SINGAPORE, July 22 — The two hawker stalls that have been awarded one Michelin star each are enjoying bustling business after last night’s awards ceremony.
At the Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle stall at Chinatown Food Complex, a snaking queue has formed since before it opened for business, winding past several stalls.
When TODAY arrived at around noon, there were some 40 people in the queue, and customers said they waited for around one-and-a-half hours before they could get their meal. Three hours later, the length of the queue was still the same.
Owner Chan Hon Meng told TODAY that he has no intention of raising prices following his award. However, he is considering opening another restaurant in one year, preferably with air-conditioning.
Adding that he knew about the Michelin award some 10 years ago, Chan said he is aware that it is a coveted award and he is very grateful and happy he received it. Other hawker should be awarded too, he pointed out, as the Michelin ratings only look at the food quality and not ambience or service. “There should be more of such hawker stalls like us getting his award, it’s a good encouragement.”
He added: “I would love to try the other restaurants that were awarded Michelin Stars... I wish to try them all.”
Chan’s stall is among 22 restaurants who have been awarded one star by Michelin Guide Singapore. The Guide also awarded six restaurants with two stars and one with three stars.
Over at Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle at Crawford Lane, the crowd situation was the same, with long queues that required at a wait of more than an hour.
Asked whether he has heard of the Michelin awards, Tang Chay Seng, who runs the outlet, replied: “Yes, I’ve heard of Michelin before and have eaten at Michelin restaurants”, adding that he has tried one in Hong Kong before.
Kevin Yip, 48, who came from his workplace in Toa Payoh to try the noodles at Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, said he queued for around 90 minutes. “I tried another stall at Chinatown which was good. But I was told this is better. I think with this award it is good to try (this place out),” he said. — TODAY
