Ali ‘Sheikh’ Redha, 38, had been working as a flight attendant for 12 years when Covid-19 grounded his career in the skies. For the past one and a half years, his income was affected as there were no flights scheduled. “I took up the Covid-related jobs — I was an ambassador at MOM and Changi Airport tagging the [electronic monitoring] wristbands for SHN personnel,” Sheikh tells 8days.sg.

While he’s currently still employed under his airline, Sheikh had to look for alternate ways to earn more income while he waited for flights to resume. Inspired by his parents who are avid home cooks, he decided to start a central kitchen in Pasir Ris to cater halal food.

In August this year, Sheikh also opened a tiny hole-in-the-wall takeaway kiosk called Tarik Cafe at Arab Street. It’s where he sells food from his catering kitchen and freshly-brewed hot and iced beverages that he makes himself, like Teh Tarik ($1.50), Teh Zaffran (saffron chai, $2), Teh Pudina (mint tea, $1.50) and the uncommon Katira ($2), rose-flavoured milk with basil seeds and malva nuts that’s typically consumed during Ramadan. “I learnt how to make the drinks from my parents who made them at home,” he says.

Sheikh mans the kiosk solo, with occasional help from his wife on weekends. The hipster unit has no dine-in seats; Sheikh hands his customers their orders through a large kampong-style window.

On a hot 34 degrees Celsius afternoon, there’s a steady line of people queuing up outside Sheikh’s kiosk, though he works fast.

Despite being an F&B newcomer, Sheikh pulls teh tarik with practised ease (incidentally, his stall is located just a short walk away from the famous Bhai Sarbat tea stand in Kampong Glam). If you like your teh tarik ultra milky, Sheikh’s version is fab. It’s gloriously thick and heady, perfumed with a delicate floral tea fragrance. We prefer the more concentrated hot version, though the iced teh tarik is just as refreshing.

Like the Teh Tarik, the Teh Zaffran here is also very good. The robust, milky spice-spiked tea is topped with a sprinkle of saffron before serving. Worth downing a cup or even two.

If you can’t get enough of the tea here, Tarik Cafe also sells its drinks in 2.8-litre boxes, which are brilliantly designed with a screw cap opening so you can simply pour the tea into glasses when you get home. There are three flavours available, including Teh Tarik ($30), Teh Halia ($32) and Teh Masala ($33).

Other than beverages, there are also takeaway food items from Sheikh’s central kitchen. On Fridays, he serves Nasi Briyani ($7 for mutton; $6.50 for chicken), which comes in a plastic box with a piece of mutton or chicken, flavoured basmati rice and gravy. Take it from us; preorder it before you head down to Tarik Cafe or be disappointed.

Other than the biryani, Sheikh also sells savoury food on a daily basis like Nasi Lemak ($4), Nasi Sambal Goreng ($4) and the Middle Eastern Shakshouka ($4) with minced beef and eggs in a spiced tomato dip and Kacang Pool (a Malaysian-style, Middle East-inspired fava bean stew, $4).

For teatime, you can also get buttery Roti Bakar ($1.50, available on weekdays only) with kaya, plus other house-made desserts like Pengat Durian Pulut Hitam ($5.50), Ondeh Ondeh Cake, Walnut Brownie and Baklava.

Outside Tarik Cafe, there’s a small table set up with Samosas and Sardine and Potato Epok-epok (three for $2) in rustic rattan baskets, which you tapow yourself with a pair of tongs and a paper bag. Very cute concept, though you shouldn’t expect freshly-fried snacks here due to space constraint.

Address: 78 Arab Street, S199775

Opening hours: Open daily except Tues, 10am-8pm