Bring it Back Home

The new normal forcing us to stash our traveling gear for the time being has sent us scrambling to look for our thrills within the confines of what we already know. In a frantic bid to search for the next new thing, foodies have been turning to less mainstream home eateries to get their culinary kicks. Here’s a handful for

Credit: Rudolf Portillo

What do you do if you have a growing collection of over 300 teapots? You open up your house for high tea, of course! Enter a cosy corner tucked neatly away from the rest of the world where there’s always a jolly tea party and dainty savouries and sweets worth every crumb to keep you happy; welcome to the Teapotz Room, a residential haven for tea (and coffee! They won’t judge) drinkers. An ongoing idea for freshly-retired Josie took fruition in July 2020 as she debuted her official “tea-party business”, a golden opportunity for her to put her army of teapots to good use. An impressive collection amassed over four decades and multiple countries spanning the UK to Myanmar, from tea memorabilia gracing a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony to tea sets marking Josie’s college days abroad, there’s a story to each precious one. Warning: Picking your teapot for the day is more daunting than you think due to the sheer amount of pretty shapes and colours and unique choices—don’t say we didn’t warn you!

To entertain your Bridgerton fantasies and have your girlfriends over for a private session of clinking tea sets, the Teapotz Room opens up slots during weekends, but private bookings for groups of 10-20 pax may also be made via their Instagram. While there is currently no fixed menu, Josie will lovingly bake and provide according to her guests’ preference be it vegan, gluten free, less sugar, non-dairy, no nuts, etc.. But the one thing you can count on is that there will be tea served in beauteous teapots—and lots of it. ••

A family affair if we’ve ever seen one is Wei’s Kitchen, sometimes known as Yulan, a homey residential eatery that brings to mind cosy childhood memories of slurping up some good old kolomee after school. With a simple menu of home cooked delights like two types of chicken wings, potato fries and Chinese dumplings, what is truly a standout is the authentic Japanese ramen that this kitchen has, over a short period of time, established as its signature offering.

We consumed with absolute gusto the Tonkotsu Ramen, one that we hear is a hotseller and always the first to run out. A rich, creamy broth made out of pork ribs, garnished with enoki and black fungus, and finally topped with a perfectly custardy-yolked onsen egg—all delicious down to the last spoonful. The chef himself has been professionally trained at a prestigious Japanese culinary school and actually specializes in Kaiseki style, a type of Japanese fine dining art form which explains the rich, multi-layered flavours of his no-salt, no-MSG added ramen bowls. An authentic Japanese ramen joint secluded in the suburban heart of Mata-Mata? Now that’s what we call a great find. ••

No.1, Spg 74-74-31, Kg Mata-Mata Open: 8am-5.30pm (closed on Sundays) IG: @weiskitchen2021