After a 2 year hiatus, the old uncle who is synonymous with Ah Hock Hokkien Mee of Chomp Chomp is back!

During his hiatus I sure mourned the loss of my favourite hokkien mee stall - a venerable institution of Chomp Chomp - and my only go-to stall there. He's been at this for almost 40 years and I've been frequenting the stall since the early 90s. I have long heard rumours that he had fallen ill (some even citing the big C word) resulting in him having to give up the business.

Turns out the old uncle owns the stall but let it out to a younger dude for 2 years (original sign board, Ah Hock branding and all) to take a break. I stopped frequenting Chomp Chomp during that period because the younger dude's noodles just don't do it for me. Once the lease was due, he decided to return to the business and took over the stall. During the 2 years he's been resting, travelling, spending time with his grandkids etc.

Yes, health was one of the reasons for the hiatus and it is no wonder. He still cooks everything from scratch on the spot - unlike, say, Thye Hong - and expends tremendous amount of energy frying the noodles. I used to love watching him fry his noodles whenever I was standing aroud the stall waiting for my takeway (there is plenty of time to watch him cook - average waiting time is usually around 30-50min). I still remember how he uses 2 frying ladles to swirl the noodles around once he pours the rich prawn stock into the wok.

As a die hard fan I could not wait to pay homage to my favourite stall. He's been back at it for 2 months already and it was pure joy seeing him back in action. Thankfully it was not much of a wait (c.10 min) perhaps given that it was a Monday evening. The noodles are just as good - moist (never overly wet) with his trademark generous use of thin beehoon. The $4 plate provides a generous portion for one.

It is now a family affair with his loyal assistant (who has been around since I started patronising the stall in the early 90s - turns out he is his nephew), wife and son all helping out.

Well chuffed that he's back in the business - he really still is the best reason to head to Chomp Chomp.