Pu Tien @ Raffles City

Of all the dialect groups and despite being Cantonese, Heng Hwa cuisine ranks tops in my list of favourites - except finding a regular hangout that is not overly popular, not to greasy and affordable is getting harder these days. My idea of Pu Tien goes way back to the days they were an outlet in Vivocity at Food Republic. Well of course, they have progressed so much since those days and are are now all over the island with full fledged restaurants.

This particular outlet at Raffles City was packed and reservations are highly necessary.



Grilled bamboo shoots.



Fried seaweed and peanuts actually made quite a tasty appetizer, except if you order the rice vermicelli it appears again.



Spinach with Salted Egg and Century Egg in Supreme Stock ($12.90)

Salted egg mania perhaps started with this dish of salted  egg and century eggs. I found the broth a tad sweet but this is a must order at most tables.



Stir Fried Green Dragon Vegetable with Garlic ($9.90) 

It is not common to have green dragon vegetables available in most places, the typical orders of kailan, cai xin and even dou miao become ordinary next to this dish. Loved the shredded greens actually!



Chilled Baked Duck ($16.90)

Duck was on the tough side, their other appetizers would probably be a better option.



Crispy Pork Ribs with Water Chestnut ($16.90)

A pity these pork ribs came with a soggy batter and no longer as crispy as promised. Still a delicious dish to order though.

Claypot Fish Soup ($29.90)

The live fish is first deep fried, then boiled and simmered for hours. Collagen packed milky broth that can feed more than six comfortably.



Putien Lor Mee ($27.50)

Unlike the usual lor mee, this resembles handmade noodle more in that starchy broth filled with clams, prawns and greens. I love this heng hwa dish best, ultimate comfort food for the rainy weather and slurping was never made easier.



Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon ($26.80)

Putien's Heng Hwa Bee Hoon is the only sundried vermicelli milled by hand in Putian and that probably explains the difference in texture as compared to other rice vermicellis around. Stringy and clumps together like kueh, I like how non greasy this is though considerably pricey given that ingredients for these are kept to a minimal with just nuts, seaweed and prawns.

Affordable heng hwa fare with a comfortable environment.

Pu Tien
Raffles City #02-18