recollection - hawker food

I've hesitated a lot about starting a blog here, as this site was meant to be a light one. But what matters more to me (at least for now) is to build a compilation of everything I've loved, even if they're no longer around. I'd probably fade away someday just like them. Still this would be a hopefully permanent record that these things have made such an impression on someone. Never forgotten.

This series has to start with food. We think we Singaporeans treasure our food, and it is a beautiful gastronomic experience to try out and support each new establishment. But I rarely see anyone reminisce those which have vanished silently from our radar, especially on social media. It's difficult to invoke a sense of resonance there anyway. We can rewatch old films and theatre performances, but we can never get to relive those same dishes just from photos and videos.

This space is meant to be timeless, though. So before my memory fades away, it's time to (spazz and) show my appreciation for some unforgettable hawker food experiences. As with most posts in this blog series, this will be a growing list I'd update over time.

Timbre+ One North - Economical fried rice, kway teow

These pictures were proud creations from my food photography craze back in university days. Taken using my good ol' Samsung in 2017, it's clear that the fried rice set itself apart with those distinct grains (粒粒分明). The kway teow noodle combo shined too, glistening with the right amount of oil.

Fried tofu balls!!! I can't find anything like that anymore - that crisp on the outside paired with mushy softness on the inside. They made my Saturday mornings whenever I accompanied Dad on walks to the area, and this stall was the perfect choice for breakfast. Before Dad left for work, sometimes he felt generous enough to buy more tofu balls for me to take home. And I'd smile to myself on the bus home just cuddling my lovely snack.

It was devastating when I heard Timbre+ underwent major renovations and this stall never returned. I don't even recall its name. The food was pricier than other traditional economical food stalls, but it was truly unforgettable.

Jurong Point Malaysia Boleh - Yong tau foo

Never thought I'd be including this on the list so soon, since I only discovered this stall in 2022 and it was one of the best yong tau foo I've ever tried. The uncle there wasn't friendly, but I was in awe when he deep fried the items in a huge wok, clearly with a lot of skill.

There was a lot of good balance here, it just set the standard for what a good set of yong tau foo should be. The right amount of crisp and oil in the fried items, the right proportion of meat, the right flavour in the soup (not too salty!).

I rarely visit Jurong Point after getting reemployed, and it was really to my dismay visiting Malaysia Boleh one year later realising this was gone. There was a new Hakka yong tau foo stall in there, but the items on the menu were a lot more expensive while having way less variety.