Makko Teck Neo @ Telok Blangah Rise - Hidden Peranakan Gem In A Quiet Neighbourhood

Not known to many, hidden in the quiet neighbourhood of Telok Blangah Rise is Makko Teck Neo, a Nyonya restaurant specialising in traditional Peranakan cuisines and kueh kuehs. It all started with Auntie Teck Neo baking and selling its signature pineapple tarts and cookies every Chinese New Year to relatives and friends. As the business grew, Auntie Teck Neo moved into the current restaurant in 2008 and started Makko Tech Neo.

Nyonya Kueh Pie Tee 4/5

Ngoh Hiang 4.5/5

Our lunch started with some light bites. We have the Nyonya Kueh Pie Tee ($9.90) and Ngoh Hiang ($11.90). The Nyonya Kueh Pie Tee filled with flavourful turnip stew, topped with a thinly sliced prawn is must enjoy with a dollop of the chilli sauce. The Ngoh Hiang ($11.90) is quite unique with the addition of chives and carrot for a delightful crunch on top of deep-fried crispy beancurd skin. I am not sure whether this is authentic Nyonya ngoh hiang recipe, but it sure is good.

Tauhu Goreng 4/5

Next, we had is the Tauhu Goreng ($6.80). The deep-fried tofu is piled with shredded cucumber, beansprout and lots of the nutty peanut sauce. Each mouthful comes with an abundance of textures at play.

Rempah Ayam Goreng 4.2/5

Chap Chye 4/5

For a chance, we decided not to order the Ayam Buah Keluah but gone for the Rempah Ayam Goreng ($11.90) instead. The tender grilled chicken thigh has a beautiful rempah rub that elevated the taste profile. Not to forget the chilli sauce for that shiok finishing.

Pork Rib Pongteh 3.8/5

Beef Rendang 4.2/5

For the daily special on Sunday, we went for the Pork Rib Pongteh ($12.90) and Beef Rendang ($14.90). The Pork Rib Pongeh while cooked to tender and infused with the robust fermented beancurd flavour, it lacked finishing tang which I was seeking. The Beef Rendang, on the other hand, left an impression with the lunch group. It is fork-tender and spicy, packing a punch. Best to order a plate of plain basmati rice to go with the shiok gravy.

Dry Mee Siam 4.2/5

A house special at Makko Teck Neo is the Dry Mee Siam ($5.80). It comes with big puffy tau pok that is soaked with the mee siam gravy. While it is dry mee siam, it is not dry at all. It comes with a scoop of rich, sweet and tangy gravy. Best to give it a good toss to coat each strand of the vermicelli, to enjoy the slurping goodness. I personally crave for more of the mee siam gravy.

Makko Teck Neo is definitely a hidden gem located in a sleepy old neighbourhood. I am great to discover yet another good Nyonya restaurant, especially that it is near my place.


Makko Teck Neo
Blk 35 Telok Blangah Rise
#01-303
Singapore 090035
Tel: +65 62751330
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 730am - 9pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Harbourfront MRT station (Stop ID 14129). Take bus number 65, 123M or 855. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Chef Kang Noodle House @ Jackson Square (Toa Payoh) - Michelin Bib Gourmand Wanton Mee

I had heard of the snaking queue with waiting time up to 2 hours at Chef Kang Noodle House when it first opened in December 2018 at Jackson Square. You can't blame the popularity of the hawker stall when it is opened by one Michelin starred Chef Ang Song Kang of Chef Kang's Kitchen. The fairy tale continues with the recent release of Michelin Bib Gourmand 2019. Chef Kang Noodle House is one of the 58 awardees of Michelin Bib Gourmand 2019. What an achievement of the wanton mee stall, winning such a prestige award in less than a year of their opening.

There are only 3 items on the menu. Noodle with Char Siew and Wanton ($5), Noodle with Shredded Abalone, Char Siew and Wanton ($10), Char Siew ($10). I ordered both the noodle dishes to try.

Noodle with Char Siew and Wanton 4.5/5

For five dollars, you get a plate of noodle with fatty char siew, pork lard, greens and wantons. What impresses me at Chef Kang Noodle House is down to each component on the plate of wanton mee. The char siew is fatty with a nice char on the exterior. Just look at the layer of fats and lean meat. The noodle is springy with a delightful bite, complemented by the delicious dark sauce. The wanton was plump and generous filling such as prawn, minced pork, black fungus and water chestnut. In fact, I find it more towards a dumpling than a wanton.

Shredded Abalone, Char Siew and Wanton 4.8/5

For another extra five dollars, you get shredded abalone with the char siew wanton mee. Initially, I thought the shredded abalone is chicken. It does look like it isn't it? The chicken itself can be quite dry to go with the noodle; hence, the soft and bouncy texture of the abalone is a good replacement enhancing the full enjoyment and balance of the dish.

Do note that Chef Kang Noodle House is located inside Jack Square, surrounded by building blocks. Hence it can't be sighted from the main road. One needs to make its way into the industrial cluster, and it is located in the canteen around in between block A and B.


Chef Kang Noodle House
Jackson Square
Block A
11 Toa Payoh Lorong 3
Singapore 319579
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line),

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 8am - 4pm
Sat-Sun: 8am - 2pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Block 111 (Stop ID 52161). Take bus number 235. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 28, 73, 88, 155, 157, 159, 163. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]