From humble beginnings to becoming Singapore's last remaining authentic Hakka restaurant, our journey has been one of passion, perseverance, and dedication to preserving culinary traditions.
Lai Fa Yuan learned authentic Hakka recipes from a skilled chef from Hong Kong, mastering the traditional techniques and flavors that would become the foundation of Plum Village.
Driven by a mission to preserve Hakka culture, Lai Fa Yuan founded Plum Village Restaurant at 16 Jalan Leban. The restaurant opened its doors with a vision to bring authentic Hakka cuisine to Singapore.
Over the years, Plum Village became known for its "Four Heavenly Kings" - braised pork belly with preserved vegetables, abacus seeds, stuffed tofu, and salt-baked chicken. A loyal following of diners emerged.
During the pandemic, many heritage restaurants closed, but Plum Village persevered. Owning the property helped avoid rental pressures, and the determination to preserve Hakka culture kept the doors open.
Lai Jian Mi left his accounting career to join his father in the family business, bringing fresh perspective while honoring traditional recipes and values.
Now perhaps the only remaining Hakka restaurant in Singapore, Plum Village continues its mission to preserve and share authentic Hakka culinary heritage with new generations.
Established in 1983, Plum Village Restaurant is Singapore's oldest Hakka restaurant. For over four decades, we have remained at our original Jalan Leban location, looking much the same as we always have - a testament to our commitment to authenticity.
Our 76-year-old owner, Mr. Lai Fa Yuan, continues to uphold the traditional recipes he learned in the 1970s, while adapting kitchen processes for modern efficiency. This balance of tradition and practicality ensures that every dish served today tastes just as authentic as it did decades ago.
Beyond serving food, we are dedicated to passing down Hakka culinary culture through recipe writing and cooking classes, ensuring these precious traditions survive for future generations.
What drives us every day
We are committed to preserving authentic Hakka culinary traditions and passing them to future generations through our food, recipes, and teaching.
Every dish is prepared using traditional recipes and techniques learned from master chefs, maintaining the true flavors of Hakka cuisine.
Our love for Hakka culture and cuisine drives everything we do. It's not just business - it's our mission and our heritage.
As a family-run restaurant spanning generations, we bring the warmth and care of home cooking to every meal we serve.
At Plum Village, you can taste representative dishes from all seven districts of Meizhou, each with its own unique specialty and flavor profile.
Classic Hakka meatballs made with pork and traditional seasonings, representing the heart of Hakka cuisine.
Delicate tofu pockets filled with seasoned pork, a signature dish showcasing Hakka culinary creativity.
Comforting soup featuring the distinctive tang of Hakka preserved vegetables.
Rich, savory pork belly slow-cooked with preserved mustard greens - one of our "Four Heavenly Kings".
Tender pork with a distinctive preparation method unique to the Xingning region.
Chewy yam dumplings stir-fried with mushrooms and vegetables - another of our beloved classics.
Crispy golden spring rolls filled with savory ingredients, a perfect representation of Fengshun's culinary style.
Visit us today and taste the heritage that has been preserved for over 40 years
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