Hedy Khoo

Singapore

Senior Correspondent at The Straits Times

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Articles

Tastemakers: Korean fried chicken chain Jinjja Chicken reveals its Singapore roots after 10 years

5 days ago | straitstimes.com | Hedy Khoo

SINGAPORE – When you learn that Korean fried chicken chain Jinjja Chicken is actually a local brand, your first reaction might be: “Jinjja?” That is a common expression in Korean for surprise, something along the lines of “Really?”For 10 years since starting his restaurant chain in 2015, Singaporean Bernard Tay kept a low profile, not wanting to broadcast the fact that Jinjja Chicken is a home-grown brand. He co-owns the halal-certified chain with a partner who is also Singaporean.
Rice to the occasion: Bold new twists on nasi lemak with familiar tastes

1 week ago | straitstimes.com | Hedy Khoo

SINGAPORE – Nasi lemak bun. Nasi lemak burger. Nasi lemak risotto. The hawker dish has been revamped and is enjoying a resurgence in popularity with new iterations. The breakfast staple traditionally comes with coconut rice accompanied by ikan bilis, peanuts, sambal and slices of cucumber, sometimes with a fried ikan kuning or chicken wing. Gen Z foodpreneurs have given their own twist to the local favourite.
Tastemakers: Former flight attendant’s nasi lemak chain now has 26 outlets and $7 million revenue

3 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Hedy Khoo

SINGAPORE – Former flight attendant Noorman Mubarak, 46, was earning up to $20,000 a month as a project manager in the oil and gas industry, when he quit and turned hawker in 2017. Together with his wife and a long-time friend, he started Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang as a hawker stall at Yishun Park Hawker Centre.
From softball to you tiao chain

3 weeks ago | thestar.com.my | Hedy Khoo

WHEN her best friend asked her to invest in her fledgling you tiao business in 2019, Wang Jing Fang put in S$10,000 as a side hustle. Little did the 34-year-old expect that their you tiao hawker stall would grow into a fried snack chain generating an annual revenue of more than S$2mil. Already a subscriber? Log in. Save 30% and win Bosch appliances! More Info Billed as RM9.73 for the 1st month then RM13.90 thereafters.
Food Picks: Taiwanese restaurant Abundance launches Nasi Lemak Bun

4 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Hedy Khoo

SINGAPORE – Taiwanese restaurant and craft beer bar Abundance has launched a credible iteration of a much-beloved classic dish in the form of the Nasi Lemak Bun ($10.90++). The hefty bao will be on the menu until the end of May. To replace the fragrance and flavour of coconut rice, co-founder Jaz Yew, 43, has cleverly tapped coconut flakes to provide the aroma of coconut in his bun rendition. Crispy toasted coconut flakes impart sweet nuttiness.
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025: Odette ranks No. 7, named The Best Restaurant In Singapore

4 weeks ago | asianews.network | Hedy Khoo

March 26, 2025SINGAPORE – Seven Singapore restaurants have returned to the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list, down from nine in 2024. The list was announced in a live awards ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, on March 25. Fine-dining establishment Odette at National Gallery Singapore, opened in 2015, returns to the list for the ninth time at No. 7, up from No. 10 in 2024. It is also named The Best Restaurant in Singapore 2025. French fine-dining restaurant Les Amis advances 10 positions to No. 28.
Food Picks: Housemade kaya and hearty mains at Wanglee Cafe

4 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Hedy Khoo

SINGAPORE – Wanglee Cafe is a no-frills cafe which offers housemade kaya and hearty mains, such as its signature Chilli Pan Mee, in Lorong 4 Toa Payoh. The 36-seat cafe, which fills up quickly around lunchtime, opened in June 2024. The focus is on the food as the three brothers behind the cafe are chefs in the food and drink business. A fourth partner handles the administrative part of the business.
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025: Odette ranks No. 7, named The Best Restaurant In Singapore

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Hedy Khoo

SINGAPORE – Seven Singapore restaurants have returned to the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list, down from nine in 2024. The list was announced in a live awards ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, on March 25. Fine-dining establishment Odette at National Gallery Singapore, opened in 2015, returns to the list for the ninth time at No. 7, up from No. 10 in 2024. It is also named The Best Restaurant in Singapore 2025. French fine-dining restaurant Les Amis advances 10 positions to No. 28.
Food Picks: Old-school fried snacks at You Tiao Mei’s Woodleigh outlet

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Hedy Khoo

SINGAPORE – Those hankering for tasty bites to satisfy a snack attack can head to Tau Suan You Tiao (You Tiao Mei) at Woodleigh Hawker Centre. Opened in September 2024, it is one of eight outlets under the You Tiao Mei snack chain which specialises in fried snacks. Start with the signature Tau Suan ($2.20), which comes with a topping of snipped you tiao in a hefty bowl that can easily feed two, especially if you are having it after a meal.
Tastemakers: How two former national softball teammates grew you tiao into a $2 million chain

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Hedy Khoo

SINGAPORE –When her best friend asked her to invest in her fledgling you tiao business in 2019, Ms Wang Jing Fang put in $10,000 as a side hustle. Little did the 34-year-old expect that their you tiao hawker stall would grow into a fried snack chain generating an annual revenue of more than $2 million. The snack chain branded You Tiao Mei, or “fritter little sisters” in Mandarin, now operates eight outlets and a central kitchen churning out its signature you tiao ($1.20 each) and tau suan ($2.20).