Makko Teck Neo – Hidden Peranakan Restaurant in the Heartlands

Makko Teck Neo’s location is interesting — it is tucked in a void deck in a quiet neighbourhood. Makko means ‘aunt’ in Peranakan culture while Teck Neo is the name of the lady boss. Makko Teck Neo sells their signature pineapple tarts every Chinese New Year. Following the success of the tarts, the team decided to open a restaurant serving Peranakan food in Telok Blangah Rise. They have also opened a take-away kiosk in Tang Plaza last year.

These bite-sized Ngoh Hiang ($11.90) were so addictive. They are filled with minced pork, prawns, chestnut and chives, and deep-fried till lightly crunchy. The chestnut gives it a nice crunch and the chilli sauce balances out the saltiness of the ngoh hiang. Nyonya Kueh Pie Tee ($9.90) is a classic dish where a thin slice of prawn is topped with soft turnip stew. Add some chilli sauce and you have yourself a nice little treat.

Dry Mee Siam ($5.80) is Makko Teck Neo’s signature. This dish is full of flavour – you can taste lemongrass, sambal, Kaffir lime and many other spices in each mouthful. With a squeeze of fresh lime, the dish is even tastier. Even though it was dry mee siam, the vermicelli remained moist and the tau pok still had some gravy when I bit into it. This is the house special and it’s usually sold out early.

Best paired with the mee siam, the Chap Chye ($14.90) was sweet and soft. Makko Teck Neo’s Tauhu Goreng ($6.80) sees deep-fried tofu piled with shredded cucumber, bean sprouts and a mountainous helping of nutty peanut sauce. We didn’t go for the Ayam Buah Keluak ($16.90). Instead, we ordered the Rempah Ayam Goreng ($11.90). The fried chicken is marinated with tamarind and served with their special sambal sauce.

They have different daily specials too. On the Sunday that we were there, the specials were Beef Rendang ($14.90) and Pork Rib Pongteh ($12.90). The most memorable dish on that day was beef rendang. It was on the spicy side and definitely packed a punch. The sauce was so fragrant and rich, and went very well with the plain basmati rice. Stewed in fermented soy bean, the pork rib pongteh was not too bad too as the meat was wonderfully tender.

Makko Teck Neo’s Peranakan food is not bad. We all know that Peranakan food requires tedious cooking processes and prices tend to be steeper. However, the food here is really value for money. The little eatery is located in Telok Blangah Rise, and public parking is relatively easy to find. They also sell different types of nyonya kueh such as kueh dadar, ondeh ondeh, kueh salat, kueh talam, kueh lapis and blue pea dumplings!