Kueh Pie Tee With A Twist? Try These Ones, from Lobster to Chilli Crab

When it comes to Peranakan food, the first few dishes that come to mind are ayam buah keluak, babi pongteh, and laksa. So, while kueh pie tee might not enjoy the same recollection, the dish is undoubtedly well-known. Fundamentally, kueh pie tee consists of a crispy cup or 'top hat' filled with similar fillings to popiah, such as braised turnip or jicama, prawns, sweet sauce, chilli sauce, and the like. The resulting bite contrasts the crisp shell against the softer interior for a unique mouthfeel and taste profile.

These days, kueh pie tee can be found in two iterations. The first are the ones who see the top hat as an empty canvas ready for inventive fillings ranging from lobster to chilli crab. The other are the traditionalists who stand by the classic turnip-based filling. Regardless of which, we've rounded them both below with these 10 places to find kueh pie tee in Singapore.

1. The Masses

The Masses is a Franco-Asian restaurant located in The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. Started in 2017, Chef Dylan heads the restaurant and changes its menu every four months in line with seasonal European produce. You'll find fusion fare here, with current offerings ranging from Smoked Pu Er Caviar & Beignet with Yuzu Creme and Duck Confit with "Wok Hey" Rice Noodles to Lemon Sole Meuniere with Asian Grenbloise and, of course, Squid Ink Kueh Pie Tee ($12.90) made with succulent crabmeat, jicama and XO sauce.

The Masses is at 15 Stamford Road, #01-84 Capitol Singapore The Arcade, Singapore 178905. Visit its website for more information.

2. Jiak Kim House

Jiak Kim House is housed in a 1920s conservation warehouse along the Singapore River that was once part of a renowned nightclub (no points for getting it right!). Chef-partner Seow Tzi Qin's menu consequently pays homage to modern Asian cuisine, blending East and West flavours and techniques. The inventive and moreish Chilli Crab Pie Tee with kaffir lime is part of the Tingkat of Memories ($26) starters set that also includes 7-Herbed Crab Cake with assam mayo, Lamb Goulash Croquette with mint coriander coulis, and Spanish Mackerel Otak Otak with green curry.

Jiak Kim House is at 5 Jiak Kim St, #01–17, Singapore 169425. Visit its website for more information.

3. Xiao Ya Tou

Xiao Ya Tou, or 'Little Rebel' or 'Imp', was started by chef Abby Lim to serve modern Asian cuisine that reflects Duxton Hill's notorious history, which involved brothels, opium rooms, and gambling dens. Alongside favourites such as XYT Hokkien Mee, Truffle Duck Fried Rice, and Spicy Brussel Sprouts is the Lobster Kueh Pie Tee ($24). It is made with lobsters and prawns with tobiko and ikura as well as pickled mangoes and seweed. There is a dedicated menu for vegetarians — though without kueh pie tee.

Xiao Ya Tou is at 6 Duxton Hill, #01-01, Singapore 089592. Visit its website for more information.

4. Mama Diam

Drawing inspiration from the convenience stores found under HDB blocks in Singapore in the 1980s and 1990s, Mama Diam is a speakeasy bar that celebrates heritage and nostalgia by giving local favourites a modern twist. On the menu are iterations such as Chili Crab Soft Shell Crab Bao, Hainanese Pork Chop, and Kaya Churros. For kueh pie tee, get the Chicken Curry Kueh Pei Tee ($15.90), which comes topped with coconut foam.

Mama Diam is at 38 Prinsep Street, Singapore 188665. Visit its website for more information.

5. Liberty Singapore

Liberty Singapore is the brainchild of chef trio Yong-soo Do, Chris Tuthill, and Winkee Chong. Made to be an American-style smokehouse that blends in Asian flavours, you will find fusion creations such as Corn Bread with Mei Cai Cream Cheese, Liberty Brisket with Sichuan BBQ Spice, and Ribeye Steak with Sukiyaki Au Jus. Its take on kueh pie tee is equally unique too — Caviar Kueh Pie Tee ($12) comes with sweet potato uni curd, smoked quail egg, chives, and nomad Kaluga caviar.

Liberty Singapore is at 10 Marina Boulevard, #01-04 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 2, Singapore 018983. Visit its website for more information.

6. Ann Chin Popiah

Now helmed by third-generation owners, Ann Chin Popiah was first started by Lim Kam Chwee in the 1950s. The brand has since expanded beyond its Chinatown Complex Food Centre location to 10 other spots islandwide. At its physical location, Kueh Pie Tee is sold at $3.70 for four pieces. And if you're looking to host a kueh pie tee party, you can purchase the dish from the website. Priced start from $30 for the Kueh Pie Tee Set (30 cups) or from $48 for the DIY Party Set (50 cups).

Ann Chin Popiah has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its website for more information.

7. My Cosy Corner

My Cosy Corner is a quaint little eatery situated within Coronation Shopping Plaza near Tan Kah Kee MRT Station. The stall has been around since 1998 and is known for its menu of Peranakan cooking that includes Mee Siam, Nyonya Laksa, Popiah, and Kueh Pie Tee ($5.80 for six pieces). Kueh pie tee is a DIY affair here, with eggs, braised turnips and carrots, coriander, and sambal chilli to finish.

My Cosy Corner is at 587 Bukit Timah Rd, #02-02 Coronation Shopping Plaza, Singapore 269707.

8. Fortune Food

Fortune Food is another brand that has grown beyond its initial hawker stall roots to become a purveyor of popiah and kueh pie tee. Fortune Food is also certified halal for those who want to host Muslim friends. The Kueh Pie Tee is priced at $4 for five pieces at the hawker stalls or upwards of $32 (for 30 pieces) for the Kueh Pie Ti Set on its website. The dish is made with turnip with carrot, sweet sauce, crispy bits, grated peanuts, eggs, garlic chilli, and coriander leaves.

Fortune Food has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its website for more information.

9. Mr Popiah

Mr Popiah was founded by husband-and-wife duo Tan Tok Hoo and Li Li Hong in 1995 at a coffee shop in Bedok North. Now, the hawker-turned-food manufacturer is under the helm of the latter and her son Lewis Tan. The DIY Kueh Pie Tee Set is sold on its website at upwards of $23 for 35 pieces. And if you need more cups, Mr Popiah sells the plain shells (from $3.20) as they are, too, like the other brands.

Contact Mr Popiah via its website.

10. Violet Oon Singapore

Kueh pie tee is rarely eaten on its own. Instead, it comes as part of a larger meal with other dishes. And if you want to lean into the Peranakan roots of kueh pie tee and tuck into other Nyonya dishes as well, consider Violet Oon Singapore. Kuay Pie Tee ($19) is part of the starters on the menu and is composed of "julienned bamboo shoots and turnip poached prawn bisque served in a deep fried "top hat" cup topped with prawn, chilli sauce and a sweet fruit sauce". The dish is also available as a party tray ($95.80) if you have guests coming over.

Violet Oon Singapore has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its website for more information.