Making traditional kueh by hand is slowly becoming a dying trade, as hawkers have difficulty finding successors to continue their businesses. One of the few handmade kueh stalls left is Ri Xin Snack Delights, a family business that has been around for 70 years.
The stall is solely owned and operated by Uncle, who is still using the original recipes that he inherited, along with the stall, from his father.
He sells ang ku kueh, wa kueh, and huat kueh, of which the latter two are becoming increasingly harder to find in Singapore.
Image credit: @birdsinthecorner
The ang ku kueh here are filled with either peanut or salted bean, and sold at $1 apiece—an affordable price considering their location in the CBD.
Image credit: @birdsinthecorner
Each ang ku kueh has a thin layer of smooth, mochi-like skin, and is jam-packed with the sweet and savoury fillings.
Image credit: CK Loh
The Wa Kueh ($2), a steamed rice cake that bears similarity to chwee kueh, is generously doused in black bean sauce to serve.
Image credit: CK Loh
Huat kueh, otherwise known as ‘fatt koh’, ‘fa gao’, or fortune cake, are Chinese steamed sponge cakes that are often used as prayer offerings. Ri Xin Snack Delights sells huat kueh in different sizes, going from $2.50.
Image credit: Ng Chun Kiat
The stall previously gained some online traction when netizens posted about Uncle’s difficulty in trying to keep up his business during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) last year. Given Ri Xin Snack Delights’ lack of presence on online delivery platforms, as well as the fact that most office workers were working from home, it was hard for Uncle to maintain his sales.
If you’re planning to head down to support Uncle, do note that the stall is only open from 4pm to 9pm daily, and is closed in the event of wet weather.
If you’re looking for more ang ku kueh stalls to visit, Ji Xiang Ang Ku Kueh has just opened new outlets at Jurong Point, Plaza Singapura, and Lau Pa Sat. Otherwise, Chef Wei HK Cheong Fun has also opened new outlets in Woodlands and Tampines with new you tiao rice rolls.
Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-55, Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184
Opening hours: Daily 4pm to 9pm
Ri Xin Snack Delights is not a halal-certified eatery.
Feature image adapted from @taroxtaco’s post.