The third-generation chef-owner of hawker stall 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles tells us how she switched careers, and what she loves about Singapore
We love seeing bright-eyed and bushy-tailed youngsters in the local food scene. It’s not easy working in a hot, stuffy hawker centre, but someone’s gotta do it or we’ll be missing our favourite creations like chicken rice and laksa! Chef-owner of the ever-popular 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles, Li Ruifang, is one of these inspirational talents and she tells us where she loves to go for the best local food in Singapore – amongst plenty of other things!
Before helming 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles…
I worked in an MNC for a few years, but couldn’t find purpose in my job. I quit the company and found myself helping out at my father’s stall while considering my options. Eventually, I opened my own stall in Tekka, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
A solid bowl of prawn noodles…
should have a flavoursome broth. I use only wild-caught prawns for the sweetness they give. For dry prawn noodles, the balance of the condiments is crucial.
What I love most about Singapore…
is the variety of food options on the island. You can find all kinds of cuisines from Mexican to Russian.
I’ve lived in…
Ang Mo Kio all my life, and I grew up eating all the delicious local food from the hawker centres in the neighbourhood, like the food centre at 628 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, and the coffeeshop at 151 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5.
If you only have time for one place in Little India…
make it Tekka Centre. It’s a wet market, food centre and shopping mall rolled into one, offering everything from casual clothing and religious paraphernalia to fresh produce and local food from several ethnic communities.
New Ubin Seafood…
serves one of the city’s best black pepper crab. It has a unique smoky taste that doesn’t undermine the freshness of the crustacean. Their US Angus ribeye, seasoned simply and perfectly cooked, is also worth having.
I am very proud…
to be living in Singapore. I feel safe going out in the middle of the night for a supper – streets are brightly lit, and there are many eateries that open 24 hours a day. My go-to supper spots are 126 Eating House in Geylang for dim sum, and Ming Fa Fishball in Bedok.
545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles, #01-326 Tekka Food Centre, 665 Buffalo Road, Singapore 210665.
This article was first published in Singapore Insider. Pick up a copy of the print guide at Singapore Visitor Centres island-wide, including Orchard (junction of Cairnhill Road and Orchard Road), orchardgateway, ION Orchard (Level 1 Concierge), and Chinatown Visitor Centre (2 Banda Street), or download the latest issue.