Lai Li Economical Bee Hoon: Affordable fried noodles, $0.80 chee cheong fun & Nyonya kueh by elderly couple
Lai Li Economical Bee Hoon is one of my personal gatekept food stalls which my family and I have been patronising for quite some time. Situated within the confines of AMK 443 Eating House in Ang Mo Kio, this humble, neighbourhood kopitiam stall first blew me away when my dad brought home their fried bee hoon— I was immediately won over!
Lai Li Economical Bee Hoon is managed by an elderly couple, who appear to be in their late 60s to early 70s. The wife, who carries a slight hunch, skillfully takes charge of the cooking while her husband efficiently tends to the patrons. To manage the morning rush, they’ve also enlisted the assistance of a helper.
On the signboard, strips of red tape can be seen pasted over some of their dishes like chwee kueh and porridge. Due to their old age, they have reduced their offerings to alleviate their daily workload.
The food offerings are straightforward. Fried rice, noodles and braised vegetables are displayed at the bottom while their assortment of fried goodies are placed on top. There’s also a small plastic container displaying a few kinds of Nyonya kueh placed alongside the cutlery section.
What I tried at Lai Li Economical Bee Hoon
If you have a hankering for the Chee Cheong Fun (S$0.90), make sure to be the early bird that catches the worm as it’s typically available only till mid-morning. To my surprise, I received 2 rolls even though I requested for one; it was probably halved due to its elongated length.
The Chee Cheong Fun wasn’t the elaborate Hong Kong-style variety with different stuffings. Instead, it was reminiscent of what I used to have during my student days— a classic, no-frills version, featuring a simple drizzle of sweet sauce and a light sprinkling of sesame seeds.
The rice roll had a pleasingly soft texture, and the combination of sweet sauce and chilli evoked a sense of nostalgia, truly capturing the old-school flavours that I remember.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the fried bee hoon which got me hooked. I topped up an additional otah, luncheon meat and mixed vegetables and it cost me just S$3.30.
The bee hoon still maintained its original ivory hue and was stir fried with carrot strips and taugeh. For some reason, the rice vermicelli that day was slightly under-seasoned, but was still palatable. Perhaps the aunty struggles a little with getting the taste consistently right everyday (something that every chef deals with).
The otah was significantly larger than the common run-by-the-mill ones served at other spots. I found it tasty with just the right level of spiciness.
The luncheon meat was sinfully good and had a slightly-crisped surface.
The braised vegetables were a melange of broccoli, carrots, baby corn, and red capsicum pieces which were braised till they were lusciously soft. While the taste wasn’t outstanding, it certainly served its intended purpose (as my colleague likes to put it).
I also opted to sample the Hokkien mee. I added a fish roll, tau kwa, and a piece of fishcake, bringing the total to S$3.50.
The Hokkien Mee at Lai Li Economical Bee Hoon was a vegetarian version with a mixture of yellow noodles and thick bee hoon sauteed with carrot strips and green veggies. It didn’t quite match the flavour of the fried bee hoon, but did have the merit of not being overcooked, retaining a satisfying mouthfeel.
Savouring the tau kwa, I relished the immediate sensation of its interior gently crumbling with my very first bite. The exterior was also well fried which contributed to its delectability.
Due to the appearance of the fish roll, I had initially mistaken it for ngoh hiang. The insides were filled with bits of carrot and spring onions and the paste itself was silky soft. The fishcake, though, was a little disappointing as it turned out slightly tough and dry.
Final thoughts
Lai Li Economical Bee Hoon may not claim the top spot in terms of taste and quality, but it certainly earns points for its affordability and generously-sized portions.
I recommend visiting them for the bee hoon. However, be prepared for a potential wait, as it tends to sell out rapidly, and you might find yourself waiting for the aunty to prepare a fresh batch.
Expected damage: S$2 – S$3.50 per pax
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