Poh Cheu (宝洲) @ Bukit Merah

Is traditional kueh a part of history in Singapore? Hopefully not but I believe all things need to progress and evolved to keep up with the present. Take for example Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery runs by the 2nd generation is using social media to bring awareness to the new and younger generation about their traditional nonya kueh. It is good to preserve the tradition but the world is changing and one must adjust to fit into the new world, be it in the food or business model. Especially in food, people's palate changes with time and if you don't do something, you will just be a chapter of the history book.

Today I am bring you to Bukit Merah to check out this popular traditional kueh shop with more than 30 years of history. Poh Cheu (宝洲) started selling their homemade kueh as a mobile hawker back in the dates at Boon Lay before moving to Jalan Kayu, Bedok and now at Bukit Merah. Now in its third generation, Poh Cheu still insist in hand making their kuehs instead of machine.

Ang Ku Kueh 4/5

While preserving the tradition of hand making their kueh to ensure of the utmost quality, Poh Cheu has also introduced new flavours for the Ang Ku Kueh ($0.80 each) to satisfy the new generation. Besides the traditional green bean and peanut flavours, there are also salted bean, green tea, mango, red bean, coconut, black sesame, pineapple and yam. The different colour of the traditional ang ku kueh already looked some appetizing. The skin was thin, some what like mochi texture and it was packed full with filling.

Soon Kueh 4.5/5

A delectable snack and my favourite at Poh Cheu is the Soon Kueh ($0.80 each). For a mere eighty cents you get a plump filled soon kueh wrapped under a thin transparent skin. I especially like the crystal like skin that is very palatable but not overshadowing the filling inside, allowing the ingredients inside to be the star. Ku Cai Kueh ($0.80 each) and Bamboo Shoot Kueh ($1) are also available at Poh Cheu.

Rice Cake 4/5

The Rice Cake ($1) is another traditional kueh that is essential in Chinese events especially as a form of offering for prayers and festive occasions. Stuffed with glutinous, mushroom and peanuts, this delightful snack can be eaten steamed or pan fried.

Poh Cheu is extremely busy during the Chinese festive occasions with many people ordering in bulk. It is best to avoid this period if you just want to go there for a morning breakfast or afternoon tea snack. Be warned not to expect the best of customer service as myself was denied having an extra plastic plate so that I can share the kuehs with my friends. The auntie servicing me insist that one plastic plate is for 2 kuehs only. So in the end I have to purchase another piece of kueh to make it even number for the extra plastic plate.


Poh Cheu (宝洲)
Blk 127 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-230 & #01-222
Singapore 150127
Tel: +65 62762287
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poh-Cheu-Soon-Kueh-and-Ang-Ku-Kueh/138586599577630
Website: http://www.pohcheu.com/
Nearest MRT: Queenstown (EW Line), Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am - 6pm
(Closed on Sun & PH)

Direction:
1) Alight at Queenstown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Queenstown MRT station (Stop ID 11149). Take bus number 195. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Redhill MRT station (Stop ID 10201). Take bus number 33 or 120. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time 10 minutes. [Map]

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery @ Bedok North Street 4

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery is a traditional shop located at block 84 Bedok North facing the public carpark just behind the famous block 85 Bak Chor Mee at FengShan food centre. From its home based business in 1968 it has moved to its current location in 1987 when the business picked up. It is heartened to still see traditional shop like this painstakingly doing hand made delectable traditional kuehs. Besides selling their kuehs to the general public, Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery also supplies them to hotels and catering companies.

The owner Gavan is very kind to allow us into the kitchen to have some hands on sessions making our own Ang Ku Kueh ($0.50/pc). It is also known as red tortoise cake because it looks like a tortoise shell while red is auspicious for Chinese and tortoise represents longevity. This is usually eaten during religious offering or our baby's one month birthday celebration.

Pulut Inti

Pulut Inti 4/5

Nowadays Pulut Inti ($0.50/pc) commonly comes in plastic wrap but Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery persists to upkeep the tradition and wrapped them in banana leave. I also got to try wrapping them and it was not as easy as it seen. A very delectable snack with caramelised grated coconut sitting on top of the blueish glutinous rice. The blue colouring of the glutinous rice is made from the clitoria flower.

Ku Cai Kueh 4.2/5

While I was there, I noticed 2 workers tirelessly making kuehs throughout my visit. They were making Ku Cai Kueh ($0.70/pc), Soon Kueh ($0.70/pc)and Peng Kueh ($0.80/pc) fresh on the spot. I simply adored the smooth crystal clear skin of the Ku Cai Kueh and Soon Kueh. They were one of the best I have tried.

Steamed Yam Cake 4/5 

Fried Yam Cake 4.2/5

Yam Cake is another favourite of mine that I will order whenever I have dim sum. At Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery, both the Steamed Yam Cake ($0.80/pc)and Fried Yam Cake ($0.80/pc) comes with delectable chunky yam bites, fragrant mushrooms and dried shrimps.

Mini Huat Kueh 3.8/5

These traditional colourful mini Huat Kueh will be attractive to children instead of those tradition bigger one that is usually used for religious offering.

Kotoh Ubi 4/5

Besides the traditional Chinese kuehs and cakes, Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery also makes their own Nonya Kueh. This is my first time to come across the uncommon Kotob Ubi ($1.20/pkt). Made of mashed tapioca and caramelised grated coconut, the gula melaka is the star as the tapioca and grated coconut was quite bland in nature.

Kueh Kao Swee 3.8/5

Kueh Kao Swee ($1.20/pkt) is steamed rice pudding rolled in grated coconut. It is a bit boring to be eating it alone without any sauce. I usually have them with gula melaka.

Oneh Oneh 3.8/5

The Oneh Oneh ($1.20/pkt) although was huge the proportion of skin and filling was quite balanced. The disappointment was the lacking of the squirting surprise of gula melaka when biting into it.

Bengka Ubi 4/5

Another version of the mashed tapioca, Bengka Ubi ($1.20/pkt) is baked rather than steamed. The springy and chewy texture was very enjoyable.

Kueh Lapi 3.8/5

This rainbow colour Kueh Lapi ($1.20/pkt) brings back a lot of childhood memories. I usually had it for breakfast and like to dissect it layer by layer.

Kueh Salat 4/5

I guess this is probably one of the more popular Nonya kuehs that everyone is familiar with as it is often available on most buffet spreads. Kueh Salat ($1.20/pkt) is made up of a layer of glutinous rice and kaya custard with a hint of pandan leaves fragrant.

Ubi Kayu 4/5

Another version of the tapioca kueh rolled in grated coconut, Ubi Kayu ($1.20/pkt) was a delish snack that you can't help going back for more.

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery has been working behind the scene supplying hotels and catering companies with their high quality handmade kuehs. Knowing who is the supplier, I would probably go to them directly in my next purchase. I was checking out their facebook page the other day and I realized they also sells kueh party sets similar to Sakae Sushi type. How cool is it? I probably would get one for my next gathering.


Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery
Blk 84 Bedok North Street 4
#01-21
Singapore 460084
Tel: +65 64490815
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LekLimNonyaCake
Website: http://www.kuehkueh.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Bedok (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 4am - 6pm
Sun: 4am - 2pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bedok MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Bedok bus interchange. Take bus number 14 or 222 and alight 4 stops later. Journey time about 15 minutes.

Yong's Teochew Kueh @ Upper Serangoon Road

This Teochew Kueh stall has been around at Upper Serangoon Road for a long time. Every weekend morning I would see a long queue of people eating and buying Teochew Kueh from the stall.

My favourite is the soon kueh here. I enjoyed the fullest of its filling and the smooth silky skin.

Soon Kueh 4.5/5

Yong's Teochew Kueh
1022 Upper Serangoon Road
Nearest MRT: Kovan (NE Line)