Kim Choo Kueh Chang has been operating out of a shophouse in Joo Chiat since 1945. It is most famous for its Nyonya Rice Dumpling (or Nyonya chang) and Traditional Salty Dumpling (or bak chang) but it also has a wide range of Nyonya kuehs, cookies and other snacks. Kim Choo Kueh Chang may also be the subject of another food fued in the East – like the Katong Laksa saga and the mee pok war.
When a food stall becomes very popular or famous there will always be a risk that someone else will lay claim to the heritage name. Others may also come along and use a similar name or a part of its name to ride on the goodwill or reputation acquired or to give the impression that they are connected to the original stall. It appears that Kim Choo Kueh Chang has become that popular or famous. It has taken to putting up notices and announcing on social media that
The rice dumplings which we produce can ONLY be purchased online from our online store at https://www.kimchoo.com and at the following outlets:
1) 60 Joo Chiat Place
2) 109 East Coast Road
3) Century Square #B1-29
4) 125 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-184
*** WE DO NOT HAVE ANY TEMPORARY SETUP STORES WITH ANY OF OUR LOCAL SUPERMARKETS ***
We also want to inform everyone that WE WILL NOT SHIFT AWAY FROM JOO CHIAT.
This was where our Grandma Kim Choo started the business, “Kim Choo Kueh Chang”.
This was where we grew up.
This is our heritage.
This is our home.
We will NOT leave.Kim Choo; Grandma’s name.
Kueh Chang; how we, Peranakans, call rice dumplings.
We are intrigued by the announcement and the emphatic statement of intent. There must be a fascinating backstory which may simmer into a full blown food feud in the East. We are just glad that they will still be around as we have been buying dumplings and Nyonya kuehs from their Joo Chiat shop and East Coast Road stall for the longest time.
Kim Choo Kueh Chang occupies 2 shophouses in Joo Chiat Place. One of them houses the kitchen where the dumplings are made fresh in batches.
The retail section is the other shophouse. Walk into the shop in Joo Chiat and you will see shelves and stacks of cookies and Nyonya kuehs of all shapes and sizes in rainbow colours on display. The decor is basic but the place has an old world charm.
Kim Choo Kueh Chang make a variety of dumplings including Nyonya Rice Dumplings (with Chicken or Pork & Winter Melon), Traditional Salty Dumpling with Salty Egg (with Mushroom, Chestnut, Salted Egg Yolk & Pork) and X.O. Traditional Salty Dumpling (with Mushroom, Chestnut, Scallop, Oyster, Shrimp & Pork). They also have Cantonese Bean Dumpling, Vegetarian Dumpling, Kee Chang and Mini Dumpling.
The price list in the picture above is the one we saw when we visited Kim Choo in Joo Chiat. The prices for the dumplings are increased during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 “Duan Wu Jie” ).
We think that Kim Choo’s Nyonya chang is one of the best in Singapore. The glutinous rice dumpling has a pleasing fragrance and good texture. The Chinese five spice powder gives the filling of diced lean pork and candied winter melon a nice flavour.
We like their bite-sized mini dumplings. They come in different flavours and we can enjoy both a mini Nyonya Change and a mini bak chang in one sitting and don’t have to worry about going on a diet after that.
Kueh Lapis, Kueh Dadar, Kueh Salat and Wa Ko Kueh, all freshly made, are a few of the kuehs and snacks sold at Kim Choo Kueh Chang. They also have cookies and tarts like – Pineapple Tarts, Almond Sugee Cookies, Cashew Nut Cookies and Chilli Prawn Rolls.
It is good to have old shops like Kim Choo Kueh Chang offering an extensive range of traditional dumplings and old school kuehs and cakes. They may have moved with the times by having an online shop and offering delivery services but they still produce quality Nyonya fare at reasonable prices.
Kim Choo Kueh Chang
60 / 62 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427784 / 427785
Other Outlet:-
East Coast Branch – Singapore Visitor Centre
111 East Coast RoadSingapore 428801
106 Artiste Residency
106 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427833
The Ordinary Patrons | Real Dining Experience of Ordinary People
an independent Singapore food blog
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You stated in the article that five spice powder is used for the nonya chang. That is probably incorrect ( checking with them ). There are some differences between Nonya chang and kiam bak chang and one significant difference should be spicing the pork with coriander for the former and using five spice for the latter