Kim Choo Kueh Chang: Legendary Nyonya Dumplings And Kueh At Joo Chiat

Kim Choo Kueh Chang in Joo Chiat for Nyonya kueh since 1945

Talk about having a rich history: Kim Choo Kueh Chang, a Peranakan delicatessen, has been faithfully serving handmade Nyonya dumplings and kueh for 77 years. Located about 10 minutes on foot from Eunos MRT Station, locals and tourists alike flock to this beloved store for a taste of nostalgia and tradition.

Kim Choo Kueh Chang’s humble beginnings date back to 1945, when their founder Madam Lee Kim Choo sold her Nyonya rice dumplings under a banyan tree. Through the years, they have preserved the traditional flavours of their delicacies, serving as a bastion of Peranakan cuisine in Singapore. They were even selected to manage the Singapore Visitor Centre of Katong and Joo Chiat, because of their rich heritage and legacy.

Till today, all their rice dumplings and kueh are house-made on the premises, in the kitchen right behind their counter, where you’ll get all their products, only available for takeaway.

On our visit there, we tried some of their famous traditional kueh. Our favourite was the Ondeh Ondeh ($2.20)━soft and chewy rounds which come in a box of six. Coated with fresh desiccated coconut, each contains a centre of molten gula melaka for a wonderful burst of sweetness.

The Kueh Dadah ($2.20) was a close competitor, with its crepe-like pandan pancake skin, wrapped around shredded coconut that’s been steeped in gula melaka. 

For a variation of snacks, get their Mixed Box ($3.20), which includes two pieces each of kueh salat and kueh lapis. The former comprises a coconut milk-infused glutinous rice base, with a pandan kaya layer on top. 

Then you have the multi-coloured kueh lapis, which is the result of a painstaking process where it’s steamed layer by layer. Pro tip: rather than eating the whole kueh lapis in one mouthful, peel off the layers to enjoy one at a time to savour every bit of its goodness! 

The Steamed Sweet Potato ($2.20) is another popular pick, where bright orange squares of creamy, sweet steamed sweet potato kueh are, again, dusted in dessicated coconut.

Image credit: Kim Choo Kueh Chang

We didn’t get to taste their signature rice dumplings while we were there, but you should definitely give them a try. Their Nyonya Chang comes with various fillings, including Pork ($4.50), Chicken ($4.80), Chilli Prawn ($5) and even Salty Egg ($5). Vegetarian options are also available, which are priced at $4.50. 

With our tastes evolving with the times, some of our traditional delicacies have also adapted to modern flavours. Be sure to check out The Kueh Kakis, located in Tanjong Pagar, for black sesame kueh lapis and the like! 

Otherwise, if you are a stickler for old but gold delicacies, take a look at our guide to Nyonya kueh stores in Singapore that still sell traditional handmade treats.

Address: 60 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427784
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 9pm
Tel: 6741 2125
Website
Kim Choo Kueh Chang is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Huy Pham and edited by Tan Zi Hui.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg