Best Teahouses in Singapore

After returning from a great trip to China, I found myself obsessed with traditional Chinese tea. Read about my lovely, rainy afternoon at the Huxinting Teahouse in the Yu Gardens of Shangai. Although tea is celebrated throughout the Eastern and Western world alike it originated from China. As a result, China has a particularly rich history of tea drinking like Japan. Although I have grown up drinking Japanese green teas and black tea blends I was wholly unfamiliar with the other vast varieties of tea: White, Oolong, and Pu’er. What I have found is that China has the most diverse varieties of teas in the world! In fact, tea varieties are so abundant and fascinating like wine. This has started me on a mission to become a tea aficionado.  

To my surprise I found two traditional teahouses close to my apartment in Singapore, which I love to frequent. Both places can show you the traditional Chinese, gongcha way of drinking tea, which is soothing and meditative. Back in the U.S. it is difficult to find teahouses that offer the opportunity to taste different premium, loose-leaf teas by the cup. Keep in mind that to try authentic and high-quality Chinese tea you will need to find a trust-worthy and knowledgable teashop that sources directly from reputable traders. Otherwise, you may be scammed with low-quality tea leaves and wares. 

Here are three teahouses in Singapore that you cannot miss when you visit if you are a tea lover! They are run by owners that are passionate about what they do and offer wonderful experiences.

Budget – Yixing Xuan Teahouse

This teahouse is the very first i’ve tried and perhaps the most approachable. It is owned by a friendly family that is happy to answer any questions you have about tea, from where they source their teas to the specific flavor profiles of varieties. What is great is that they have a casual, unpretentious space, which feels more like a cafe. A premium cup of tea costs about SGD$7, which is comparable to Starbucks but healthier! They also have reliable wifi and large tables for you to do your work in peace. 

Yixing Xuan carries a whole variety of teas including green, white, oolong, and pu’er in different grades. You can also either order tea in a steeping mug or a traditional gongcha set with claypot, tea cups, etc. The traditional set is more expensive at about SGD$30 but if you are sitting with friends it makes for a lovelier experience. For this option they also provide you with a second helping of tealeaves in a packet (one is enough for about 5 steeps). You can opt to have both servings in store or take the leftover leaves home with you. If you are overwhelmed by the choices feel free to ask questions and mention what kind of flavor profile you’re looking to enjoy (e.g.- strong, grassy, floral, etc). They will give some great suggestions. If you are feeling peckish they also have a dim sum food menu with some delicious options. In the past I have tried the shrimp dumplings and the fried shrimp cakes, which are fantastic. The tea pancake is highly recommended but am yet to try it! This is perfect for lunch as well if you just want a snack. 

If you fall in love with either the tea or tea-ware you will be happy to know that you can purchase them in store! They have a lovely wall of loose leaf teas as well as teacups, claypots, and utensils. Every time I go there I am so tempted to buy a lot of their tea-ware and have to stop myself! They also ship internationally so if you regret not getting some of your favorite tea it is not too late. Apparently they also help subsidize part of the shipping costs as well. Definitely recommend this teahouse for your everyday brew and for beginning your exploration of traditional tea on a budget!

Just recently I purchased a traditional purple clay teapot from this store as a gift before moving to Lisbon! More on that in another blog post. But looking forward to using it with some premium oolong teas! They have a wonderful selection of teapots of different sizes, shapes, and decorative details. 

Moderate – Tea Chapter Trading

Another location that might be more suitable for meeting up with friends and getting a cultural experience would be Tea Chapter Trading. This teahouse is located in a wooden, heritage shophouse with three floors. The first floor is where you can purchase beautiful tea ware. Outside to the right there is a stairwell that leads to the teahouse, which has two floors. The first floor is the most atmospheric with semi-private areas but requires an extra $5 for seating. Each of these partitioned areas have different styles (e.g.- Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) and comfortable seating with seats that allow you to sit upright as if on a chair. The top floor has an open floor plan with low, wooden tables and floor seating. 

This teahouse is famous for having hosted Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Singapore, of which the Golden Cassia tea is named after. I had the privilege of trying it and it was exquisite – delicate, floral, almost honey-like. The menu is extensive and includes Chinese teas from all families including pu’er, white, and green. Their food menu is also quite good and have even had a variety of their dim sum for dinner. The char siew buns are delicious, not too salty or sweet and the bread itself is fresh. If you are just visiting for some afternoon tea, consider trying their tea cookies, which remind me of Japanese sweets in that they are not overly sweet and in an adorable heart shape. The texture is also interesting as they grind actual bits of tea leaves into the dough!

Compared to Yixing Xuan, Tea Trading is a bit more expensive and you cannot purchase tea by the cup. Consider coming here if you want to learn the proper way of drinking Chinese tea and/or want to get the cultural experience. Be sure to ask your server to serve the tea for you to understand how to go about properly drinking (and appreciating) the tea. When you want to expand your palette and explore the different tea varieties, go to Yixing Xuan. 

Expensive – Tea Bone Zen Mind

Now this is a special place to savor for those who love unique experiences! Located in Emerald Hill among the colorful, shophouses this teahouse is unassuming and private. Perfect for an afternoon of conversation and appreciation for beauty and art. However, it costs a pretty penny at S$55 per person for a multi-course tea pairing with nibbles. For some this may be outrageous but if you truly love tea and trying new, delicious things it is completely worth it.

Be sure to make a reservation in advance as you are not able to simply walk in. The menu also changes seasonally so feel free to ask what will be offering on the menu prior to your appointment. The service is great, and very attentive as they seem to remember repeat customers. They were particularly excited to see my friend who brought me to this great place! 

As Tea Bone Zen Mind is literally located in an old, wooden shophouse, it has several stories and offers beautiful communal areas. For instance, on the first floor there is a goldfish pond, a little shop where they sell teas and some of the snacks they serve on their menu, as well as exquisite teaware. There are ikebana flower arrangements around as well as paintings from local artists that are on rotation. Serene music wafts throughout the shophouse and is absolutely relaxing and not pretentious. My friend explains the vibe so aptly, it feels like you’re visiting someone in their beautiful home.

Set Menu

As for what was actually served, there were so many delightful things! We started off with a boozy tea cocktail. Absolutely refreshing and it came with a side of rum to make things fun (this is when you remember how fun it is to be an adult!). Each additional “course” is a mixture of sweet and savory snacks paired with lovely teas. If you are a fairly light eater you could technically have this as a meal as we did. Each course is worth savoring and contemplating as the parings are quite creative and unique!

All in all, Singapore is a brilliant place for exploring the world of tea. Being in Southeast Asia, the city state is also a wonderful place to learn about Asian teas. Whether you are looking for something casual, want to learn a bit more about traditional Chinese tea drinking or enjoy a truly unique experience you can find something to your liking! But if you are thinking more on the lines of British high tea Singapore also has a plethora of options! Check out my post on Violet Oon’s fantastic afternoon tea set! It includes a traditional three-tier tray with finger sandwiches and sweets but inspired by Straits cuisine. Do you have any favorite tea shops you’ve visited in Singapore or elsewhere in the world? Let me know! I’m always on the lookout for a great tea.

Also for you bookworms out there, here is a review of the best book on tea and travel out there, “Infused: Travels in Tea,” which will take you around the world from the posh tearoom at Claridges in London to the sumptuous tea farms in Malawi!