Chao Xiang Cooked Food – Affordable Kway Chap at Hainanese Village Food Centre

When the husband went on a boys’ trip recently, I celebrated my temporary freedom by visiting some places that had been on my list for the longest time. One of them was Chao Xiang Cooked Food 潮香熟食, a humble stall at Hainanese Village Food Centre in Lorong Ah Soo that has earned a reputation for serving incredibly affordable and satisfying kway chap.

Kway chap fans swear by this place, and judging by the long queues every day, it’s clearly a favourite among the regulars. Be prepared to wait at least 20 minutes during peak hours, but rest assured, the food is worth it.

What makes Chao Xiang Cooked Food stand out is its affordability. At just $3.30 for a one-person kway chap set, you get a generous plate of braised innards and a bowl of kway (flat rice sheets in broth). The platter includes intestines, tau pok (beancurd puff), fish cake, and egg – a satisfying mix that gives you a good variety of textures and flavours without breaking the bank.

I was particularly impressed by how well the intestines were cleaned and braised until soft, with none of the unpleasant gaminess that can sometimes be a dealbreaker. The kway itself was thin, soft, and smooth, served in a slightly savoury braising sauce. While the overall flavour profile was milder than some other kway chap stalls, I enjoyed pairing the meat with the tangy chilli sauce, which cut through the richness nicely.

Of course, Chao Xiang Cooked Food is not the absolute cheapest kway chap in the market – I know Feng Ji Kway Chap is both cheap and good – but this is still one of the more affordable options out there. With prices of hawker food rising everywhere, finding a quality kway chap meal at $3.30 is quite a steal. If you’re in the Hougang area and craving a budget-friendly kway chap fix, this stall is definitely worth checking out!