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Will you wait 45 minutes in the rain just for a bowl of Bak Chor Mee (BCM)? I would never, but the folks queuing at this new store will beg to differ.
What is the big deal?
The store is definitely not unfamiliar to those who LOVE the comforting Teochew staple.
Guess what, Tiong Bahru’s famed BCM spot has reopened at Havelock Road Food Centre, months after its sudden closure in June 2023.
With its former branch at Seng Poh Lane lacking a signboard, the coffeeshop store used to be known as “Sixties Teochew Traditional Minced Meat Noodle” or “that Tiong Bahru Old-school Bak Chor Mee” among fans.
The enigmatic eatery now sports an official name: Authentic Teochew Tradition Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle!
Affectionately known as Ah Chye, the man behind the scenes is a 77-year-old hawker Koh Lim Chye.
Boasting more than 60 years of minced meat noodle expertise, Ah Chye has helmed the popular store under the “Sixties Teochew” brand since 1960, back when his signature bak chor mee at the OG Chinatown branch costs only S$0.20. Haiz, inflation.
If you’re wondering why the Tiong Bahru kopitiam branch closed, it’s because the operator of the kopitiam gave up the lease. Thus, together with 2 of his neighbouring stall tenants, Ah Chye had to move after a decade of business there.
Now, he is back for good. You can expect the same menu and price at the new Havelock branch!
The vinegary old-school Bak Chor Mee (S$5/S$6/S$7) at Authentic Teochew Tradition Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle is generously loaded with de-shelled prawns, lean pork, wanton, sole fish (ti poh), fried shallots and pork lard, the 1 ingredient that Ah Chye believes defines a good bowl of tasty minced meat noodles.
Aside from his iconic dish, the store also serves piping bowls of Dumpling Soup (S$5) and other noodle varieties that include household-favourite Fishball Noodles (S$4) and very atas Abalone Noodles (S$12).
Living up to its name, Authentic Teochew Tradition Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle already has customers flocking to indulge in bowls of Ah Chye’s legacy.
Will you be next?
