If Japan has her ramen and Vietnam has her pho, then Singapore has her bak chor mee. Whether served dry with chilli and vinegar, or in a bowl of piping hot soup, bak chor mee is one of the must-try dishes if you’re in Singapore.
While bak chor mee stalls are a dime a dozen in Singapore’s rich hawker food scene, no stall has come quite close to being the most talked-about one as Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle on Crawford Lane. Not only is it the oldest bak chor mee stall in Singapore, but also it’s the cheapest one-Michelin meal.
If you’re curious about Tai Hwa Pork Noodle’s origins, it was opened in 1935 on Hill Street. Since then, it has shifted twice – first to Marina Square and then to its current hideout on Crawford Lane. You should also know it’s a separate business from Tai Wah Pork Noodle which earned Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2021 and sprouted various outlets across Singapore.
Lunch and dinner time queues are known to stretch to about two hours (almost as long as the infamous queues at the nearby Immigration Checkpoint Authority!), so if you’re craving these famous noods, be sure to clear your schedule just in case. Or, be prepared to attend a couple of work meetings while braving the humid hawker centre. Luckily, I was able to avoid the rush hour by heading over for an early dinner by chance.
Gan Mian ($6 for small, $8 for regular, $10 for large)
The secret is in the toppings, and it’s what makes Tai Hwa Pork Noodle’s Gan Mian ($6 for small, $8 for regular, $10 for large) worth every cent.
The minced meat and sliced pork, which are commonplace ingredients, are lean and fresh, while the pork liver is tender and perfectly cooked to eliminate its distinct iron taste. As someone who loathes rubbery and strong-tasting liver, Tai Hwa’s way of cooking hits the spot for me. I also love how there’s fried fish sole included as well! As for the handmade dumplings, they are are plump and tasty. And the mee pok makes for a satisfying base with a dash of added vinegar and chilli.
Even the soup stands out in its own way, with seaweed and plenty of pickled mustard greens to add some crunch and sourness. This is definitely not your run-of-the-mill concoction that gets dismissed for being a bland sidepiece to the main dish.
At $8 for a regular-sized bowl, it’s certainly on the higher end of the price spectrum but, there’s no denying these noodles are special and worthy of its queue time.
Cai Tang
You’re missing out in a huge way if you have yet to try Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles. For those who are curious but balk at long queues – good news! There is now a pre-order takeaway counter where you can get your noodles to go. Just be sure to send your order in advance via WhatsApp to the stall’s number.
Address: 466 Crawford Lane, 01-12, Singapore 190466
Google Maps
Nearest MRT: Lavender EW11
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday: 9.30am – 9pm
Closed on every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month
Contact: +65 9272 3920
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