SINGAPORE - Hawker food is synonymous with good, cheap fare that
fill the stomach without breaking the bank. Twenty-five hawkers
selling some of Singapore's best known dishes were recently
highlighted by the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) for
their ability to keep prices low despite rising costs.
Here are five of them who have caught the hearts, and stomachs, of
Singaporean foodies, and where you can find them.
Le Gong Noodle House
Blk 216 Market and Cooked Food Centre,
Bedok North Street 1 #01-38
Le Gong Noodle House has been operating out of its hawker stall in
Bedok North for the past 30 years but in recent years, it has had
to remove some items, such as minced meat noodles, from its
menu.
The costs of raw materials, such as mushrooms, has increased over
the years, but the stall has kept the price of its fishball noodles
at $2.50.
There are at least three other stalls in the food centre selling
fishball noodles, with prices ranging between $2.80 and $3.50.
"We try not to increase our prices," said Mr Teng Beng Khit, who
runs the stall with his wife. "Our long-time customers have been
supporting us for many years. We want to keep prices affordable for
them."
"We do not earn as much as before, but it is enough to get by."
Despite more food places popping up here, cheap food options are a
rare find. "You cannot find such prices at food courts or hawker
centres here," said customer David Chew, 42. "It is hard to find a
stall that doesn't compromise on its quality despite rising
costs."
Hajmeer Kwaja Muslim Food
Maxwell Food Centre
1 Kadayanallur Street #01-103
Hajmeer Kwaja Muslim Food has been a mainstay in Maxwell Food
Centre since its inception, being one of the original stalls to
open there in 1986.
Its founder, Mr Omar Khathabh, died last year. His son and grandson
continue to run the stall.
Mr Omar's godson, Mr Mogan, 66, who works at the stall, said: "We
try not to increase prices, because this is a hawkers centre. We
want everyone to be able to come and eat our food."
"The last time we increased prices was three years ago - by about
50 cents for rice dishes, and 10 cents for prata. That was when
prices for ingredients increased and we had to break even."
Regulars swear by its mutton briyani, as well as its mixed rice
dishes. Its nasi briyani of all varieties - chicken, mutton and
fish - is one of the cheapest in Singapore at $4.50.
Said regular customer Mr Anil Goswami, 38, who works in the
entertainment industry: "There's a variety of good food choices.
The taste is awesome and always constant, and they never compromise
on ingredients."
Deen Restaurant
Lavender 803 Food House
803 King George's Avenue #01-146
Mr Sequ Jamaldeen grew up at his parents' Indian Muslim food stall
in Lavender, and has seen all the changes in the area.
"There are more food places here compared to the past," said Mr
Sequ, 36. "Customers now have many options. They can easily find
other places to eat."
To keep long-time customers coming back, the stall, which offers
Indian Muslim fare such as roti prata and mee goreng, has not
changed the prices for most of its items the past 10 years. The
price for a plain roti prata is $0.80, one of the lowest here.
"The costs are increasing, but we are still maintaining our
prices," said the stall assistant, adding that rental for the stall
has increased to $6,000, up from about $5,000 two years ago. "Some
of our customers have been with us for close to 20 years."
The stall typically sees some 50 to 60 customers at lunchtime. It
has recently resorted to creating its own curry masala blend,
rather than purchasing from suppliers.
It is not easy, said Mr Adnan Nan, a long-time customer of the
stall. "They are facing a tough time, especially with rising costs.
But they always find a way to overcome their challenges."
Fei Zai Mixed Vegetable Rice Porridge
Maxwell Food Centre
1 Kadayanallur Street #01-03
For sheer value, no other stall beats the ubiquitous mixed
vegetable rice, or cai peng, stall.
Fei Zai Mixed Vegetable Rice Porridge was pointed out by the Case
survey as being one of the cheapest mixed vegetable rice stalls in
Singapore. A plate of rice with two choices of vegetables and one
meat will set you back $2.50.
When The Straits Times visited the stall lunchtime on Monday, the
queue grew steadily during the hour, snaking down three stalls.
Owner Edmund Li, 31, has yet to raise prices since he opened it
seven years ago.
"Costs have gone up, but we have lots of regular customers," said
Mr Li, who runs the stall together with his parents. "We had to
switch to cheaper ingredients in the past, but we're doing
well.
"We still make about 30 to 40 per cent profit," he said.
Financial analyst Rachel Poh, 26, visits the stall for lunch
regularly, citing the cost and wide spread of dishes as the main
draws.
"There's wide variety, and the food is tasty. They also have new
dishes every week," she said.
Mr Li said variety was key to keeping his customers coming
back.
"People will get sick of the same few dishes," he said. "We either
change the way we cook the food, or we rotate the types of dishes
we have."
Delicious Cooked Food
Kallang Estate Market and Food Centre
Blk 17 Old Airport Road #01-07
At $2.50, IT manager David Lim considers his lunch of curry rice,
long beans, cabbage and pork cubes an affordable meal.
"Gone are the days when you can find hawker food at such a good
price," said the 28-year-old, adding that the same lunch would cost
about $4 at other stalls. "It is not easy to find cheap food
options as in the past. These stalls are fast disappearing."
To cope with rising costs of raw materials and rent, Delicious
Cooked Food at Old Airport Road has been raising prices. A plate of
mixed vegetables rice with two vegetables and one meat was $2.30
two years ago, but has since gone up to $2.50. But the stall hopes
to maintain the price the next few years.
"We are not here to earn big bucks. We are okay as long as we can
earn a decent income," said stall helper Hoo See San, 72. "This is
an old estate. Our prices have to remain affordable. If not, the
residents here would find it hard to accept."
ST
