Tengah is Singapore’s newest HDB town, but it’s already shaping up to be more than just a green urban jungle. Tucked amidst the Bukit Batok and Jurong neighbourhoods, this west-side estate now boasts a fresh makan destination, Yong Li Coffee Station at 240 Tengah Garden Walk. The best part? It’s open 24/7.
Opened on 19 Jun, this brightly lit kopitiam houses 10 stalls, dishing out a medley of cuisines from Chinese to Indian to Japanese. Despite its slightly ulu location, the food spread here is anything but limited.
Mr Chong, the boss of Yong Li, shared that this is their 7th outlet islandwide, and while curating the stalls, inclusivity and balance were his main criteria. Hence, there’s a solid mix of 4 halal and 5 non-halal stalls, along with a drinks stall.
Whether you’re a Tengah resident or looking for a new hidden food spot, here are a few stalls worth checking out.
Irosho is a rare kopitiam gem from JB, and Yong Li Coffee Station’s outlet is its first in SG. Expect a generous spread of sushi rolls like the California Maki (8 pcs)(S$6.50), donburi rice bowls like Flame Mentaiko Salmon Don (S$12) and even fresh Salmon Sashimi (5 pcs)(S$10) at a fraction the price you’d get at a Japanese restaurant.
I tried the Unagi Fried Rice (S$8) that came with 7 generous chunks of thick unagi, seaweed, cherry tomatoes and purple cabbage. The unagi was fresh and layered with natural umami, but the rice, lathered in a thick, rich sweet and savoury sauce that I couldn’t get enough of, was the true star.
If you’re looking for a simple meal that’s sure to satisfy, this one’s for you. With multiple outlets islandwide, Lao San Prawn Noodles serves up comforting bowls of prawn mee with a lightly sweet, umami-packed broth.
Traditional Prawn Noodles start from S$5.20, but I’d recommend going all out with their Signature Noodles (S$7.90) that comes with the full package of prawns, pork ribs and various innards. Choose between dry or soup versions based on your preference.
One of the 4 Halal options at Yong Li Coffee Station, Habib’s Express is one of 2 stalls that are open 24/7 — perfect for night owls and early risers. They serve up crowd favs like prata, mee goreng and more. Some of their signatures include Nasi Briyani (S$7.50 for chicken/fish, S$8 for mutton) and an indulgent Tissue Prata Chocolate (S$4) for sweet tooths.
No kopitiam trip is complete without a kopi or teh. Yong Li’s drinks stall brews the classics in-house just right — frothy teh tarik, rich kopi C, yuan yang — perfect paired with a spicy or fried meal. Interesting variations include the Iced 3 Layer Tea/Coffee and Grass Jelly Bandung.
Aside from the few stalls mentioned, Yong Li Coffee Station offers many more cuisines and dishes, from fishball noodles to spaghetti bolognese. But what’s the fun in sharing everything, I’ll let you come down and try them for yourselves!
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Yong Li Coffee Station
240 Tengah Garden Walk, #01-01, Singapore 690240
Yong Li Coffee Station
240 Tengah Garden Walk, #01-01, Singapore 690240
