Ah Lock Tofu

Ah Lock Tofu
51 Yishun Avenue 11
#01-08 Yishun Park Hawker Centre

7 Wallich Street
#B2-22 Guoco Tower

https://www.facebook.com/ahlocktofu/

Ah Lock Tofu Meal Flat Lay (SGD $7)

Delicious Hakka Tofu Bowls

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 5
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $7 per person.


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Opened in September 2017 along with the other stalls in Yishun Park Hawker Centre, Ah Lock Tofu has quickly gained a loyal following for their signature tofu rice bowl; a modern fusion dish that manages to retain traditional Chinese Hakka flavours. Ah Lock Tofu was set up by first-time F&B entrepreneur Lee Lock Teng, who hand-makes each component of the dish using fresh ingredients, drawing on heritage family recipes to create wonderful flavours.

Ambience at Ah Lock Tofu is shared with the rest of the hawker centre, which isn't a bad thing. The modern concept is bright, airy, and spacious, as well as being rather clean. Amenities such as sinks and loyalty card top-up kiosks are well positioned and accessible. Feels very comfortable walking around here.

Service at Ah Lock Tofu is completely self-service, with ordering, payment, and collection of orders over the counter. Staff are friendly and helpful though, and will engage you in conversation while waiting. That said, fulfillment of orders is really quick, taking about 5 minutes or so. I observed a fair amount of repeat / loyal customers visiting on weekends.

Food at Ah Lock Tofu is Modern Singaporean fusion, drawing on influences from Japanese donburi / rice bowls, and traditional Chinese Hakka yong tau foo and lei cha / thunder tea rice dishes. Labourious effort goes into hand-making everything, taking between 3 - 6 hours daily. Portions are sized for individuals. Prices are affordable, budget about SGD $7 per person for a meal here.


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Ah Lock Tofu Facade

Ah Lock Tofu Menu

Loved the refreshing and vibrant Thunder Tea Soup (SGD $1), with its herbal vegetal sweet flavours. The thin and astringent texture of the soup / broth lends itself well here. I like using it as a gravy, spooning it generously over the rice bowl.

Thunder Tea Soup (SGD $1)

The Hakka Tofu Bowl (SGD $5.50) is the signature dish here, and on occasion, also the only dish available on the menu. Warm, sticky fluffy Japanese short grain white rice forms the base, with traditional Chinese Hakka thunder tea rice toppings, including crunchy long beans, a tender multi-name vegetable called sauropus androgynus / mani cai / cekur manis / star gooseberry / sweet leaf, and crispy kombu kelp seaweed flakes. Delicate vegetal herbal grainy sweet flavours here.

The highlight is the traditional Chinese Hakka yong tau foo toppings; 2 pieces each of handmade minced pork stuffed tofu beancurd, and minced pork stuffed tofu beancurd puffs. Each bite is juicy, tender, and chewy, with good savoury salty sweet flavours. I understand pork belly is used, striking a balance between healthy and decadent. Overall, an excellent dish. Highly recommended!

Hakka Tofu Bowl (SGD $5.50)

Hakka Tofu Bowl

Hakka Tofu Bowl

Minced Pork Stuffed Tofu Beancurd Puff

Minced Pork Stuffed Tofu Beancurd

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Update Sep-2020: Seized the opportunity to revist Ah Lock Tofu when I was in the vicinity. The ambience, service, and food remains largely the same. If anything, they're doing even better than before, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people in the area are working from home, so they're busy throughout the day now.

The Hakka Tofu Bowl (SGD $5.50) remains as good as before. Warm, sticky fluffy Japanese short grain white rice forms the base, with traditional Chinese Hakka thunder tea rice toppings, including crunchy long beans, tender mani cai / cekur manis / star gooseberry / sweet leaf, and crispy kombu kelp seaweed flakes. Has delicate vegetal herbal grainy sweet flavours. The traditional Chinese Hakka yong tau foo toppings remain excellent; 2 pieces each of handmade minced pork belly stuffed tofu beancurd, and minced pork belly stuffed tofu beancurd puffs. Each bite is juicy, tender, and chewy, with good savoury salty sweet flavours. Causes you to crave more.

Hakka Tofu Bowl (SGD $5.50)

Hakka Tofu Bowl (SGD $5.50)

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Update Jun-2023: Dropped by Ah Lock Tofu again, this time at their outlet in the Central Business District (CBD) of Singapore. The ambience is slightly better with air-conditioning and decorative lighting, but with fewer seats that are closely packed. The service is quick and efficient, with staff buzzing around to fulfill orders and clear the queue. The food remains Modern Singaporean fusion, with an expanded menu, and quality is as good as ever. Prices have naturally increased over the years, but are still relatively wallet-friendly.

The Charcoal Soy Bean Milk (SGD $1.80) has a mild grainy earthy sweet flavour, nice. The unique charcoal black colour lends a visual appeal, but does little for taste. Worth ordering!

Charcoal Soy Bean Milk (SGD $1.80)

The Hakka Tofu Bowl / Hakka Signature Rice Bowl (SGD $8.80) features a base of Japanese short-grain white rice, topped with soft tofu bean curd cubes, spongy tofu bean curd puffs stuffed with minced chicken, tender minced chicken meat balls, crunchy long beans, wispy sauropus androgynus / mani cai / cekur manis / star gooseberry / sweet leaf, crisp nori / dried seaweed strips, creamy house special mayonnaise sauce, and bits of sesame seeds. Combined, this has grainy savoury salty sweet vegetal meaty herbal earthy spice milky nutty flavours. More filling than it appears to be. Highly recommended!

Hakka Tofu Bowl / Hakka Signature Rice Bowl (SGD $8.80)

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