After traveling through Austria, Germany, and Switzerland for almost two weeks, I found myself craving something different—a meal that wasn’t so meat-heavy. I also wanted a restaurant close to my hotel for a convenient and relaxing dining experience. Earlier that day, I had passed by a Singaporean restaurant called Jeck’s Place, and the thought of Southeast Asian flavors lingered in my mind. So, I decided to check it out.

Jeck’s Place has a cozy and authentic Southeast Asian feel, with décor that reflects the region’s culture. The restaurant features orchids, batik sarong-patterned tablecloths, wooden furniture, and ceiling fans, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional eatery in Singapore or Malaysia.

The restaurant is owned by a Singaporean couple, and on the day I visited, they were also serving the tables. The service was slow and somewhat lacking in warmth—a friendly demeanor would have made the experience more inviting.

The menu offers a mix of Thai, Singaporean, and Malaysian dishes, featuring a variety of familiar comfort foods. I decided to order:

• Char Kuey Teow (stir-fried rice noodles)
• Chicken and vegetable soup (which I appreciated because they offered individual portions)

The Char Kuey Teow was amazing—it had a deep, smoky wok hei (the distinctive charred aroma and umami flavor that comes from stir-frying over high heat). I honestly never expected to taste wok hei so authentic outside of Malaysia or Singapore, so I was impressed. The dish was packed with flavors that brought me straight back home.

However, the texture of the noodles was a bit too hard—they should have been soft and chewy.  I called over the male owner and mentioned the texture issue. His stern expression and blunt response—“This is rice noodles”—made me feel as if he was dismissing my concern, which was a little frustrating. Nonetheless, he returned the dish to the kitchen, and when he returned with a new plate, the noodles were softer and much better.

The chicken and vegetable soup was delicious and hearty. It reminded me of the comforting soups served at Malaysian Chinese wedding banquets. It had a deep, rich broth with well-balanced flavors.

Despite the mediocre service, the food made up for it. The authentic wok hei in the Char Kuey Teow was rare, and the soup was deeply satisfying. While the service could be friendlier, the quality of the food makes Jeck’s Place worth visiting—especially for those longing for a taste of Southeast Asia.

 

Jeck’s Place

Rue de Neuchâtel 14, 1201 Genève, Switzerland