Coffee or tea? Ah, the age-old debate. Singapore has long preferred the former, with a bevy of stylish cafés serving up different brews. On the other hand, tea has mostly been added into menus as an afterthought. However, it seems like that is changing. Teahouses are sort of becoming an ‘in-thing’ amongst young Singaporeans — new spots have been popping up in the recent years. However, not many can boast that they’ve been around for a few decades, let alone boast of having been visited by a queen!
Located at No. 9 Neil Road, Tea Chapter was established 1989 by a group of tea enthusiasts. As a society shaped by Western influence, we've more familiarity with names like Earl Grey, Chamomile, Peppermint rather than Dragon Well, Tie Guan Yin, and Pu'er. However, here, it's always been about sharing the joy of Chinese tea with the masses. And 31 years later, that hasn't changed.
The History
A look back in history and you’d find the shophouse standing at No. 9 Neil Road almost unrecognisable. Built in the 19th century, the exterior of the shophouse was in bad shape, and the interior wasn’t faring much better. It was gazetted for conservation, part of a pilot URA shophouse restoration project that took place from 1987 to 1988. However, it was also the very first one to undergo this process, having been selected as a demonstration unit to demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of shophouse conservation. From the looks of it today, you can say that URA’s efforts certainly paid off!
Shortly after, Tea Chapter took over the refurbished shophouse, and well, as they say, the rest is history! Not long after its restoration, it received some very important guests — none other than Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip on their 1989 visit to Singapore. If even the queen can appreciate Chinese tea, what's stopping you? A cool thing to note — the exact room used by them is still usable today, complete with the same furnishings!
The Tea
Be it a tea workshop or just want a good ol' pot of tea, a tea master will come and show you the proper technique to brew the tea. Just like a wine tasting, you’ll be taught how to appreciate the fragrance and the flavour of the tea. As someone genuinely fond of tea but with absolutely no knowledge in this area, I found the experience quite interesting and rather enriching. It’s not everyday that you get to learn more about the intricacies that go into making tea! I could go on about it, but truly, it's better to experience it yourself.
They’ve got a range of teas to suit every palate, from oolongs to red teas. I had the chance to sample the Golden Cassia — a light, floral oolong that is great for everyone and anyone. Another recommendation is the Imperial Golden Cassia, which is the very same tea that Queen Elizabeth had during her visit. If you’re not quite sure what to get, the staff will be more than happy to offer some recommendations.
While Tea Chapter isn’t a dining establishment, they do offer a small selection of food items to pair with your tea. Rumour has it that the tea eggs are especially delicious — people apparently can’t get enough of them!
The Ambience
There are three different types of rooms: the Oriental Room, the Korean Room, and one with traditional Japanese-style seating. However, no matter where you are seated, the experience is the same. With its distinct oriental decor, Tea Chapter pays homage to the teahouses of old. The wooden furnishings add a layer of warmth and cosiness, a stark contrast to the industrial-style cafés that seem to populate Singapore these days. An abundance of natural light filters through the windows, highlighting the calligraphy and traditional Chinese paintings that adorn the walls. Traditional Chinese instrumentals are played in the background, instilling an additional sense of calmness in whoever stops by.
You can say that they’ve stuck to their theme, and they’ve done it well. The atmosphere is beckoning, and trust me, you wouldn’t want to leave. Time essentially slows down; it is as if you have left all your worries at the door and stepped into a whole new world. It’s the perfect place to read a book, or if you would, spill the tea (not literally, of course!) with friends.
Whether you seek respite from city life or a temporary escape to a different world, Tea Chapter is an exquisite place. With its beautiful setting and delightful tea, you can’t find much to complain about — I can see nothing better than whiling the afternoon away with a pot of tea and a good book. Even if you aren't a tea aficionado, it is something worth doing at least once. Uncle Iroh from the hit series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, once said: “Good tea is its own reward”. The tea at Tea Chapter is exactly that.
Address: 9/9A Neil Rd, Singapore 088808
Opening Hours: Sun–Thu, 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat, 11am–10.30pm
Phone: 6226 1175
