Teh Tarik is one of the few things that I never think about when I am not in Singapore but get super excited about it from the minute I land on the tiny island. I know it’s weird, but I am sure you can think of something similar when travelling.
Pull The Tea
Though it has been widely adopted and turned into a local food icon in Singapore, Teh Tarik originated in Malaysia. The three main ingredients used to make the heritage beverage are black tea, sugar, and condensed milk.
The literal translation of pulled tea, Teh Tarik, got its name from “pulling” the tea repeatedly between two drinking vessels held apart as far as possible. It is a sight to be seen and takes practice and skill to master. But more importantly, this method gives the tea a bubbly foam on top, cools down the temperature to just right to drink, and adds distinctive richness and light texture.
For The Love of Teh Tarik
It’s an all-around drink that can be had in the early morning, accompanying breakfast to past-midnight supper━ , a perfect side-kick to Kaya Toast, Prata and any other hawker food. And during my decade’s stint there, I have ingested a staggering amount of the high-sugar drink that I should consider lucky for not needing insulin shots.
The original version of Teh Tarik is served hot, but you can modify it by asking for “Teh Ais”, ━ an iced version of it or “Teh Kurang Manis”,━ less sweet, the version Amma prefers.
Where To Get The Best Teh Tarik in Singapore
A Singaporean food culture icon, Teh Tarik is well-loved by the locals, so much so that hunting for the best Teh Tarik around the tiny island has become a weekend activity amongst the locals. I have participated in a few of those. Starting from Little India, then Bugis before ending up at Kampung Glam ━ from Mamak shops to tea stalls, my Uni friends and I have forced upon ourselves a jittery sugar rush daze just for the fun of it.
The thing is, my low-standard, or simple as I’d prefer to refer it as, taste bud couldn’t differentiate the taste of the Teh from okay, good to best. So all, if it’s not bad (as in luke-warm, too-off milk to tea ratio, bitterness from the tea sipped too long), gimme it!
But if you insist on searching for the best Teh Tarik in Singapore – my one recommendation would be to get it from the Bhai Sarbat drink stall on Arab Street.
Bhai Sarbat Teh Tarik – best served in plastic bags, along with their world-best prawn vadai will always have a special place in my heart. For years, the combo was the go-to treat our CEO would bring us when we were churching numbers on a few consecutive weekends every year during budget time.
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