Love Thunder Tea Rice? Try this Stall at Berseh Food Centre

This freshly prepared Hakka-style thunder tea rice is both comforting and delicious.

Lei cha fan or Hakka-style thunder tea rice is one dish that is hard to come by at hawker centres. So, whenever I see a stall offering the traditional rice dish that is topped with various types of vegetables and other condiments served with a bowl of green-hued soup, I usually make a beeline for it.

I first tried this dish at a friend’s home many years ago and, since then, I’ve been hooked on this heap of green goodness. Not only does it tick the box for eating clean, it also makes for a perfect Meatless Monday meal.

(Also read: The Plant-Based Meat Dishes at These Restaurants Taste as Good as the Real Deal)

Each family’s recipe for thunder tea rice is different. The condiments can vary. And some make their tea, which is enjoyed as a soup, with sharper mugwort leaves while others include more mint, basil and coriander. Some versions also have a stronger sesame flavour.

The Traditional Hakka Tea Rice stall at Berseh Food Centre in Jalan Besar serves a home-style version that is both comforting and delicious. You can opt for lei cha with white rice ($4.50) or brown rice ($5). Go for brown rice as it has a low glycemic index. It will leave you feeling less lethargic after your meal.

You get a generous serving of toppings that include snake beans, julienned cabbage and finely chopped leafy greens that have all been stir-fried individually, as well as tau kwa (firm tofu), chye poh (preserved radish), hae bee (dried shrimp) and crispy ikan bilis (whitebait).

(Also read: Healthy Meals for $10 Or Less In Singapore)

The bowl is a sight to behold. With multiple shades of green, beige and brown that meld together to form a soothing colour wheel, it is a feast for the eyes. Every serving of thunder tea rice comes with a perky bowl of herbaceous and minty tea-soup with a hint of roasted sesame. It is fresh and invigorating – just what I need to get me through a busy day.

The stall also sells a few types of handmade Hakka yong tau foo ($1 each) such as tofu stuffed with a fragrant and well-seasoned minced pork and salted fish filling. Order a couple of pieces as an appetiser.

Tedium is perhaps the reason why so few stalls sell thunder tea rice. Chopping and cutting vegetables by hand, then having to cook them individually is time-consuming. It takes effort to serve authentic, traditional fare.

Thunder tea rice at hawker centres is a rare find. Foodies, please keep this one alive.

(Also read: Our Favourite Hawker Food Stalls For Healthy Eats)