Famed Keong Saik Zi Char Institution Kok Sen To Open First Mall Outlet
The restaurant’s famous big prawn hor fun has an interestingly humble origin: it was created out of desperation by Kok Sen’s founder, a gambling addict who only had hor fun, eggs and dried shrimps left in his pantry but made a hit dish with them to save his biz.
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Kok Sen, the family-run Keong Saik zi char institution known for its Cantonese cooking and Michelin Bib Gourmand nod, is opening its first mall outlet at City Square Mall. The air-conditioned 90-seater is slated to soft open this Sunday (Dec 15).
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What to expect
The outlet will serve Kok Sen’s popular signature dishes like Big Prawn Hor Fun, Big Prawns Bee Hoon, Claypot Yong Tau Foo, Gan Xiang Fish Meat and Roasted Pork. Prices for the menu are expected to range from $15 to $30.
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Other than the classics, the City Square branch will offer an exclusive Smoked Tea Duck made with the founding family’s recipe.
The restaurant officially opens on Jan 11, 2025. The first 100 dine-in groups on Jan 13, 14 and 15 will receive a complimentary portion of Big Prawn Hor Fun, and are encouraged to pay it forward by donating any amount to the Arc Children’s Centre.
The restaurant officially opens on Jan 11, 2025. The first 100 dine-in groups on Jan 13, 14 and 15 will receive a complimentary portion of Big Prawn Hor Fun, and are encouraged to pay it forward by donating any amount to the Arc Children’s Centre.
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Big Prawn Hor Fun’s interesting origin story
Kok Sen is now managed by third-generation owner Jackie Wong, 47, a former engineer who still runs a ventilation business but also took over his parents' inherited zi char biz.His grandfather, a Chinese immigrant, started Kok Sen as a roadside zi char stall in 1970. The senior Mr Wong had his own struggles along the way. A gambling addict, he drained his savings, which forced him to think of ways to increase his business revenue.
At a low point, he only had hor fun, eggs and dried shrimps left as supplies, which he used to create a dish that would evolve to become his restaurant’s famous Big Prawn Hor Fun.
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The original Keong Saik restaurant has also been upgraded — in 2022, it shifted down the road to a larger air-conditioned unit. Its expansion plans remain family-run.
Kok Sen’s first outlet opens Dec 15 at #04-31/32 City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Rd, S208539. Open daily 11am-9pm. www.instagram.com/koksenrestaurant_sg
Photos: Kok Sen
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