Chong Wen Ge Cafe Filled With Peranankan Culture, Telok Ayer, Singapore - Facade of Chong Wen Ge Cafe

Chong Wen Ge Cafe Filled With Peranakan Culture – Telok Ayer, Singapore

Chong Wen Ge Cafe is one of our latest fave. From the location to the cafe decoration and food selection, it is going to attract. We were charmed by the entire concept. Moreover, there are many instagramable spot within the cafe. It has already lure many instagrammers to the cafe for a post on their feed.

 

This Peranakan cafe is located within the building that is part of part of Thiam Hock Keng temple complex. It is sharing the same building with the Singapore first Musical Box Museum and Peranakan Tiles gallery.

 

Chong Wen Ge Cafe Filled With Peranankan Culture, Telok Ayer, Singapore - Entrance to the building housing Chong Wen Ge

 

Chong Wen Ge Cafe Filled With Peranankan Culture, Telok Ayer, Singapore - Overview of Chong Wen Ge Cafe Interior Dinning Area

 

Each and every element within the cafe has Peranakan influence. The tables and chairs reminds me of my maternal grandparents former house. At Chong Wen Ge Cafe, there are both indoor and outdoor. With outdoor dinning in a pavilion. We thought this is an unique selling point at Chong Wen Ge.

 

Menu in Chong Wen Ge is atypical. Diners won’t find the standard cafe food such as Egg Ben and so on. Instead, diners are greeted with Peranakan fare. Some of the Mains available are Nonya Curry Chicken ($9.80), Nonya Laksa ($8.80), Nonya Mee Siam ($6.80) and more. The only not so Peranakan dish is Udon Mushroom Soup ($6.80).

 

Chong Wen Ge Cafe Filled With Peranankan Culture, Telok Ayer, Singapore - Satay Mee Hoon ($8.80)

 

Satay Bee Hoon ($8.80), an extremely rare find, especially for a cafe. Right away, without doubt, this is our must order. We like the lightly sweetish and yet highly fragrant peanut sauce. The dish is coupled with abundant ingredients such as thin pork slices, pig livers, kang kong, tau pau, and cuttlefish topped the surface of the dish. Instead of using cockles, fresh clams was provided. My only complaint about the dish was the bee hoon was not well drained after blanching. Hence it diluted the sauce a little.

 

Chong Wen Ge Cafe Filled With Peranankan Culture, Telok Ayer, Singapore - Curry Chicken

 

*I revisited the cafe and tried the Nonya Curry Chicken, it was disappointing. It has strong coconut flavour but the spice was missing. The flavour did not immersed into the Chicken hence it was bland. It might be a good idea to marinate the chicken with the curry paste before cooking it.

 

Chong Wen Ge Cafe Filled With Peranankan Culture, Telok Ayer, Singapore - Nonya Kueh ($5 for 4)

 

We highly encourage diners to leave some stomach space for the Nonya Kueh. Ondeh Ondeh is the most popular kueh at the cafe as it is sold out daily. A pity some of the Ondeh Ondeh has more gula melaka, while others has less. Kueh Dadar is equally popular. Others selection includes Kueh Lapis, Kueh Salat, Kueh Koo and many more. Prices for the Nonya Kueh are either $1.50 per piece of $5 for 4 pieces.

 

A range of drinks such as traditional Kopi and Teh and also the commonly found Gourmet Tea and Espresso Coffee termed as Gourmet Coffee on the menu. Other Kopitiam drinks such as Lime Juice, Water Chestnut, Sour Plum, Rose Syrup, Bandung and Orange; all available at $1.80 each.

 

Chong Wen Ge Cafe Filled With Peranankan Culture, Telok Ayer, Singapore - Peranakan Green ($5.50)

 

Last but not least, including the 2 signature drinks, the Teh-C Special ($5.50) and Peranakan Green ($5.50). The Peranakan Green is a fizzy melon soda with crunchy cucumber which I didn’t enjoy. It tasted very much like coloured soda with artificial flavouring. Pretty disappointing and was expensive.

 

 

NAHMJ Verdict

 

We perceived well of Chong Wen Ge Cafe. We like some of the food, the ambience and the concept.

 

Chong Wen Ge Cafe Filled With Peranankan Culture, Telok Ayer, Singapore - Overview of Counter

 

In short, almost entirely, even though there are some room for improvement in the food. We are pretty sure in no time, the cafe shall be filled. Henceforth, do make your way their soon to uncover this culture gem.

 

 

 

Chong Wen Ge Cafe

168 Telok Ayer St Singapore 068619
Tel: +65 8688 3028

FBhttps://www.facebook.com/chongwengecafe/

Menuhttps://www.facebook.com/download/preview/1608743889439796

 

Opening Hours

 

Monday – Friday  0730 to  1800;  Saturday – Sunday  0900 to 1800

 

Getting There

 

By MRT:

  • East-West line – Raffles Place station
  • Downtown line – Telok Ayer station

 

By Bus:

  • opposite GB Building along Cecil Street   57, 131, 167, 186, 700, 970, 971E (nearest bus stop to Telok Ayer Road)
  • after Capital Tower along Robinson Road   10, 10e, 70, 75, 97, 100, 107, 128, 130, 162, 196, 196e
  • at UIC Building along Shenton Way   10, 10e, 57, 70, 75, 97, 97e, 100, 106, 107, 128, 130, 131, 162, 186, 196, 196e

 

Rating: 8/10

 

*Updated after second visit on 30 Aug 2016.

2 thoughts on “Chong Wen Ge Cafe Filled With Peranakan Culture – Telok Ayer, Singapore”

  1. Went there upon seeing so many reviews. Food was a disappointment and flavours were all wrong. The Udon was also extremely salty and the satay beehoon was so diluted. Had a sad lunch with my family as we thought we could have some good peranakan food in Singapore since we are Peranakans.

    1. Hi Ophelia,
      Thanks for your comment. I re-visited over the weekend and tried the Curry Chicken, I have the same comment. I didn’t find the Curry Chicken good. My maternal grandparents were Peranakans too. But at least, the Satay Mee Hoon was ok.

      Cheers
      Michelle (NAHMJ)

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