Kimly Zi Char 金味煮炒 (Hougang Avenue 5)

I’m always amazed by how they transform an entire chicken’s worth of meat into this thin sheet! 😂 Basically, each section of meat is spread via slicing strategically and then tenderized (i.e.: absolutely pulverized by smacking👏🏻) to yield a really thin and tender fillet. Not too sure about the process after that, but the crispy chicken skin atop each tender slice is really impressive; just like the topping of roast pork, it actually crackles upon chewing!! Generously coat each piece with the thick plum sauce, and it’s a party in your mouth with a blend of sweet and sour - brought together with a pleasant citrusy kick! 😋

As a true blue Singaporean who has had yam rings at every family dinner for the past 21 years, I’d never expect myself to be blown away by what I consider standard Asian fare. But there’s something special about the yam ring served here...apart from the overflowing abundance of veggies, squid, prawns, etc., the yam paste was what stood out most. Smooth and coated in a thin fried layer, the yam paste had a marked cinnamon undertone which did surprisingly did well in elevating the savoury yam flavor. The decorative crispy noodles were really on point as well - fried to perfection, each strand literally melted the second they were popped into my mouth!! Childhood me would’ve loved this 😂 My only gripe would be their soft and rather bland cashews...definitely would’ve fared better with prior roasting!!

Situated at the foot of a newly opened block of flats along Serangoon river, Kimly seafood serves a delightful array of mouthwatering tze char dishes fit for a family feast! We found a couple of their dishes to have character of their own, which really set them apart from their competitors. One of which: the Triple Seafood Mee Sua - loaded with fried quail’s eggs, squid, prawns, sliced fish, mushrooms, nai bai cai...these bits and bobs had their taste all woven together in a thick starchy sea of oyster sauce and threads of longevity noodles!

The spiciness melds beautifully with the subtle sweetness of the celery and works gorgeously to complement the prawns, and not forgetting the wok hei. I want more. Ok, that's all.

Mini-celebrations with the family are always held at this 'hawker restaurant'- Jin Wei Tze Char store. Touted by my parents as 'cheap and good', it really serves a wide variety of dishes at pretty affordable prices. And many family moments were forged here- the 'celebration' we had when we first shifted in 14 years back, our 'family outing' to soak in the rowdy atmosphere during election period and even 'celebrating' my welcome-home party when I first came back from my exchange programme 3 years back. What was first an ordinary kopitiam with a fantastic Tze char shop have slowly evolved over the years to a place where the drinks store auntie knows our orders by heart and the Tze char aunties knows exactly which delish new creations to recommend that suit our palette. The homely atmosphere here definitely transforms this space to a really special place in my heart. #hawkerpedia