Commissioned by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC), Nine Years Theatre (NYT) proudly presents brand new original Mandarin play Home Kitchen as part of Cultural Extravaganza 2025. Set to run on 10, 11, 17 and 18 May 2025 at SCCC Auditorium, this production brings to life a uniquely Singaporean story set in a Teochew restaurant.

Written and directed by Nelson Chia, Home Kitchen follows the three-generation Gim Hiang Restaurant, where the woks are sizzling, the soup is boiling, and the tempers? Piping hot. For decades, Lau Dua Gim has been the undisputed king of this three-generation Teochew restaurant, serving up time-honoured recipes and ruling with a firm hand, a sharp cleaver, and an even sharper tongue.

But times are changing—rents are rising, customers’ preferences are evolving, and Dua Gim starts to wonder if Gim Hiang can survive the next chapter. Enter Zhi Ren, the prodigal youngest son. As a child, he was the golden boy of the kitchen, the one Dua Gim thought would inherit the family legacy. But instead of staying, Zhi Ren packed his knives and flew off to Paris—pursuing culinary training in Paris.

Over the years, he climbed the ranks of a Michelin-starred restaurant, working his way up from apprentice to sous chef. Now, after years of refining his craft abroad, Zhi Ren returns home for a visit, stepping back into the kitchen where it all began. But home is different now. So is he. As soon as he picks up a knife, old tensions resurface. Dua Gim believes that tradition is what gives Teochew cuisine its soul, while Zhi Ren sees room for evolution. What begins as a simple conversation about flavours soon escalates into a full-blown family debate.

Home Kitchen features a powerhouse ensemble of Singaporean actors, including Rei Poh as Lau Dua Gim, Joel Tan as Lau Zhi Ren, Audrey Luo as Leung Yoon Yoon, Tim Wan as Lau Zhi Li, Jodi Chan as Fong Yoke Kum, Regina Toon as Lau Qian Lian, Xuan Ong as Nguyen Tieu Van, Janice Seah as Lim Wee Pang, and Choy Chee Yew as Guan Kai Beng. Raising the all important questions of heritage, change and family, with Home Kitchen, expect a hefty serving of father-son rivalry, a dash of nostalgia, and a generous helping of chaos. Will Gim Hiang stay true to its roots, or is it time to spice things up? In this hilarious and heartwarming family feud, one thing is certain—things are about to get messy in the kitchen!

Home Kitchen plays on 10, 11, 17 and 18 May 2025 at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Auditorium. Tickets available on SISTIC

As part of NYT’s efforts to grow interest and encourage audiences to watch Mandarin theatre in Singapore, NYT is bringing back its popular 9-Fan membership schemes for Home Kitchen. Members enjoy an exclusive 25% discount on tickets.