is still going strong…
Story & photos by Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling GourmetTM
MY good friend, the late Andrew Tan and his Grandma made Xe Lai Xiang at the Bedok Food Centre an iconic hawker stall for Cheng Theng. His brother, Peter Lim is four years older and is rightly famous for his Jew Hoo Eng Chye aka crunchy and gelatinous Squid and Kang Kong with lashings of sweet and spicy peanut sauce plus healthy Eng Chye or Spinach. I was there this evening and chatted with Andrew’s sister, Corinne, popularly known by her nickname “Coco”. Coco told me with a tinge of sadness, “Andrew wouldn’t listen to us…his family. Sometimes people like to listen to others and not to their own people. His friend always brought him Ritz Apple Strudel and encouraged him to eat it…and he wouldn’t take his medicine…” Well, in a way you could say Ritz Apple Strudel contributed to this demise…I never liked Ritz Apple Strudel. Firstly it is NOT Apple Strudel but just a pale imitation and bastardized version of it that is full of unhealthy cream! Yucks!
Coco gave me my icy cold Cheng Theng and wished me, “Gong Xi Fa Cai Darling and stay HEALTHY!”
I miss cherubic Andrew and his cheery smile and cheeky grin as he served up umpteen bowls of superb Cheng Theng. The good news is that his Cheng Theng is still available, and there was a long queue as usual. Andrew sadly passed away not so long ago from a massive heart attack, while working hard at his family stall.
I agree with Coco. Ritz Apple Strudel to my mind as The Travelling GourmetTM, a professional Chef and Travel, Food & Wine Writer/Educator, respectfully, is a sorry excuse for a cake, and does not deserve the name strudel. It is NOT strudel like the original and yummie Austrian and German Apfel-Strudel. It is just full of empty Calories in the form of sugar and ueber-fattening cream! Yucks! For me only the original German/Austrian Apfel-Strudel with crisp Filo pastry is worth eating! MUCH More healthy too.
Happy Chinese New Year of the Green Wooden Horse and stay healthy!
Eat well, live well and BE well! 🙂
Ye Lai Xiang
Bedok Food Center
at the curving bend opposite Bedok Army Camp
See the link below for the immortal song “Ye Lai Xiang”
Ye Lai Xiang is the Chinese name of a flower, night blooming jasmine scientifically known as Cestrum nocturnum. The flower blooms at night and is strongly scented which is released at night. The lyrics of the song describes the beauty of the flower. Bear in mind that there is a hidden meaning…that of missing your lady love when night falls…Very romantic…Enjoy your Cheng Theng 🙂
The Travelling Gourmet 
Reblogged this on The Travelling Gourmet and commented:
I went to have some Jew Hoo Eng Chye last night and it was still fabulous! The BEST in the East! Enjoy!
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