Do you believe in second chances? Former air stewardess and founder of Whisking Bakes, Chanel, certainly made good use of hers when she struck out on her own after the pandemic claimed her job. The home-based business has grown tremendously since its inception in May 2020, even moving into a permanent space on Crawford Lane to sell the world’s first orh nee tart balls, among other taro-themed baked goods.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Nian Nian You Yu has closed.
Stories of ex-restaurant chefs striking it out on their own are hardly new. But, what about chefs that completely switched cuisines along the way? That is how Nian Nian You Yu – a fairly new hawker stall opened by a former chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant – came about.
Operating alongside iconic neighbours such as Tian Tian Chicken Rice and Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake at Maxwell Food Centre on Kadayanallur Street, one would never suspect that Nian Nian You Yu’s chef once churned out mod European foods at the likes of Bacchanalia and Sommer. Still, it’s not hard to miss this up-and-coming stall with its neon blue sign and its name spelled in both mandarin and pinyin.
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.
I’ve been striving to expand my horizons of hawker food in Singapore and River South Hoe Nam Prawn Noodles just happened to turn up on my search for a lunch spot during a venture to Potong Pasir. Despite the sweltering weather that afternoon, I couldn’t resist hopping on a quick bus ride to check it out.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Lucky Dumplings has closed.
I don’t know about auspicious colours and numbers, but if someone labels a certain type of food “lucky”, you can be damned sure I’m getting my fill of it. Lucky for frequent town goers, the aptly-named Lucky Dumplings has set up shop in ION Orchard‘s foodie basement, with delicious noodles and dumplings available for the taking.
There has been a spate of Michelin Bib Gourmand hawker recipients expanding beyond their home bases and setting up shop across Singapore. Good for them – and good for us to be able to get a taste of their revered recipes closer to home! One of these growing hawker businesses is Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice, which recently opened its third outpost in Tampines Street 81.
Duo Chicken Rice ($5 – $6)
Seeking an alternative to the seemingly endless Christmas roasts this festive season? Celebrate the end of 2021 tze char style with Penang-themed food and BBQ skewers at George Town Tze Char, which has recently expanded with an all-new indoor dining experience and craft beer bar!
Chue On It 