Food Picks
Hawker stall White Bar at Hong Lim Market serves zesty tea drinks and matcha lattes
Sign up now: Weekly recommendations for the best eats in town
(From left) Hojicha Latte, Strawberry Matcha Latte and Passion Fruit Lemon Tea at White Bar at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre.
ST PHOTOS: HEDY KHOO
- White Bar at Hong Lim Market offers tea drinks, like Passion Fruit Lemon Tea, brewed in small batches.
- Oolong Lemon Tea offers a roasted edge, with jasmine tea as an alternative, and sweetness is customisable.
- Strawberry Matcha Latte and Hojicha Latte are also available, with the latter offering smoky notes and a light flavour.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – At drink stall White Bar at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre, the beverages are simple, fresh and pretty.
Teas are brewed in small batches and fruit garnishes are sliced to order. Sweetness is controlled, flavours stay sharp and the drinks taste clean rather than sugary.
Stall owner Wang Shi Qing, 32, spends time preparing each order, so service can be rather slow. It is best to go during off-peak hours to avoid a long waiting time.
Ms Wang Shi Qing, stall owner of White Bar at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
My favourite here is the Passion Fruit Lemon Tea ($2.50 for small at 500ml, $3.50 for large at 750ml). It is bright and aromatic, made with jasmine tea and fresh passion fruit pulp.
The use of green lemon gives the drink a sharper, more fragrant citrus lift than yellow lemon. Lemons are sliced to order, so the acidity stays lively instead of dulling as the day goes on.
Passion Fruit Lemon Tea at White Bar.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
A close second is the Oolong Lemon Tea ($2.50 for small, $3.50 for large). Brewed with Ya Shi Xiang oolong, it has a deeper flavour with a roasted edge that holds up well against the citrus. The combination gives a rounded, slightly more complex profile and makes it easy to finish a large cup without palate fatigue.
Oolong Lemon Tea at White Bar.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Customers ordering the Oolong Lemon Tea can also request jasmine tea instead. The Jasmine Lemon Tea ($2.50 for small, $3.50 for large) is gently floral. Sweetness for every drink is customisable across four levels, though most customers choose no sugar or less sugar.
Jasmine Lemon Tea at White Bar.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
For those who love their milk-filled tea beverages, the stall offers its signature Strawberry Matcha Latte ($6.50). The drink is a favourite of Ms Wang’s nine-year-old daughter. Premium Japanese matcha forms the base, layered with a strawberry jam that is not too sweet. Despite its vivid colours, I find the flavour of the tea slightly overwhelmed by the milk.
Strawberry Matcha Latte at White Bar.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Ms Wang’s favourite is the Hojicha Latte ($5.50). The hojicha, which is brewed on-site, imparts warm, smoky notes to the drink. I am not big on milky drinks, but this version stays light rather than thick or sweet.
Hojicha Latte at White Bar.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Where: 02-14 Hong Lim Market and Food Centre, 531A Upper Cross Street
MRT: Chinatown
Open: 10am to 5pm (Mondays to Thursdays), 10am to 10pm (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
Tel: 8827-5779
