Ang ku kueh is one of my favourite local snacks of all time. As someone who loves the chewy and glutinous texture of Japanese mochi, I naturally enjoy the similarly satisfying bounciness of ang ku kueh. In Singapore, Poh Cheu Soon Kueh & Ang Ku Kueh is one of the most famous spots to grab your kueh fix.
Located in Bukit Merah, Poh Cheu Soon Kueh and Ang Ku Kueh is a 3-generational kueh speciality shop. Aside from selling ang ku kueh, they also have an assortment of soon kueh and other glutinous rice products that are made by hand.
The business was founded 40 years ago in 1985 by Mr Neo Poh Cheu and his wife. The stall used to be operated illegally out of a pushcart, where more often than not, Mr Neo would be caught by the police and would have his whole pushcart confiscated.
Today, you can find their (legal) physical store in a Bukit Merah coffeeshop, where it often garners long queues from loyal fans waiting to get a taste of these famous kuehs. The family-run business is most well-known for its unique ang ku kueh flavours that transcend the usual traditional fillings.
What I tried at Poh Cheu Soon Kueh & Ang Ku Kueh
With 13 different flavours available, Poh Cheu Soon Kueh & Ang Ku Kueh is basically a kueh lover’s heaven. While you can expect to find the usual flavours of Peanut, Salted Bean and Green Bean, the stall innovates with fillings that are largely unheard of in the ang ku kueh scene — Mango, Corn and Durian are just a few of their inventive flavours.
Each ang ku kueh costs S$1.50, and compared to those from other stalls, which tend to have a more oval shape, Poh Cheu’s version is much rounder and thicker.
We started off with the Peanut Ang Ku Kueh, which was stuffed generously with peanut filling. This kueh is definitely one for the fans of peanut butter, as it was crunchy, grainy and creamy all at the same time.
The kueh skin was commendable too, as it was stretchy and bouncy without being too sticky. The ratio of skin to filling was perfect, and there was no point in time where I found myself chewing too much — a hallmark of an amazing ang ku kueh.
Another classic flavour we got was the Red Bean Ang Ku Kueh, similarly stuffed with smooth red bean paste. The paste had been sweetened nicely such that it wasn’t overly saccharine. It reminded me of the sweet red bean paste inside of buns from neighbourhood bakeries.
Poh Cheu’s Pineapple Ang Ku Kueh was a bit of a head-scratcher for me, as I had never once in my life ever come across such a flavour. The pineapple filling was bright and sweet with a slightly sticky texture reminiscent of the paste in pineapple tarts, albeit slightly more tart. Personally, I wasn’t a big fan of this kueh and found the combination to be questionable, though my dining companion loved it.
Poh Cheu’s Green Tea Ang Ku Kueh was a delight to savour. The green tea filling was aromatic with lovely floral notes and an addictive fragrance. I could taste the earthy undertones of green tea with every bite.
Finally, the Black Sesame Ang Ku Kueh was filled generously with smooth black sesame paste. While I could taste the signature nuttiness of black sesame throughout, it was evident that the paste had been mixed with red bean too, diminishing its strong fragrance a little. I would have liked for the paste to be grainier, though I still found this kueh to be delightful.
Since we were at Poh Cheu Soon Kueh and Ang Ku Kueh, we had to try their signature Soon Kueh (S$1.40) too.
The Soon Kueh had a super soft and delicate skin that encased the finely chopped turnip strips wonderfully. The ratio of skin to filling was incredible, with each bite containing a generous amount of crunchy turnips.
The Bamboo Shoot (S$1.60) kueh was a little pricier, and came with the addition of chopped bamboo shoots.
Personally I found that this tasted almost identical to the Soon Kueh, just that it had a crunchier texture due to the bamboo.
I was intrigued by the packed boxes of glutinous rice products displayed at the front of the stall, with one of them being the Abacus, available in either a S$2.80 or S$9.20 portion. The S$2.80 portion wielded a nice amount of round abacus seeds. Each piece was chewy with a slight earthiness from the yam, and the addition of chopped spring onions and shallots made this dish even more fragrant.
The Glutinous Rice (S$2.20/S$7.20) wasn’t as impressive, unfortunately. I found the rice to be pretty dry and tough, and the clumps stuck together. However, in terms of taste, I enjoyed how the mushrooms, ikan bilis, peanuts and shallots came together to elevate the tastiness of the rice.
Final thoughts
Poh Cheu Soon Kueh & Ang Ku Kueh is a fantastic spot to grab some amazing glutinous rice products. Their ang ku kuehs are the clear stand-out product, given their unique flavours, expertly made skins and generously packed fillings.
It’s no wonder why this stall sees such long queues on a daily basis. I would most definitely buy a box or two of kuehs the next time I pass by.
Expected damage: S$1.40 – S$9.20 per pax
Ji Xiang Confectionery: SG’s most famous Ang Ku Kueh store with humble beginnings
Price: $
Our Rating: 4 / 5
Poh Cheu Soon Kueh and Ang Ku Kueh
Bukit Merah Lane 1, Block 127, #01-230, Singapore 150127
Poh Cheu Soon Kueh and Ang Ku Kueh
Bukit Merah Lane 1, Block 127, #01-230, Singapore 150127
