Top Malaysian hawkers rediscovered at Resorts World Sentosa

The days of vacuum-packing char kway teow from your favorite Penang hawker are over.

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) has gathered 17 of Malaysia’s best hawkers for its new Malaysian Food Street, opening on January 12.

Hand-picked over the course of eight months by RWS’ committee of chefs and Malaysian natives, renowned stalls include Penang Lim Brothers’ char koay teow, Ah Mei Hokkien prawn mee, the original purveyor of lor mee (hai beng Hainan lor mee) and even the nostalgically crisp, flaky and buttery char siu and kaya pastries of Fung Wong Confectionary. 

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All have been lured from across the causeway to establish secondary ventures at Sentosa.

Having been fortunate enough to pre-taste some dishes, we can say that the Huen Kee claypot chicken rice (S$6) deserves its stellar 26-year reputation for its two-way cooking technique using charcoal stoves. The baked consistency to the marinated chicken and rice is exceptional, while still preserving its supple moisture and smoky flavor. 

In business for the past 40 years, the Lim Brothers' char koay teow (S$4) is a plate of evenly-coated, densely flavored thin, flat noodles, but elevated with the use of ultra-fresh ingredients and wok hei.

Ah Mei’s prawn mee (S$5) sings of a sweet, rich broth of a balanced concoction of pork bone, prawn shells, prawn heads, and fresh-cut chilis. 

But what’s a hawker experience without the atmosphere? RWS has made some effort to transport diners to the bustling side streets of Penang. 

From the prop TV antenna sticking out from a shop house rooftop to the metal-gated backdoor of a hawker stall, it’s all a bit kitsch, but provides for some pre-feast chatter.

This foodie haven won’t be conquered in one sitting, and you’ll leave salivating for more Jalan Alor Hokkien mee or Ah Long lor bak.

So if you are lacking things to do this weekend, lose the passport and go abroad, back home. 

 

Malaysian Food Street at Resorts World Sentosa
39 Artillery Ave.
Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Monday-Thursday); 9 a.m.-midnight (Friday and Saturday); 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sunday).