Usually, the best Hokkien Mee in Singapore is made by the “Lao Jiangs” — the old guard of hawker chefs. But they’re gradually disappearing as age catches up and they retire from the trade. Thankfully, a few from the younger generation have stepped up to take the reins. One such stall is Ah Jie Hokkien Mee, run by two Gen Z hawkers at a coffeeshop in Ang Mo Kio.
In a short time, it has earned a strong reputation for its excellent Hokkien Mee, stir-fried by hand by these two young chefs. Curious to see if it could hold its own against the veterans, I decided to give it a try. The stall offers three portion sizes: $6 for small, $8 for medium, and $10 for large. You can also add extras like pork lard ($1), sotong, or prawns ($2 each). I found the small portion a little pricey for Hokkien Mee, but as the saying goes, good food is worth paying for.
I ordered the $6 plate, and it arrived generously topped with crispy pork lard, three juicy prawns, slices of sotong, fluffy egg, and a rich pour of prawn broth. The moment it landed on the table, the fragrant aroma hit me and instantly whetted my appetite.
The first mouthful was outstanding. The noodles, thoroughly soaked in the savoury broth, burst with deep flavour and strong wok hei. The sotong was nicely chewy, the prawns had a satisfying snap, and the crispy pork lard added both texture and an extra layer of richness. The chilli was tasty when mixed in, but it packed a sharp, fiery sting that was a bit too overwhelming for me. Like most good Hokkien Mee, it does get jelak after a while. I started feeling that familiar heaviness midway through the plate. Still, that didn’t take away from how delicious it was.
Even though Ah Jie Hokkien Mee is no longer a hidden gem, it tells an inspiring story of what the younger generation can achieve when they pour their heart and soul into preserving Singapore’s hawker heritage.
Ratings:
Noodles: 7/10
Taste: 8/10
Price: 6/10
