Page 72 - Our Hawker Stories

I have a confession to make; I never like my “dining
experience” at hawker centres. As a member of the fast-
food generation, I struggle to understand why people
will spend time standing in snaking queues and waiting
over thirty minutes for a bowl of noodles. I would readily
waltz into any McDonald’s and have my cheeseburger
delivered to the table within five minutes from ordering
via the self-service kiosk. This Hawker Culture Heritage
Storytelling Project 2025 presents the opportunity
for me to strike a conversation with my parents on
Singapore’s hawker culture.

Bedok 85 Fengshan Food Centre, or “Bedok 85”, is a
culinary landmark in Singapore’s East, renowned for
its diverse selection of iconic local delights. “Bedok 85”
was established in the 1970s as part of the Singapore
Government’s broader initiative to centralise street
hawkers into organised and hygienic food centres. For
my mum, who grew up in Bedok, Xing Ji Ruo Cuo Mian is “I used to prefer fast food — until I realised
her comfort food from her childhood years. Even though that every hawker dish, like my parents’
my mum now adopts a keto diet, she would still influence
my dad now and then to order the minced meat noodles favourite at Bedok 85, holds a taste of
from Xing Ji and indulge in the meatballs and the soup. love, memory, and Singapore’s story.”

For my dad, who was born a “Westie”, “Bedok 85” serves
as the “supper stop” where he would meet my mum Zhou Yuxuan Alethea
after work during their dating days to catch up with each P5 Care
other on how their days went. My dad tells me that, no Red Swastika School
matter how bad the day is for them, the savoury food
from “Bedok 85” always recharge their soul and chases
their tiredness away.

I sense the importance of “Bedok 85” as a communal hub
and shared heritage for Singaporeans, and I do enjoy my
hainanese chicken rice. Maybe I shall dine more often
with my loved ones at “Bedok 85”.

68 Our Hawker Stories