Ah Kow Mushroom Minced Pork Mee – Legendary Bak Chor Mee

Mince Meat Noodle - Bak Chor Mee

Ah Kow Mushroom Minced Pork Mee (Bak Chor Mee - “BCM”) is one of the first hawkers that was awarded Singapore Hawker Legends by Makansutra in collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board to acknowledge the contributions and dedications of Hawkers to their craft and perfection of their dishes.

This review is Chubby Botak Koala personal tribute to this special legend.

My first encounter with Ah Kow was in 2002, during my first visit to Singapore. I was introduced to this BCM by Little Devil during one of our makan outings. During my first visit here, I have to confess that my taste buds was not accustomed to this dish. However, over the years, this place has grown on me and I know how to appreciate and enjoy a proper Bak Chor Mee.

Mr Cher Hang Peng hard work over the years has taken its toll over his body. He is no longer agile and as fast a before. As this is a self service stall, be ready to queue for about 30 - 40 minutes with around eight people in front of you to get your fix of BCM. Previously, it will probably take you half of the time.

Menu / Price List

We personally recommend to you to try the dry version of the BCM. I ordered the $5 version. It has the complete ingredients such as mince meat, lean meat, stewed mushrooms, tee po (sole fish), wantons to accompany the Mee Pok and the solid dash of vinegar. The noodle is very springy ( 'qq'), the 'tanginess' of the vinegar really binded these ingredients of this dish together. The chilli here is very powerful according to LD seal of approval. The lean meat is tender as it has been soak in flour mixture, and the tee po give a unique taste to the noodle.

Bak Chor Mee - Mee Pok

Bak Chor Mee - Mee Kia

The best way to eat this noodle is with these secret ingredient that you can help yourself to. Its called fried pork lard (la po), the not very healthy but the delicious and yummy ingredient. One thing that LD can't stop herself from eating. Just hope my GP does not see this post as he will be nagging at me for 1 hour plus.

The other item served here is Teochew Dumpling Soup. For $5 you actually get generous serving of dumplings and other ingredients. The fillings are generous and the mince pork is quite resilient. Unfortunately, the cloudy soup is bland, watery and not robust as the texture suggested. It seems that they left out a certain ingredients or forget to seasoned the soup.

Teochew Dumpling Soup - with Pork Lard on the side

Teochew Dumpling Soup

Overall, the dry version of BCM at Ah Kow is something that you must try once. It is unfortunate that the overall standard has slightly decline over the years. However, I personally still salute this person for his dedication to his trade craft. Cheers!!

Food: 8.5/10 (for the dry BCM)

6 /10 (for the soup)

Value: 7.5/10

Service: N/A

Ambiance: N/A

Ah Kow Mushroom Minced Pork Mee
531A Upper Cross Street
#02-43 Hong Lim Food Centre
Singapore 051531


Op Hours: 09.00 – 19.00


Other Branches:
Block 51 Old Airport Road
#01-124 Old Airport Road Food Centre
Singapore 390051

Op Hours: Fri – Wed, 09.00 – 21.00