Teochew Handmade Pau (潮洲自制包点) @ Toa Payoh Lorong 1

In this modern days, not many hawkers would still continue the tradition of painstakingly handmade their food. I mentioned Chey Sua Carrot Cake in my earlier post whereby they still steamed their own radish cake for their fried carrot cake. Just a few stalls away at the same food centre is Teochew Handmade Pau (潮洲自制包点) which is started by Mr Yeow Eu Tiew in 1993, still continues to handmade their Teochew Pau.

Richard Yeoh is the 2nd generation of Teochew Handmade Pau (潮洲自制包点). He has given up his mechanical engineering job to help out his dad. As he shared with us, things were not smooth in the beginning. There was a clash of the old ways and his new methods to quantify the recipes. Richard has also started a central kitchen to supply a small quantity of paus to the hawker stall. He explained that having a central quality does not mean using machines to make their paus. The Paus are all still handmade at the central kitchen. One advantage of having a central kitchen is better quality control and consistency. For example, a pau will be exacty 30gram in weight so as a consumer you will not be felt cheated too.

Teochew Handmade Pau offers a variety of their delightful steamed bun but one of my favourite is their Big Pork Bun. The flavourful and juicy pork filling together with the soft fluffy skin is a winner for me. I understand from the owner a lot of efforts are put into ensuring the texture of the skin is soft and fluffy, such as the type of sugar used, the proportional of water and flour.

The different types of Teochew Paus sold at the stall are smaller in size compared to most that you see at coffeeshops. This means you can enjoy more and a variety of the delightful bite size snack. Another difference at Teochew Handmade Pau is their Char Siew Bun and Stewed Pork Bun (Kou Rou Pau). The fillings are minced and leaner instead of the usual Cantonese style buns where you still can find small pieces of meat inside. On top of that, the Siew Mai is also substituted with fish instead of the usual prawn.

Here is a video of Teochew Handmade Pau done by Republic Polytechnic's Diploma in Mass Communication students winning them the too prize in the City Hawker Food Hunt Video Competition 2013. It captures the heartfelt story of continuing the heritage of Teochew Handmade Pau (潮洲自制包点).

I am very glad to announce that Teochew Handmade Pau (潮洲自制包点) has agreed to take part in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014. They will be selling an assortment of their handmade buns to raise fund for charity. The assortment with consider Small Pork Bun with Egg, Salted Egg Yolk Longevity Bun, Char Siew Bun, Siew Mai and Stewed Pork Bun (Kou Rou Pau).

The Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Hall 401 & 402 on 22 November 2014, 11am to 5pm is a fund raising event for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services regardless of race and religions. Coupons is required to purchase the food from the various hawkers and can be purchased at https://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/. While the hawkers sacrifice their time and some even a day's income to do a part for the needy and disadvantaged, I hope you can support them and do a part for charity too. See you at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014.


Teochew Handmade Pau (潮洲自制包点)
Toa Payoh Blk 127 Market & Food Centre
Blk 127 Toa Payoh Lorong 1
#02-02
Singapore 310217
Tel: +65 62542053/66595786
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teochew-Hand-Made-Pau/115358958476616
Website: http://teochewhandmadepau.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Braddel (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 6am - 2pm
Sun: 6am - 12pm
(Closed on Mon and Alt Tues)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit B. Follow the blue sheltered walkway and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Fix Cafe @ HomeTeamNS - JOM Clubhouse

The folks behind Grub at Bishan Park has opened Fix Cafe at HomeTeamNS - JOM Clubhouse. The open concept cafe comes with a workshop look with furniture made from stained wooden plank,  paint buckets and metal pipes. The halal cafe offers a selection of starters, mains and pastries that will delight your taste buds.

3 Cheese Penne Gratin 4/5

As there was quite a big group of us, we managed to try quite a variety of items offered at Fix Cafe. Starting with the 3 Cheese Penne Gratin ($10), we thought this was well executed and balanced. The cheese was not overpowering but instead complemented the penne.

Crispy Soy Chicken Drumlets 3.8/5

The Crispy Soy Chicken Drumlets ($7) will be a delightful snack bite with it's flavourful marination on top of the crumby skin.

Chicken Tikka and Achar Naanwich 3/5

Beef & Kimchi Naanwich 3/5

Giving the tradition naan a new refreshing spin is the Chicken Tikka & Achar Naanwich ($10) and Beef & Kimchi Naanwich ($10). I really like the concept and how well the unique combinations of flavours worked together in harmony. Unfortunately the dish was lacked down by the lackluster naan. If the cafe has the space and equipment to freshly made these naan, I am sure it will get a high score of approval from my humble palate.

Brunch FIX 3.5/5

If you are the all day breakfast person, then the Brunch FIX ($12) would be a welcoming dish for you. On the plate, there are toasted brioche, scrambled eggs, turkey ham, sauteed mushroom and greens. The scrambled eggs were a bit runny for me but I am not too fussy about it. However the highlight on the plate has to be the toasted brioche. The bread was extremely soft and fluffy. It is too good to be missed.

Latte 4/5

Actually this is quite new to me, I have never known there is such thing as Halal coffee beans until my visit to Fix Cafe. The Latte ($4.5) was pretty good with a nice aroma and not too acidic.

Donuts 3.5/5

If you not too hungry and just want a small bite, the mini Donuts ($7) with a choice of Salted Egg or Lemon Custard dip is quite interesting. I thought the salted egg dip was a bit of gimmick lacking in the salted egg flavour I was expecting. The lemon custard dip will be a better choice.

Twice Baked Sourcream Cheesecake 3.8/5

Cacao Barry Chocolate Truffle Cake 4/5

Strawberry Pistachio Rose Tart 4/5

Passionfruit, Mango & Coconut Chiffon Cake 4.5/5

I am not sure it is a good thing or not but the cakes and pastries at Fix Cafe fares better than the mains and starters. Among the various cakes and pastries I tried, my favourite has to be the Butterscotch Arabica Choux and Passionfruit, Mango & Coconut Chiffon Cake. Starting with the Passionfruit, Mango & Coconut Chiffon Cake ($7) which is a light and soft. Cut through the different layers of chiffon cake to have a bit of everything. It was like magical with all the different subtle flavours coming together delighting every sense of the taste buds.

Butterscotch Arabica Choux 4.5/5

For those that prefers something richer and more robust, the Butterscotch Arabica Choux ($6) is not to be missed. Cut right through the choux to reveal the surprise salted caramel filling inside. This is da bomb if you are into sweet pastry.

Although the location can be a bit out of the way, the cafe seems to have found the winning formuale attracting crowds from around the island. I have seen been back to Fix cafe on several occasions and the cafe has been packed. The folks from Grub has also recently opened another outlet, Grub Noodle Bar which is also receiving great reviews from many foodies.


Fix Cafe
HomeTeamNS - JOM Clubhouse
31 Ah Hood Road
Singapore 329979
Tel: +65 62561484
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIXsg
Website: http://fix-cafe.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 930am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to HDB Hub. Continue walking to Orange Tee building. Cross the road at the overhead bridge further down the road. Turn right at Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. Cut across the park and take across the expressway using the overhead bridge. Cross the canal and walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 139. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Toa Payoh MRT station along Toa Payoh Lorong 2 (Stop ID 52189). Take bus 56, 105 or 153. Alight 1 stop later. Cross the canal. Cut through the cluster of HDB flats and carpark towards block 103 onto Ah Hood Road. Continue walking until the end of Ah Hood Road. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]