Back in 2014, our Prime Minister was caught waiting 30 minutes for chicken wings. HUH?! Credit You can imagine the buzz 10 years ago. Where were his bodyguards? What was so good about these chicken wings? Why did he need to get this personally? The questions were endless. Standing quietly amidst the centre of this hoo-ha is Yan Fried Bee Hoon at Redhill Food Centre, the very same hawker store that sold chicken wings to PM Lee Hsien Loong. Renowned for long queues in the morning and late afternoon, this humble store has become a staple for most Redhill residents looking for a quick fix. Fun fa ..read more

The owner of the renowned Hup Lee Fried Bee Hoon hawker chain, 51-year-old Mr Tan Boon Hai, passed away on 2 May. Famed for opening 90 stores islandwide in 10 years, the entrepreneurial Mr Tan was opening at least 3 to 4 stores every month in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, his growing bee hoon empire was cut short by a diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in 2022. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is characterised by the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It starts with weak limbs or twitching muscles and escalates to difficulty moving, sw ..read more

I really dislike stalls with a massive menu selection; they’re my kryptonite! It took me 10 whole minutes of menu contemplation before I finally placed my lunch order at Chin Kee 77 along Hougang Avenue 5. And I’m not even kidding! You would normally expect claypot rice, bak kut teh and roasted meats to be sold in 3 separate shops, but this stall has everything under one roof. Chin Kee 77 isn’t an independent stall and has another outlet at Toa Payoh. What I tried at Chin Kee 77 I decided to start with the Wanton Noodle (S$4.50). Visually, nothing stood out except for the thiccc slices of g ..read more

I’m not sure if everyone shares this sentiment, but for me, nothing beats the thrill of enjoying a delicious supper compared to a nice dinner. Having grown bored of the usual haunts like mamak and loklok, I’ve been eagerly scouting for new options. And I have now stumbled upon BBQ Doubtful Life, located at Taman Abad. Credit BBQ Doubtful Life specialises in Szechuan-style BBQ, providing a variety of options to choose from, all priced affordably from RM1.90. There is outdoor seating available at the restaurant where you can relish tasty skewers while relaxing in a camping chair. Not only is thi ..read more

Commonly touted as one of Singapore’s best bak chor mee stalls, Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles needs no introduction. I bring great news for their many fans — they’ve opened a new outlet in Tai Seng! What’s more, it’s helmed by none other than Uncle Yap, the stall’s original owner. Credit Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles’s newest outlet is situated in a coffeeshop at 82 Playfair Rd. It opened on 29 Apr 2024 with little fanfare; the business only took to their Facebook page to make an official announcement days later on 2 May. Nonetheless, it didn’t take long for patrons to flock t ..read more

If you ask me, the healthiest possible dish you can find in a local hawker centre is thunder tea rice, otherwise known as lei cha. Those who frequent Amoy Street Food Centre would most likely be familiar with the popular stall, Lin Da Ma, which specialises in lei cha rice and noodles. For the uninitiated, lei cha is a Hakka dish originating from Southern China, typically featuring rice topped with various vegetables and nuts, and served with a special tea soup made from tea leaves, herbs and nuts. This nutritious dish is often perfect for health-conscious individuals— the amount of fibre in t ..read more

If you find yourself exploring Ang Mo Kio Town Centre and not having a clue on what to have for your next meal, don’t panic just yet! Why not head to 722 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 and check out Lai Fu Chaoshan Traditional Taste? Credit – Lai Fu Chaoshan Traditional Taste This new noodle kopitiam stall at KopiWU started operations on 18 April 2024. It’s helmed by Kelvin Chuah, who used to be the executive chef of Hatten Hotel Melaka and other establishments in countries like Taiwan, Cambodia and Indonesia. Credit – Lai Fu Chaoshan Traditional Taste In 1984, Kelvin’s senior old chef taught him the r ..read more

The award-winning chain restaurant hailing from China, 蜀都丰 SO DO FUN, has opened its first outlet in Singapore within Midtown House in Bugis. The chain boasts over 100 outlets in China and is the proud recipient of numerous awards— SO DO FUN once broke a national record for having an 11-hour long queue! Credit – SO DO FUN The restaurant is helmed by Master Chef Peng Ziyu, who has worked in the culinary industry for over 60 years. He is recognised globally for his mastery of Sichuan cuisine. The Boiled Live Fish is the key signature dish at SO DO FUN, with over 1 million plates being sold annua ..read more

If you seek recommendations for tasty bak kut teh in JB, you’ll often hear locals suggest Yap Seng Bak Kut Teh. With a Klang heritage of over 20 years, this establishment is committed to serving authentic and traditional flavours to the community. “We’ve been operating this business in Klang since the previous era,” mentioned one of the two owners, Lu. It has now been handed down to the third generation. According to the partners, bak kut teh in Klang was traditionally served in a bowl. However, to cater to modern preferences, the eatery also offers the option of claypot bak kut teh. Having ..read more

As new eateries flourish, some older establishments struggle with changing circumstances. It’s with deep regret that I learned that Pot Yeah Hot Pot will be shutting its doors after just one year of operation. Its final day of service is scheduled for 5 May 2024. Credit Pot Yeah Hot Pot has been a beloved spot for dinner and late-night meals in Mount Austin since its establishment. Specialising in a variety of flavourful casserole dishes, it has earned a place in the hearts of many. Additionally, it offers popular supper favourites like charcoal-grilled skewers and foil-baked dishes. Don’t mis ..read more