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I set myself a mission: to wake up as early as possible to visit CCK Chee Cheong Fun. Hearing about a stall open from 4am intrigued me, and I hoped to arrive by 6am for an ultra-early breakfast. I overestimated my resolve – it took me 30 minutes to give in to my alarm’s shrill complaints and pull myself out of bed.
Fortunately, I succeeded in reaching the destination right before the sun’s rays hit the clouds. Arriving at 216 Coffee Shop in Choa Chu Kang before 7am was a surreal experience; it was dimly lit, and quite ulu, and the only sound was of cars zooming past.
CCK Chee Cheong Fun is an open stall without a proper signboard, hidden in the tiny coffeeshop.
Opening hours, prices and other details were printed on A4 sheets of paper and pasted on the stands, and only one lady was manning it. It reminded me of the stalls I see during my yearly CNY visits to Malaysia.
A relative had recommended the place to me a few weeks back. Her positive comments were mirrored in the reviews I’d found, most of which were lines of praise for its chee cheong fun (steamed rice rolls).
The stall sells a unique variation of the classic Chinese breakfast dish. Instead of smooth noodle rolls, the steamed rice batter sheets are pushed to form wrinkly layered folds that look somewhat like crumpled white satin.
I had been warned of possible crowds, but the eatery was empty on an early weekday morning, so I could take my time with my order. The vendor warmly suggested I take a seat first because the dishes are served directly to your table.
What I tried at CCK Chee Cheong Fun
My eyes must’ve been bigger than my stomach because I did not expect the large portions I received. No wonder the lady looked mildly concerned when I ordered two dishes and warned me, “You won’t be able to finish that, meimei!” Well, too late now!
I had requested the bestseller, and the vendor told me it was the BBQ Pork & Prawn (S$6). This flavour isn’t listed on the menu; rather, it’s a fusion of the Prawn (S$5) and BBQ Pork (S$5) rolls.
Forget satin – the cheong fun was more like silk; smooth, soft and delicate. The fragile sheets fell apart easily in contact with my chopsticks and the sauce, but the pieces that didn’t when I peeled back the layers resembled crumpled ribbons.
The light soy sauce that accompanied the rice rolls was a harmonious mixture of sweet and savoury. Soaking up the rich flavour, the otherwise plain white cheong fun slowly gained an off-white to brown tint.
To further enhance the dish, I opted for a generous spoonful of deep-fried shallots as garnish. While initially crispy, they turned soft in the gravy and infused it with their sharp fragrance.
Hock Lian Huat Prawn Cracker: 24-hour stall serving economical bee hoon & wu xiang xia bing at CCK
I soon realised why this was CCK Chee Cheong Fun’s most popular flavour. The chunks of prawn were fresh and bouncy, while the pork char siew shreds added a barbecue-flavoured sweetness. The two as separate flavours would’ve shone in their own way, but combining them brought the cheong fun to the next level.
The remaining options included Minced Pork (S$5), which I selected, as well as Plain (S$3.50) and Egg (S$5).
The bits of minced meat weren’t very visible, but they were there alright, nestled between the folds of the cheong fun. Each piece was fresh and chewy with the minced pork’s characteristic slightly fatty aftertaste. Though not a lot, I could at least taste the rich meatiness permeating throughout the rice roll.
I’d assumed that after all my time with SETHLUI.com, my increased spice tolerance would help me tackle the chilli. Boy, was I wrong.
I wasn’t given enough time to react before my tongue was instantly set on fire. The flames spread in my mouth, and while all looked calm on the surface, I was screaming internally. All this from a tiny pinch?!
Spice aside, it was mostly salty with a slight shrimpiness and chunky as the chilli had been chopped rather than blended into a dipping sauce. Even the seeds were present and left whole; they must’ve been the culprits that committed arson on my taste buds.
The chilli was definitely not for me, but I acknowledged its decent quality. It’s more suitable for heavy spice lovers like my other family members.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve read this far, perhaps you’ve already predicted my verdict.
This was a solid meal. CCK Chee Cheong Fun may look unassuming, but it’s truly a treasure that maybe not many have sought out. Paying S$5 for heavenly rice rolls is worth it, especially since they are quite filling. The fresh ingredients, especially the prawns, were a delight, and the cheong fun would not have been the same without them. Rest assured that I didn’t waste a drop; I dabao-ed the leftovers for my lunch.
Would I come back? Definitely – I’m already anticipating the next time that I return for another taste!
Expected damage: S$6 per pax
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