Halal Food in C Homecook Kulai (Lei Cha)

Block 125 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh sits within one of Singapore's oldest and most established Housing Development Board estates. Toa Payoh, developed in the 1960s, served as a prototype for subsequent new towns, pioneering concepts like hierarchical planning, self-contained neighbourhoods, and integrated commercial-residential development. The estate's name, meaning big marsh in Hokkies dialect, references the swampland that once covered the area before extensive land reclamation and urban transformation. C Homecook Kulai Lei Cha at unit 01-523 offers thunder tea rice, a traditional Hakka dish known for its health benefits and distinctive preparation method. Lei cha combines a soup base made from ground green tea, nuts or seeds, basil, and mint, poured over mixed rice topped with vegetables and herbs. This dish represents Hakka culinary traditions that emphasize nutritious, balanced eating through carefully selected ingredients. The grinding process that gives lei cha its name involves pounding herbs and tea leaves, releasing flavours and nutrients into the characteristic green soup. The location within Toa Payoh's mature estate ensures steady patronage from health-conscious residents and those seeking authentic Hakka cuisine. The neighbourhood's density and established food culture support diverse hawker offerings beyond the typical rice and noodle staples. Lei cha remains an acquired taste for many Singaporeans, but its nutritional profile and cultural significance maintain a dedicated following. For those raised on Hakka traditions or seeking lighter meal options, establishments serving proper lei cha provide connections to heritage foodways increasingly difficult to find in modernizing Singapore.