The recently-added Telok Blangah Division brings many wonderful things to Tanjong Pagar Town: new neighbours & friends, beautiful parks, amazing shops and more. One of our favourite additions is, naturally, new makan places to introduce to you!

 

 

Old-school location

 

Our first spot was Sum Kee Food, located in Yeo’s Building – an old clan association building that sits amid sprawling grounds, clearly constructed way back when land was still plentiful.

 

The restaurant itself looked very at home in its environs. Everything from the entrance to the interior seemed to indicate that it could have been there since the 60s or 70s. Drivers will also appreciate the convenience of the large car park right next to it.

 

 

Younger than we thought

 

Actually, Sum Kee Food was started just a little over 20 years ago in 2002 by former air steward Mr Sum and his wife at their first location in Batam.

 

They subsequently relocated to corner coffee shops at River Valley Road, then Zion Road before settling at their present location in Yeo’s Building.

 

Classic flavours, impeccable technique

 

The food at Sum Kee further added to the perception that it has been around longer than it actually was. The dishes are simple and unpretentious, executed perfectly and infused with the magic touch of an old-school zi char master chef.

 

The familiar and comforting flavours, combined with the restaurant’s classic vibes, can easily transport you back to more innocent times when life, and the world, were less complicated.

 

 

What we ordered

 

Every item we had was executed very well. The still-crunchy sambal kangkung had a spicy kick and shrimpy umami. The beans were cooked just enough that they are still firm, but don’t squeak annoyingly against the teeth; and loaded with XO sauce plus sinful chunks of crunchy pork lard. And of course, the Yang Chow fried rice was fluffy and full of wok hei – a “standard” zi char fried rice, except here the standard is very, very high.

 

 

Sum Kee’s signature Ultraman Chicken was tender and juicy, with a crunchy golden batter smothered in flavourful salted egg yolk sauce. In case you’re wondering about the dish’s rather interesting name: the Cantonese refer to Ultraman as “Ham Dan Chiu Yan” which literally means “Salted Egg Superman”.

 

 

Their coffee pork ribs were equally good: tender pork and crunchy batter coated in a rich, dark, sweet-and-savoury sauce that had just the right amount of bitterness and fragrance from the coffee.

 

 

The two standout dishes for us were both topped with a generous dollop of their ultra-punchy XO sauce: their signature tofu dish with its velvety, bright orange pumpkin sauce, and their slippery-silky San Lou Hor Fun which was loaded with perfectly cooked seafood. Both had mellow flavours that perfectly balanced the strong taste of the XO sauce.

 

 

Final thoughts

 

It was easy for us to see why Sum Kee Food has so quickly become a favourite among local zi char lovers. The quality of the food is amazing, the prices are reasonable, and the nostalgic vibes subtly evoke fond memories that enhance every meal.

 

We are so happy to welcome this establishment to our township, and can’t wait to discover what other goodies Telok Blangah has to offer!