New Stall with Unique Offerings!
This promising Gen Z stall at the newly opened Woodleigh Village Food Centre is quickly attracting attention with it’s unique offerings! They have two things going for them. First, their fried chicken boasts an incredible airy crust like that of a wu kok (fried yam dumplings), and second, their fried rice is redolent with the unmistakable aroma of wok hei!
From Marine Science to Fried Rice Paradise!
It’s hard to believe that the stall is run by a Gen Z couple, and even more surprising that it’s their very first venture! The duo’s journey began in their Polytechnic days, where they studied Marine Science and Aqua Culture. After graduation, Jay completed his National Service and worked for several years in a shipping company while Meera took on the role of a Lab Technician. However, driven by a passion for food and a desire to carve their own paths, the couple decided to take the plunge to become hawkerpreneurs!
With no formal culinary training, Jay spent six months working for free at a Zi Char stall after quitting his job, to gain the hands-on experience he needed. Equipped with these new skills, the couple launched a unique concept—Zi Char-style fried rice and fried chicken with a Malay twist. This fusion not only showcases their creativity but is also a reflection of their cross-cultural relationship.
Review
Fried Rice in Three Flavours
The stall offers three distinct flavors of fried rice — four if you include the plain egg fried rice. Their options are Hae Bee Hiam, Sambal, and Curry. On my friend Reuben’s recommendation, I decided to try the Hae Bee Hiam fried rice. The first thing that grabs your attention is the delightful wok hei aroma as the dish arrives. As my wife Lisa often says, “Win Oredi Lor!” Although I found the rice grains a bit dry, likely due to overfrying, the wok hei and the umami richness from the hae bee hiam were very good! 4.25/5
Wok Hei without Breaking a Sweat!
Curious about how our 25-year-old hawker hero achieved that wok hei in the fried rice, I took a peek into the kitchen. To my surprise, the wok hei was produced by a machine over an induction cooker! Jay didn’t even have to break a sweat while cooking it!
This was my first encounter with such a machine for stir-frying, and I was thoroughly impressed. It has completely shifted my perspective on the future of hawker food! I can now imagine a future where wok hei dishes are more widely available without having to train the hawkers for years to perfect the technique.
However, the secret to their fried rice isn’t just about the wok hei. The various pastes used are also excellent, and Jay makes them all from scratch with raw ingredients. He has a great palate, creating not only fantastic pastes for the fried rice but also excellent sauces which are served separately with the dish.
Amazing Crust!
Their fried chicken features a unique, lacy crust that resembles the exterior of a Wu Kok (fried yam dumpling). It’s the first time I’ve seen this type of crust on fried chicken, and it’s truly something to behold. The crust is ultra crispy and friable, offering a deeply satisfying cruuunnch when you bite into it! However, be prepared to set aside any dietary concerns, as it does leave your fingers quite oily! (Don’t forget to bring your wet wipes!) I would have rated them higher if it was just a tad less oily! 4.25/5
Make sure you order their Har Cheong Gai! Not only does it feature that incredible crust, but the flavor of the har cheong is bold and robust. Remarkably, despite being a Malay-owned stall and limited to using Halal-certified ingredients, they still manage to create a har cheong gai that surpasses many Zi Char stalls I’ve tried. If they could just make it a little less oily, I would have rated it even higher. 4.25/5
Conclusion
Promising next-gen hawkerpreneurs using innovative technology to recreate that elusive wok hei flavour! But it’s not just about the tech—they’re also deeply passionate about their food, making all their chili and rempah pastes from scratch. Their fried Har Cheong Gai is a must-try, boasting bold prawn paste flavor and an amazing crispy crust!
