For those who are pretty familiar with Chinatown Complex Market and its surrounding areas around Sago Street, perhaps Chinatown Teh Tarik is not an unfamiliar spot — the idea of having a mamak-style eatery around Chinatown definitely feels a bit foreign, but it is exactly what one would have meant when one mentions that Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures. It is needless to say that Chinatown Teh Tarik takes up a really prominent spot along the street — one makes it even more obvious would be its yellow colour theme that makes it all the more eye-catching from its more subdued neighbours around them. A fairly new addition to Chinatown, Chinatown Teh Tarik takes one the former premises of an non air-conditioned Chinese eatery that had a fairly short stint within the shophouse — the location of where it is at does make them seem a little bit more like a tourist trap of sorts given how they pretty much stick out like a sore thumb; once can also find signages of various non-local languages introducing the eatery on the pillars as well. Given the limited shop space, most of the dine-in seatings at Chinatown Teh Tarik are situated outside of the shophouse — speak about “al-fresco dining” at its best at a mamak establishment indeed. Prominently displayed outside of the eatery here would be the menu — the menu at Chinatown Teh Tarik comprises of the same items one would expect to find at a mamak-style establishment; think sections that are dedicated to Prata, Thosai etc., as well as Naan, Tandoori, Set Meal, Nasi Biryani, Non-Vegetarian Curries and Goreng. For beverages, Chinatown Teh Tarik serves up a variety of Kopi, Halia, Milo, Horlicks, syrup-based beverages, Lassi and milkshake — just to name a few; they also do serve up bottles of beer which includes a pretty standard selection of Asahi Super Dry, Carlsberg Pilsner / Smooth Draught and Royal Stout.
Keeping to our theme of checking out the various mamak establishments around the island for their Prata offerings, we found ourselves settling for the more usual Prata that they have to offer at Chinatown Teh Tarik — after all, this would have been our first visit to Chinatown Teh Tarik. Going straight for one of the Plain Prata and the Onion Cheese Prata, it does seem like the Roti Prata served up at Chinatown Teh Tarik would probably suit well for those who like their Roti Prata light and fluffy. Whilst those who love thicker and crispier Roti Prata may not necessarily appreciate the Roti Prata from Chinatown Teh Tarik, one thing we really liked how the Plain Prata was how soft, thin and fluffy the Plain Prata was — no effort is required to pull the Roti Prata apart, while the Plain Prata does carry a good chew without too much tension. There is an inherent fragrance from the dough itself, though the fish curry that came along with it was immensely rich and especially flavourful — gives the Plain Prata ample flavour with a good hint of curry spices and a light hint of spiciness that tickles the tastebuds for those who are tolerable to light levels of spiciness; totally on-point when had with the Roti Prata. Whilst we did note that the filled Roti Prata at ZAMAS River Valley carries a different consistency from that of their Plain Prata, the Onion Cheese Prata at Chinatown Teh Tarik bears a texture consistent to their Plain Prata. There is really no surprise with the ingredients used in the rendition of the Onion Cheese Prata at Chinatown Teh Tarik; one would find chopped red onions and a slice of processed cheese wrapped within the soft and fluffy Roti Prata — though the onions did lack that zing that usually brings a numbing effect to the tastebuds, though the processed cheese did have a slightly melted consistency that is gooey and somewhat stretchy; provides a savoury note to the Roti Prata.
It is easy to pass Chinatown Teh Tarik off as a tourist trap on first look; that being said, we did feel that their offerings adds on to the vibrancy of the Chinatown neighbourhood. Sure; it does seem a little out of place with its surroundings, but we do see their offerings to be actually pretty decent — definitely better than what some individually-run stalls in neighbourhoods are able to put out. Everyone does seem to like their Roti Prata a little bit different — the ones from Chinatown Teh Tarik would definitely appeal to those who prefer lighter, fluffier Roti Pratas with a good curry to actually go along with. There are also some rather inventive Roti Prata that Chinatown Teh Tarik does serve up — only noticed these after our meal there (think a Gur Ka Paratha, described as a “Stuffed Jaggery Paratha” and a “Thai-style Roti” that comes with Banana, Egg and Condensed Milk); items which we are likely to return to give a try another time. It is also noted that Chinatown Teh Tarik does seem decently-maintained for a mamak-style establishment — oily floors and existence of houseflies being factors that impacts the dining experience of such establishments, though we noted nothing of that sort during our visit here. In fact, the staff are also pretty prompt in clearing tables and wiping them the tables with a wet cloth after clearing the plates — perhaps a detail that they seem to care about more of especially given the relatively open nature of the seating here. Prices at Chinatown Teh Tarik are also rather decent; maybe a little higher than some establishments considering its locality — the Plain Prata starting from $1.50 per piece to $6.50 for the priciest Roti Prata that would be the Sausage Egg Onion Cheese, Mushroom Egg Onion Cheese and Mushroom Sausage Onion Prata. All other items are priced below $10 — this would be with the exception of some of the items from the Tandoori section of the menu. Considering how their Onion Cheese Prata and Plain Prata went, Chinatown Teh Tarik is actually a decent dining destination within the Chinatown neighbourhood — just keep an open mind and leave all the judgement out of the window while at that!
