Por Kee Eating House 1996

Por Kee Eating House 1996 is a Cantonese zi char restaurant on Seng Poh Lane in Tiong Bahru. Zi char places cook dishes to order for the whole table to share, the way many Singaporean families eat out. As the name says, Por Kee opened in 1996, and it celebrated its 30th anniversary in early 2026.

It is one of the most popular zi char spots in Tiong Bahru, and loyal regulars keep it busy all week. The menu is long, with well over 100 dishes and more than 40 seafood choices.

What to order

The dish most people come for is the Champagne long rib. It is a single, very large fried pork rib coated in a house-made Champagne sauce. The glaze is sweet, sticky and caramelised, with only a faint taste of alcohol. It comes with greens on the side. For a group, the Champagne short ribs give you the same glaze on a sharing plate.

Other dishes worth ordering:

• Cereal prawns: fried prawns tossed in crisp, salty cereal crumbs with a hint of curry leaf.
• Garlic bamboo clams: long, thin clams steamed with a soy dressing and a thick layer of chopped garlic.
• Hong Kong-style steamed fish: steamed seabass with a light soy dressing, a gentle contrast to the richer dishes.
• Crispy roast chicken: a Cantonese-style chicken with golden, crackling skin.

Add a vegetable dish and steamed rice for a balanced meal. Many dishes come in more than one size, so ask staff how much to order for your group.

The setting

Por Kee has the look of an old-school neighbourhood Chinese restaurant. Diners also eat outside under a long-standing shelter, at round tables covered in white cloth with red plastic chairs. It sits next to an open-air car park, and the mood is casual. Come for the food and the company rather than a quiet, formal dinner.

Good to know before you go

• Book ahead: weekend evenings get very busy, so reserve a table by phone or online. Opening days have changed over time, so check before you go.
• Bring a group: zi char works best with three or more people, so you can try several dishes.
• Ingredients: pork and seafood feature heavily, and the Champagne sauce is made with wine. Tell staff about any dietary needs.
• Driving: the car park next door is handy if you come by car.

If you are new to this style of eating, our guide to dim sum and Cantonese food is a useful start.

Nearby

Por Kee is in Tiong Bahru Estate, known for its Art Deco flats, small shops and cafés. Before dinner, follow our Tiong Bahru heritage walk. For a different take on local food, try modern Peranakan cooking at Po on Havelock Road.

See more Chinese restaurants in Singapore, browse all restaurants in Tiong Bahru and Alexandra, or read our Tiong Bahru neighbourhood guide.