot cakes and char kway teow are a dime a dozen in hawker centres. But, hidden from the spotlight are a few hawker foods that are slowly losing recognition among Singaporeans today.

Some of these hawker foods used to be thriving in our grandparents’ or parents’ generation but have gradually become endangered as more stalls give up passing on their legacies. But, we’re not going to just let them pass us by.

From rare Teochew kuehs to traditional Malay pancakes, we’ve dug up 8 vanishing hawker foods in Singapore you have to try before they’re gone forever and where to find them. Get a taste of your grandparents’ favourite dessert or your parent’s after-school snack!

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/chianghongkeat/

#1 BUBUR TERIGU

Resembling a paler-looking bubur hitam, the bubur terigu is a sweet wheat porridge. Boiled for at least an hour, the white wheat transforms into a sticky, gooey stew. It is usually sweetened with fragrant gula melaka and coconut milk to give it that extra oomph.

This traditional treat can be found stewing at a small handful of stalls such as Gong He Guan and Hua Jie Traditional Desserts.

Gong He Guan
28 Upper Cross St
Singapore 058337
Tel +65 6223 0562
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Hua Jie Traditional Desserts
17 Upper Boon Keng Rd, #01-70
Singapore 380017
Nearest Station: Boon Keng

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/pohcheukitchen/

#2 CHI KAK KUEH

Black sesame? Charcoal? Nope, it’s mugwort. Known as “chi kak kueh” or “shu ke kueh”, this Teochew snack features mugwort-infused skin stuffed with sweetened green bean paste. Similar to the more familiar ang ku kueh, it’s delightfully chewy on the outside.

Only a few stalls in Singapore make this rare type of kueh, such as Yan Seng Cooked Food and Poh Cheu Soon Kueh & Ang Ku Kueh.

Yan Seng Cooked Food
#01-313, Tekka Centre, 665 Buffalo Road
Singapore 210665
Tel +65 6314 0630
Daily: 6am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Little India

Poh Cheu Soon Kueh & Ang Ku Kueh
127 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-222
Singapore 150127
Tel +65 6276 2287
Mon – Sat: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/tonguedynasty/

#3 FUZHOU OYSTER CAKE

Resembling golden-brown UFOs, these Fuzhou oyster cakes are the perfect snack for when you’re craving a deep-fried indulgence. These flat discs are usually stuffed with oysters, minced pork, coriander and roasted peanuts. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these babies are super addictive.

You can find them at Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake and Fuzhou Poh Hwa Oyster Cake.

Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake
1 Kadayanallur St, #01-05, Maxwell Food Centre
Singapore 069184
Mon – Sat: 9am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Fuzhou Poh Hwa Oyster Cake
166 Jln Besar, #02-34
Singapore 208877
Tel +65 8112 5286
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Lavender

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/lee.belinda.98/

#4 NOI JI SUAN

The lotus seed version of tau suan, this traditional dessert is basically a sweet lotus seed porridge. The lotus seeds are cooked till soft and crumbly, but with slightly more bite as compared to that of mung beans. Cooking this dish involves a pretty laborious process of removing the pith of each seed, which is probably why it’s getting harder to find.

Thankfully, House of Dessert in Tampines Round Market and Food Centre are still dedicating themselves to whipping up a solid bowl of noi ji suan.

House of Dessert
137A Tampines Street 11, Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, #01-02
Singapore 522137
Tues – Wed: 7am – 3pm
Fri – Sun: 7am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Tampines West

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/chianghongkeat/

#5 PIG TROTTER JELLY

Maybe the name of this dish alone is enough to make some of you gag. We’re not gonna lie, pig trotter jelly definitely has an acquired taste. For those of you who have never tried it, expect chilled gelatinous pork trotter stew cut into bite-sized strips. It is usually dipped in vinegary chili sauce to balance out the heavy, meaty flavour.

This Teochew delicacy can be found at Lao Liang Pig Trotter Jelly & Shark Meat in Jalan Berseh Food Centre.

Lao Liang Pig Trotter Jelly & Shark Meat
166 Jalan Besar, Jalan Berseh Food Centre, #02-37
Singapore 208877
Tues – Sun: 11am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Jalan Besar

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/theburpcouple/

#6 ROTI KIRAI

Roti kirai translates into “net bread”, which is pretty self-explanatory when you look at the snack. It is traditionally served on special occasions such as birthdays and weddings.

Shaped like a tightly-woven lattice, this Malay dessert is made from flour, eggs, water and turmeric powder. It pairs wonderfully with curry but is delicious on its own too.

Get a taste of this delicacy at Roti Kirai Delights or Alimah’s Kitchen!

Roti Kirai Delights
851 Jurong West Street 81, #06-291
Singapore 640851
Tel +65 8498 5459
Mon – Fri: 12pm – 8pm
Sat – Sun: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Pioneer

Alimah’s Kitchen
Block 2A Commonwealth Drive, Tanglin Halt Food Centre, #01-23
Singapore 141003
Nearest Station: Queenstown

#7 SWEET AND SALTY GLUTINOUS RICE

Most of us are probably familiar with lor mai kai and lotus leaf glutinous rice. But how about sweet and savoury glutinous rice? This type of glutinous rice was a breakfast staple in Singapore during the 1950s and 1960s, but has gradually lost its prominence in the hawker scene.

Loaded with stewed peanuts and fried shallots, the dish is irresistibly fragrant. The rice itself is chewy and sticky, with a good bite to it.

Millennium Glutinous Rice at Chinatown Complex Food Centre is the only one hawker stall which is known to be churning out this dish in Singapore.

Millennium Glutinous Rice
335 Smith St, #02-092, Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Singapore 050335
Mon – Sat: 7am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/goawaylobster/

#8 TAU KWA PAU

Char siew paus and tau sar paus have got nothing on the tau kwa pau. This rare gem sees deep fried tau kwa stuffed to the brim with a variety of ingredients — chopped fish cake, fried yam bits, hard-boiled egg and cucumber. Finished off with some thick savoury gravy, it makes for a really hearty meal.

Say Seng Tau Kwa Pau is the only stall left in Singapore that makes this delicious combo. Hurry down now to try this traditional delicacy before it goes extinct!

Say Seng Tau Kwa Pau
271 Onan Rd, Dunman Food Centre, #01-05
Singapore 424768
Tel +65 9488 7736
Tues – Sun: 8am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant is a no-frills and utterly unpretentious steamboat restaurant along Joo Chiat Road that stands out against all other places not just for the affordability of its food, but also the authenticity and marvellous quality of the Teochew fare. They stick to the tried-and-proven methods of keeping things simple, with a myriad of dishes suitable for casual dining and gatherings

You know that this is the real deal you step into the restaurant and see countless photos of celebrities who have dined at the restaurant plastering the wall. The owner has travelled to and worked in various countries to pick up the skills needed to execute each dish perfectly, so as to ensure that only the most authentic and best-grade dishes are brought to the table.

Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant is a clear hit amongst the older generations and it is definitely one that young adults alike should hit up for a wholesome, communal meal.

And you’d love to know that at Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant, the owner promises you something: if the food is not good and fresh, they will refund you. Money back guaranteed is the best guarantee for a good meal, right?

EVERYTHING IS MADE FROM SCRATCH

From their fragrant steamboat broth to the fish paste noodles and bouncy fish balls, the folks behind the restaurant pride themselves on having almost everything handmade, bringing you only the freshest and nothing less.

Even the chilli is a star in its own rights. You have to try every single dip for your steamboat; they are made fresh in-house daily!

STEAMBOAT IS THE WAY TO GO

The star and centrepiece of this restaurant is definitely their steamboat. Every table should order a steamboat for sharing, on top of all the a la carte dishes that you may wish to add on.

Their signature soup base is a best described as a labour of love—the chefs prepare and wash the necessary bones and carcasses before adding them into a giant pot with their speciality ingredient—shark cartillage—then have them all boiled for over 5 hours daily.

The result is a creamy collagen-rich broth that is both savoury and sweet, and highly addictive. Even though we were stuffed by the end of the meal, we couldn’t help but have one last bowl of soup before leaving.

Prices start from just S$10 for 2 to 4 people, with a plethora of ingredients to choose and help yourself to.

FRESH SILVER POMFRET

You can look forward to a variety of seafood dishes to elevate your steamboat experience. The Silver Pomfret (seasonal price), in particular, is set to impress with its freshness. Afterall, what is Teochew cuisine without a good pomfret, right?

Wild-caught from Surabaya—which is known to have the best quality and sweetest Chinese Pomfret around—you can tell how fresh it is right from the moment your teeth sink into the white flesh that is soft yet firm at the same time.

We are telling you that quantities are limited so if you’re in luck, you have to go for it because it is worthy of the splurge.

DRUNKEN PRAWNS

The Drunken Prawns (S$8/100g) is something you cannot miss out on. Fresh prawns are intoxicated with Chinese wine and herbs, allowing the wine’s flavour to permeate throughout the body, intensifying the natural sweetness of every single prawn.

As mentioned, do not forget to flash this advertorial upon sitting down for steamboat during dinner hours. From Mondays to Fridays, every table with a steamboat order will enjoy free-flow drunken prawns. You are in for a real treat, guys.

HOME-MADE FISH PASTE AND FISH BALLS

Handmade from scratch, the fish balls are a must to order—everything from the mixing of ingredients to the shaping of the fish balls are prepared by hand without taking the easy way out.

You can literally taste the difference when you bite into these bouncy delights and it is amazing how they managed to conceal the fishy odour without compromising on the taste.

Another dish you must make sure to order up would be Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant’s signature squid paste fillet—made using 99% fish paste and 1% vegetables and chestnuts without the use of flour at all, you know that what you get here is undoubtedly the real deal.

VARIETY OF PREMIUM MEATS

No steamboat is ever complete without meats. Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant offers an array of high-quality meats that are imported from USA and Brazil—while it did not particularly blow our minds, these meats are definitely not something that we would decline.

Here you can choose from meat including USA Prime Beef (S$12 per portion), Pork Belly (S$9 per portion) and Fresh Chicken (S$8 per portion).

CLASSIC A LA CARTE TEOCHEW DISHES

Steamboat just ain’t enough when dining at Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant. We suggest you save some space for some of Jinji’s equally delectable array of Teochew a la carte dishes.

The a la carte items do not come packaged with fancy accessories nor over-the-top creations but the simplicity of it is precisely why we love their Teochew fare. Here are some of the sumptuous dishes you can expect at Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant.

PORK KNUCKLE

Should you be looking for something more indulgent, the Pork Knuckle (S$30) will go highly recommended. Boy, this dish checks all the boxes for what a good pork knuckle should taste like.

Upon your first bite, be prepared to be impressed by the crisp texture of the crackling skin before digging into tender and succulent pork meat.

TRADITIONAL SALTED CHICKEN

The Traditional Salted Chicken (S$18) may be light in seasoning but that itself is enough to leave us satisfied. There is nothing fancy going on in this dish but every piece of chicken is extremely flavourful, making this a simple but hearty dish that we’d return for.

GOLDEN PRAWNS

Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant isn’t afraid to boast the variety of cooking methods that they have which can transform a seemingly simple seafood into a myriad of dishes.

The Golden Prawns (S$30) is one of the many prawn dishes that they offer. Despite being heavily coated in a crisp and golden layer of flour, it was surprisingly light in flavour and that only served to accentuate the flavour of the prawns.

JADE KAI LAN

Who would have thought that a vegetable dish would excite the entire table of diners? Well, the Jade Kai Lan (S$12) was one that we wiped out within minutes.

We thought that kai lan is best enjoyed when stir-fried, but this dish proved us wrong. Stir-fried kai lan is hidden below a stack of deep-fried pieces of the same vegetable, bringing you a textural variety that is nothing short of impressive. The latter reminds us of crispy kale!

BRINJAL WITH PORK FLOSS

The Brinjal with Pork Floss (S$12) may be a fairly straightforward item on the menu but it is still a remarkable one at that.

Deep-fried brinjal pieces are covered with a generous amount of pork floss, curry leaves and chilli; this dish is a winner. The different textures made it a delightful side dish to munch on and it will forever change your impression of brinjal.

GOLDEN PUMPKIN

The Golden Pumpkin is essentially deep-fried pumpkin slices doused in a rich and piquant salted egg sauce that will have salted egg yolk fans swooning in no time.

Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant
176-178 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427447
Tel: +65 6348 8924
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm
Mon to Sun: 5pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

This post is brought to you by Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant.

Singaporeans should be familiar with Paradise Group – the Singapore-based restaurant group with an impressive portfolio of mainly Chinese restaurants under their belt. Think Taste Paradise, Paradise Dynasty and Beauty In The Pot.

The reputable empire has recently launched an entirely new concept – Paradise Teochew Restaurant, where its speciality lies in authentic Teochew-style offerings to preserve and glorify the Teochew culture that many Singaporeans are more than familiar with.

Paradise Teochew Restaurant’s talented kitchen team is helmed by Hong Kong-born Executive Chef Cheng Fa Kwan. Raised in a family of Teochew chefs, Chef Cheng’s love for food is unmistakable; he has been exposed to and cooking Teochew cuisine for the past 34 years!

Of authentic Teochew dishes and dim sum and traditional Teochew desserts, Paradise Teochew Restaurant is our new favourite place to bring the folks to. Or any time when we care for some comfort food that we grew up loving.

Paradise Teochew Restaurant is a 196-seater restaurant, interestingly located at Chinese Swimming Club and offers a quick respite from the city’s suffocating crowds. We love how the common area is a bright space with natural sunlight streaming in in the day through the floor to ceiling glass windows.

Private rooms are also available for bookings.

The East is too far-flung for you? Then countdown to the second outlet of Paradise Teochew Restaurant that will be opening at Scott’s Square some time around June this year. The upcoming outlet in the heart of town will boast a slightly more posh environment with a slightly different menu, but with most of the signatures still available for all to indulge in.

Teochew cuisine – also known as Chaozhou cuisine – is renowned for its healthier renditions of seafood and poultry (when compared to other Chinese recipes). Oil and seasonings are used sparingly in the preparation of Teochew dishes as the essence of Teochew cuisine lies in bringing out the food’s natural taste through various preparation and cooking methods.

Braising, poaching and steaming are popular cooking techniques in Teochew cuisine and over at Paradise Teochew Restaurant, you will notice that most main dishes are prepared via these methods.

The Teochew Style Steamed Pomfret is a Teochew classic, and a dish that will put a smile on your folks’ faces. Trust us on this – we’ve made our moms happy with this steamed fish dish served in a fragrant broth with tomatoes and salted vegetables (seasonal price).

The Crispy Sweet and Sour Noodle in Teochew Style (small – S$14++, medium – S$21++, large – S$28++) is an unmissable staple of Teochew fare. Definitely one of our favourite and must-order dishes when at Paradise Teochew Restaurant!

At first glance, the signature dish looks like a pan-fried pancake – but it certainly isn’t. Noodles are interestingly pan-fried on both sides, yet leaving the centre still moist, then cut up into triangular shapes. And because Teochews love enjoying their food with condiments, this crispy noodle dish is to be eaten with the accompanying vinegar and sugar.

It may sound weird, but it really is a refreshing take from the usual noodle dish, with a sweet and sour (as its name has it) contrast that is easy on the palate.

Teochew braised specialties are an integral part of a typical Teochew meal too.

Here at Paradise Teochew Restaurant, choose from a selection of braised goodies that include duck web, duck tongue, pork knuckle, pork belly, pig’s intestines, octopus and more.

There is a trio combination (small – S$24++, medium – S$36++, large – S$48++) where you get to select three different braised delicacies.

Some sharing dishes to try are Sautéed Scallop with Asparagus in XO Sauce (small – S$26++, medium – S$39++, large – S$52++) and fluffy Pan-fried Oyster Omelette in Teochew Style (S$16++ per portion). They are guaranteed crowd pleasers, and goes great with the in-house chilli dip.

Another must-order is the Sautéed Sliced Beef in Satay Sauce (small – S$20++, medium – S$30++, large – S$40++). This is an underdog, and we were ashamed of judging it by its rather unappetising outlook!

Ultra thin slices of beef are browned almost instantaneously over high heat, hence retaining its tender texture and savoury juiciness. Served atop generous amount of greens and doused in aromatic satay sauce specially imported all the way from Hong Kong, this is one sharing dish that packs a punch and is more than surprising.

We love our dim sum, and Paradise Teochew Restaurant’s superb Teochew-style dim sum deserve a special shoutout. Its comprehensive menu of classics and contemporary interpretations are only available during lunchtime.

Where should we even start from?

Customers can expect the usuals, e.g. Baked BBQ Honey Pork Buns (S$5.40++ / 3 pcs) and Steamed Pork Dumpling “Siew Mai” (S$5.80++ / 4 pcs).

But will you take a look at them Steamed Custard Bun in Piggy Shape (S$5.80++ / 3 pcs)? The kids are bound to love these sweet buns filled with custard and pine seeds.

The Steamed Glutinous Rice Roll in Teochew Style (S$4.80++ / 3 pcs) is a dim sum dish of scrumptious sticky rice encased within a pillowy soft white bun. Soft, warm and mildly sweet, this dim sum dish is certainly something we don’t see every day at regular dim sum houses. Good on its own, or you can dip it in the in-house chilli dip too.

And of all that we tried, it was Paradise Teochew Restaruant’s Deep-Fried Mango Roll (S$5.80++) that stole the limelight. We never thought a ubiquitous mango roll would made us swoon, but the fried treat is really a lavishly-stuffed roll of juicy mangoes, and the flavours burst certainly had us hooked.

The all-inclusive dim sum list too showcases irresistible fried options. We reckon their Deep-fried Taro Puff with Diced Chicken and Prawn (S$5.80++ / 3 pcs) and Crispy Spring Roll with Braised Duck Meat (S$4.80++ / 3p pcs) would fit the bill.

The Deep-fried Diced Abalone Dumpling in Jumbo Shape (S$6.50++) will have all you Instagram addicts squealing in delight, too!

No meal is complete without sweets and Paradise Teochew Restaurant’s traditional Teochew desserts are well worth the indulgence.

Age-old recipes stay gold. Hearty and unpretentious, we won’t leave without a serving or two of these traditional Teochew desserts.

When we talk about Teochew cuisine, we think of ‘orh nee’ as desserts. And yes, the Mashed Yam with Gingko (S$4.50++ per pax) and Mashed Yam with Pumpkin (S$4.50++ per pax) is exactly what represents Teochew desserts best.

The deep purple-coloured dessert is effectively yam puree that is consistently smooth and creamy, without being overbearingly sweet.

This pretty plate of Steamed Sweetened Yam, Sweet Potato and Gingko (S$8++ per serving with sesame seeds and gingko nuts are quite simply steamed yam and sweet potato. Simplicity is key to healthy Teochew dishes, remember?

Paradise Teochew Restaurant
21 Amber Road, #03-01
Chinese Swimming Club (Arrival Pavilion)
Singapore 439870
Tel: +65 6348 7298
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 10.30am – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

This post was brought to you by Paradise Teochew Restaurant.

That sense of familiarity when stepping into the huge space at Toa Payoh where Swatow Seafood Restaurant is is one that we can always resonate with. The Teochew restaurant brings to mind the good times we have with our families, and the aroma from the food is something we’ve known since we were kids.

As more traditional restaurants such as Swatow get lost with the younger generation, the stronger the need is to preserve the traditions and the culinary skills of Teochew cuisine and all the trained chefs. Most Teochew dishes take a lot of preparation time, and a restaurant like Swatow is hard to come by – where the food is not only the perfect comfort remedy, but nothing short of authentic and tasty.

As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, we are reminded again of our roots and a visit to this Teochew restaurant did just the trick for us. Here is everything to love about Swatow Seafood Restaurant – Authentic Teochew Fare For The Family At Reasonable Prices.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND ABOUT TEOCHEW CUISINE

Teochew cuisine emphasizes a lot on the freshness of the ingredients, and the culinary is circled around bringing out the essence and true flavours of every ingredient.

Teochew dishes are hence light in taste and more often than not “naked”. Very often associated with healthy food, the method of preparation revolves largely around steaming, poaching and braising. Stir-frying is not uncommon, but oil is used sparingly.

Sauces and condiments are aplenty when it comes to dining the Teochew way. Mostly made from scratch, there is a myriad of options when you need something to complement your dishes; think chilli and soya, garlic sauce and fermented bean sauce.

AUTHENTIC TEOCHEW DISHES – COMFORT FOOD FOR THE SOUL

Swatow Seafood Restaurant has two separate menus for you to choose from – the Seafood menu and the Teochew Porridge menu. You can order dishes from both menus simultaneously.

Start your meal with these Crystal Dumpling Teochew Style (S$9 for 6). Steamed and best eaten piping hot, these dumplings wrapped in translucent skin are part of the dim sum menu and make a great appetizer!

Cold crab is a classic Teochew dish and the Teochew Cold Crab (Seasonal Price) at Swatow is a must-order. What lies beneath its stark simplicity is the sheer freshness. Teochew cold crabs’ emphasis is on the roe, and if there is no substantial amount of the creamy delight, Swatow will not serve it. The best and only the best will be put on your table; this is dedication to the true Teochew cuisine.

So this dish will definitely be worth your while. Steamed first then served chilled, enjoy the true experience; eat it plain like that and enjoy the beautiful creaminess – without any sauce and condiments.

Because the Teochews take their braise seriously, a meal at Swatow is not complete without one or two braised dishes. The Teochew Braised Duck Meat (S$15 per serving) hit us hard with nostalgia. The tender meat soaked in the sauce is something we can enjoy every day, and is served with beancurd on the side.

If you prefer more exotic cuts of the duck, Swatow Teochew Restaurant also offers serving of Braised Duck Webs and Wings (S$12 per portion).

Now, this is one dish that you must try!

The Swatow Kampong Chicken (S$12 per serving or S$18 for half chicken) won us over with the first bite; everyone on the table had seconds. Well-cooked chicken that is prepared with a fermented bean sauce, producing a savoury flesh that is so smooth and succulent.

It comes with a side of ginger sauce, though we think the chicken should be best enjoyed in its naked glory.

This dish of Steamed Pomfret (Seasonal Price) should be comfort food for all, yes?

Prepared in the same style that our parents whip up in the kitchens at home, this classic fish dish is one of the best representation of Teochew cuisine. Only the freshest catch can be used, else this dish would reek of stinky fishiness.

At Swatow, the silver pomfret is huge with shiny white flesh. Steamed with preserved vegetables, ginger and plum, this healthy fish dish is one that will please every diner on the table.

This came out as one of the top contenders for the best dish of the day. The Crispy Oyster Omelette (S$15 per serving) looked every bit unphotogenic, but you want to know what makes it one of Swatow’s best-selling dishes?

It is the fact that more eggs are used instead of flour – like what it normally is everywhere else – and that they deep-fried it to a brilliant crisp, leaving us all in awe. The accompanying sambal sauce served on the side is filled with juicy and plump oysters. What more can we ask for?

The Teochew Braised Eight Treasure Vegetables (S$16 per serving) is a huge, substantial portion. This should be the star vegetable dish at Swatow.

Mustard greens are used despite the higher food cost because its sweetness will elevate the taste of the entire dish. Together with several types of mushrooms and moss vegetable, this is one value-for-money dish!

On to more Teochew goodies, and this platter of four sides feature quintessential Teochew-style bites.

The four stars are Chilled Jellied Pork Knuckles (S$8), Teochew Chilled Sliced Braised Pig’s Head (S$8), Crispy Pork Roll (S$8) and Crispy Pork Liver Roll (S$10). They are all served chilled, ala the traditional Teochew way.

The liver roll is especially tasty as they used a combination of different livers – chicken, pork and duck – to achieve this texture and taste. And of course, the pork jelly is what Teochew chefs take pride in. It is essentially braised pig’s legs made into jelly form and chilled before serving,

THE STAR DESSERT

The Sugar-Coated Yam Cubes (originally made into bars) (S$16 per serving) is the only dessert at Swatow you need to try. For one, few Teochew restaurants in Singapore offer this dessert as it requires notable skills and a significant amount of preparation time.

It looks simple, but read this. The chef has to first deep-fry the yam cubes and set them aside. He then melts the sugar in the wok, and tosses the yam cubes back in before turning on a huge fire. Immediately after, he tosses again rapidly, this time to transform the melted sugar back into a powdery form that will cover the yam cubes completely.

The end result is one sweet treat so amazing that loyal patrons return for regularly. Do note that the yam cubes will not be available during the Chinese New Year period.

SOMETHING FOR THE LUNAR FESTIVITY

Available during the Chinese New Year period is this classic Teochew-style yusheng that differs slightly from the conventional ones. No pickled and preserved elements; just vegetables that are freshly grated, and dressed with a homemade plum sauce that was not cloyingly sweet.

It was almost like an ideal palate opener for us as each bite was very refreshing and crunchy.

CHINESE NEW YEAR LUCKY DRAW

Swatow Seafood Restaurant is having a Chinese New Year lucky draw. From 25 Jan to 22 Feb 2016, spend a minimum of S$250 in a single receipt to stand a chance to win a pair of return airtickets to Hong Kong. You can find out more details of the lucky draw on Swatow’s Facebook and Instagram.

Swatow Seafood Restaurant
181 Toa Payoh Lorong 4
#02-602
Singapore 310181
Tel: +65 6363 1717
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Toa Payoh

This post is brought to you by Swatow Seafood Restaurant.

The number of Chinese restaurants in Singapore is more than the number of times we crave dim sum, but the good news is we get to compile a list of our favourites – places that do not go wrong, with an incredible array of options so that we never get sick of dining there, and have price tags that do not scare us away.

A recent addition to our list of go-to places for a hearty Chinese meal is TungLok Teahouse at Far East Square that serves all day dim sum during lunch and dinner. Yes, all day dim sum. You can snooze your alarms a hundred times and you still won’t miss the dim sum hour. Oh, we could do egg tarts and siew mai for dinner too!

TungLok Teahouse is one under-the-radar outlet, and if you haven’t been, it is high time to make plans, because it really is one place that is for everyone. We are looking at about S$3.80 to S$5.80 for dim sum, and what you get is very piquant food and a wide selection of quality teas in a cosy teahouse setting – complete with paintings from the 60’s and Peranakan-inspired décor.

From now till 30 September 2014, TungLok Teahouse is offering different dishes – Chilli Crab (S$19++), Flaming Drunken Prawns (S$14++), and Teochew-styled Combination Platter (S$16++) – at 50% promotion for dinner every night.

[ Giveaway ] We are also giving away S$400 worth of TungLok Teahouse dining vouchers. Leave a comment below, and share this post on your Facebook timeline to win. More details on the giveaway at the end of this post.

There are so many things on the menu that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to choose one. But if there was a dish that we would not leave without having, it would be the Baked Barbecued Pork Buns (S$4.50 for 3 pcs). Sweet and juicy chunks of barbecued pork encrusted within soft and crumbly baked buns – we could gobble down three at a go.

First-timers here must order the four Royal Trumps – TungLok Teahouse’s signature dim sum, or what we prefer to call ‘the best of the best’. Besides the Baked Barbecued Pork Buns, the other three highlights are the Traditional Sponge Cake (S$3.80) – also known as Ma Lai Gao – Steamed Truffle Dumplings with Wild Fungus (S$4.80 for 3 pcs), and Signature Rice Roll Cheong Fun (S$8).

On a lighter note, the Ma Lai Gao speaks of fluffy and moist brown sugar cake that is perfectly steamed with passion, and before having this, we never knew Ma Lai Gao could be so addictive.

Another dim sum that caught our attention was the Steamed Custard Bun with Lotus Seed Paste (S$4.80 for 3 pcs). Before you get too excited, TungLok Teahouse’s rendition is slightly different from the usual custard buns, and it does not have a molten center.

Instead of salted egg yolk, it comes with a decadent lotus seed paste. Our first reaction upon sinking our teeth in to the piping hot buns was “mooncake buns!” We really love how it reminds us of the Mid-autumn festival delicacy, and now, we need not countdown to that one month a year to savour lotus paste baked goodies. TungLok Teahouse, you win our loyalty for this creation.

And you need to have your usual suspects like Siew Mai (S$4.80 for 4 pcs), Xiaolongbao (S$4.80 for 4 pcs), Steamed BBQ Pork Bun (S$3.80 for 3 pcs), and Pan-fried Turnip Cake (S$4.50), be happy to know that these freshly prepared dim sum are always on the menu to satisfying those cravings of yours.

If you are feeling adventurous, check out the interesting alternative dim sum like Baked Winter Melon Pastry (S$4.80), Red Dates Cake (S$5.20), Steamed Glutinous Rice Roll (S$4.50 for 3 pcs),

Dim sum aside, TungLok Teahouse has a lineup of Chinese favourites and Teochew cuisine. Highlights include appetisers like Deep-fried Ngoh Hiang (S$8) and Crisp-fried Eggplant with chicken floss (S$7); nourishing soups that are boiled for many hours; seafood dishes like Deep-fried Prawns with Wasabi-Mayo Sauce (S$24) and Steamed Pomfret (S$18/100g); as well as meat dishes like Stewed Pork Shank (S$26) and Stewed Chicken in Red Fermented Wine (S$16).

And we do not forget desserts. Sweet pleasures at TungLok Teahouse include the highly popular Chilled Snow Lotus Pudding with Ice-cream (S$8.00) that is served in a young coconut. So divine, we were tempted to order a second portion, and it is exceptionally perfect for the hot weather in Singapore!

Another dessert that deserves a worthy mention is the Yam Paste in Pumpkin (S$8.00). Apart from the very smooth yam paste that is moderately sweet, we love how it comes in a cute little pumpkin that is personalized by TungLok – with a classy engraving, no less.

As mentioned earlier, TungLok Teahouse has special star dishes during dinner at 50% off every day from now till 30 September 2014. On Mondays, 300g Flaming Drunken Prawns are only S$14++. On Tuesdays, a 600g Soon Hock with roast pork and garlic is priced at S$16++. Our favourite is definitely the promotion on Wednesdays. Read: Chilli Crab at only S$19++. SCORE!

Equally irresistible is the special dish on Thursdays – Double-boiled Soup with Sea Whalk and Chinese Tonics (S$16++, serves 2-3 pax) which is boiled for five hours.

Fridays’ Teochew-styled Combination Platter (S$16++) is also a good deal. It comes with four classic Teochew dishes and is ideal for sharing.

On Saturdays, look forward to the restaurant’s signature Spicy Chicken and Fish Maw in Claypot (S$14++), as well as the tantalising Deep-fried Crispy Boneless Duck (S$14++ for half duck) on Sundays.

And if you are always on the lookout for Chinese restaurants for private dining and parties, the good news is that at TungLok Teahouse, there is no additional charge for booking of the private room. The only condition is to fulfill the minimum number of 10 people, and the space is all yours! Don’t we all love such fuss-free arrangements?

TUNGLOK TEAHOUSE S$50 X 8 DINING VOUCHERS GIVEAWAY

1. TungLok Teahouse is giving away S$50 X 8 dining vouchers.
2. Leave a comment in this post and tell us which dishes you want to try at TungLok Teahouse.
3. ‘Like’ TungLok Group on Facebook.
4. Share the link of this post on your Facebook timeline.
5. The contest starts from now till 14 August 2014, 2359 hrs.
6. Winners will be notified by email.

Updated on 19 August: The 8 winners are Beatrice Wong, Michelle W, Charlene, Sandra Sia, Xiuyun, Yvette Lee, Quaffle and Xue Wei.

TungLok Teahouse
Far East Square
9-13 Amoy Street, #01-01
Tel: +65 6877 1123
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun & PH: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place/Telok Ayer

This post is brought to you by TungLok Group.

East Ocean Teochew Restaurant at Shaw Centre has always been known as one of the top restaurants in Singapore serving Hong Kong style Teochew cuisine. It is the place that most people mention when you ask them what their favourite Teochew restaurant is.

Besides serving traditional Teochew favourites, they are also very popular for their dim sum. For several months, friends have been telling me that I simply have to go there during weekend for dim sum.

I finally made a trip there recently, and the nostalgic atmosphere really reminded me of Red Star Chinese restaurant. If you are still thinking of where to go for dim sum brunch this weekend, why not check out East Ocean?

Weekends are meant for dim sum.

On weekdays, East Ocean restaurant has an ala carte menu to order from. But come weekends, staff will bring out trays of dim sum to every table for customers to choose from.

They have a good variety of dim sum, and prices range from $4.8 for a basket of siew mai, to $5.8 for the baked BBQ pork pie.

The Po Luo Bun was very good. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that it is one of the best Po Luo Buns in Singapore.

Like many dim sum restaurants, East Ocean has three different kinds of Cheong Fun – char siew, prawn, and scallop. We had the char siew one; it was decent but not something that I’d stop to notice.

And of course, the famous Custard bun ($4.8) that everyone is talking about. East Ocean’s rendition was pretty good, but I don’t think that it is the best custard bun that I’ve had.

The other dim sum that we had include: Mini Crispy Egg Tarts ($5.8), Scallop Tofu ($5.8), Pan-fried carrot cake ($4.8), Steamed BBQ Pork Bun ($3.5) and Deep-fried Crispy Prawn Dumping ($5.8).

The dim sum at East Ocean Teochew Restaurant is not particularly outstanding. Moreover, prices are about the same as some of my favourite dim sum restaurants like Royal China, Paradise Pavilion and Yan Ting.

Having said that, East Ocean has a nostalgic feel, and this probably explains why it is so popular. It is quite fun to order directly from the dim sum trays going around. But like Red Star restaurant, the queue is really long during weekends. I won’t go back just for the dim sum, but I think it is a nice place to bring your friends for the dim sum trolley experience.

Singapore Food Blog Review
East Ocean Teochew Restaurant
391 Orchard Road
#05-08/09 Ngee Ann City
Tel: +65 6235 9088
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

For more recommendations, read my list of the best dim sum restaurants in Singapore