Singaporeans should be familiar with Paradise Group – the Singapore-based restaurant group with an impressive portfolio of mainly Chinese restaurants under their belt. Think Taste Paradise, Paradise Dynasty and Beauty In The Pot.
The reputable empire has recently launched an entirely new concept – Paradise Teochew Restaurant, where its speciality lies in authentic Teochew-style offerings to preserve and glorify the Teochew culture that many Singaporeans are more than familiar with.
Paradise Teochew Restaurant’s talented kitchen team is helmed by Hong Kong-born Executive Chef Cheng Fa Kwan. Raised in a family of Teochew chefs, Chef Cheng’s love for food is unmistakable; he has been exposed to and cooking Teochew cuisine for the past 34 years!
Of authentic Teochew dishes and dim sum and traditional Teochew desserts, Paradise Teochew Restaurant is our new favourite place to bring the folks to. Or any time when we care for some comfort food that we grew up loving.
Paradise Teochew Restaurant is a 196-seater restaurant, interestingly located at Chinese Swimming Club and offers a quick respite from the city’s suffocating crowds. We love how the common area is a bright space with natural sunlight streaming in in the day through the floor to ceiling glass windows.
Private rooms are also available for bookings.
The East is too far-flung for you? Then countdown to the second outlet of Paradise Teochew Restaurant that will be opening at Scott’s Square some time around June this year. The upcoming outlet in the heart of town will boast a slightly more posh environment with a slightly different menu, but with most of the signatures still available for all to indulge in.
Teochew cuisine – also known as Chaozhou cuisine – is renowned for its healthier renditions of seafood and poultry (when compared to other Chinese recipes). Oil and seasonings are used sparingly in the preparation of Teochew dishes as the essence of Teochew cuisine lies in bringing out the food’s natural taste through various preparation and cooking methods.
Braising, poaching and steaming are popular cooking techniques in Teochew cuisine and over at Paradise Teochew Restaurant, you will notice that most main dishes are prepared via these methods.
The Teochew Style Steamed Pomfret is a Teochew classic, and a dish that will put a smile on your folks’ faces. Trust us on this – we’ve made our moms happy with this steamed fish dish served in a fragrant broth with tomatoes and salted vegetables (seasonal price).
The Crispy Sweet and Sour Noodle in Teochew Style (small – S$14++, medium – S$21++, large – S$28++) is an unmissable staple of Teochew fare. Definitely one of our favourite and must-order dishes when at Paradise Teochew Restaurant!
At first glance, the signature dish looks like a pan-fried pancake – but it certainly isn’t. Noodles are interestingly pan-fried on both sides, yet leaving the centre still moist, then cut up into triangular shapes. And because Teochews love enjoying their food with condiments, this crispy noodle dish is to be eaten with the accompanying vinegar and sugar.
It may sound weird, but it really is a refreshing take from the usual noodle dish, with a sweet and sour (as its name has it) contrast that is easy on the palate.
Teochew braised specialties are an integral part of a typical Teochew meal too.
Here at Paradise Teochew Restaurant, choose from a selection of braised goodies that include duck web, duck tongue, pork knuckle, pork belly, pig’s intestines, octopus and more.
There is a trio combination (small – S$24++, medium – S$36++, large – S$48++) where you get to select three different braised delicacies.
Some sharing dishes to try are Sautéed Scallop with Asparagus in XO Sauce (small – S$26++, medium – S$39++, large – S$52++) and fluffy Pan-fried Oyster Omelette in Teochew Style (S$16++ per portion). They are guaranteed crowd pleasers, and goes great with the in-house chilli dip.
Another must-order is the Sautéed Sliced Beef in Satay Sauce (small – S$20++, medium – S$30++, large – S$40++). This is an underdog, and we were ashamed of judging it by its rather unappetising outlook!
Ultra thin slices of beef are browned almost instantaneously over high heat, hence retaining its tender texture and savoury juiciness. Served atop generous amount of greens and doused in aromatic satay sauce specially imported all the way from Hong Kong, this is one sharing dish that packs a punch and is more than surprising.
We love our dim sum, and Paradise Teochew Restaurant’s superb Teochew-style dim sum deserve a special shoutout. Its comprehensive menu of classics and contemporary interpretations are only available during lunchtime.
Where should we even start from?
Customers can expect the usuals, e.g. Baked BBQ Honey Pork Buns (S$5.40++ / 3 pcs) and Steamed Pork Dumpling “Siew Mai” (S$5.80++ / 4 pcs).
But will you take a look at them Steamed Custard Bun in Piggy Shape (S$5.80++ / 3 pcs)? The kids are bound to love these sweet buns filled with custard and pine seeds.
The Steamed Glutinous Rice Roll in Teochew Style (S$4.80++ / 3 pcs) is a dim sum dish of scrumptious sticky rice encased within a pillowy soft white bun. Soft, warm and mildly sweet, this dim sum dish is certainly something we don’t see every day at regular dim sum houses. Good on its own, or you can dip it in the in-house chilli dip too.
And of all that we tried, it was Paradise Teochew Restaruant’s Deep-Fried Mango Roll (S$5.80++) that stole the limelight. We never thought a ubiquitous mango roll would made us swoon, but the fried treat is really a lavishly-stuffed roll of juicy mangoes, and the flavours burst certainly had us hooked.
The all-inclusive dim sum list too showcases irresistible fried options. We reckon their Deep-fried Taro Puff with Diced Chicken and Prawn (S$5.80++ / 3 pcs) and Crispy Spring Roll with Braised Duck Meat (S$4.80++ / 3p pcs) would fit the bill.
The Deep-fried Diced Abalone Dumpling in Jumbo Shape (S$6.50++) will have all you Instagram addicts squealing in delight, too!
No meal is complete without sweets and Paradise Teochew Restaurant’s traditional Teochew desserts are well worth the indulgence.
Age-old recipes stay gold. Hearty and unpretentious, we won’t leave without a serving or two of these traditional Teochew desserts.
When we talk about Teochew cuisine, we think of ‘orh nee’ as desserts. And yes, the Mashed Yam with Gingko (S$4.50++ per pax) and Mashed Yam with Pumpkin (S$4.50++ per pax) is exactly what represents Teochew desserts best.
The deep purple-coloured dessert is effectively yam puree that is consistently smooth and creamy, without being overbearingly sweet.
This pretty plate of Steamed Sweetened Yam, Sweet Potato and Gingko (S$8++ per serving with sesame seeds and gingko nuts are quite simply steamed yam and sweet potato. Simplicity is key to healthy Teochew dishes, remember?
Paradise Teochew Restaurant
21 Amber Road, #03-01
Chinese Swimming Club (Arrival Pavilion)
Singapore 439870
Tel: +65 6348 7298
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 10.30am – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Dakota
This post was brought to you by Paradise Teochew Restaurant.