24 Best Hawker Dishes According To 'The Noose’s' B.B. See and Jacques Ooi (Chua Enlai, lah)
We list our favourite hawker dishes and where to get them — as described in posh speak by ‘Frenchman’ Jacques Ooi and ‘Englishman’ B.B. See from 'The Noose'.
People say authentic hawker nosh is dying in Singapore. That perhaps in 20 years' time, you may not be able to find a solid plate of char kway teow with hum any more. But perhaps all that’s needed is to repackage the cuisine a little. To make it snazzier so the younger generation will be enticed to pick up the ladle and continue this tasty tradition. For that, we enlist the help of Chua Enlai and his two snooty alter egos, monsieur Jacques Ooi and sir B.B. See. Catch him and the rest of The Noose cast in the live show Noose & Kakis 2: My PSLE is Better than Yours from May 19 to May 21 at the MES Theatre at Mediacorp.
1. Bak Chor Mee
JACQUES OOI: “Fettuccine with funghi and polpetta (Italian for ‘mushroom’ and 'meatball') infused with fruity black vinegar.
8 DAYS says eat here: Tai Hwa Pork Noodles, #01-12 Tai Hwa Eating House, 466 Crawford Lane, S190465. Tel: 6292-7477.
2. Duck Rice
Jacques: “Singaporean-style duck a l’Orange, without the orange sauce, served on long-grain jasmine rice with a side of freshly sliced cucumbers.”
B.B. SEE: “Just like what they serve at the Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant in London. The cuisine of Bayswater.”
8 DAYS says eat here: Soon Kee Boneless Braised Duck, Happy Hawkers 喜多福, Blk 531, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10.
3. Mee Siam
8 DAYS says eat here: Home caterer Emily Goh, who used to run the now-defunct The Patio, does a wicked rendition of the dry-wet mee siam with robust gravy. Call 9738-8374 to order or visit www.emilynonyahomecook.com.
4. Ice Kachang
8 DAYS says eat here: An Ji Xiang Hua, #02-183 Chinatown Complex Food Centre, 355 Smith St, S050335.
5. Laksa
8 DAYS says eat here: Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa, #01-75 Alexandra Village Food Centre, 120 Bukit Merah Ln 1, S151119.
6. Bak Kut Teh
8 DAYS says eat here: Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh, #01-05/07 PSA Tanjong Pagar Complex, 7 Keppel Rd, S089053. Tel: 6222-9610.
7. Yong Tau Foo
8 DAYS says eat here: Goldhill Hakka Restaurant, 299A Changi Road, S419777. Tel: 6842-4283.
8. Char Kway Teow
8 DAYS says eat here: No. 18 Zion Road Fried Kway Teow. Stall 17, Zion Riverside Food Centre, 70 Zion Rd, S247792.
9. Kaya Toast with Soft-Boiled Eggs
8 DAYS says eat here: Chin Mee Chin Confectionary, 204 East Coast Rd, S428903. Tel: 6345-0419.
10. Nasi Lemak
8 DAYS says eat here: Ponggol Nasi Lemak, #01-01, 371 Jalan Besar, S208998. Tel: 6293-0020.
11. Fishball and Herh Keow Noodles
8 DAYS says eat here: Song Kee Fishball Noodles, 128 Tembeling Road, S423638.
12. Mee Rebus
8 DAYS says eat here: Yunos N Family, #01-01 Blk 724 Ang Mo Kio Food Centre, Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, S560724. (Psst, it's run by Singapore Idol champ Hady Mirza's uncle.)
13. Satay
8 DAYS says eat here: Haron Satay, Stall 55, Lagoon Food Village, 1220 East Coast Parkway, S468960. Tel: 6441-0495
14. Prawn Mee Soup
8 DAYS says eat here: Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodles, #01-15 Pek Kio Market and Food Centre, 41A Cambridge Rd, S211041.
15. Hokkien Mee
8 DAYS says eat here: Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee, #01-32 Old Airport Rd Food Centre, S390051.
16. Orh Luak
8 DAYS says eat here: Simon Road Oyster Omelette, Mee Sek Food Court, 965 Upp Serangoon Rd, S534721.
17. Rojak
8 DAYS says eat here: Balestier Road Hoover Rojak, #01-06 Whampoa Food Centre, 90 Whampoa Dr, S320090.
18. Chilli Crab
8 DAYS says eat here: Long Beach, 25 Dempsey Road, S249670. Tel: 6323-2222.
19. Roti Prata
8 DAYS says eat here: Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata, Poh Ho Restaurant, 7 Crane Rd, S429356.
20. Chicken Rice
8 DAYS says eat here: Tian Tian Chicken Rice, #01-10/11 Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur St, S069184. Tel: 9691-4852.
21. Chwee Kueh
8 DAYS says eat here: Jian Bo Shui Kweh, #02-05 Tiong Bahru Market, 30 Seng Poh Rd, S168898.
22. Curry Puff
8 DAYS says eat here: Lagoon Chicken Curry Puff, Stall 28 East Coast Lagoon Food Village, 1220 East Coast Parkway, S468960.
23. Mee Soto Ayam
8 DAYS says eat here: Selamat Datang Warong Pak Sapari, #01-09 Adam Road Food Centre, S289876.
24. Fried Carrot Cake
8 DAYS says eat here: Lau Goh Teochew Chye Tow Kway, Stall 26, Zion Riverside Food Centre, 70 Zion Rd, S247792.
Noose & Kakis 2: My PSLE is Better than Yours runs May 19-21 at the MES Theatre at Mediacorp. Get tickets ($65-$135) to the live show from Sistic.