Hawker Legends 2005: Ah Chuan Oyster Omelette
When I was young, I was always confused with the many dialect terms used for Fried Oysters. It’s only till I visited a Fried Oyster stall in Malaysia, then I found the answers:
- For Pan Fried Oysters = 蚝煎: pronounced as Hao Jian in Mandarin; Orh Jian in Hokkien 蚝烙: pronounced as Hao Luo in Mandarin; Orh Luak in Hokkien Meaning: Oysters are mixed in a flour paste to form a gooey sticky base
- For Oyster Omelette - 蚝旦: pronounced as Hao Dan in Mandarin; Orh Nurng in Hokkien Meaning: Just the oysters and the egg. It is usually found at zi char stalls and uses bigger-sized oysters
- For traditional Fried Oysters - 唐山炒: pronounced as Tang Shan Chao in Mandarin. Meaning: It is the traditional version of fried oyster which we seldom see it here in Singapore. Oysters are added to sweet potato flour, texture is softer and less crispy.
The boss Uncle Tan (63 years old) is actually a Teochew. Uncle Tan’s brother came from China, so he learnt this dish from him. He has been selling Fried Oysters in this hawker centre for more than 40 years and was featured as one of the Hawker Legends in Makansutra in 2005. I like my fried oysters with a heavy egg ratio. And if its sides are crispy with a little burnt marks, it will be perfect. To cook a plate of Fried Oysters, you really need some skills. The ingredients for this dish is always the same. We have eggs, flour, oil, oysters and fish sauce. So what makes a stall different from the other is probably the batter.
It must got the right mixture of flour to get the perfect texture of chewy and crispy starchy bits. The plate I ate here is moist and a little touch of crispiness. Not too oily nor dry, which makes me feel less guilty for eating such a sinful dish (ok, I’m just consoling myself). The plump and succulent oysters here came from Korea, not as big as I expected but definitely juicy and fresh. Each plate is topped with loads of coriander leaves, dipping it into the watery chilli sauce, shiok! If you don’t fancy oysters, the boss also has prawn omelette. Each plate of fried oysters starts from $4 onwards.
Pin Xiang 品香 – Fried Oyster (Orh Luak) in Chong Pang
Of late, various kinds of hawker food have been the subject for politicians as Singaporeans head to the polls on the 11th of September 2015. One of the hawker food mentioned was none other than “Orh Luak” which is Fried Oyster (蚝煎 ).
This is a dish of oysters fried with eggs and a batter made up of tapioca flour which gives you a sticky and starchy texture. Some could not even differentiate between an orh luak to an orh neng (蚝蛋) which is basically oyster omelette without the tapioca flour batter.
Such events created a surge in social media postings of various hawker food in different electoral boundaries in Singapore. I was somewhat influenced by the orh luak politics and decided to get my fix at Pin Xiang – 品香 stall in Chong Pang Market and Food Centre.
Oyster Omelette showdown: Famous Old Airport Road Fried Oyster VS Lim’s Fried Oyster VS Ah Chuan Fried Oyster Omelette
Here’s a confession for you; I have been using these food showdowns as an excuse to have multiple plates of my favourite food. I’m talking burgers, vadai, and scrumptious Fuzhou oyster cake. Oh, what fun I had, travelling across the island trying all of their different renditions. Not so great for my waistline but, you know, what will I not do for the content? This week, we shall dive into the ever-satisfying oyster omelette or orh luak as most would most like to call it.
Not to be confused with oyster egg, an oyster omelette is where fresh, plump oysters are fried together with a seasoned batter so you get these soft, pillowy starchy bits. Oyster egg is fried without starch, meaning you get crispier edges compared to the oyster omelette. There is no shortage of hawker stalls peddling tasty plates of oyster omelette. Each stall does prepare it their own way, so you can imagine how difficult it was to narrow down just three, but I did. I chose these three stalls based on their popularity and how quickly their name came up in a Google search. So, if you do have any grievances, don’t blame me; it’s clearly Google’s fault.
Without further ado, here are the contenders for this food showdown: Famous Old Airport Road Fried Oyster, Lim’s Fried Oyster, and Ah Chuan Oyster Omelette. We’ll judge them on four main criteria—eggs, oysters, starchy bits, and their chilli:
- Famous Old Airport Road Fried Oyster - With the word ‘famous’ in the stall name, you better hope it lives up to its reputation. Famous Old Airport Road Fried Oyster needs no introduction, although there is quite an interesting story with its neighbouring stall. Trust me; it’s as juicy as the oysters they use, so have a read as you savour your oyster omelette.
- Lim’s Fried Oyster - I have a theory that all the best hawker food is sequestered in Berseh Food Centre. Besides the renowned Lim’s Fried Oyster, Berseh Food Centre is where you can find Fuzhou Poh Hwa Oyster as well.
- Ah Chuan Oyster Omelette - Another titan in oyster omelette circles is Ah Chuan Oyster Omelette, which many consider as one of the best orh luak you can get your hands on. A well-established stall of over 40 years, Ah Chuan has seen numerous accolades, awards, and even minister endorsements.
Here’s where to head to in Singapore for your oyster omelette fix
The origins of the oyster omelette traces back to the city of Chaozhou in the Guangdong province of China, and little has been said about how it came to be.
The humble dish has become a signature of the Hokkien-Chinese diaspora in Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with each country crafting up its own version of the dish. In Thailand, for instance, oysters have been mostly substituted for mussels, while in Taiwan you’ll frequently find versions that come with a ladle of sauce poured atop the plate.
Here in Singapore, the oyster omelette is served with a Southeast Asian touch: a saucer of chilli sauce that’s been spiked with lime for touch of acidity to cut through the grease. Truth be told, the oyster omelette isn’t associated with gram-worthy food content in this day and age. To the untrained eye, it looks like chaos on a plate; nothing more than a haphazard arrangement of charred eggs and a disorderly mess of oysters thrown to the mix. It’s far from the well-plated dishes we’re used to these days. Yet, for hawker aficionados, there are few dishes less satisfying than a good plate of oyster omelette, its greasy, savoury bites washed down with a mug of ice-cold sugarcane juice. Where to get the best oyster omelette in Singapore:
10 Best Oyster Omelette In Singapore That You Must Try!
Oyster Omelette, also known as Orh Luak to most of us Singaporeans, is a local hawker favorite! Essentially juicy fresh oysters fried along with a special egg batter, this dish requires typically minimal ingredients. Ultimately, it takes fresh ingredients, perfect batter, and well-controlled fire to create the ideal plate of Oyster Omelette.
Hence, here are 10 hawker stalls in Singapore that managed to tick off all the boxes to serve you the perfect Oyster Omelette dish:
- Hup Kee Oyster Omelette - Hup Kee Oyster Omelette is by far one of my favorites! The reason being how generous they are with their portions and how extremely satisfying it is to just devour an entire plate on my own. In particular, it is cooked to the perfect texture. In addition, the chili sauce that comes along with it provides a great kick to the entire dish!
- Ang Sa Lee Fried Oyster - Located at the famous Chomp Chomp Food Centre, Ang Sa Lee Fried Oyster should be applauded for how consistent they are over the years that they have been operating! In addition, their Oyster Omelette dish is always cooked to perfection with just the right balance of egg to starch ratio. Therefore, a definite must-try for all Oyster Omelette lovers!
- Simon Road Oyster Omelette - Unlike many other stalls, Simon Road Oyster Omelette serves 2 versions of this iconic dish! You can choose from either fried oyster egg or fried oyster omelette. In particular, the Oyster Omelette served here is perfectly charred while still remaining smooth. Hence, paired with juicy oysters, it is to die for!
- Ah Chuan Fried Oyster Omelette - Nestled at Toa Payoh, Ah Chuan Fried Oyster Omelette serves traditional Oyster Omelette that will blow you away! Cooked along with fresh and juicy oysters, the Oyster Omelette served here stands out due to how crispy it is! Hence, you must give it a try to get a taste of how good it is on your own!
- Geylang Lorong 29 Fried Hokkien Mee - This Oyster Omelette stall is perfect for those who love the Wok Hei flavor! There, they use charcoal to cook and prepare all their signature dishes. With fresh oysters directly imported from Korea, Geylang Lorong 29 also uses a unique recipe containing dried prawns, onions and shallots that you will fall in love with!
- 85 Bedok North Fried Oyster Omelette - Have you ever seen Oyster Omelette served this way? The Oyster Omelette at 85 Bedok North Fried Oyster is served with a spicy chili gravy on top. Not only was this a good pairing along with the oysters, but the entire dish was also extremely flavorful!
- Lim’s Fried Oyster - This famous oyster omelette stall has been around for more than 30 years. Additionally, their oyster omelette is priced at only $5 which is seemingly lower than usual. However, it still holds a high-quality level! Cooked with Korean oysters, Lim’s Fried Oyster serves extremely fragrant Oyster Omelettes that you will fall in love with! Hence, bring your favorite foodie partner and try it out ASAP!
- Huat Heng Fried Oyster - Located at Whampoa Drive, Huat Heng Fried Oyster has made a name for itself after being featured in the Michelin Guide Singapore! Every component that comes along with this dish was complementary to one another, especially the chili and fat juicy oysters. Hence, you die-die must try Huat Heng Fried Oyster!
- Katong Keah Kee Fried Oysters - Located within Chinatown Food Street lies Katong Keah Kee Fried Oysters. The version of oyster omelette served at their store is more like an oyster egg ($8). Instead of the usual oyster omelette that is stir-fried with starch, the one at Katong Keah Kee Fried Oysters does without it! The Oyster Omelette is crispier, juicier and more flavorful. Therefore, Katong Keah Kee Fried Oysters is a must-try!
- Hougang Oyster Omelette & Fried Kway Teow - If you’re looking to satisfy your orh luak cravings, then Hougang Oyster Omelette and Fried Kway Teow is the place to go! The oysters are juicy and succulent, fried together with the perfect egg to batter ratio. Hence, you must try their Fried Kway Teow as well!
10 Must-Try Oyster Omelette aka Orh Luak In Singapore For Some Eggy Goodness
Oyster Omelette 蠔煎, commonly called “Orh Jian” or ”Orh Luak” consist of starch (typically potato starch), egg batter and small oysters fried together, usually enhanced with a spicy chilli sauce with lime. There are different styles all around for this dish Hokkien and Teochew origins.Shrimp can sometimes be substituted in place of oysters; and there is a version without the starch called “Hao Dan” or Oyster Egg.
The Singapore style is quite different from say the Taiwanese version – which is starchier and has a sweet-sauce poured over. Somehow Orh Luak doesn’t have the same kind of ‘fame’ in Singapore as other fried dishes say Char Kway Teow and Chai Tow Kway (Carrot Cake in Singapore. Anyway…
Some of the popular places to get this hawker dish include Song Kee Fried Oyster (East Coast), Simon Road Oyster Omelette (Serangoon Road), Hougang Oyster Omelette (Hougang Ave 8), Hock Kee Fried Oysters (Serangoon Garden), Geylang Lor 29 (396 East Coast Road), and Xing Li Cooked Food (Old Airport Food Centre). (Ah Hock Hougang Fried Oyster at Whampoa which was really famous, has closed.)
Here are 10 more places to get your Orh Luak fix:
- Lim’s Fried Oysters - A ‘hidden’ find because still not many people known about this stall at Berseh Food Centre. This is one of those old hawker stalls with a recipe that has been around for more than 40 years. de batter with secret spices and a perfect balance of flavours is what makes the Fried Oyster Omelette such a hit.
- Ah Chuan Fried Oyster Omelette - At Kim Keat Food Centre, expect a long line when you come here, especially when the stall is only opened for 3 hours (or less) a day. Reminisce the old-school flavours of this dish, that can be hard to find in Singapore now. Their Fried Oyster Omelette ($5) is of very good portion. The almost crunchy edges have a perfect consistency against the gooey centre filled with juicy oysters.
- Hup Kee Fried Oyster Omelette - While Newton has always been known to be a tourist food centre, and there are so many stalls selling more or less the same thing, this Oyster Omelette stall deserves the attention. Hup Kee combines the richness of oysters, with the fluffiness of eggs and sticky heaviness of sweet potato paste to give you a hearty and filling meal.
- Heng 興 - While most customers seem to come for the Carrot Cake, their Fried Oyster Omelette ($5, $8, $10) would actually be what I would head for again. There was this nice crisp layer of egg without being too starchy, accompanied with tasty plump oysters.
- Huat Heng Fried Oyster - Huat Heng Fried Oyster is listed in the Singapore Michelin Guide with a “Michelin Plate”, offering the popular Fried Oyster at $5, $8, or $10. The way the baby oysters are fried with the eggs is different from other stalls, as you don’t get clumpy, large pieces of fried batter. The batter is cut up with a spatula during frying so you get a more even presentation.
- Ang Sa Lee Oyster Omelette - There are a couple of stalls serving up in Oyster Omelette at Chomp Chomp Food Centre, but I personally prefer this stall. The oysters were plump and juicy, and its sour-spicy chilli deserve a mention.
- Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant - Indulge in traditional Teochew dishes and one of the best oyster omelettes in town. This is a famous zi char restaurant at the older estate of Jalan Bukit Merah that serves authentic Teochew dishes. The restaurant is claimed to be one of the best places to get oyster omelettes in Singapore by many loyal customers.
- Maddie’s Kitchen - Few would expect to find Oyster Omelette in a Far East Plaza eatery. Owner Mui Leng first learnt to cook Oyster Omelette not in Singapore, but from her yearly winter vacations at Hokkaido. She fell in love with the fresh large sashimi grade oysters and wanted to see how she could incorporate that with her own recipe.
- 85 Bedok North Fried Oyster 勿洛北85蚝煎 - The hawker dish of “Orh Luak” (or Fried Oyster Omelette) was dragged into politics a few years ago, and it certainly made some of the stalls at Bedok 85 aka Fengshan Food Centre even more popular. 85 Bedok North Fried Oyster serves more than just Orh Luak, and also includes White or Black Carrot Cake ($2.50, $3), Fresh Cockles Kway Teow ($3, $4), and Fried Hokkien Mee ($3.50, $4, $5).
- Katong Keah Kee Fried Oysters - Uncle Law who has been frying this for close to 50 years, says his entire family sells Orh Lua, having different stalls under different names around the island. His Oyster Omelette ($8, $10) is full of fluffy eggs, light crispy on the outside, with fresh plump oysters on top.
The oyster omelette, also known as o-a-tsian (Chinese: 蚵仔煎; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ô-á-chian), o-chien (Chinese: 蚵煎; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ô-chian) or orh luak (simplified Chinese: 蚝烙; traditional Chinese: 蠔烙; Peng'im: o5 luah4), is a dish of Min Nan (Hokkien and Teochew) origin that is renowned for its savory flavor in its native Minnan region and Chaoshan, along with Taiwan and many parts of Southeast Asia, such as the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, due to the influence of the Hokkien and Teochew diaspora.
The dish consists of an omelette with a filling primarily composed of small Pacific oysters. Starch (typically sweet potato starch) is mixed into the egg batter, giving the resulting egg wrap a thicker consistency. Pork lard is often used to fry the resulting omelet. Depending on regional variations, a savory sauce may then be poured on top of the omelette for added taste.
Spicy or chili sauce mixed with lime juice is often added to provide an intense kick. Shrimp can sometimes be substituted in place of oysters; in this case, it is called shrimp omelette (蝦仁煎)
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