Thunder Tea Rice at Fernvale Community Club represents a cherished piece of Hakka culinary heritage, serving the traditional Lei Cha Fan that has been passed down through centuries of Chinese culture. Established as part of the Thunder Tea Rice brand that began in 2002, this outlet operates Tuesday through Sunday with extended hours (11am-8pm weekdays, 10am-8pm weekends) at the third floor of the community club. The restaurant specializes in this notoriously time-consuming dish that requires at least five to six hours of preparation, making it a rare find in Singapore's hawker scene due to the dedication required to preserve this authentic heritage cuisine.\n\nThe signature Thunder Tea Rice dish features a harmonious blend of finely chopped vegetables, tofu, nuts, and fragrant rice, accompanied by a distinctive tea-based herbal broth made from ground-up vegetables and herbs such as basil. Each bowl, typically priced around (with a 50-cent surcharge for brown rice), is generously topped with mounds of fresh greens including mani chye (sweet leaf), green beans, chopped long beans, mustard greens, kai lan, alongside protein-rich additions like tofu, peanuts, dried shrimp, and pickled radish. The result is a nutritious, balanced meal that embodies the Hakka philosophy of healthy eating while delivering complex, satisfying flavors that have remained unchanged for generations.\n\nWhat sets this Thunder Tea Rice outlet apart is its commitment to authenticity and nutritional value, offering a predominantly vegetarian dish that appeals to health-conscious diners and those seeking traditional Chinese medicine benefits. The restaurant provides both regular and vegan options, making it accessible to various dietary preferences while maintaining the integrity of this ancient recipe. The herbal soup component not only enhances the meal's flavor profile but also delivers medicinal properties valued in Hakka culture, making each visit both a culinary experience and a connection to centuries-old traditions that few establishments in Singapore continue to preserve with such dedication.
Customer Reviews
3.7/5
Based on 30 reviews
Other Shops at Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Festival Market)
This used to be my fav thunder rice tea store. Am very sad that the receipe have changed which now i
This used to be my favourite thunder rice tea store. I'm very sad that the recipe has changed, which now includes minced garlic in several of their vegetable topping dishes. I'm a garlic hater and had always thought this dish was garlic-free. Sadly, it's not anymore. I wish for the cooking to resume back to the garlic-free days. For more than 10 years, this dish that I patronised always had a clean taste. Now it feels overwhelmed, which really shouldn't be the case for lei cha. It's not like Hakka lei cha anymore, but tastes like a different cuisine entirely instead.
Kristopher
The food is good and I’m always a fan of thunder tea rice. I could’ve given them 5 stars but there a
The food is good, and I'm always a fan of thunder tea rice. I could have given them 5 stars, but there are two issues. The basil omelette and beancurd add-ins are always cold. The other problem specific to this branch is they are always out of red cut chilli.
Khris Lim
I probably should have tried their signature thunder tea rice instead of the basil chicken. But inte
I probably should have tried their signature thunder tea rice instead of the basil chicken. However, it was an interesting take on the dishes. To me, the basil chicken was just okay. The portions were pretty generous though. I will come again to try the signature dish instead.
Desmond
I used to be a regular patron at their various outlets and their thunder tea rice is always tasty.
I used to be a regular patron at their various outlets, and their thunder tea rice is always tasty.
However, this trip was a disappointing experience. I visited on a weekend lunchtime. I was third in the queue and noticed the staff prioritizing food delivery orders over customers waiting in line. It took nearly 10 minutes before it was my turn to order.
The second issue was worse. I decided to order a large portion. The tea they gave me was pre-prepared for a regular portion and was simply not enough, as you can see in the photo. It was disproportionate, with barely any tea visible.
When I approached the staff, she gave me extra hot water and stated that extra tea is chargeable at $2. It felt like ordering a large Coke and receiving a medium one in a large cup with added water. Why should customers be shortchanged when ordering a large portion!
Culturally, the most important part of thunder tea rice is actually the tea soup. Please don't hire employees who don't understand thunder tea rice.
Congratulations on giving me my worst leicha experience ever.
Zainal Zam
Katsu and katsu rice items are never available during after noon.
Everytime I ask during noon they s
Katsu and katsu rice items are never available after noon. Every time I ask during the afternoon, they say only thunder rice is available and no katsu. Even when I ask in the evening, they say it will take 15 minutes and ask twice or thrice if I'm okay with waiting 15-20 minutes. It feels like they don't want to sell it, or it's difficult for them to prepare katsu items.
Positive Reviews
Brenda Fahmi
I really, really, loveee thunder tea rice. Why? It’s just so flavourful, rich, and feels healthy. Al
I really, really love thunder tea rice. Why? It’s just so flavourful, rich, and feels healthy. Also cheaper than other salad options nearby.
I first learned about this dish from a close friend. One important tip from her that makes a HUGE difference for me: ask them NOT to add water in the green sauce. It makes the sauce thicker and the whole thing tastier. I was in the area to see the doctor and had this for my lunch. It was still soooo good.
Michael Tan
Having had a mysterious something that didn’t sit well with my tummy the previous week, I was after
Having had a mysterious something that didn’t sit well with my tummy the previous week, I was after something that would help nurse my body back to full health. Tasty ✔️. Healthy ✔️. Loads of veggies ✔️. Little oil ✔️. Value for money - 3/4 ✔️. My #1 bowl of goodness cost $6.20. Pretty decent. Filling without weighing me down. Probably just what the doctor would prescribe. Shhh - just don’t tell the doctor I had it with a little chilli sauce
Alice Wong
With all the deep-fried greasy foods from non-stop hawker hopping, Thunder Tea Rice was refreshingly
After all the deep-fried, greasy foods from non-stop hawker hopping, Thunder Tea Rice was refreshingly delicious and on the healthier side.
It’s a cold dish of rice mixed with herbs, green tea, nuts, tofu, greens, and dried anchovies for added flavour.
Each spoonful offers a mix of textures – crunchy and soft, soupy and solid. Worth a try!
RCS Food Court
There was a lunch queue of around 10 pax. From queueing to food collection, it took around 20 minute
There was a lunch queue of around 10 people. From queueing to food collection, it took about 20 minutes. I had the number 1 signature small bowl for $6.20. As a first-time introduction to thunder tea rice, it was a pleasant surprise to find such healthy food in Lau Pa Sat. Its healthy taste is different from eating a salad. The rice was seasoned well with plenty of vegetables. You can choose either brown or white rice. The soup itself was... woooow. Literally tea + veggie flavour! So clean. Like a blended vegetable soup. At first bite, I was shocked at how healthy it tasted. But slowly, it grew on me, and wow, I like this dish now! I will continue to order it when I am there.
K. Tan
What's great?
Signature lei cha is nice. Soup is thick.
Serving size large. Very organised service.
What's great?
Signature lei cha is nice. The soup is thick.
Serving size is large. Service is very organised.
What's to improve?
Skip the top-up to a meal side dish. It's not worth it for a thin piece of basil egg and tofu.
Visit again?
Yes
