Teahouses that Still Exist in Singapore

We all have our favourite coffee houses and cafes to chill at with a cuppa, but how about checking out Chinese-style teahouses for a change? Teahouses aren’t doing so well in Singapore – as you may expect, with a majority of us rushing off to try every new hipster café that pops up – and many have closed down over the years. So be sure to pay a visit to one of these before it’s too late.

1. Kung Fu Tea House Kung Fu Tea House's name is a tribute to the skill and effort needed to brew a good pot of Chinese tea. Staff here are friendly without being hard-selling and this is the perfect place to sip on your tea and watch as the tourists walk by. Customers can pick from a range of tea including oolong, green, white, red, flower, and prices start from $8 per pot. Kung Fu Tea House also serves snacks such as Tea Leaf Egg ($1.50), Lotus Leaf Rice ($6.80), and even Bird’s Nest ($30). Kung Fu Tea House, 30 Temple Street, Singapore 058575

2. Tea Chapter

Tea Chapter is one of the largest, and most well-known teahouses in Singapore, and for good reason. On top of being polite and well-versed in the subject matter, the staff will run through the entire brewing and tea appreciation process with you, if you choose. Prices start from $8. Also try the snacks such as the lychee tea jelly ($1.50) and oolong sweet potato steamed buns ($2 per bun). Did you know: Tea Chapter has played host to quite a few notable personalities, one of which is Queen Elizabeth II, who visited in 1989. The teahouse has also been graced by Tony Tan, S.R. Nathan, and Lee Hsien Loong. Tea Chapter, 9-11 Neil Road, Singapore 088808

3. Yixing Xuan Teahouse

Yixing Xuan Teahouse is pricier than other teahouses, with a pot of tea starting at $15, but it’s known for bringing in premium teas such as Beauty of the East (a Taiwanese Oolong) and Dong Ding (similar). They also conduct tea appreciation courses, which you can book on their website (http://www.yixingxuan-teahouse.com). Other than tea, Yixing Xuan also serves up a wide array of dim sum, including the usual suspects such as har gow and siew mai, but also some less expected dishes such as ma po tofu. Yixing Xuan Teahouse, 30 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088453

4. Liu Xiang Tea-craft

Liu Xiang Tea-craft has been around since 1990 and their mission is to promote contemporary Chinese Tea Art in Singapore. They’re really passionate at getting the word out – apart from managing the teahouse; they also set up tea art centres at community centres in Singapore, and organize both national and international tea events. Schools of Liuxiang can now be found not only in Singapore, but also Tokyo, Osaka, Vietnam and Thailand. Prices start at $5. Liu Xiang Tea-craft, Liang Court, 177 River Valley #03-02, Singapore 179036

5. Tian Fu Tea Room Get ready to be blown away by the view at Tian Fu Tea Room, located within Si Chuan Dou Hua restaurant on the 60th Level of UOB Plaza. You’ll be spoilt for choice at Tian Fu as it carries a wide selection of over 25 types of premium Chinese tea. They also offer an Imperial High Tea set ($30++), which comes with two teas paired with nine tea snacks, as well as their signature bean curd as dessert. The menu changes monthly, so call up ahead if you’re particular about your teas. Tian Fu Tea Room, 80 Raffles Place, #60-01 UOB Plaza 1, Singapore 048624 Note: Other outlets include Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant in PARKROYAL on Beach Road and PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road

6. Luk Yu Teahouse

Conveniently located at Chinatown Point next to the MRT station, Luk Yu Teahouse is a restaurant and teahouse in one. Find its name familiar? – That’s because there’s a pretty famous Luk Yu in Hong Kong. However, this one in Singapore is not affiliated to them. Luk Yu serves the standard range of Chinese tea, including Oolong, White, Black, Green, Flower, and Herbs, and a pot starts at $9, and if you’re hungry, go ahead and indulge in their extensive dim sum menu as well. Luk Yu Teahouse, Chinatown Point #01-41/42 See Also: Places for a leisurely afternoon tea Planinng a cafe hop? Try out these places!

Written by Cherie Foo (Images are writer's own.)