Let's just say whoever decided to make milk tea and "pulled" it from vessel to vessel is a genius. And that's exactly how the name of the popular beverage came about. 'Teh' is tea in Malay and 'tarik' means pulled – referring to how the mixture of milk, sugar and condensed milk is poured back and forth repeatedly from two cups from a height, giving the final version of the drink a thick frothy top. According to the tarik experts, the extravagant process not only cools down the tea so it's perfect for drinking but it also improves the flavour.
The history of teh tarik can be traced back to the Malay Peninsula where Indian Muslim immigrants would set up drink stalls strategically near work areas like rubber plantations and later on, working quarters to serve the working crowd.
Not much has changed since then – you can find teh tarik almost anywhere in Singapore these days. From CBD areas like Amoy Street to the heartlands in Ang Mo Kio. We round up some of our favourite spots in the city for this sweet, milky, but highly addictive beverage.
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This closet-sized drinks stall, which opened in 1956, is known for being the best teh tarik in Singapore. You’ll find it up the road, opposite Kampong Glam Cafe. Zamir Ahmad has been pulling tea for more than four decades, so his teh tarik ($1.30) is as it should be: milky, very sweet, a hint of ginger, and served with an inch-thick layer of froth. For bites, you’ll have to settle for samosas and curry puffs, or nasi lemak and nasi sambal goreng in packets.
Situated on the corner of Rowell Road in Little India, LK Maju wears many hats. Open throughout the day, it is a snack store, drinks stall, a convenience store and also a restaurant. While the drink menu is sprawling (it's also where you can get a decent chendol at 2am in the morning), the teh tarik is a crowd favourite. It comes in a delightful orangey-brown colour and is thick and strong – as a good cup should be. Pro tip: request for a less sweet version to get the perfect teh tarik cuppa, the cold iced version is equally delicious.
If you really, really like your teh tarik and wish you could just have a carton of it – your wish is granted. Teh Tarik Kak M has been in the teh tarik business for a long time and one of the few places where you order the popular beverage in bulk. And by bulk, we're talking up to 19 litres ($170). Orders start from two-litre cartons ($25) and you can also choose the sweetness level for the perfect cup to your liking.
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Besides the usual extensive prata menu, this hidden stall in Ang Mo Kio serves up a hearty cup of teh tarik and it all comes down to balance. Just the right amount of sweet, milky, and frothy, the Al-Aameena cup is still strong enough to keep you on your toes for a few hours. Can't get enough? Upsize to the Big Teh Tarik option – it's enough to fill a measuring cup.
Tucked away in Seah Im, this busy drink stall comes highly recommended by many. Despite its name, the star drink here that brings back loyal customers is the teh tarik and iced teh. Besides being the right amount of milky, thick and sweet, there is a certain smoothness to the blend that is almost buttery.
Located in Tekka Market, Ar-Rahman Cafe is the best spot for an after-shopping treat. Just around the corner from the busy marketplace, this no-frills prata spot serves the usual dosa, chapati, and uttapam but don't miss out on the teh tarik which is – a heads up – very sweet but the best fix for anyone feeling a little tired from doing groceries or needing a jolt to kickstart the morning. And if you don't, you can request for a less sweeter version for the perfect-tasting cup.
On an island where the weather varies between hot and hotter, it’s a wonder there aren’t more ice-cream parlours. Forget about vanilla: Island Creamery’s melange of ice-creams is dominated by local flavours with clever twists, such as Kopi-O and our personal favourite, teh tarik.
Try the all-time favourite beverage in cake form at Hainan Story. For tea time, the eatery serves up a rich and delicious teh tarik butter cake which pairs well with... tea.
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