There was a part of me that wondered how my late-mum would feel, knowing that her favourite Char Kway Teow stall was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand. (And “Char Kway Teow” is finally given its due recognition.)
Perhaps she would have gone “Is it? Oh.”, and then life still carries on from there.
(Click PLAY for video highlights of Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee.)
I remember those days when I both dreaded and loved going to Outram Park.
My optician was there – and he would nag at me for reading in bad lighting; and after the checkup my mum would bring me to this coffeeshop.
It was often smoky and full of soot, that it felt like the kopitiam was on fire on something.
The elder Uncle Ng always whipped up a plate of Char Kway Teow that was dark, greasy, fragrant and so flavourful, that we would still find simple joy sharing a plate of Char Kway Teow.
The entire plate was full of hum and crunchy pork lard which I would love to bits. It might have explained my obesity problems at primary school.
Being short-sighted since the age of 5, meant I ate from this stall many, many times. Until it moved to Hong Lim Food Centre.
Mr Ng Chin Chye took over the stall from his father.
While it is not as smoky or oily than his father’s, his skills of executing a plate of Char Kway Teow with wok hei cannot be undermined.
He fries every plate individually, squeezing an exact 42 squeezes of a special mixture made of soy sauce and fish sauce.
The result is dark black rice noodles almost evenly covered with moist egg, still smoking hot when served, still with some of those crispy pork lard.
Its characteristic is its rather eggy and soft texture, lots of cockles added.
Watching him fry was a joy – always with a smile and often dancing, and you wonder how long it would continue for as his children are not likely to take over the business.
Is it “the best in Singapore”? I cannot give an answer to that, but can say that this is a taste that many of us grew up with, and would bring back pleasant, nostalgic memories.
Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee 欧南园炒粿條面
Hong Lim Food Centre #02-17, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
Opening Hours: 6am – 3:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun, PH
Other Related Entries
Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore 2018
Hong Lim Food Centre Hawker Guide
Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow (Old Airport Road Food Centre)
No. 18 Zion Road Fried Kway Teow (Zion Road Food Centre)
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