Best Teochew food places in Singapore
Hokkien mee, Cantonese dim sum, Hakka yong tau foo; these foods are commonly eaten and easily accessible in Singapore, but Teochew cuisine is a little harder to find. Whether you’re of Teochew heritage and want to get more in touch with your roots, or just want to broaden your culinary horizons, here are the best Teochew food places in Singapore to check out. You’ll be able to check off all the must-try traditional Teochew dishes at these spots.
1. Da Niu Teochew Seafood Restaurant
We hear about raw marinated crab a lot in Korean cuisine, but did you know that it’s a thing in Teochew cuisine as well? Da Niu Teochew Seafood Restaurant is one of the rare eateries in Singapore serving this delicacy in authentic fashion. Their Signature Marinated Roe Crab ($90) is soaked in a punchy marinade comprising soy sauce, minced garlic, chopped red chillies, and coriander. The flesh is soft, slippery, and almost salmon sashimi-esque, albeit slightly flakier. You won’t have to fuss around with digging the crabmeat out either, as the shells come pre-cracked.
Read our Da Niu Teochew Seafood review.
Address: 61 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169368
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 6677 6725
Website
Da Niu Teochew Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.
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2. Chao Ting
Those who are familiar with Teochew porridge know that it’s usually eaten with an assortment of side dishes, with a plain white rice porridge as the base. The wateriness and blandness of Teochew muay isn’t quite for me, so if the mood calls for soupy rice, I’d pick Teochew pao fan any day. Take for example Chao Ting’s offerings, which are bowls of rice steeped in hearty and flavourful broths.
Choose to have your warm and comforting bowl of pao fan topped with fresh Sliced Fish ($11.50), crispy Fried Fish ($11.50), or juicy Fresh Prawn ($11.50). Whichever you go with, prepare for an umami flavour bomb. The broth is boiled for hours on end using prawn shells, along with chicken, pork, and fish bones, fully drawing out all that essence.
Read our Chao Ting review.
Address: 132 Amoy Street, Far East Square, Singapore 049961
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am to 3pm
Website
Chao Ting is not a halal-certified eatery.
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3. Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh
To truly immerse yourself in Teochew cuisine, you need to taste their kueh as well. Soon kueh is a steamed dumpling made with rice and tapioca flour, wrapping jicama AKA bang kuang, bamboo shoots, and dried shrimp within. Meanwhile, png kueh is filled with seasoned glutinous rice filling that’s similar to that of Hokkien bak zhang. Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh offers both, so expertly executed that the hawker stall has earned itself a spot on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list.
Located in Jurong East, the stall even provides the option of pan-frying their kueh. That means you can either enjoy your Soon Kueh (from $1.30) and Png Kueh ($1.40) steamed in their traditional steamed form, or lightly fried just so they can get a nice crisp exterior. The png kueh in particular is studded with peanuts for even more crunchy goodness.
Read our Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh review.
Address: 347 Jurong East Avenue 1, #01-218, Yuhua Market & Hawker Centre, Singapore 600347
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 6:30am to 3pm, Sat-Sun 6:30am to 4pm
Tel: 9455 6341
Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh is not a halal-certified eatery.
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4. Shi Nian Pig Leg Rice
Shi Nian Pig Leg Rice started in 2019 when the owner inherited the recipe for pig trotter rice from his Teochew parents. Every bowl comes with a generous portion of their signature braised pig trotter, salted vegetables, and a slice of prawn cake. The last time we visited, we particularly enjoyed the Pig Trotter Rice ($5.90); the gelatinous pork trotters had a great balance of meat and juicy layers of fat. It was also easy to tell that every piece of meat was well-seasoned with the use of only high-quality ingredients.
Read our Shi Nian Pig Leg Rice review.
Website | Full list of outlets
Shi Nian Pig Leg Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.
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5. Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh
A bowl of Pork Ribs Soup ($7.90/$10.90) from Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh has everything you’d want from a good pork ribs soup: a fair balance of garlicky and porky flavours, with just enough peppery aftertaste that lingers in your mouth. If you like your meat fall-off-the-bone tender, opting for the Pork Tenderloin Soup ($7.90/$10.90) is a good pick. Fans of innards can also get a side of the popular Pig’s Organs Soup ($7.90/$10.90) too!
Read our Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh review.
Address:349 Jurong East Avenue 1, #01-1215, Singapore 600349
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 8am to 7:15pm, Sun 8am to 3:30pm
Website
Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh is not a halal-certified eatery.
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6. Song Fa Signatures
Song Fa Signatures is a new atas restaurant in Orchard by the famous Song Fa Bak Kut Teh. They offer traditional Teochew dishes with a modern twist, such as the Signature Pig’s Trotter Fried Rice ($7.90++/$11.80++), where pig trotters are used as toppings on a wok hei-infused egg fried rice. One of the most memorable dishes was the Teochew Orh Nee Creme Brulee ($6.90++), which had a velvety taro paste and silky custard packed under a sweet sugar crust.
Address: 290 Orchard Road, #B1-06, Paragon Shopping Centre, Singapore 238859
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Website
Song Fa Signatures is not a halal-certified eatery.
7. Yong’s Teochew Kueh
If journeying to the West proves too tedious for you, swing by Yong’s Teochew Kueh instead. They have outlets in East Coast and Upper Serangoon, with the latter being walking distance from Kovan MRT Station. Besides Soon Kueh ($1.80) and Png Kueh ($1.70), they also have other rare kueh varieties so you can sample more at one shot.
These include Ku Chye Kueh ($1.90)—which is stuffed with chives, Cabbage Kueh ($1.70)—comprising of shredded cabbage and hae bee, and Yam Kueh ($1.90)—which is packed with chopped yam, mushrooms, and spring onions.
Read our Yong’s Teochew Kueh review.
Website | Full list of outlets
Yong’s Teochew Kueh is not a halal-certified eatery.
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8. Lao Liang
Image credit: @jt6263
Located in Berseh Food Centre, Lao Liang is a hawker stall where you can find rare Teochew delicacies for cheap. Their Pig’s Trotter Jelly (from $5) is served chilled, and has a one-of-a-kind texture. Collagen-rich pig skin and pork trotter meat, both lean and fatty, are encased in aspic, a savoury gelatin made from meat broth. Expect intense pork flavours with plenty of umami from the soya sauce-based broth that composes the jelly.
Another exotic dish found here is sliced Shark Meat (from $8). If you’ve never eaten shark meat before, it’s said to taste rather similar to other types of white fish, just with a firmer bite and a slight ammonia flavour—folks who have eaten bamboo shoots before know what I’m talking about! Each dish comes with a heap of fresh coriander to provide a punch of herbaceousness. Of course, coriander haters can opt to have theirs without.
Address: 166 Jalan Besar, #02-37, Berseh Food Centre, Singapore 208877
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 10am to 2pm
Lao Liang is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. Chin Lee Restaurant
Image credit: @loveoeat
For a foolproof dinner destination to bring your elders, Chin Lee Restaurant will be your best bet. This Bedok zi char spot has been in business since 1973, and is lauded for their skilfully prepared Teochew staples that keep the cuisine’s heritage alive, with a must-try here being the traditional Chilled Teochew Pig Trotter Jelly ($10).
Another must-order is their Teochew Kway Teow (from $14), which looks a lot different from the char kway teow we’re familiar with. The rice noodles are white instead of being fried in dark soy sauce, and the dish resembles san lou bee hoon in the sense that it’s flattened into a sheet and charred to serve. Besides the charred edges, which lend plenty of wok hei, the kway teow is also fried with kai lan for diversity in texture, and chopped garlic and chye poh for bursts of flavour.
Read our Chin Lee Restaurant feature.
Address: 115 Bedok North Road, #01-285, Singapore 460115
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 2:30pm, 6pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6449 5454
Website
Chin Lee Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
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10. Teochew Traditional Seafood Steamboat
Image credit: @theroguewanderluster
We Singaporeans love hotpot restaurants. The Teochew-centric rendition still features the joy of communal cooking, but with more focus on fresh seafood ingredients. And what better place to try it out than the aptly named Teochew Traditional Seafood Steamboat restaurant?
There are a variety of rich soup bases (from $12), including crab, prawn, and fish head. In it, toss the likes of Drunken Prawn ($9 per 100g), Live Flower Crab ($6 per 100g), and sliced Red Garoupa (from $32) to make the broth even more umami and slurp-worthy. The best part is, at the end of your steamboat meal, you’ll have a sweet, savoury, and super gao soup base in which you can dump a serving of rice and create your own Teochew-style pao fan. Bliss.
Address: 176 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427447
Opening hours: Mon 5pm to 10pm, Tue-Sun 12pm to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10pm
Tel: 6732 3637
Teochew Traditional Seafood Steamboat is not a halal-certified eatery.
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11. Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine
Image credit: @imperialtreasuresg
If you’re celebrating a special occasion or seeking to impress your dinner guests, head to one-Michelin-starred Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine for authentic Teochew fare with an atas spin.
Case in point: chai poh neng AKA preserved radish omelette is a staple in Teochew cuisine, most commonly eaten as a Teochew porridge accompaniment. Imperial Treasure’s Pan-Fried Omelette With Crab Meat & Preserved Radish ($50) elevates it with a crepe-like execution, studded with fragrant chai poh bits and flaky morsels of crab meat. They also have a range of Braised Meats, where you can mix and match varieties like pig’s ears, pig’s tongue, pork knuckle, and goose web for platters of two ($36) or three ($44) types.
Website | Full list of outlets
Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine is not a halal-certified eatery.
12. The Teochew Kitchenette
Image credit: The Teochew Kitchenette
Tanjong Pagar has a high concentration of trendy cafes and Korean restaurants, so the fact that it also houses a quaint Teochew eatery is quite a well-kept secret. The Teochew Kitchenette provides wallet-friendly meals for CBD-dwellers, with hearty mains like Teochew Seafood Soup (from $7) and Fried Fish Pao Fan ($8.80). They also have an outlet in Bugis.
If you’re ordering something to share, the Fried Prawn Rolls (from $6) AKA Teochew hei zho are a must-try. A mixture of prawn paste, chopped prawn chunks, and minced pork are rolled up and deep-fried in beancurd skin. Bits of water chestnut are also added to give it that crisp bite.
Website | Full list of outlets
The Teochew Kitchenette is not a halal-certified eatery.
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13. Swatow Seafood Restaurant
Image credit: Swatow Seafood Restaurant
Swatow Seafood Restaurant’s dim sum buffet is a hit, but their speciality actually lies in traditional Teochew fare. They’re big on showcasing the quality and freshness of seafood in preparation methods that don’t overpower their natural flavour profile. Examples include Teochew Cold Crab ($10.80 per 100g), Steamed Prawn And Egg White With Hua Diao ($28), and Teochew-Style Steamed Pomfret ($10.80 per 100g).
The dishes are all very clean and light on the palate so you can truly appreciate their original flavours, amplified by seasoning that’s far from heavy-handed. For dessert, enjoy taro in two different ways: as a paste in their Orh Nee With Pumpkin And Gingko Nuts ($5.50), and in the form of Sugar-Coated Crispy Fried Taro Sticks ($18 for eight pieces).
Website | Full list of outlets
Swatow Seafood Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
14. Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine
Image credit: @semprenoisg
Located near Newton MRT Station, Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine is a popular wedding banquet destination. Judging from the food, this is one wedding restaurant I would be thrilled to be invited to. They also have an extensive a la carte menu, making it a top pick to celebrate over a hearty feast.
Kick things off with the Teochew Classic Platter (from $68, serves six pax) which comprises Teochew staples: Pork Trotter Jelly, Ngoh Hiang, Braised Duck Slices, and Chilled Marinated Jellyfish. For those going all out, splurge on the Whole Roasted Suckling Pig ($288). It’s marinated with a five-spice blend and roasted till succulent, with a glorious crackling skin.
Address: 190 Keng Lee Road, #01-02, Chui Huay Lim Club, Singapore 308409
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 11pm
Tel: 6732 3637
Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine is not a halal-certified eatery.
15. Lee Kwang Kee Teochew Cuisine
Image credit: Lee Kwang Kee Teochew Cuisine
With outlets tucked amidst HDB estates in Bukit Batok and Toa Payoh, Lee Kwang Kee Teochew Cuisine operates daily till 4am and 24 hours respectively. Supper lovers swear by this no-frills eatery for their selection of Dim Sum, priced from $3.60 per basket. Don’t sleep on their traditional Teochew nosh though, which includes Pig Feet Jelly (from $18), Braised Meat Platters (from $22 for two varieties), and Yam Paste (from $3.50).
They also serve Garoupa and Pomfret Slices (market price) prepared the way you like it. Choices include steamed, fried, or served in soup, and you can choose between sauces and broth bases like orange or ginger and spring onion gravy, and pumpkin, taro, or cabbage soup. With so many customisation options, you can try something new every visit.
Website | Full list of outlets
Lee Kwang Kee Teochew Cuisine is not a halal-certified eatery.
16. Teochew Handmade Pau
$1 handmade bao, wu hua bo? Situated in Toa Payoh West Food Centre, Uncle Yeoh at Teochew Handmade Pau slings out traditional pau and dim sum at very affordable prices. Their small bao all go for $1 each, with the Small Pork Pau being our favourite; they also offer Bian Rou Bao, Red Bean Bao and Lian Rong Shou Tao.
Don’t sleep on their dim sum menu here: their Siew Mai ($1) was large and meaty, while the Glutinous Rice ($2) wasn’t too jelak, while still being rich and satisfying. This stall is perfect for a cheap and fulfilling breakfast to start your day.
Check out our Teochew Handmade Pau review.
Address: 127 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #02-02, Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre, Singapore 310127
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 6am to 2pm
Tel: 6254 2053
Teochew Handmade Pau is not a halal-certified eatery.
Teochew Handmade Pau Review: Handmade Bao And Dim Sum Under $2 In Toa Payoh
17. Fu Yuan Teochew Dining
Image credit: SB Lee via Google Maps
A relatively new addition in the heart of Clarke Quay, Fu Yuan Teochew Dining serves up dishes that fuse traditional recipes with modern cooking styles. The seafood dishes here are extremely fresh; expect the uniquely Teochew Marinated Raw Crabs ($88++), which are packed with addictively creamy and crunchy roe.
Equally as impressive is the Double-Boiled Salted Vegetable Pig’s Stomach Soup Stuffed With French Poulet ($108++), featuring tender French chicken inside a stuffed pig’s stomach which is cut up in front of you by the staff. The fragrant, flavourful broth is served in a large claypot atop a stove, making for an eye-catching showpiece. For dessert, check out the Mashed Taro Orh Nee ($7++), a smooth taro puree that is infused with shallot and pork oil for savoury depth.
Address: 3A River Valley Road, #01-01C/01D, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179020
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 11pm
Tel: 8802 0101
Website
Fu Yuan Teochew Dining is not a halal-certified eatery.
18. White House Teochew Porridge
Serving up comforting Teochew porridge since 1996, White House Teochew Porridge sits along Serangoon Road, providing a wide array of dishes to pair with your Plain Porridge ($1.40++). A must-get is the Hae Bee Hiam ($3++), which single-handedly elevates the flavours of the porridge, alongside the Chye Poh Omelette ($3++), another common savoury porridge component.
Our protein of choice is the Braised Duck ($12++), which was rich and tender owing to its hour-long braise. Spice lovers can get the Otah ($7++), which came in a thick slab and was piquantly lemak.
Read our White House Teochew Porridge review.
Address: 1096 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328193
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Website
White House Teochew Porridge is not a halal-certified eatery.
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Where to get good Teochew food in Singapore
Singapore’s food scene is known to be diverse, with its melting pot of cultures residing on this little island. These eateries, ranging from humble hawker stalls to fancy restaurants, show that Teochew heritage is very much alive and thriving in the form of its cuisine. Whatever your budget or the occasion, go forth and sample some chewy kueh, succulent braised meats, and unique delights such as pork trotter jelly.
To explore cuisines from other dialect groups, check out our guide to the best Chinese restaurants in Singapore. For affordable Hong Kong food in town, give So Good Char Chan Tang a visit.
31 Best Chinese Restaurants In Singapore, Including Private Rooms And Michelin-Starred Options
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