Makko Teck Neo – Little Peranakan Cafe with Irresistible Pineapple Tarts

Every year, my aunt never fails to gives us loads of Chinese New Year goodies labelled with the name “Teck Neo.” I will usually start on the pineapple tarts first, and they are usually half gone when Chinese New Year finally arrives. I found that out of all the numerous pineapple tarts I have tasted over the years, Teck Neo is one of the most consistently delicious ones – melt-in-the-mouth buttery crust, not overly-sweet crunchy pineapple filling with a Peranakan oomph. I later learnt that they were the ones who supplied these tasty morsels during the APEC Summit in Singapore.
My interest (or rather, gluttony) piqued, I wanted to know more about them and found out that they operated a café tucked away in the sleepy heartland of Blk 35 Telok Blangah Rise.

You can’t miss the block from the road, for sure :)

It would be easy to miss Makko Teck Neo’s little Peranakan café located at the end of the block, if not for the people happily eating at the al fresco area in front of the entrance.

Unlike the usually showy Peranakan restaurants plastered with a blinding number of Peranakan décor, Makko Teck Neo is fuss-free, preferring to focus on churning out authentic and affordable Peranakan dishes. Her family helps out at the café too.

The cafe offers different dishes on each day of the week while some signature dishes such as dry mee siam, nasi lemak and Nonya pork chop are available daily.

The space is not big, but they do pretty brisk business especially during lunch time. Makko Teck Neo does catering as well.

Pineapple tarts are undoubtedly the star of the show. I like the mini pineapple tarts, which makes eating them feel only half as guilty haha. But being so tiny, it also means it’s easier to pop the whole jar into your mouth without realising it, hee.

Don’t lose control…don’t lose control…helppp! Just looking at the wide variety of Chinese New Year goodies is enough to make me happy :D I’ll think about diet later…

I buy the home-made nonya kueh once I reach now – the first time, I waited till I finished my meal to buy, almost everything was gone :S Some which I think are a must-try are the rempah udang (spicy shrimp fillings in glutinous rice rolls), kueh salat kaya (Pandan egg coconut milk custard on glutinous rice), kueh lopes (glutinous rice cake served with palm sugar syrup) and kueh dar dar (gula melaka coconut in pandan crepe roll).

And go for the Nonya meat dumplings – they are the BEST I have eaten. Furthermore, they come decorated with nature’s best dye – a bluish extract from the blue pea flower. It’s as Peranakan as it can get.

Bon appetite!

The al fresco area is named the “Tok Panjang” corner, which translates to “long table feast” usually associated with Peranakan weddings and special occasions. Peranakans practice such sharing during meals to bring closeness to the family, relatives and friends, and signifies prosperity and joy.

One of my favourite dish – the dry mee siam. I was crazy enough to specially cab there to-and-fro just to eat this, haha. It’s slightly on the sweet side compared to the usual Malay-style spicy mee siam. Rempah Ayam Goreng (Crispy Fragrant Fried Chicken)
Finger lickin’ good.

Rice with pineapple salad
I bought extra pineapple salad home. ‘Nuff said.

Assam Fish Curry (Patin Fish in Spicy Tamarind Curry Gravy)

Nonya Ngoh Hiang (Fried Meat Roll)
You have to order this…it’s really good!

And the finale of the meal – a lovely Burbur Cha Cha (sweet dessert of coconut milk with sweet potatoes, yam and tapioca pearls). It is one of the more authentic ones in Singapore, still retaining the robust taste of how this Peranakan dessert should be.

If you are looking for a casual place serving authentic Peranakan delicacies which doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, give Makko Tack Neo a try. With Chinese New Year just round the corner, it’s also a great place to buy some goodies home and share the love (and carbs) with the family :)

Makko Teck Neo
Blk 35 Teloh Blangah Rise, #01-303 Singapore 090035
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 7:30AM – 9:00PM
Tel: +65 6275 1330
Email: sales@teckneotarts.com
Website: www.teckneotarts.com
Facebook Page

Fun – Toss the Bouquet!

Chanced by this wedding couple during my weekend cycling to Lorong Halus Wetland. I got as excited as them, and almost wanted to join in to catch the bouquet – I wanna get hitched soon too LOL! :D
Wishing the cute couple a lifetime of happiness and bliss, congratulations! :)

Look of the Day – Cockadoodledoo

Perfect outfit for sunrise shoot at Sydney Harbour

Rooster Jacket – Mercibeaucoup
Star Bermudas – Remedy
Sneakers – Chanel

Taiwan – A taste of Yunnan at Cingjing Lumama Restaurant 清境魯媽媽雲南擺夷料理

Tuck into a feast of authentic Yunnan dishes at Cingjing Lumama Restaurant 清境魯媽媽雲南擺夷料理

Apart from enjoying the ubiquitous steamboat meals at their minsu, visitors to Cingjing can also visit Lumama Restaurant, a popular eatery serving authentic Yunnan/Shan tribe cuisine. Located just above Cingjing Farm 清境農場, the restaurant boasts a scenic view of the Central Mountain Range.

Lumama is housed in a pretty stone mansion. At 2044 metres above sea level, come in long pants and a light sweater, especially during night time. You’ve been forewarned ;)

The spacious restaurant occupies two levels
Mama Lu, who was originally from the Bai Yi tribe, settled down in Cingjing with her veteran husband who fought alongside Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist forces. The family decided to open a restaurant featuring Mama Lu’s Bai Yi cuisine which gained popularity with visitors. She now runs the dining establishment with help from her children. They also make regular trips to Yunnan to source for ingredients and special soup pots 汽锅。

客似云来
What’s special here is that the restaurant combines authentic Yunnan recipes with local produce from the nearby farms, ensuring a unique taste found nowhere else.

You can order ala carte or if you have enough people (or are REALLY hungry) set meals which includes their specialty dishes. The portions are hearty.

香酥包料魚 Crispy Stuffed Fish
God is fair – You are so ugly, but so tasty. LOL. Herbs and spices are stuffed into the Wu Guo Fish/Taiwn Lu Fish 吳郭魚/台灣鯛魚, a cichlidae species, bound with a string to keep the ingredients from falling out and then deep fried to a crisp.

Crispy Stuffed Fish 香酥包料魚
Super yummy – this is a must-order.

It’s Fear Factor time – Crispy deep-fried Bamboo Worms 香酥竹蟲
One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, these critters are imported from Burma and Thailand inside bamboo cylinders. Once you get over the initial hesitation and pop one inside your mouth, trust me – you will not stop. It was like eating crispy, airy French Fries, minus the fats and pile on the protein and fibre!
I could have easily polished off an entire plate by myself. Just don’t stop to examine the worms – I did that for 3 seconds, looking at the many legs and almost gagged. Just eat and don’t think, don’t look, lol.

 Cold Appetizer 凉拌薄片
A crunchy and spicy cold appetizer of pig’s head skin 猪头皮, peanuts and spices

Spicy Mung Bean Cake 凉拌豌豆粉
A popular cold appetizer, this is a green jelly served with cucumber, coriander and ground peanut dribbled with a sweet, spicy sauce.

Home-made Yunnan preserved meat 腊肠 ＋ 腊肉

Cold Pork Jelly 水晶凍
Think collagen-rich and start eating

Tang Kwei Chicken Soup 當歸鸡汤
This was one of my favourite dishes. The wholesome soup warmed me up nicely and the tang kwei 當歸 so fresh, it was grown in their own backyard.

We even asked the restaurant to dig up a fresh tang kwei to show us since we have never seen this plant in its natural form lol. It is more commonly found as a dried herbal medicine, and best for women. :)

Thick Vermicelli in Soup 傣味米干

Yunnan Chicken Stew Pot 云南汽锅鸡
This is another star dish, do note advance order is required for this dish. Go for it.

Fried minced meat with Preserved Sour Vegetables 酸菜肉丝

Fried Local Cabbage 炒高麗菜
Another simple dish well done. The locally grown cabbage was sweet to the taste, no extra condiments were needed.

Yunnan Pepper Chicken 云南胡椒鸡

Jin Sa 錦灑 Minced Pork with Herbs wrapped in Cabbage
A popular Shan dish, it is eaten by wrapping the savoury minced meat with raw locally-grown cabbage. I love the crisp of fresh mountain produce which paired very well with the meat. Best part – low carb! ;)

We were all very satisfied with the hearty meal – it was value for money at TWD3,500 (est. S$148) for 12 dishes + 1 soup. I never thought I could savor authentic Yunnan cuisine at Cingjing, cleverly adapted to make good use of locally-grown produce. The ingredients were fresh and dishes unique, I would think it’s worth a visit for any visitor to this part of town.

Cingjing Lumama Restaurant清境魯媽媽雲南擺夷料理
Address: No. 210-2-1, Renhe Rd, Datong Village, Renai Township, Nantou, Taiwan
南投縣仁愛鄉大同村仁和路210-2-1號〈近松崗博望新村〉
(Just off No. 14 Jia Provincial Highway 省道台14甲線 above Cingjing Farm 清境農場)
Opening Hours: 11:00AM to 9:00PM (kitchen closes 8:00PM)
Tel: +886 4 9280 3876
Email: lumama2003@yahoo.com.tw
Website: http://www.lumama.tw
Cash only
Getting Here

Read more of my travels in Taiwan

Taiwan – Baroque Splendor at Cingjing’s Florence Resort Villa 佛羅倫斯渡假山莊

“This is a minsu 民宿? You gotta be kiddin’ me – it looks more like a castle!” I told my Taiwanese friend when we first arrived at Florence Resort Villa 佛羅倫斯渡假山莊. The Italian-themed minsu is no doubt one of the best accommodation that Cingjing has to offer, coupled with a breathtaking view of the scenic mountains and lush grassland of Cingjing. It’s no wonder they are always fully booked by both local weekend trippers and overseas guests.

The humble entrance along the road belies the grandeur of the resort which is made up of two main buildings – main Italian Rural Castle 義大利鄉村城堡(一館) and Constantinople 君士坦丁堡(二館).

The main Italian Rural Castle 義大利鄉村城堡(一館) and stairs leading to the second building Constantinople where most of the larger rooms are. They offer spacious lofts which can comfortably accommodate the whole family.

Catch a view of Bihu/Emerald Lake 碧湖, part of Wanli Reservoir 萬大水庫 running through the mountains of Cingjing from the villa. Mesmerizing.

With such gorgeous scenery and weather, even I am tempted to go for a morning jog :)

Farms co-exist harmoniously with the numerous minsu in this area, providing delicious local mountain produce 山菜 for visitors

I got hungry by just looking at those crisp-looking leaves!

The view is so surreal, it’s just the perfect place to relax and forget about the cares of the world.

You can find floral blooms almost anywhere…along the roads, growing out of crevices, anywhere.

Cute figurines welcome you as you enter the lobby of Florence Resort Villa

Da Xiong (which looked more like a lion) the resident Golden Retriever is also at the lobby to welcome you. We woke him up from his nap haha.

Venetian carnival masks line the the stone wall in the lobby. I wonder if I can borrow one for the night :p

The decor of the villa is heavily Italian-inspired

The villa organises special programmes for guests as well depending on the season, such as this star gazing activity. It would be really cool to photograph the Milky Way adorned with Cingjing’s mountains.

There’s a library of DVDs and books which you can borrow, so no fear of boring nights :)

A little cafe area beside the lobby where you can relax and have tea.

Coffee, tea or me?

Nice little area for guests to relax just outside the main Italian Rural Castle building

Go round the corner down the slope, and you will discover a whimsical little hut, much like Hansel and Gretel’s. It’s actually Nina de Chocolate 妮娜巧克力工坊, a popular little chocolate atelier set up by the villa owners for their daughter Nina who loves to eat chocolate (lucky girl!). People specially come here to buy hand-made chocolates, while we went a step further – we took a short lesson to make some :)

I shall take my hand-made chocolates and eat them here, and pretend I am in a magical forest :)

Here is where we are staying – Constantinople.

It’s no wonder people call Cingjing Little Switzerland – for a moment I thought I was in Europe!

The guestrooms are named after the renowned cities of Italy, including Venice, Milan and Firenze. Here’s our friend’s spacious Baroque Double Room, an ideal choice for couples and honey mooners. You can almost play hide-and-seek here.

This is home for the trip, also a Baroque Double Room in another colour scheme.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, can I stay here for good? :)

Super huge bathroom with a stone tub to soak in. The only gripe I have is that only a thick curtain separates the room and the toilet, so I will get a little conscious when I am taking a dump lol. Well, I guess if you are a couple, you gotta take each other’s good and crap – literally, haha.

Super plus point for me – heated toilet seat! Yeah, I like my bum warm and cosy, especially in a place where temperatures are 10-14 degree celsius in general :)

Most of the essential toiletries are provided

All the information you need is conveniently documented in a red book. You can also take the villa’s shuttle services to visit attractions in Cingjing, or charter one of their vehicles to bring you around.

They even provide ambient music to get you into the relaxed mood.

The villa provides every room with their own coffee machine, a tap to dispense hot/cold water (right) as well as hand-made chocolates from their chocolate atelier.

Even Dottie the bunny can’t wait to get to bed :)

Gorgeous view from the room balcony. I don’t want to go out.

Hang out at Starry Bar with your loved ones and watch the stars dance above you during the night.

Dining area

The villa provides steamboat meals as well as Western/Italian dishes with buffet.

Oooo…many choices of beverages for breakfast! I love soya bean milk :)

Part of the breakfast buffet

Bon appetite :)

We had a very pleasant and luxurious stay at Florence Resort Villa. There was much to do, we never felt bored. The warm hospitality of the service staff made us feel welcome as well, and we were blessed with good weather to take in a superb view of the scenery from the villa. I would recommend this place for couples and families looking for a special, fuss-free holiday or celebrating something special. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, we didn’t feel short-changed from the entire experience. Afterall, it’s not everyday you get to feel like an Italian princess :)

Florence Resort Villa 清境佛羅倫斯渡假山莊清境民宿
Address: No.8-3, Rongguang Ln., Ren’ai Township, Nantou County 546, Taiwan
南投縣仁愛鄉榮光巷8-3號
Email: florance568@yahoo.com.tw
Tel: +886 4 9280 3820/3832
Website: http://www.florance.com.tw
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/floranceresort

Searching for a minsu in Cingjing? Here’s some you can consider:
– The Old England Hotel 老英格蘭莊園 (Creme de la creme of the lot; 6 months advance booking)
– Florence Resort Villa 佛羅倫斯渡假山莊 (Gorgeous Italian-themed villa; very popular too)
– Starry Minsu 清境民宿觀星園景觀山莊 (Highest-located minsu in Cingjing; good aerial view)
– Misting Minsu 雲濛仙境民宿 (Convenient location)
– Qingjing Xiaozhu 清境小築 (Homely place with nice scenery)

Read more posts on Cingjing
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