Xavier Neo has lost 5kg in one week. Ever since the 43-year-old started his own Singaporean-style Hokkien mee hawker stall called Hokkien Man Hokkien Mee a fortnight ago, he has been working 14-hour days.
Every morning, he wakes up at 5am and makes his way to his stall at a kopitiam in Toa Payoh Lor 7, where he prepares prawn stock that takes three hours to cook. He ends work at “around 7pm” after washing up at the end of a long, tedious day.
It’s a very different scene from Xavier’s previous job. For over a decade, the professional chef used to work at fine-dining restaurants (“I didn’t go to culinary school; I started from the lowest position as an apprentice and worked my way up”) — his last job was a sous chef at two Michelin-starred French restaurant Les Amis where he worked for over five years, and mod European restaurants Novus (now defunct) and The White Rabbit.
“The kitchen was air-conditioned back then, but my stall is hotter and more cramped,” he says. “The biggest difference [between being a hawker and chef] is that I used to work eight to 10 hours a day as a chef, but now I work 14 hours. We’re running our own business, so we do everything ourselves.”
I consent to the use of my personal data by Mediacorp and the Mediacorp group of companies (collectively “Mediacorp”) to send me notices, information, promotions and updates including marketing and advertising materials in relation to Mediacorp’s goods and services and those of third party organisations selected by Mediacorp, and for research and analysis, including surveys and polls.
Of course there's a pecking order among celebs.
Tap link in bio to read more.
https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/asian/blackpink-lisa-tomohisa-yamashita-chased-away-bodyguard-827881
Enjoy a free-flow, help-yourself veggies and condiments at this stall serving Thai chicken noodle soup starting from $5. Link in bio to read more.
📍PhrikThai KuaiTiaoKai
Chinatown Complex, #02-150
335 Smith St,
S050335
https://tinyurl.com/yc4w6xc7
Thai lecturer opens popular Thai-style crepes, breakfast sandwiches, thai snacks and thai teas! Link in bio to read more.
📍Crispy Crepes
Marina Bay Link Mall,
8A Marina Boulevard, #B2-35
S018984.
https://tinyurl.com/3ksbr9js
Here is the place where Chen Ning gets all her home-cooked food. 526 BBQ Seafood is her parents’ store! Westie, have you tried it?
📍526 BBQ Seafood
526 Jurong West Street 52,
Singapore 640526
Singers Alfred Sim and Tay Kewei spent $180K to transform their HDB executive apartment into a modern luxe abode. Link in bio to read more
A bite-sized series that delivers current content on the latest and trendiest in Entertainment, Lifestyle and Food.
@keweitay @zolalfredo @ohyushi #justswipelah #cribswipe https://tinyurl.com/39p67chm
Can you dance Ke Mu San? If yes, Jiak Mee has something special for you! Link in bio to read more
📍 Jiak Mee
Bishan Cafeteria,
514 Bishan St 13, #02-494,
S570514
https://tinyurl.com/yc7y2cbb
We think it’s creepy and unnecessary.
To read the full story, click the link in our bio.
https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/asian/ai-resurrect-coco-lee-godfrey-gao-827801
📷 白鹿视频/Weibo
Craving Warabi mochi from Japan? Well, now you don’t have to go to Japan! The Warabimochi Kamakura chain has opened its first outlet in Singapore, and it sells out every day! Link in bio to read more
📍Warabimochi Kamakura
One Holland Village,
7 Holland Village Way,
#01-54 Singapore 275748
https://tinyurl.com/3vzzd2sh
This isn‘t your typical supermarket where you just shop for your everyday groceries.
📍FairPrice Finest Clarke Quay
3 River Valley Road,
Block B, #01-04 to 05,
Singapore 179019
You need to calm down, sir.
To read the full story, click the link in our bio.
https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/asian/malaysian-deputy-speaker-parliament-confuses-swifties-striptease-827746
📷Parlimen Malaysia/YouTube
Meet the ‘power’ couple behind Bao Er Cafe, which serves what might be the yummiest kaya toast in town. There’s good Hokkien mee here, too. Link in bio to read more.
📍Bao Er Cafe Balestier Plaza,
400 Balestier Rd, #02-01
Singapore 329802.
https://tinyurl.com/ynt7k99f
You May Also Like
Content is loading...
This browser is no longer supported
We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with 8 Days to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be.