“NOT MOVING, REOPENING ON SEPT!” I can almost hear sighs of relief from fans of the best-rated bak chor mee in Singapore. Helmed by Mr Ho Qiu Yong, 40, MacPherson Minced Meat Noodles at Tai Thong Crescent is not shutting down nor relocating. Hooray!
Aside from a temporary renovation closure from 15 Aug to Sep, the famed stall will continue operations at the same coffeeshop that has housed them for 3 years. Wait, what’s the big deal?
Let’s jog your memory.
Due to its owner’s sudden passing in May, the fate of the Tai Thong kopitiam and its tenants was left uncertain. While the coffeeshop was then said to be sold, Yong decided to relocate his business to Jalan Besar in Sep. Additionally, MacPherson Minced Meat Noodle’s founder, Uncle Yap quietly opened another Tai Seng outlet amidst the hoo-ha.
Do NOT be confused like I was. Although both stalls are operating under the same name, the Tai Thong and Tai Seng stalls aren’t affiliated! Interestingly, Yong used to be an apprentice of Uncle Yap back when the young chap made a career switch from his previous IT job.
Back to what you’re here for. “I decided not to go ahead at Jalan Besar. The coffeeshop owner wanted some extra percentage of my daily sales,” Yong explained with a weary smile. Fortunately, “fate” had its way for him. The new kopitiam landlord is a longtime customer of his!
Yong continued, “Really fated lah, the new owner is my customer!” Despite a 30% increase in rent (because of reno and the change of hands), Yong was happy to stay on after encouragement from his regulars and customer-turned-landlord. Attributing his decision to the bulk of his customers patronising the current location, Yong said, “I think my customers will follow me even if I go.”
Bold claim, but me too. With no plans to change his menu prices, the hawker will resort to working longer hours to keep the business going.
The dedication. I was curious to know what sets him apart from his MacPherson Minced Meat Noodles shi fu though. “I tweaked the recipe to be better lor,” Yong said matter-of-factly. Wanting to bring something new to the table as a younger gen hawker, he explains that he now adds generous portions of ingredients to his “soup, mushroom sauce and chilli” to make it richer in taste.
Yong also revealed that most customers come for the stall’s delicately sweet broth and specifically the priciest dish in his menu: 小碗面 (Dish & Noodle) (S$7). However, for those who prefer sticking to the OG, his Bak Chor Mee (S$5) is laden with springy mee, savoury pork slices, well-cooked liver, savoury minced pork, earthy braised mushrooms and soft fishcake pieces. I heard that the Fishball Noodle (S$3) is a must-try as well!
Ehh, so where’s the new outlet?! People of the West, rejoice. Manned by his friend who previously worked with him, Yong’s second MacPherson Minced Meat Noodles location at Commonwealth will open in Aug.
One thing really leads to another and fate truly does wonders.
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Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles
47 Tai Thong Cres, Singapore 347867
Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles
47 Tai Thong Cres, Singapore 347867
