With Queues Now Gone, Chef Wang Fried Rice Still Expands With New Hawker Stall In Potong Pasir

So what happened to the crazy queues? Jingjun tells us that the queues abated after “around two months”. Now, these snaking queues are entirely gone. The hawker offers two explanations: “Firstly, the competitiveness in the fried rice market has grown tremendously.” We can see what he means – we’ve covered no less than five other DTF-style fried rice hawker joints this year.

However, he also candidly admits that the loss in “around two-thirds” customers might have to do with food quality: “Second and more importantly, the quality of our food wasn’t consistent due to supplier issues. But we changed the supplier and adjusted our operating procedures, so we’d say that the food quality we insisted on is back,” he says. He declines to share which of his ingredients were affected, nor specific complaints, adding, “Every business gets complaints. You can’t please everyone, but we try to pay attention to complaints and make adjustments.”

When we asked him why he expanded the biz amid such issues, he explains: “The basic market demand for fried rice is still there. We’re continuing with confidence [that it will work].”

Expect the same eggy Din Tai Fung-style fried rice – along with a sambal belacan-laden version – and your choice of toppings. These range from classics like shrimp or pork chop, to fancier canned Australian abalones. Chicken cutlet, battered and crispy, is a new addition to the menu that you won’t be able to get at the original outlet. And yes, senior citizens still enjoy a $0.50 discount at both outlets.

The chicken cutlet will also be featured on the menu at future stalls – Jingjun tells us that plans for a third outlet in Chinatown are in the works, but can’t confirm any details except that it may be in a coffeeshop or standalone space.

A new offering at the Potong Pasir stall.

Top up $0.50 to get sambal with your fried rice.

Chef Wang Fried Rice’s second branch is at #01-93 Blk 147 Potong Pasir Ave 1, S350147. Tel: 9655-1905. Open daily 11am – 9pm. Delivery available via Deliveroo.

The original outlet is at #01-171, Beo Crescent Market, 38A Beo Crescent, S169982. Tel: 9655-1905. Open daily 10am - 8pm. Delivery available via Grabfood, Foodpanda & website.

Photos: Alvin Teo, Chef Wang Fried Rice