Hawker Draws Attention For Tasty Chicken Chop & Unusual ‘Grass-Cutting’ Outfit

Hawker sometimes just dons simple scarf and hat

On other days, the hawker’s outfit is slightly less elaborate but equally covered up (see above) — like this cap and scarf simply draped over her face, leaving only her eyes exposed. Her unusual sartorial choice is a talking point among customers.

Does she have respiratory issues? Is it to protect herself from splattering oil and smoke? Does she want to stay anonymous? Alas, these questions will have to wait for another day when 8days.sg has time to drop by her stall. 

Good old-school Western grub, says customer & owner of Akashi restaurant 

One of We Western’s fans is chef-owner of Japanese restaurant Akashi, Mervin Goh, who raved about the stall on Facebook. He first discovered the western joint pre-covid, but only became more of a regular in the past month. He tells 8days.sg that the lady, who’s always dressed in similar attire, is “very friendly” and “quick”. A friend commented on his post: “I wonder how she can wrap herself up to cook”, to which Mervin jokingly responded that she’s got “two bottles of Carlsberg [beer] next to the plates” to stay cool.  

Mervin says he’s seen the hawker unmask before, but only to “have a sip of her drink when she’s less busy”.

According to Mervin, Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre has at least three other western food stalls, but “her stall invites the longest queue”. However, the “waiting time is not ridiculous” and patrons often get their food within 15 minutes.

Most popular dishes here chicken chop and cutlet

Mervin says the Western food here is “old-style and straightforward” and he enjoys the nostalgic flavours. Of the eight dishes on the menu, Mervin recommends the Chicken Chop ($8), which is “nicely seared” till the “skin is crispy and meat succulent”. It’s drizzled in a peppery mushroom sauce and served alongside “generous portions” of coleslaw, baked beans and fries. 

Meanwhile, the crumbed Chicken Cutlet ($8) is another dish here that’s well-loved among other netizens.

We Western is at #01-19 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre, 115 Bukit Merah View, S151115. Open Wed-Sun, 12pm-9pm. 

Photos: Mervin Goh & Hawkerpedia

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