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It has been almost a year since my feature on Singapore’s worst-rated orh jian, which surprisingly turned out to be not too bad. So naturally, I was over the moon when I turned the tables around and visit the best-rated oyster omelette on Google instead. The coveted title belongs to Hougang Oyster Omelette & Fried Kway Teow at 435A Hougang Avenue 8, with a 4.3 star out of 5 rating and amassing a total of 967 reviews (at time of writing).
Call it perfect timing or pure coincidence, but just a week ago, local radio station Class 95FM had also awarded this stall the Best Oyster Omelette in their Foodies’ Choice. Fearing potentially insane queues, I headed over at 11.15am (just 15 mins after their opening). There were about 5 people in the queue.
The business has been run by Mr and Mrs Ong for the past 34 years — from a temporary space at Singapore Expo and a pasar malam stand to 2 stalls at a coffee shop (this one included). Mr Ong, an avid orh jian aficionado, was once among the chefs responsible for feeding our army soldiers in camp. The couple learnt how to fry oyster omelette on their own without any prior training, refining their skills over the years through (a lot of) trial and error.
The couple each has their own lil’ section — Mrs Ong will be frying char kway teow at the back while Mr Ong dazzles the crowd with his oyster omelette skills at the front. While busy handling orders, both of them have their own ‘code’ while communicating with each other — it was so cute to see. There is a quiet dignity in watching Mr. Ong work; though the years have hunched his shoulders over the oyster pan, his dedication hasn’t wavered. It’s a reminder to savour these flavours while we still have the chance.
What to order at Hougang Oyster Omelette & Fried Kway Teow
Of course, it goes without saying — have the Hougang Fried Oyster. It comes in 2 sizes: S$6 for Small and S$7 for Large. I didn’t hesitate and went straight for the S$7 portion. Before the first bite, the aesthetic was already flawless: deep-brown, perfectly charred clusters of egg and flour crowned with five or six plump Korean oysters and a vibrant garnish of fresh coriander. While I was snapping photographs, my dining partners heard a tiny growl in my stomach. I was ready to dig in.
The first mouthful was heavenly — crispy, aromatic, and gorgeously eggy with the slight chewiness of the starchy bits. However, the second and third pieces that followed were slightly more doughy and less crispy than I would have liked. Perhaps Mr Ong was rushing a little and didn’t manage to nail every single piece well. Overall, it wasn’t overly oily and still came across as a better-than-average fried oyster omelette, in my humble opinion.
The oysters, sourced from the land of K-dramas, didn’t disappoint — fresh, briny, and juicy. Together with the perfectly balanced fried egg and crispy starch clusters , they made for a winning combination. Mr Ong had probably thrown in a little coriander at the end just before serving, which really took the whole combo up a notch with its fresh, citrusy notes.
Don’t forget to help yourself to a saucer (or two) of their homemade chilli sauce. It brings just the right kick of zest and spice to slice through the richness, saving you from getting cloyed by all that glorious richness.
Who Hougang Oyster Omelette & Fried Kway Teow is best for
Oyster omelette may be sinful and far from healthy, but you’ve got to admit, those dishes are almost always the most delicious. Orh luak enthusiasts who love the brininess of oysters and the charred eggy bits, swing by to satisfy your cravings.
How to get there?
Don’t be like me and take a 10-minute stroll under the hot sun from Hougang Bus Interchange to get to the kopitiam at 435A Hougang Avenue 8. Instead, there are bus services that will take you to the following bus stops: Blk 436, Blk 434, and Bet Blks 544/546. Do keep a lookout for Punggol Primary School which is just next door.
Do we recommend Hougang Oyster Omelette & Fried Kway Teow?
Even though I think that the 4.3-star rating is a little too high and I’d rate it 4 stars instead, it still belongs under my list of delicious orh luak. Don’t be mistaken, I would still recommend Hougang Oyster Omelette & Fried Kway Teow. If every single piece of the eggy starch clusters were crispy, I would have rated them higher. Other than that, the portion size, oysters, taste, and chilli were all on point.
To avoid disappointment, do check on their Facebook page before heading down — they regularly post updates on their closures.
Being a first-timer to this stall, I would certainly return to support Mr and Mrs Ong again. Till next time!
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