Nestled in the vibrant Geylang district, Chaoshan Xiaochi stands as a testament to authentic Teochew culinary traditions. Opened by veteran restaurateur Ricky Koh after a brief retirement, this eatery offers a focused menu of traditional Teochew fare served as small plates and homely snacks. The establishment represents a scaled-down version of Koh’s previous 200-seat restaurant in Shun Li Industrial Estate, which closed during the pandemic in December 2021.
Ambience
- Setting: No-frills, unpretentious eatery focusing on food quality rather than elaborate décor
- Atmosphere: Casual and welcoming environment suitable for authentic dining experiences
- Space: Intimate setting that highlights the traditional aspects of Teochew cuisine
- Service Style: Simple counter service with emphasis on the food itself
- Clientele: Attracts traditional food enthusiasts and those seeking authentic Teochew flavours
- Vibe: Nostalgic ambience that pays homage to traditional cooking methods and recipes
Menu Highlights & Pricing
Signature Dishes
- Traditional Fried Oyster Omelette ($8)
- Described as “divine” and the restaurant’s “show-stopping” dish
- Perfect balance of crispy pancake and juicy oysters
- Exceptional value considering the quality and portion size
- Pig Trotter Terrine ($12)
- House-made premium offering
- Generous portion size with proper technique evident in the final texture
- Mid-range pricing justified by labour-intensive preparation
- Teochew Crystal Dumplings ($10 for six)
- Premium imported offering with rotating fillings
- Artisanal quality atan accessible price point
- Excellent value for hand-crafted speciality items
- Cai Por Kway Teow ($12)
- Masterfully executed wok dish showcasing traditional techniques
- Moderate pricing for a dish requiring significant skill and quality ingredients
Supporting Menu
- Kai Lan With Dried Sole Fish ($12)
- Premium ingredients, including Hong Kong baby kailan
- Higher price point reflecting the imported components
- Offal Dishes ($10 each)
- Large Pig Intestine With Preserved Vegetable
- Pork Tripe Soup
- Appropriately priced considering labour-intensive preparation
- Beverages
- Mi Lan Xiang Tea ($3 per person)
- Specially selected premium oolong at accessible pricing
Value Proposition
- No GST or service charge added to the final bill
- Price range: $8-$12 per dish
- Overall excellent value considering the quality of ingredients and execution.
- Affordable pricing structure encourages sampling multiple dishes.
Ingredients & Sourcing
Premium Components
- Seafood
- Plump, fresh oysters for the omelette
- Premium dried sole fish (ti poh) from trusted suppliers
- Meats
- Quality pork, including specialised cuts for the trotter terrine
- Meticulously cleaned offal for intestine and tripe dishes
- Produce
- Baby kailan imported from Hong Kong
- Preserved vegetables, including both sweet and salty varieties of cai por (preserved radish)
- Sour mustard greens for offal dishes
- Imports
- Crystal dumplings sourced from a specialist kueh maker in Swatow
- Quality fish sauce imported directly from Swatow
- Mi Lan Xiang tea is personally selected by the owner from Phoenix Mountain in Chaozhou.
- Specialty Items
- Fish gelatin for the pig trotter terrine
- Various dumpling fillings including bamboo shoots, garlic chives, pumpkin, purple sweet potato and red bean
Cooking Techniques & Methods
Traditional Approaches
- Wok Techniques
- High heat wok cooking achieves authentic “wok hei” in noodle dishes
- Controlled flame management for the oyster omelette
- Oil infusion methods that flavour without greasiness
- Preparation Methods
- House-washing process for offal dish, ensuring cleanliness and optimal texture.
- Multi-day preparation cycle for the pig trotter terrine (made every 3-4 days)
- Strategic blanching techniques for vegetables to maintain texture and colour
- Specialty Techniques
- Traditional method for transforming sweet potato starch slurry into crispy pancakes
- Balanced combination of sweet and salty preserved radish in fried noodles
- Precise chilling methods for the pig trotter terrine
- Flavor Development
- Strategic use of pork oil to enhance multiple dishes
- Liberal application of quality fish sauce in the oyster omelette
- Complementary pairing of preserved vegetables with offal to balance flavours
Delivery & Takeaway Options
- No specific delivery options are mentioned in the article
- Appears to focus on the dine-in experience
- Given the nature of dishes like the oyster omelette and fresh preparations, immediate consumption may be recommended for optimal experience.
- Location in Geylang suggests potential for local delivery services in the area.
- Contact number (8839-0247) available for potential inquiries about takeaway options
Final Assessment
Chaoshan Xiaochi exemplifies an authentic specialist eatery where depth of knowledge and respect for tradition translate into exceptional food offerings. The establishment succeeds in delivering authentic Teochew flavours at reasonable price points, without compromising on ingredient quality or preparation techniques. The absence of GST and service charges further enhances the value proposition, making this a noteworthy addition to Singapore’s rich culinary landscape. For those seeking genuine Teochew cuisine executed with heart and skill, Chaoshan Xiaochi stands as a must-visit destination.
Address: 749 Geylang Road, Singapore MRT: Paya Lebar Opening Hours: 11:30am to 9pm daily Contact: 8839-0247
Budget Teochew Eateries in Singapore
While Chaoshan Xiaochi offers excellent value for authentic Teochew cuisine, here are several other budget-friendly Teochew eateries in Singapore worth exploring:
Authentic Teochew Porridge Specialists
- Joo Seng Teochew Porridge
- Location: 14 Foch Road, Singapore
- Known for: Affordable Teochew porridge with an extensive selection of side dishes
- Price range: $1-4 per dish
- Highlights: Salted eggs, braised duck, steamed fish
- Ye Shanghai Teochew Porridge
- Location: Blk 435A Clementi Avenue 3
- Known for: Traditional home-style Teochew porridge in a heartland setting
- Price range: $0.80-3.50 per dish
- Highlights: Chye poh omelette, braised meats, affordable zi char options
Traditional Teochew Restaurants
- Chao Shan Cuisine
- Location: 17 Phillip Street, Singapore
- Known for: No-frills authentic Teochew dishes at reasonable prices
- Price range: $6-15 per dish
- Highlights: Teochew steamed fish, cold crab, oyster pancake
- Zai Shun Curry Fish Head
- Location: 253 Jurong East Street 24, Singapore
- Known for: Award-winning Teochew-style steamed fish and zichar dishes
- Price range: $8-25 per dish
- Highlights: Steamed fish, curry fish head, orh nee (yam paste)
Teochew Noodles & Snacks
- Ah Orh Teochew Kway Teow Mee
- Location: Zion Riverside Food Centre
- Known for: Traditional kway teow mee with authentic Teochew flavours
- Price range: $4-6 per bowl
- Highlights: Dry or soup kway teow mee with fish cake and minced meat
- Teochew Handmade Pau
- Location: Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #02-02
- Known for: Affordable handmade Teochew-style buns and pastries
- Price range: $0.80-1.50 per item
- Highlights: Char siu pau, yam pau, png kueh (rice cakes)
Hawker Stalls
- Fu He Turtle Soup
- Location: Berseh Food Centre, 166 Jalan Besar
- Known for: Traditional Teochew turtle soup and herbal broths
- Price range: $6-10 per bowl
- Highlights: Turtle soup, ginseng chicken, black chicken herbal soup
- Huat Kee Teochew Noodle House
- Location: 531A Upper Cross Street, Hong Lim Food Centre
- Known for: Authentic Teochew bak chor mee and fish ball noodles
- Price range: $3.50-5 per bowl
- Highlights: Bak chor mee, fish ball noodles with handmade balls
Hidden Gems
- Lao Chen Catering
- Location: Blk 127 Lor 1 Toa Payoh
- Known for: Home-style Teochew dishes served in an unpretentious setting
- Price range: $6-15 per dish
- Highlights: Teochew braised duck, pork jellies, steamed pomfret
- Chui Xiang Kitchen
- Location: 20 Ghim Moh Road Market & Food Centre
- Known for: Authentic Teochew kueh and light bites
- Price range: $0.80-2.50 per piece
- Highlights: Soon kueh, png kueh, ku chai kueh (chive dumplings)
Most of these establishments focus on perfecting specific Teochew specialities rather than offering extensive menus, which helps them maintain quality while keeping prices affordable. The hawker options particularly represent excellent value for experiencing authentic Teochew flavours without breaking the bank.
Food Delivery Options
The article doesn’t mention delivery options, but in contemporary Singapore:
- Many hawker stalls partner with delivery platforms like GrabFood, Foodpanda, and Deliveroo
- Some popular establishments have their own delivery services
- Not all traditional hawkers offer delivery due to concerns about food quality during transit
- Food delivery surcharges typically range from S$3-5
- Some hawker centres have centralised pickup points for delivery riders
- “Hawker United” and other collaborative initiatives connect traditional vendors with delivery services
- Many food items (especially noodle soups) don’t travel well and are best consumed on-site
Delivery Considerations for Hawker Food
Whyq Specialised Service: Whyq specifically focuses on hawker food delivery and may have better coverage for specific centres
- Delivery Fees: Typically range from $3-8 SGD, depending on distance and platform
- Food Quality Concerns: Some hawker dishes don’t transport well (soup noodles, crispy items)
- Bundle Orders: Some platforms allow ordering from multiple stalls in the same hawker centre
- Delivery Timing: Peak meal hours may see longer delivery times from popular hawker centres
- Minimum Order Requirements: Some hawker stalls have minimum order amounts for delivery
- In-Person Experience: Many food enthusiasts believe the authentic hawker experience requires dining in person
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