‘Yuan He Mee Jian Kueh’ is a cherished family business that was established by my parents approximately 10 to 15 years ago. Our stall is known as ‘圆和面煎粿条’ in Chinese, and this name holds significant meaning for us. Firstly, ‘圆’ symbolizes the shape of our pancakes, perfectly round like a circle. Secondly, ‘和’ represents the act of folding the pancakes in half. Moreover, ‘圆’ also conveys the concept of satisfaction and ‘和’ signifies union, harmony, and peace. Our specialty lies in offering a unique texture of Mee Jian Kueh, distinct from the conventional varieties commonly found. When served hot, our pancakes are delightfully crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft on the inside. It is believed that this particular style of Mee Jian Kueh originated from Penang, Malaysia.

Around three years ago, my brother and I witnessed the exhaustion experienced by our parents. Given the slim profit margins, hiring additional staff to manage the stall was not feasible. Consequently, we made the decision to take over the business ourselves. Throughout the years, our parents have built a loyal customer base, many of whom have become close friends. Closing down the stall was never an option, as it would have been a great loss.

Being a hawker is undoubtedly challenging, but every occupation has its own difficulties. We endure hours of standing in one spot, cooking our food, which can be physically demanding. Over time, my brother and I have grown accustomed to this routine. I arrive at the stall at 6:00 AM every day for preparation, and by approximately 6:30 AM, we are ready to serve customers. My brother takes over the afternoon shift from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and together, we close up shop at 7:00 PM after cleaning up.

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a hawker is the opportunity to serve the community and preserve culinary traditions by providing food that our customers genuinely enjoy. Additionally, this occupation allows me to spend more time with our parents compared to other professions. It’s a give-and-take situation, where I have to work on weekends, but ultimately, I believe it’s about pursuing what we truly love.

I highly recommend trying our Mee Jian Kueh with coconut fillings! My mother skillfully prepares the filling using orange sand sugar, resulting in a delightful sweetness that has become one of our most popular menu items.