10 Teochew restaurants in Singapore for a comforting and authentic dive into the cuisine 

Originating from Guangdong, China, Teochew food came with our forefathers and quickly became one of the main influences in our local Chinese cuisine scene. Teochew cuisine has characteristics of being lighter and milder in flavour, allowing the freshness of the ingredients to shine through instead while being accented with taste profiles arising from braising with soy sauce and the use of sour flavours from preserved vegetables. Steamed pomfret, braised meats, and yam paste (or orh nee) are among the most well-loved dishes. Keep scrolling as we share with you 10 Teochew restaurants in Singapore that offer an authentic taste of the dialect group’s best dishes.

1. Song Fa Signatures

If the name sounds too familiar to you, that is because Song Fa Signatures is the latest creation by the Yeo family that created the famous Song Fa Bak Kut Teh chain. At this casual Chinese restaurant in Paragon, traditional Teochew dishes have been given a modern spin — think Teochew Orh Nee Creme Brulee ($6.90) and Signature Pig’s Trotter Fried Rice ($11.80). Of course, there are the classic homecooked dishes, such as Teochew Steamed Minced Pork Patty with Salted Fish ($12.50), and Traditional Teochew Style Steamed Flounder Fish ($26.90).

Song Fa Signatures is at 290 Orchard Rd, #B1-06 Paragon Shopping Centre, Singapore 238859. Visit its Instagram for more information.

2. Teochew City

Teochew City is the child of local veteran actor Chen Shucheng. He had previously shuttered the establishment due to the Covid-19 pandemic and had reopened it in December 2023. You will find all your Teochew classics here, ranging from Deep Fried Crispy Home Made Prawn Ball ($14) and Braised Five Kinds Combination Platter ($48) to Teochew Style Fried Kway Teow with Preserved Radish ($16), and Mashed Taro with Gingko and Pumpkin ($4.80 per pax).

Teochew City is at 163 Kallang Wy, #01-12 Mapletree Hi-Tech Park, Singapore 349256. Visit its Facebook for more information.

3. Chin Lee Restaurant

Tucked with the HDB blocks opposite the famous Bedok 85 Food Centre is Chin Lee Restaurant. Now helmed by second-gen owner Eric Chua, the beloved eatery has been around for over 50 years and has expanded to Canberra Plaza, too. Favourites here include Teochew Traditional Sio Bee ($12), Teochew Kway Teow ($14) made with preserved radish or chye poh, and Fried Oyster Pancake ($30).

Chin Lee Restaurant is at 115 Bedok North Rd, #01-285, Singapore 460115 and 133 Canberra Vw, #02-01/03 Canberra Plaza, Singapore 750133. Visit its Facebook for more information.

4. Swatow Seafood

Jimi Tan started Swatow Seafood in August 2010 to celebrate the food of his culture. Specialities here include the seasonal Teochew Cold Crab, Kampung Chicken in Teochew Bean Sauce (from $36), Chilled Jelly Pork Knuckles in Teochew Style ($22), and Teochew Crispy-Fried Prawn & Pork Roll ($25). Swatow Seafood also has a popular dim sum buffet ($28.80++ per adult on weekdays, $31.80++ per adult on weekends) from 3 to 5pm daily at its Toa Payoh outlet.

Swatow Seafood is at 181 Lor 4 Toa Payoh, #02-602 Toa Payoh Mall, Singapore 310181 and 2 Bukit Batok West Ave 7, #02-05 HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok, Singapore 659003. Visit its website for more information.

5. Chao Shan Cuisine

Owner Ah Liang worked at Guan Hin for over thirty years before striking out with Chao Shan cuisine. The restaurant was formerly situated along Beach Road and now caters to the CBD crowd at its Phillip Street location. Chao Shan Cuisine is a place to tuck into the elusive Braised Goose Meat alongside other fan favourites such as braised chestnut chicken, oyster omelette, yam paste, and pig trotter jelly.

Chao Shan Cuisine is at 17 Phillip Street, #01-01/02 Grand Building, Singapore 048695. Visit its Facebook for more information.

6. Mu Liang Zai Liang Kee Teochew Restaurant

Located within a coffee shop in Bukit Merah, Mu Liang Zai Liang Kee Teochew Restaurant actually boasts over thirty years of history. It was started by Ng Bak Liang, who came from China, and is now under the leadership of his son Ng Hong Seng. Classic Teochew dishes are the standout among the zi char menu, such as Fried Fresh Oyster with Egg ($14/$18), Fried Prawn Rolls, Cai Pu Guo Tiao (chye poh kway teow, $8/$14/$20), and Yam Paste ($14/$28).

Mu Liang Zai Liang Kee Teochew Restaurant is at 127 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-230, Singapore 150127. Visit its Facebook for more information.

7. Sin Chao Gardens

Sin Chao Gardens is the place to go if you’re looking to celebrate an elderly person’s birthday with a nice meal in a retro ambience. The establishment was set up by Chia Hock Kim, who has over four decades of experience, and is situated within the Teochew Association. Pick from the array of braised meats and proteins alongside popular and traditional dishes and have them with Teochew porridge or rice.

Sin Chao Gardens is at 297 River Valley Rd, Singapore 238338. Visit its Facebook for more information.

8. Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine

Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine can be found in its namesake club near Newton MRT. Started in 2011, the brand is part of the Jumbo Seafood group and specialises in classic Teochew fare. So besides the array of options from braised meats to yam paste, Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine also has a menu dedicated to soul-warming Teochew porridge and a plethora of side dishes.

Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine is at 190 Keng Lee Rd, #01-02 Chui Huay Lim Club, Singapore 308409. Visit its website for more information.

9. East Ocean Teochew Restaurant

East Ocean Teochew Restaurant is a well-known Chinese restaurant that has served Teochew and Cantonese fare for over two decades. So besides ordering from the dim sum menu, remember to order Teochew signature dishes such as Deep Fried Prawn Ball & Crab Meat Ball, Teochew Cold Roe Crab, Teochew Sliced Soyed Duck, Teochew Style Crispy Noodle with Sugar & Vinegar, and Steamed Pomfret in Teochew Style.

East Ocean Teochew Restaurant is at 391 Orchard Rd, #05-08/09 Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872. Visit its website for more information.

10. Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine

The Imperial Treasure brand of restaurants needs little introduction, and at fine dining outfit Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine, you will find many uncommon dishes alongside treasured Teochew dishes. Some of them include Roasted Crispy Suckling Pig in Teochew Style ($398, pre-order required), Sauteed Squid in Teochew Style ($38), Teochew Style Soup ‘Mee Sua’ with Shredded Abalone ($42 per pax), Steamed Frog with Preserved Black Olives ($44), and Deep-fried Taro with Sugar ($30).

Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine is at 2 Orchard Turn, #03-05 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801 and 2 Bayfront Avenue, L1-26 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972. Visit its website for more information.

This article was originally published in Singapore Women’s Weekly.