Soon Huat Dining House is a business of a second chance. It was started in April 2013 by Mr Jabez Tan, who spent 12 years in jail for drug and theft related offences.
During his imprisonment, he started off as a kitchen dishwasher but became the main prison chef thereafter and started cooking for his inmates. Embracing his passion for cooking, he created a unique bak kut teh recipe for his shop.
Mr Jabez employs ex-convicts who are willing to turn over a new leaf in his restaurants. He believes in giving them a new lease of life. From just selling bak kut teh, the restaurant now offers many other non pork related dishes like curry fish head, white seafood beehoon etc. We ordered 4 dishes in total, starting with the following:
1. Braised mixed platter ($6.90) - the platter has beancurd, tow pok, peanuts, salted vegetables, egg and pork belly. The platter looks appetizing but was a little disappointed with the taste. The beancurd, tow pok did not absorb the gravy and wasn't braised long enough. Thus the items tasted rather plain. Rating: 2.8/5
2. Bak kut teh ($7.90) - we added tow kee and golden mushroom which cost $1 each. The soup base was good. Its the dark herbal soup base so rich in flavor. Pork ribs were a little tough though. Rating: 3.8/5
3. Chap chye ($7.90) - braised cabbage with fungus, dried shrimps and tang hoon. A nice vegetable dish to order. Rating: 3.8/5
4. Fried prawn rolls ($9.90) - crunchy prawn rolls deep fried and served with sweet sauce. The prawn roll has crunch water chesnut in it and fragrant. Rating: 3.8/5
Chilli is available at the self service counter. For chilli lovers, the chicken rice chilli is a must take. We personally preferred Soon Huat's bak kut teh base to Song Fa's one because it is thicker and not the peppery kind. Restaurant could definitely be considered for family gatherings.
A summary of items ordered:
Bak kut teh
Braised mixed platter
Chap chye
Fried prawn rolls
My Overall Ratings:
Food: 3.7/5
Price: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
You can locate them here:
Soon Huat Dining House
133 New Bridge Road, #02-38, 059413
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