At the bustling crossroads of Penang Road and Clemenceau Avenue stands a relic of a bygone era: the House of Tan Yeok Nee, one of Singapore’s oldest surviving Teochew mansions. Recently restored to its former glory, this 140-year-old landmark has been reborn as a lifestyle destination. Within its walls, a new pocket-sized café called Jing Studio has opened, specializing in Chinese teas. The venue offers a free gallery, a fine-dining restaurant, a cocktail bar, and now this intimate tea experience, making it a multifaceted cultural hub in the heart of the city.
A Tea Haven in a Historic Courtyard
Tucked into a corner unit beside the courtyard, Jing Studio is an intimate space with just eight seats. Guests are invited to purchase their tea at the counter before enjoying it inside the café or on benches outside, where the ornate architecture provides a serene backdrop. The menu is deliberately compact, featuring 10 teas priced between $7 and $12, available hot, iced, with milk, or as cold brews.
The star of the menu is the signature Ember Road ($12), a black tea from Fengqing, Yunnan. Served hot, it reveals notes of honey and dried apricot, offering a pure, unaltered taste that purists will appreciate. For those who favor milk tea, the Coco Pulut Pu-erh from Menghai, Yunnan ($8) is a standout. Served warm or iced with coconut milk, its first sip evokes the flavors of pulut hitam, or black glutinous rice, delivering a full-bodied profile reminiscent of popular glutinous milk teas.
To combat Singapore’s tropical heat, tea master William recommends the Apothecary Gold ($7 or $8), an aged white tea from Fuding, Funan. With notes of sweet pear, chrysanthemum, and honey, it is best enjoyed iced. The blend contains only a small concentration of five-year-aged white tea, resulting in lower caffeine content. Other notable options include the Phoenix Spring, an oolong from Chaozhou, Guangdong, chosen as a nod to the building’s Teochew heritage, and the seasonal Isle of Green, a green tea from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, harvested in March. Guests can pair these with snacks like nostalgic ice gem cookies or pastries from Koko Patisserie, subject to availability.
The Art of Tea Preparation
Part of the experience at Jing Studio is observing the meticulous preparation at the open counter, lined with infusers. The first round of tea is gently tossed, passed through the infuser twice, then decanted into large pots and served in simple paper cups for takeaway. For those with time to spare, the Gongfu tea experience is highly recommended, available with premium teas like Ember Road and Isle of Green. This offering allows guests to engage with Tea Master William, whose infectious passion for tea enriches the experience.
Having spent eight years in the industry, including training under a tea master in Hangzhou, William eagerly shares stories about Tang Dynasty tea traditions like Dian Cha and the ceramic gaiwans and teapots on display—most from his personal collection. Morning visitors might even be treated to a sample of his daily brew; during one visit, he offered a fragrant Da Hong Pao oolong from the Wuyi Mountains.
Planning Your Visit
Jing Studio is open daily from 10am to 7pm at the House of Tan Yeok Nee, 101 Penang Road, Singapore 238466. For more information, follow them on Instagram. As the mansion continues to evolve, this tea bar adds a subtle, educational layer to the historical site, inviting both connoisseurs and curious newcomers to slow down and savor a moment in a space that bridges centuries.