Chomp Chomp's Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles hawker dies aged 79

Dining Second-generation hawker Ng Hock Chuan was the son of one of Singapore’s Hokkien mee pioneers. He spent decades behind the wok at Chomp Chomp Food Centre, where the family stall has operated since the 1970s. The late veteran hawker Ng Hock Chuan is behind Michelin-recognised Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles at Chomp Chomp Food Centre. (Photo: Facebook/Hokkien Mee Hunting) New: You can now listen to articles. This audio is generated by an AI tool. Veteran hawker Ng Hock Chuan, the man behind Michelin-recognised Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles at Chomp Chomp Food Centre, has died at the age of 79, according to a Facebook tribute shared by a long-time customer.According to an obituary shared in the comments of the post by Facebook user Calvin Li, Ng died on Jul 16.Best known for his old-school Hokkien mee, Ng was also said to be part of one of the families that pioneered Singapore-style Hokkien mee.The customer shared that they had visited Chomp Chomp Food Centre looking forward to a plate of his Hokkien mee, only to discover the stall closed and learn from a neighbouring hawker that Ng had passed away."When I saw the stall closed, I asked the neighbouring hawker if Uncle was okay. They quietly told me he had passed away," the customer wrote. A tribute to the late hawker in the Facebook group, Hokkien Mee Hunting, where many fried Hokkien mee enthusiasts gather to share recommendations or hot spots. (Photo: Screenshot from Facebook) CUSTOMERS REMEMBER A HUMBLE HAWKERThe customer, who said they had grown up eating Ng's Hokkien mee, remembered him as a humble and dedicated hawker."Uncle was never loud or showy. He always had a quiet smile for his customers, then turned back to his wok with complete focus," they wrote.8days has reached out to Ng's family for comment but has not received a response at the time of publication. The shutters of Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles were seen to be shut. (Photo: Google Maps/GoAheadGroupFan) Ng was the fourth son of Ng Seng, one of two brothers who began frying what would become Singapore-style Hokkien mee along Rochor Road in the 1950s.In 1966, Ng ventured out on his own and started a Hokkien mee business around the Serangoon Gardens area. By the seventies, he had begun operating his stall at Chomp Chomp Food Centre.Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles was known for its take on the local favourite, serving yellow noodles and thin bee hoon with prawns, squid and slices of pork. With plates priced from S$4, it drew loyal customers for decades and has been listed in the Michelin Guide Singapore since 2018. The late hawker's Hokkien mee was a fan-favourite among fried Hokkien mee enthusiasts. (Photo: Facebook/Hokkien Mee Hunting) TRIBUTES POUR INThe Facebook tribute prompted an outpouring of condolences from long-time customers, many of whom described Ng's Hokkien mee as irreplaceable."This HKM (Hokkien Mee) was unbeatable in its heyday," one commenter wrote. "Till now I have not found one that matched its original taste."Another said: "I loved Ah Hock's fried Hokkien mee! So sad that one of the best chef masters at fried Hokkien mee has passed on."It is unclear if or when Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles will reopen. Customers, however, have expressed hope that Ng's sons, who have worked alongside him at the stall for years, will continue the family business. Tributes to the late hawker. (Photo: Facebook/Hokkien Mee Hunting) Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles is located at 20 Kensington Park Rd, #01-27 Chomp Chomp Food Centre, Singapore 557269. Open Tue to Fri 5.30pm-10pm; Sat 4.30pm-10pm & Sun 4.30pm-9pm. Closed on Mon. Tel: 9296 2192.This story was originally published in 8Days.For more 8Days stories, visit https://www.8days.sg/