Bukit Merah’s Ye Shang Hai Teochew Porridge Closes, Reopening In The East

Ye Shang Hai was founded in 1984 by 94-year-old hawker Boo Kia Long (pictured), who’s as well-known for his suave fedora getup as his food. As his stall was open till 4am daily, it was frequented by supper-goers hankering for his affordable and tasty Teochew muay with an array of ingredients like braised pork belly, steamed fish and chye poh egg.

In 2017, Mr Boo shifted his operations to Lengkok Bahru. But just three years later in 2020, he returned to Bukit Merah, taking over an entire coffeeshop where he also opened a lok lok kiosk and drinks stall. In October this year, Ye Shang Hai closed its coffeeshop biz too. “The lease ended, and the [coffeeshop] owner rented out the whole place to another operator,” a Ye Shang Hai rep tells 8days.sg.

But the porridge stall is not leaving Bukit Merah permanently, as the rep adds: “We are still looking for a new location [to reopen] around there.”

In the meantime, Ye Shang Hai is expanding to the east side, with a new kopitiam stall opening on Dec 20. But don’t expect to drop by for midnight supper here; it’s only open till 10.30pm daily.

But it offers the same crowd-pleasing dishes as its former Bukit Merah spot — Claypot Braised Pork Trotter ($8), Braised Duck (from $4), Steamed Meatball ($1), Teochew Steamed Fish (from $12), Hae Bee Hiam ($2) and Braised Chicken Feet (from $0.80).

For its opening promotion from Dec 20, 2021 to January 19, 2022, the new Tampines stall is offering its Steamed Fish at $8.80 (usual price $12++). Choose from a variety of fishes like golden pomfret and red grouper. You will have to flash the photo above to the staff to enjoy the promo, though (limited to one redemption per customer).

Address: #01-148, Blk 138 Tampines St 11, S521138.

Opening hours: Open daily 10.30am-10.30pm.

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Photos: Ye Shang Hai Teochew Porridge