For many years, this husband-and-wife char kuay teow stall in Brickfields had no name — only a string of affectionate monikers coined by regulars: 7-Eleven CKT, Sports Toto CKT, YMCA CKT, even Ais Kacang CKT (a nod to the neighbouring dessert stall). That changed when a patron took matters into his own hands; he christened it ‘Best Fried Kuay Teow’ and even designed and printed a bunting banner to make the title official. Today, the name remains, proudly displayed — though among locals, the nicknames still linger fondly.
The vibe: It’s a makeshift stall set up streetside with half a dozen tables with red plastic stools. Adjust your expectations.
The food: It is a truth universally acknowledged that char kuay teow should, first and foremost, have char. Here, each plate arrives with a smoky depth that speaks to 30 years of seasoned wok work — and includes kuay teow (the standard, but you can opt for yellow mee too), eggs, cockles, fishcake, shrimp and lapcheong, alongside chives and taugeh.
The drinks: In an icebox, there is bottled water and bottled herbal tea. If Ah Keong’s, the neighbouring dessert stall, is open, you can order coconut juice or grab a drink from a convenience store around the corner.
Time Out tip: Make it a meal with ais kacang and cendol from neighbouring Ah Keong’s, and don’t leave without tapao-ing pisang goreng from the stall down the street. It’s Brickfield’s best.