On May 2, 2019, the owner of Original Hock Lam Street Beef Kway Teow announced in a Facebook post that its final outlet will be closing.

The outlet, which is located in Alexandra, will cease operations on July 11, 2019.

108-year-old legacy

The family business began in 1911, and has since been passed down the generations.

The beef noodle broth is boiled for at least 24 hours with 13 ingredients, including beef and beef bones.

They are also known for their hand-sliced beef cuts and homemade chilli sauce.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtQimX3Hd0Z/

Beef noodle bowls start from S$7.90.

Currently, the establishment is run by fourth-generation Tina Tan, who took over the business from her father over a decade ago.

Cited manpower shortage

In a Facebook post, Tan cited manpower woes and the labour-intensive job of doing things by hand:

“I may be labelled as stubborn because of my insistence on using only handmade and hand sliced methods to handle all my beef and side dishes, therefore, the labor intensive problems hit us the most when the government keeps revising the policy on hiring foreigners.”

She also said that only her parents, sister and her know how to prepare the recipe.

“Anyone who claims to be us is not related to or the original holder of the secret recipe,” she added.

Details

Alexandra Retail Centre

460 Alexandra road, #02-24, Singapore 119963

Opening hours:

Mondays to Fridays: 10:00am to 9:00pm

Saturday, Sunday & PH: 11:00am to 9:00pm

Top photo via Instagram @parkerlim & FB/Reginald Pryor Sumalong