3 days ago
Walao eh, it's Chow Yun-fat! HK icon on why he hearts Singapore hawker food and Singlish catchphrases
SINGAPORE, July 7 — When Hong Kong screen legend Chow Yun-fat says he's a 'hawker centre kind of guy', he really means it — no need to act, okay?
The 70-year-old superstar, in Singapore for Mediacorp's Star Awards yesterday, left Singaporeans in a frenzy of 'walao eh's and 'paiseh'-faced selfies after showing up to present the Top 10 Most Popular Artiste awards. But it's what he did off the glitzy stage that really won hearts.
In a candid chat with CNA Lifestyle, the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star revealed his true Singapore obsessions: chicken rice, Teochew kueh and the humble hawker centre.
'Singapore — what places can I go to? I just sleep and go to the markets and eat,' he said, with that famously cheeky grin.
His hawker hit-list includes crowd favourites like Old Airport Road, Newton, Maxwell and Lau Pa Sat.
And before you ask — yes, he does have a favourite dish. 'Chicken rice,' he said without missing a beat. 'My favourite is the one at Maxwell Food Centre.'
And don't think he's just popping by for a quick meal. Chow goes full makan warrior mode: 'Sometimes I go to seven, eight hawker centres and eat a bit at every one,' he told CNA Lifestyle. Respect, lah.
The veteran actor, known worldwide for roles in A Better Tomorrow and The Killer, also has a sweet (and savoury) spot for Teochew kueh from Cairnhill.
'Every hawker centre has their specialty,' he added.
It helps that Chow has some insider connections — he's married to Singaporean Jasmine Tan.
So it's no surprise he's picked up a bit of Singlish along the way. His top picks? The iconic 'walao eh' ('can use for anything,' basically), the humble 'paiseh' (when you're a bit shy shy), and the ultimate go-with-the-flow 'chin chai' (because sometimes anything goes, hor?).
While he may be a cinematic giant with over 100 productions under his belt, Chow's love for Singapore's food and local lingo shows he's as down-to-earth as they come.
Shopping malls? 'I don't go to any of the shopping centres,' he told CNA Lifestyle. 'I just go to the hawker centres.' Now that's a superstar move.
