Get $1.20 Handmade Bao And More At This Chinatown Stall With Over 90 Years Of History

Chop Hean Kuan in Chinatown has handmade bao since 1929

Image credit: TM YEO

If you love bao, you might have come across Chop Hean Kuan, a humble hawker stall in Chinatown that specialises in handmade bao and dim sum. Nestled in People’s Park Food Centre, they’ve been around since 1929, which means the business has close to 100 years of history!

Image credit: @staceyt14

You can find three different types of bao here: Red Bean Pau ($1.20), Char Siew Pau ($1.20), and Pork Pau ($1.20 for small). The stall owners start preparing the bao at 5:30am, so do arrive earlier to get them fresh out of the steamer.

Image credit: @staceyt14

Their Char Siew Pau is said to have a good balance of sweet and savoury flavours. Some reviews online say it has strong coriander notes, too. If you’re not a fan of the herb, go for their Pork Pau instead, which is packed with well-marinated pork chunks and egg slices.

Image credit: Kim Loon Chee

Along with their handmade bao, we recommend you give their Lo Mai Kai ($2.20) a try. Known as one of their best-selling items on the menu, the glutinous rice is topped with chunks of tender chicken. Many regulars dig this as the glutinous rice isn’t overly sticky, and pairs really well with the well-seasoned chicken. Also, it makes for a good breakfast choice that’ll fill you up before lunchtime.

Image credit: HappyCat.黑皮猫

Chop Hean Kuan also offers over 10 types of dim sum items, such as Siew Mai ($1.20), Seafood Dumpling ($1.20), and Egg Tart ($1.50). So if you’re in the vicinity, drop by and show them some love!

For more good food in Chinatown, read our Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice review, where we visited to see if the long queue for this Michelin Bib Gourmand stall was worth it. Additionally, check out our Friends Kitchen HK review for legit Hong Kong-style dishes.

Address: 32 New Market Road, #01-1018, People’s Park Food Centre, Singapore 050032
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am to 5pm
Tel: 6534 2930
Chop Hean Kuan is not a halal-certified eatery.

Feature image adapted from @staceyt14 and Cheng-Choon Si.