Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant: Famous Fish Head Steamboat And Orh Luak With XL Oysters

Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant is a famous Teochew zi char eatery in Bukit Merah

Image credit: Hong Heee Tan (Jim)

Located under a HDB block at Bukit Merah is Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant, a family-run zi char restaurant with roots dating back to 1919. 

From its humble beginnings as a street-side bak kut teh stall near the old Ellenborough Market, the Teochew restaurant has become synonymous with dishes such as oyster omelette, braised duck, and steamed pomfret.

Image credit: ArhOrhSeafoodRestaurant

The hallmark of Ah Orh Seafood is their top-secret, 104-year-old fish head steamboat recipe. This dish is prepared in an old-school chimney-style pot, which sees charcoal inserted into the pot’s core. Only the freshest fish is used here, and the restaurant sources a daily catch each morning from the local market. The fish is then sliced into large fillets and deboned for easy consumption.

Image credit: @ladalada.story

As for their steamboat broth, it’s made from scratch by boiling pork bones, chicken, and other ingredients, including sour plum and yam, for up to four hours. Ah Orh’s fish head steamboat is priced from $48.

Besides their famous fish head steamboat, Ah Orh Seafood also boasts an extensive zi char menu. With nearly 60 dishes to choose from, you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice.

Image credit: Mark Yeo

We recommend ordering their Fish Maw Soup ($18/$25/$30), which comes served in a traditional clay pot. The soup is said to be light on the palate and goes well with a dash of vinegar for extra oomph.

The Braised Duck ($13/$20/$25) is another crowd favourite, prepared with a thick, fragrant black sauce mixed with a variety of spices. Online reviews often highlight Ah Orh’s succulent duck meat, which effortlessly soaks up the braising sauce’s rich flavours.

Image credit: ArhOrhSeafoodRestaurant

Another must-try is their flourless Oyster Egg Omelette ($13/$20/$25), AKA orh luak. This dish features huge, juicy oysters laid atop a crispy egg omelette.

Ah Orh Seafood’s Prawn Rolls ($13/$20/$25) are said to be delicious too. Featuring a delightful combination of crispy skin, savoury minced prawn filling, and a burst of umami from the five-spice powder, this dish is definitely a timeless classic.

Image credit: ArhOrhSeafoodRestaurant

Wrap up your meal with a delightful serving of Yam Paste w/ Gingko Nuts ($15/$20/$25). This nostalgic dessert garnered so much hype during its introduction that reservations were essential due to its limited availability. Once you taste the sweet, creamy yam paste, you’ll understand why.

If you’re a huge fan of seafood, read our best seafood restaurants guide for spicy chilli crab, shellout and more. Otherwise, read our Da Niu Teochew Seafood Restaurant review for marinated raw crabs and steamed clams in the CBD.

Address: 115 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-1627, Singapore 160115
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 2pm, 5:30pm to 9pm
Tel: 6275 7575
Website
Ah Orh Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.

Feature image adapted from ArhOrhSeafoodRestaurant and @ladalada.story