Hill St Tai Hwa Pork Noodle Still The Only 1-Michelin-Starred Hawker For Michelin Guide S’pore 2022

Still the only one-Michelin-starred hawker

At the Michelin Guide Singapore 2022 gala tonight (Jul 12), the well-loved bak chor mee stall remains the only Michelin-starred hawker joint in Singapore, maintaining the one Michelin star it has been awarded since the guide was launched here in 2016.

One Michelin star is awarded to eateries with “High quality cooking [that are] worth a stop”, as assessed by anonymous Michelin inspectors. There are 42 one-star winners this year, of which seven are new: Burnt Ends, Restaurant Euphoria, Hamamoto, La Dame de Pic, Marguerite, Nae:um and Reve.

No plans to raise prices

Speaking to 8days.sg at the gala at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Tai Hwa’s boss Tang Chay Seng (pictured above with his right hand man and main stall cook), 76, says that he still has no plans to raise prices for his pork noodles. However, the stall has made adjustments to its menu in light of the recent overall price hikes for ingredients and utilities.

Current prices

Tai Hwa’s bak chor mee is now priced at $6/ $8/ $10 a bowl. The stall’s head cook tells us just before the Michelin star revelation that prices have remained unchanged, but “take away one wonton from the $6 bowl” (that's shrinkflation for you).

Expansion plans

As for whether he is planning to open more outlets (like High Street Tai Wah Pork Noodle at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, which was opened by Chay Seng’s younger brother and expanded into a chain last year), Chay Seng shakes his head and says matter-of-factly: “It’s so hard to find manpower now.” So we guess it’s a no… for now?

Hill St Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, #01-12, Blk 466 Crawford Ln, S190466. Open daily, Sun & Mon 9.30am-9pm, Tues & Wed 9.30am-8.30pm, Thur 9.30am-8pm, Fri & Sat 9,30am-8.30pm. www.facebook.com/people/Hill-Street-Tai-Hwa-Pork-Noodle/100063491712419