The Teochew Kitchenette

They have 2 floors of the restaurant. Private rooms at level 2 and restaurant setting at level 3. Ambience is not too bad but I do feel abit tight space at the restaurant setting. Dishes are not very typical type of Teochew cuisines as compared to the very authentic Teochew restaurant. Overall dishes was quite nice and service was definitely good too.

This visit was made back in late-November 2021. Empress Dowager wanted to try another Teochew Cuisine place and selected Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine at Guoco Tower to sample. Arrived at the restaurant and we were shown a booth space. Unfortunately, such booth space can only fit people who are slim. All 8 of their 2-person booth tables were empty as even a slim pregnant lady with her husband were seated at at 5 person table given that the booths could not fit her pregnant belly either. Definitely a disaster in terms of the person who decided to install such small booths. The lady at the front initially asked us to wait but after 5 minutes, asked the VIP section at Level 2 to take us in instead. Level 3 is where the general crowd heads to, while Level 2 are the VIP Rooms where a minimum spend is required if asking for such rooms. The food here is mostly acceptable. Unfortunately, a key Teochew dish of Chilled Crab with Roe is currently unavailable as the restaurant claims their supplier does not have stock at the moment. Another pity is that their Teochew Style Plain Porridge lacked the accompanying condiments as only the plain porridge was served. Other than that, there were some other hits. Especially loved the Wok-Fried Hor Fun with Diced Kailan & Preserved Radish, as it had excellent Wok Hei and was really tasty. General Verdict: Teochew Cuisine in fine dining style that is good for a visit. Poor design of table booths that shows no consideration was given to humans actual size but consideration was given to putting in more tables only. Will need to work harder to live up to the 1 Michelin Star at its sister restaurant at Ion Orchard Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 11:30am-3pm and 6pm-11pm Saturday 11am-3pm and 6pm-11pm Sunday 10:30am-3pm and 6pm-11pm Queue Situation: Next to no queue for 2 person pairs who are slim as they have plenty of 2 person booths which frequently go unoccupied. Reservations required for 3 or more as those tables are often occupied Price: SG40++ to SG$80++ per person Payment Mode: Cash and all Major Credit Cards Items Ordered: 1) Item: Congee with Minced Pork and Dried Fish 方魚肉碎粥 Description: The Congee was a tad bland which makes the excellent ingredients within wasted Verdict: Acceptable, Order only if you want to try Price: SG$12++ 2) Item: Teochew Style Plain Porridge 潮式白粥 Description: This is truly only a plain bowl of porridge. Missing the usual condiments of ikan bilis, salted vegetable and black bean fish flakes that most other Teochew Restaurant serves the porridge with with no limit on refills Verdict: Acceptable, Order only if you want to try Price: SG$2++ 3) Item: Chilled Pig's Trotters 豬腳凍 Description: Very well prepared dish that looks like an artwork. Tastes really well just by it and pairs well with the vinegar provided too Verdict: Good, Can Order Price: SG$16++ 4) Item: Steamed Prawn Dumpling 'Ha Kau' 筍尖鮮蝦餃 Description: Prawns were succulent and bouncy. Skin was a bit too thin, tears too easily Verdict: Good, Can Order Price: SG$14.40++ 5) Item: Wok-Fried Hor Fun with Diced Kailan & Preserved Radish 家鄉玉蘭炒河粉 Description: Hor Fun with wonderful Wok Hei that was a flavour joy with every mouthful. The radish and the fried pork lard pieces further enhanced the dish. Verdict: Very Good, Must Order Price: SG$20++ 6) Item: Smoked Chicken 煙燻雞 - 1/2 Size Serving Description: Roasted chicken that was smoked enhancing the flavour of the flesh while maintaining the yumminess of the skin Verdict: Good, Can Order Price: SG$30++ 7) Item: Steamed Eel with Plum Sauce 梅子蒸白鱔 Description: The succulent eel was well cooked and a slight spring to it. Paired well with the sauce which was a little salty but can be managed if consumed with rice Verdict: Good, Can Order Price: SG$18++ 8) Item: Chinese Almond Cream with Egg White 生磨杏仁茶加蛋白 Description: The dessert was served warm and egg white was the right consistency. Unfortunately, the dessert was lacking its main ingredient as the almond could hardy be tasted Verdict: Acceptable, Order only if you want to try Price: SG$9++

Called a few restaurants on a Sunday morning hoping for some free space for a good dim sum lunch just before another bloody lockdown by the government from tmrw onwards. Was kinda surprised that there was space available for a table of four and was super excited (tried calling at least five prior to this) as I’ve never been to this outlet before. The place itself is kinda small, and may feel cramped rather than cosy (I was allocated level 3 and not a private room 😅). But at least there’s a view of the Guoco Tower square to make up for it. Food-wise, the place is as good as it is, with the famous Imperial Treasure quality attached to it. The Cheong Fun with crispy dough and shrimp (char leong har) was superb and so was the eel in Sichuan style (couldn’t resist ordering this dish). The teochew siu mai was surprisingly good (should say, expected to be good) as it’s the first time I have it dipped in vinegar. Overall, good and reasonably priced.

The Dim Sum is really good, though the choices are limited. I really like the Teochew porridge, it’s a must try! The environment is also great, it’s quiet. I already recommended this place to my friends, and would be open to more Teochew food in the future. I would definitely come back.