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Despite being among Singapore’s main groups of Chinese dialects, Hakka cuisine remains criminally underrepresented in our food culture. Seeking to reverse that is Hakka Soh, a home-based business in Bukit Batok. Launched in June, business owner Lisa Choo is determined to bring the dense, savoury flavours of Hakka cuisine to local palates.
With only her family members helping out on weekends, Hakka Soh’s streamlined menu guarantees that their cooking is uncompromising in quality and preserves their traditional taste.
Abacus seeds (S$18 for 2-3pax/S$52 for 7-8pax) are a uniquely Hakka dish, essentially chewy dumplings in the shape of oversized abacus beads. Think of it as a sort of a Hakka mochi. Made with hand-kneaded yam paste, the subtle sweetness and floral scent make for a delightful one-two punch to your senses.
Draw out more flavours with some Hakka Soh Sambal Chilli ($5) if you feel the need to spice it up.
Popular among the younger crowd is the Traditional Hakka Glutinous Rice (S$12 for 2-3 pax/S$32 for 7-8pax). With many variations of this dish across Chinese cuisine, their traditional Hakka methods promise steamy, sticky tender rice to be scarfed down as nutty fragrant undertones waft from the dish.
Lin’s Braised: Authentic Taiwanese lu rou fan, but Hakka-style from $5
Perhaps the most iconic, and one most Singaporeans are familiar with, is Yong Tau Hu. Their Traditional Hakka Yong Tau Hu (S$25 for 3-4pax/S$40 for 6-7pax) is a healthy mix of stuffed chillis, mackerel fish, beancurd skin and the star of the show, Yong Tau Hu. Topped off with some delectable secret sauce, its savoury flavours are brought to new heights. The epitome of nutritional balance – fibre, protein, carbs, it’s got it all.
For the whole gamut of dishes, Hakka Soh Harmony Feast comes at a flat cost of S$60 with free delivery.
If you would ever like to experience the distinctively savoury dishes of Hakka culture traditionally prepared to a tee, make sure to place your order at least a week in advance. Alternatively, look out for the nearest date of order fulfilment on their website. Delivery orders below $60 will cost $10, or self-collect at their home-based location.
Our support for local hawkers will never waver, but equally deserving are the hardworking home-based F&B business owners!
