Tiong Bahru is one of the popular neighbourhoods in Singapore for those seeking a blend of heritage and modern lifestyle. While many flock to the famous Tiong Bahru Market, the surrounding pre-war estate hosts interesting cafes, old school coffee shops and other eateries. Among these, Hua Bee Restaurant stands as a testament to the neighborhood’s enduring charm.
Unique Location & Space
Located in Block 78 Moh Guan Terrace, Hua Bee Restaurant is not merely a place to eat; it is a heritage landmark as well as a cultural icon.
Hua Bee Restaurant was the filming location for the 1995 Singapore classic film, Mee Pok Man. Directed by Eric Khoo, the movie used the backdrop of the stall to tell its story. Today, a poster of the film remains on the wall. It serves as a reminder of the restaurant’s role in Singaporean cinema history.
The Moh Guan Terrace space has a unique dual identity. By day, it is a traditional coffee shop serving fishball noodles and local breakfast. However, as evening approaches, the space to the rear operates as a contemprary restautant. Bincho used to be there. Now the premises is occupied by Dirty Supper, a supper-club style restaurant, and Dirty Sips Bar.
Stepping into Hua Bee feels like a deliberate step back into Singapore’s pre-indepence era. The front of the shop houses the noodle preparation area and the drink station. The decor seems unchnaged since the time the Tiong Bahru flats were first built.
The restaurant has kopi tiam furniture, complete with marble-topped tables that look as though they had borne witness to generations of diners. These traditional touches are complemented by pale blue wall tiles, evoking the aesthetic of a bygone era. Adding to the old-world charm are the Merdeka generation aunties manning the stalls; their presence lending the place character and an authenticity that simply cannot be manufactured.
Traditional Breakfast: The Seven-Minute Wait
Hua Bee offers the traditional breakfast in the morning. The kopi and teh would be served in simple old school porcelain cups.
The way the half-boiled eggs ($1.80) were served felt particularly nostalgic. Rather than cracking them for us, the staff presented a stainless steel mug filled with hot water, two whole eggs submerged inside, covered by a green plastic plate with a spoon resting on top. A small plastic basket held the dark soy sauce and white pepper.
We were instructed to wait seven minutes before cracking the eggs. This ritual ensured the whites were just set while the yolks remained runny. It was as close as we could get to having an authentic breakfast expereince of pre-independence Singapore.
The Main Course: Mee Kia and Kway Teow
Hua Bee Restaurant is essentially a traditional noodle stall. We sampled both the dry and soup versions of their dishes – Mee Kia Dry ($4.50) and Kway Teow Soup ($4.50).
The Mee Kia Dry was a straightforward bowl of thin, springy noodles tossed in a savoury sauce. A generous dollop of chilli sat on the side, allowing you to adjust the spiciness to your liking. The noodles held the sauce well without turning soggy, delivering a satisfying bite.
Served in a separate bowl, the soup contained smooth, bouncy fishballs, handmade meatballs with a coarse, meaty texture, sliced fishcake, minced pork, vegetables and garnishes. The clear broth was simple yet flavourful.
The Fishball Kway Teow Soup was essentially that same generous bowl of broth, but served with kway teow. The flat rice noodles had a pleasingly soft texture. Altogether, it was a simple, deeply satisfying comfort food.
Unique Singaporean Icon
Hua Bee Restaurant is a unique Singaporean icon. It provides a cosy space that feels very different from the other eateries and cafes nearby. For any explorer of Tiong Bahru, this humble establishment should be considered a necessary stop. It offers a rare glimpse into old Singapore while serving the simple, good food that modern Singaporeans still love. If there are heritage eateries every true-blue Singaporean ought to visit at least once, Hua Bee must be among them.
Ratings:
Food: 4
Service: 3
Value: 4
Atmosphere: 2
Overall Rating: 4 TOPsย 
Hua Bee Restaurant
#01-19 Block 78 Moh Guan Terrace
Singapore 162078
Opening Hours: 7.30am – 2pm
Closed on Sunday & Monday
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