Hokkien ngoh hiang, or five-spice powder meat rolls, have been a guilty pleasure entrancing supper-goers for decades. (Especially when paired with greasy Bee Hoon and other fried side dishes.)
For ngoh hiang fans all over the island, it’s time to rejoice, as renowned hawker stall China Street Fritters has resumed business after closing its doors at Maxwell Food Centre in July 2023.
However, it is important to note that the stall will now run at a new location: Block 61 Telok Blangah Heights.
The 81-Year-Old Business Attempted to Sell Its Recipe at $1 Million Back in 2021
If the name China Street Fritters ring any bells, that’s because the owners (66-year-old Ng Kok Hua, his wife, and his three siblings) made headlines in 2021 for attempting to sell their secret ngoh hiang recipe.
While that lofty offer may sound ludicrous, the stall’s rich history may justify the price. The business was first established in 1942 by Mr Ng’s father, and the second-generation owners have carefully refined their ngoh hiang recipe for decades to successfully attract crowds of loyal customers.
Mr Ng also believes that any successor brave enough to take up the challenge would be able to make up for its cost with profits to spare.
However, the attempted sale of China Street Fritters’ ngoh hiang recipe also hints at a heartbreaking reality. No new successors have stepped up to inherit the stall, and the elderly owners have grown fatigued after decades of hard work.
In fact, Mr Ng’s poor health, among a slew of other reasons, was why the stall closed down at Maxwell Food Centre two months ago.
The Stall Closed Down At Maxwell Due to Owner’s Health Condition
In an interview with Shin Min Daily News back in May 2023, Mr Ng revealed that while a few investors considered the $1 million sale of the recipe, the deal was ultimately unsuccessful.
Furthermore, Mr Ng also shared that he might have to undergo surgery for a black spot in his eye. Other stall members also suffered similar health problems, such as varicose veins and knee problems, possibly due to gruelling work hours and old age.
These issues led to the fateful closure of China Street Fritters at Maxwell Food Centre, with the stall’s location being succeeded by another business.
China Street Fritters Reopens at Telok Blangah, Though No New Successors Have Stepped Up
Despite the seemingly tragic turn of events, China Street Fritters made a shocking comeback that stunned loyal customers, albeit in a different location with shorter operating hours.
No announcements were made, and it was discovered by a netizen instead.
It is quite bittersweet to find that the old owners are still the ones at the helm of the stall, as it seems that there were still no new successors willing to take over the business.
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