2014 Hawker Masters (Awards by Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao)

The search for Singapore's best hawkers in 2014 was over and 6 new Hawker Masters has been announced. The annual hunt is in its fifth year

More than 600 nominations for the 6 categories were received from the public. The finalists for each categories were voted by more than 2,000 readers. A panel of eight judges then made their rounds of the finalists in each category to decide on the winners.

Lor Mee
Name: Yuan Chun Famous Lor Mee
Location: Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, 02-80.
Opening hours: 7.30am to 2.30pm (Wednesdays to Sundays), closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Beef Noodles
Name: Zheng Yi Hainanese Beef Noodle
Location: Kin Seng Coffeeshop, 47 Tai Thong Crescent.
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm (weekdays), 10am to 6pm (Saturdays), closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Mee Goreng
Name: Hass Bawa Mee Stall
Location: Block 84, Marine Parade Central, Market and Food Centre, 01-150.
Opening hours: Noon to 9.30pm, closed Wednesdays.

Popiah
Name: My Cosy Corner
Location: Coronation Shopping Plaza, 587 Bukit Timah Road, 02-02.
Opening hours: 10am to 7.30pm daily. Popiah not available on Sundays.

Fish Soup
Name: Piao Ji Fish Porridge
Location: Amoy Street Food Centre, 02-100.
Opening hours: 10.45am to 3.45pm, closed Thursdays.

Mee Soto
Name: Riyan Hidayat Satay Solo, No. 31
Location: Serangoon Garden Market and Food Centre, 01-31.
Opening hours: 11am to 9pm, closed Mondays.

Top Street Food to try in Penang

Penang is widely considered a food capital and has been named the number 1 food destination in 2014 by Lonely Planet. From Char Kway Teow to Hokkien Mee to Asam Laksa, Penang food has a strong presence of local Malay, Chinese, Peranakan and Indian influences. You can locate most of the good finds in the State Capital, Georgetown, which together with Malacca, is one of the World Heritage sites.

In my recent trip to Penang, I have researched 50+ food choices, received 10+ recommendations from friends and relatives and added another 10+ more along the way. Out of these, I have managed to try from about 40 stalls and eateries over the 3.5 days. I have wanted to taste more, but there were some that were difficult to find, resulting loss of time. There were others that were not opened, despite me checking the opening hours from various websites. And of course, it was just the limit of my stomach capacity that restricts me from gobbling down some more food.

Nevertheless, I would say I have experienced a wide variety of food that are good representation o f Penang food. I may not have all the "best" ones, but the ones list below (in order of alphabetical order) are definitely worth a try.

Apom
Location: Jalan Burma, outside Kedai Kopi New Cathay
GPS Coordinates: 5.432245, 100.310164

Asam Laksa

Name: Famous Pinang Rd Famous Laksa
Location: Lebuh Keng Kwee
GPS Coordinates: 5.417001, 100.330862

Cendol

Name: Penang Road Famous Teochew Cendol

Location: Lebuh Keng Kwee, off Penang Road, outside Joo Hooi Cafe
GPS Coordinates: 5.417169, 100.330666

Char Kway Teow

Location: Lebuh Kimberly, at Sin Guat Keong
GPS Coordinates: 5.4163525,100.3327265

Char Siew

Name: Sin Nam Huat

Location: Jalan Macalister
GPS Coordinates: 5.419222, 100.317976

Curry Mee

Name: Keong Curry Mee

Location: Jalan Burma, at Kedai Kopi New Cathay
GPS Coordinates: 5.432245, 100.310164

Hokkien Mee

Name: Lean Huat Hockkean Mee
Location: Jalan Burmah, at Kedai Kopi Swee Kong
GPS Coordinates: 5.430486, 100.312699

Kway Chap

Name: Kimberly Street Duck Porridge Kway Chap
Location: Lehub Kimberly, outside Restoran Kimberly
GPS Coordinates: 5.416325, 100.332718

Mang Chang Kuih

Name: Pancake Corner

Location: 336-G1 Lintang Slim, off Jalan Perak, outside Restoran Joo Huat
GPS Coordinates: 5.398379, 100.314783

Roti Canai

Name: Special Famous Roti Canai
Location: 56, Jalan Transfer
GPS Coordinates: 5.420828, 100.330670

Yong Tau Foo

Name: Kimberley Road Yong Tau Foo
Location: Lehub Kimberly, outside Sin Guat Keong
GPS Coordinates: 5.416398, 100.332730

There are many more that I want to try, such as Tua Pui Curry Mee, Seafood Popiah at Padang Brown, Ah Leng Char Kway Teow, dessert at Tradtional Home of Dessert. I will definitely make a return trip at some point in time.

Tell me what are your favourite ones!

Ming Chung Restaurant (民众菜馆)

Whenever people talk about Heng Hua cuisine, one will associate that with Pu Tien. At Ming Chung, you will find the food served here no less tasty, and more importantly come with a homely feel that is missing at the ever-increasing Pu Tien branches.

WHAT TO ORDER: 
The menu is not long - good eateries do not need long menu. The nice signature dishes are clearly marked and I agree with most. My top votes go to Lor Mee and Stir Fry Clam (La La).

WHAT SO GOOD:
The Lor Mee is done in the traditional Henghua way, with white noodles and fresh ingredients like clams, prawn, yam, pork belly, beancurd and vegetables cooked in flavourful broth. Each ingredient is nothing unique by its own, but their combination somehow makes this dish special. I cannot find a table without ordering this. The best part of the Stir Fry Clams has to be its savoury gravy, which harnesses the freshness and sweetness of the clams and nicely embeds the spicy taste.

NOT SO GOOD:
I am a little disappointed with the Fried Bee Hoon that night. It was rather plain and sorely lacked of the wok hei flavour. I added some Stir Fry Clam gravy and this certainly gave the dish some boost, but feel that the dish should stand by itself.

MY RATING:
8.5 / 10