Jian Bo Shui Kueh is a long queue chwee kueh stall
There are quite a number of famous chwee kueh stalls in Singapore, and Jian Bo Shui Kueh ranks right up there with the best of them. The Tiong Bahru stall is known for their long queues around the clock, with fans lining up to get their hands on their tasty steamed rice cakes topped with chye poh (preserved radish) and house-made sambal chilli. They’ve also been listed as a Michelin Bib Gourmand hawker for three years running!
Jian Bo Shui Kueh is a household name when it comes to chwee kueh. They’ve been open since 1958, and have been family-run for three generations now. Its origins can be traced back to when the original founder, Mr Ang, sold chwee kueh out of a pushcart before itinerant hawkers were mandated to take up permanent residence in hawker centres by the government. Today, Jian Bo Shui Kueh has a main outlet in Tiong Bahru Market, as well as many others dotted around Singapore, including Jurong, Sengkang, Tampines, and Choa Chu Kang.
Fans love Jian Bo Shui Kueh for many reasons. The first is its consistency—because all of the chwee kueh is prepped fresh daily from a central kitchen before it is sent to its various outlets, you won’t get a dip in quality even if you try their kueh from a different branch.
Next, the cai poh. The preserved radish mix can make or break a chwee kueh, and Jian Bo’s version definitely makes it. The radish mince is fine but still has enough bite, and is equal measures sweet and salty.
The chilli here also has our stamp of approval. Though mellow, it does bring on a little bit of heat, and a distinct dose of hae bee that takes the kueh’s flavours a notch up.
Finally, the rice cakes themselves are steamed well, with the slightest bit of chew.
Five pieces are the minimum order, which you can purchase for $3. Otherwise, they also have eight pieces ($4.80), and 10 pieces ($6). The stall also has two other items on the menu: Chee Cheong Fun (from $3), and Steamed Yam Cake (from $3).
Be prepared to wait in line when it gets busy. If you’re visiting the Tiong Bahru outlet and would like to check out more dining options in the area, you can check out our Tiong Bahru food guide. Also, read our Happy Oven review for nostalgic cream puffs and halal-friendly cakes in Beo Crescent!
Website
Full list of locations
Jian Bo Shui Kueh is not a halal-certified eatery.
Happy Oven Review: Old-School Bakery With $1 Pandan Kaya Cakes And More In Tiong Bahru
Photos taken by Chew Yi En.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg.
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