Our team is lucky to be working from an office near Bendemeer MRT Station, as good food options are aplenty: we have Keong Saik Bakery with its wide range of bakes, Prince Noodles which has legit KL ban mian and many more. But we’ve never come across Cha Chaan Teng, a hidden Hong Kong-inspired cafe that doubles as a bar at night, until recently.
When we set foot into Cha Chaan Teng, it was easy to tell they were quite a stickler for retro HK pop culture as the diner exuded a nostalgic vibe. Their space was relatively spacious, seating slightly more than 30 customers at once.
Since we visited during lunchtime, we decided to get their lunch set for $13.90++, comprising a main, a side, and a drink. FYI, you can enjoy this deal every day from 11am to 3pm.
Macaroni soup is non-negotiable at any cha chaan teng, so we got a bowl of their Tung Fan ($7.90++) alongside Bo Lo Baau ($4.90++), and an iced Yuan Yang ($3.90++). If not for the lunch set deal, our meal would have amounted to $16.70++!
The portion of Tung Fan wasn’t the biggest, but the combination of clear dashi broth, macaroni, luncheon meat, and fried shallots was comforting, especially because it was a rainy, gloomy day.
After the savoury fare, go straight for the freshly handmade bolo bun, starring a pineapple bun stuffed with butter. Here’s a tip: pay an additional $1++ to add scrambled eggs or luncheon meat for a sweet-savoury snack.
Wash it all down with their iced Yuan Yang, which leaned slightly sweet and gao at the same time.
The other lunch set we opted for consisted of dry Wan Tan Min ($8.90++), with two pieces of Daan Tat ($4.90++), and a hot Teh ($2.90++).
Their wonton mee was more filling than the macaroni soup thanks to a variety of ingredients: springy noodles, minced char siew, fried pork dumplings, bok choy, and a side of soup.
If you prefer your egg tarts mildly sweet, creamy, and flaky, you’ll surely enjoy the Daan Tat here. We also found the hot Teh to complement the egg tarts well, so this pairing might be something you want to try for yourself.
Cha Chaan Teng is a seven-minute walk from Bendemeer MRT Station, and opens till 12am every day except Tuesday. If you’re in the area, consider paying them a visit for lunch, dinner, or drinks!
In related news, read our Hong Kong Stars Cafe review, where we tried handmade dim sum at this movie-themed cha chaan teng in Jalan Besar. Alternatively, read our Within The Walls Dessert Bar review for traditional Chinese desserts in East Coast.
Address: 284 Lavender Street, Singapore 338802
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 11am to 12am
Website
Cha Chaan Teng is not a halal-certified eatery.
Photos taken by Marcus Neo.
This was a media tasting at Cha Chaan Teng.
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