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Yahoo
30-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Shu Heng Bi Tai Mak: Slurp-worthy Johor-style bee tai mak worth waking up for
I don't think I truly understood the phrase 'third time's the charm' until I visited Shu Heng Bi Tai Mak. Or rather, tried to. Few noodle stalls in Singapore specialise in bee tai mak, also known as 'mouse tail noodles'. Most, if any, offer it as an alternative to bigger hits like mee pok. Well, not here — the chewy rice noodle takes centre stage at this Kebun Baru Food Centre stall. As a huge proponent of bee tai mak supremacy, I immediately placed it at the top of my to-eat list. But it stayed there, unchecked, way longer than I liked. My first attempt was thwarted by a 2-month closure for repairs and renovations. The second, the stall was on a personal break. And finally, the third. I can't put into words the relief when I saw the stall up and running. I wasn't even fazed by the queue, which impressively lasted the entire time I was there that fine morning. Worth mentioning: they're only open for 5 hours a day, their noodles regularly selling out before lunchtime. Talk about elusive! My first dish of the day was the Johor Bi Tai Mak (S$4), which I later learnt is the stall's main attraction — and supposedly only one of its kind on this side of the Causeway. I should've known, seeing that the third customer after me was told that it'd already sold out. This is me counting my lucky stars, really. This was unlike any noodle dish I've had before, and I mean that in the best way possible. The broth had a viscous, gravy-like consistency, and dotted throughout were all sorts of goodies: minced pork, chopped mushrooms, hae bee, garlic, fried shallots, spring onions and traces of salted fish. One spoonful in and it was clear as day why this one's a sell-out. I'd describe it as the perfect cross between a robust pork-based broth and light ikan bilis stock, livened up with a satisfying peppery kick. It was savoury and full-bodied, yet still clean and thoroughly drinkable. Slicked in the warming broth, the bee tai mak noodles packed immense flavour into each mouthful, their smooth, chewy texture nicely complemented by the tender minced meat and mushrooms. Humble, comforting and so very addictive. I couldn't help but feel like I'd struck gold. In my mind the whole time was just how I'd found the perfect remedy for a rainy day or the flu. Sorry, porridge — you've just been overthrown. Malaysian Hup Kee Fishball Noodle: Stellar handmade yellowtail fishballs & must-try Malaysian-style noodles in AMK Guns blazing, I got started on my second bowl: the lengthily named Mushroom Pork Minced Fish Ball Noodles (S$4.50), which I opted to have dry. It's not as complicated as it sounds — it's really just fishball bak chor mee, just with bee tai mak in place of the usually-alkaline mee pok. I loved it from first glance. I must commend Shu Heng Bi Tai Mak's generosity with its portions — at such an affordable price point, no less. My bowl came piled with oh-so-juicy braised mushrooms, a generous heap of moist, flavourful minced meat, several fishcake slices and 2 plump fishballs that delivered a satisfying snap as I sank my teeth into them. I gave the noodles a good toss, coating each stubby tendril in a glossy mix of dark sauce, chilli and vinegar. Embellished with a rich brown sheen, the bee tai mak soaked up the tasty sauce perfectly — each bite enriched with savoury depth and the umami-rich kick of the hae bee-laden chilli. While I'm not usually a fan of vinegar, its sharp tang was mellowed out by the gentle, rice-y bite of the noodles. I wolfed down the whole bowl so quickly, you'd think I had somewhere to be. Third time's the charm, and very charming my meal at Shu Heng Bi Tai Mak was indeed. The concept of bee tai mak as a stall's main speciality is pretty novel, but one they've certainly nailed. Call me dramatic, but both soup and dry versions blew me away, and I'm fully convinced that more noodle stalls should take a leaf out of their book. But as long as Shu Heng Bi Tai Mak reigns, I'll learn to become a morning person so I can catch them while they're open. Expected damage: S$4 – S$8.80 per pax 11 best stalls at Kebun Baru Market & Food Centre worth your travelling time The post Shu Heng Bi Tai Mak: Slurp-worthy Johor-style bee tai mak worth waking up for appeared first on
Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: Shaping of policies does not have to be adversarial, says PAP's Henry Kwek
Mr Henry Kwek, the PAP candidate for Kebun Baru SMC, speaking to the media during a walkabout at Mayflower Market and Food Centre on April 25. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY GE2025: Shaping of policies does not have to be adversarial, says PAP's Henry Kwek Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – Shaping of policies for Singapore does not need to be adversarial as this can be done by communities working together to help one another, Mr Henry Kwek, the PAP candidate for Kebun Baru SMC, said on April 25. Mr Kwek was responding to a question about comments made by his opponent, PSP candidate Tony Tan, at a rally on April 24 that more opposition voices are needed in Parliament. Speaking to the media at the launch of PAP's Kebun Baru manifesto, 'Always On Your Side', at the party's branch office in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, he said: 'I don't think that shaping policies should be adversarial. I feel that there is tremendous value in getting our community to come together to help one another. 'We will use many means of advocating for our people, be it parliamentary questions, speeches in Parliament, participating actively in debates, having motions, doing focus groups, putting up papers, using our direct line to persuade the front bench to see and respond to the change that we see needed on the ground.' Noting that he has been 'doing this for 10 years', Mr Kwek also pointed out how policies in Kebun Baru have evolved to better support seniors, young families and the wider community, with more expected in the next few years. Since 2015, social support in Kebun Baru has been strengthened by initiatives such as the Hope Collective, which helps needy and vulnerable residents, he added. The programmes include befriending socially isolated seniors, mentoring needy young families, and talent development for children from lower-income families. On infrastructure upgrades in the community, Mr Kwek said Kebun Baru has seen a makeover under the Remaking Our Heartland initiative. The Mayflower hawker centre and nearby parks have been upgraded, and new wayfinding features are being integrated with MRT exits to provide a clearer route for the elderly. Residents can also expect more enhancements in the public and private estates, he said. The Ang Mo Kio swimming complex is being rebuilt into a new ActiveSG hub, while Lentor Hills will welcome Lentor Modern, a mixed-use development with 96,000 sq ft of commercial space that includes a supermarket and about 50 shops. Private estates such as Teachers' Estate will be the first to benefit from the Estate Upgrading Programme, a new upgrading scheme tailored for seniors in older neighbourhoods. The upgrades include more senior-friendly amenities, as well as more footpaths, improved drainage and green spaces. A new ServiceSG office will open in AMK Hub by end-2026 to offer seniors in-person help to access government services, Mr Kwek added. Residents cheering for SM Lee Hsien Loong (centre) and Mr Henry Kwek (right), the PAP candidate for Kebun Baru SMC, during a walkabout at Mayflower Market and Food Centre on April 25. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Transport connectivity is also set to improve with upcoming projects like the MRT's Cross Island Line, and the North-South Corridor, freeing up the roads for buses, cycling paths and landscaped public spaces. Mr Kwek said more attention must also be given to the 'sandwich generation', who juggle work, caregiving and financial responsibilities. 'Some of them have health issues, some of them may have business challenges, and they need a bit of extra help. That is why we should do more for our sandwich class,' he said. 'That is a clear need that is evolving, and we will respond to that need like we always have been.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
