Eddy Blog

It is that time of the year again. Chinese New Year is probably one of the most celebrated festival in Singapore due to its large Chinese population from different ethnic group.

Today, I’ve joined the community club’s Chinese New Year Factory Tour which took us from Senoko to visit Bee Cheng Hiang (which is one of the well known Bak Kwa or Barbecued Pork brands in Singapore. After which, we went to Woodland Terrace where CS Tay, Fragrance Food and Old Chang Kee is located. The trip took us subsequently to Woodlands East Industrial Estate in Woodlands Loop, this is a multi-level building which basically caters solely to food manufacturers and caterers. This place was dubbed as Woodlands Food Complex unofficially. Hai’s Food, New Peng Hiang and other good manufacturers are located there. That was the first half of the trip.

After lunch, we set off to Thong Hup Gardens’ Nursery at Jurong West St 25. Then it was to Song Fish Dealer in Fishery Port Road where all kinds of frozen and fresh seafoods are offered at a discount. That’s probably is the highlight for most. After that was done and most of the money spent, we went off to Pandan Loop where we visited Hock Seng Food which sells the Hosen brand of canned foods and ended our trip at Tai Sun which sells all kinds of cooked nuts and new year cookies.

Typically most of the factories are not opened to the public except during the Chinese or Lunar New Year. Sales would usually begin about 2 weeks before the Chinese New Year and ends during Chinese New Year’s Eve afternoon. If you have not done your shopping, this is certainly a great time to do so. There are certainly savings and you probably be able to buy things which is not normally offered to the general public during this time. But as always, do your homework first and check out prices before going down. There are times when the factory stores are selling the items a tat more expensive then in places like Fairprice, Giant or Sheng Shiong or even your local market. I realized that a sales does not naturally mean that they are selling it at a discount. I guess the manufacturers have an understanding with their retail customers not to undercut their pricing.

Also remember to bring cash as most of these places do not accept other means of payment since they are typically not opened to the public. Also note that not all factories offer sales to the public so only enter when you see the “Welcome Banner”.

Okay, now to the photo tour of the places I’ve visited.

Senoko South Road

A Visit to Bee Cheng Hiang

A Visit to Chop Hup Chong Food Industries Pte Ltd at 6 Senoko South Road. It’s trademarked name is Bee Cheng Hiang.

Payment Time

The Queue here is certainly much shorter than that in Chinatown and you would still enjoy some discounts with your purchases.

After Bee Cheng Hiang, we ventured next door to ER Marketing which sells homemade style sauces which includes Curry Paste, Thai Chilli Sauce, Rojak Sauce, Satay Sauce and the likes. They offer Mandarin Oranges and Yu Sheng ingredients too.

Map of Senoko South Road

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Woodlands Terrace

A Visit to CS Tay

CS Tay is a frozen food manufacturer which is known for its signature Japanese Crispy Chicken. They sell frozen seafood like salmon, lobster bisque and other delights too.

The next stop is Fragrance Foodstuff

Fragrance Foodstuff offers Bak Kwa and other new year snacks and goodies. Apart from the Bak Kwa, the snacks are sold in the factory for 3 packets for S$10.

Bak Kwa and Fried Pork Skin are sold here too. The Fried Pork Skin or Fried Fish Maw are quintessential ingredients for the new year. Bak Kwa is also another must-have snack to offer to love ones as gifts.

The next stop along Woodlands Terrace was Old Chang Kee which is a brand which every Singapore young and old would recognize. They started off as a humble shop selling curry puffs near the old Rex Cinema, although the Cinema as seen several transformation over the years, the humble Chang Kee store under the leadership of the founder’s children, expanded the business and now they are available fresh in many outlets around Singapore.

I did not take any pictures at Old Chang Kee as the stopover was short and we were at a rush. They were selling frozen mini curry puff, fish balls, tapioca snacks and other treats. There are many food stores along Woodlands Terrace but since this was an organized trip, we did not have the time to stop by every factory but if you get there on your own, you could certainly do some serious shopping. If you are taking the bus, you can take bus 964 from Woodlands Interchange and align when you see the Old Chang Kee signage.

Maps

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Woodlands East Industrial Estate

Located at 15 Woodlands Loop

This is a multi-level building which caters solely for food manufacturers and caterers. During the lunar new year, some of the manufacturers would offer their products for sale to the general public. Although it is a 4 level building, our guide took us to the 3rd and 4th levels as that is where the bulk of the factory sales are located. You should drive up the complex or walk but as the roads are narrow inside, do be careful when you cross.

The lighting was quite bad as I was not able to take pictures in there. I figured that I would be doing a lot of carrying and thus only armed myself with a simple point and shoot camera.

Some of the brand names I know is New Peng Hiang which sells Bak Kwa but they do offer something different in the form of duck bak kwa. Most others offer the standard pork and chicken versions. I’ve tasted crocodile bak kwa and ostrich bak kwa before but to me, all pretty much taste alike especially when they are heavily seasoned. I’ve bought some frozen bak kwa from New Peng Hiang for half the price of the cooked ones. I am going to toast them a few slices each time when I have the urge. Have to cut down on the calories.

Hai’s Food which sells curry paste, mee siam, laksa and other local food pastes is located in the complex too. You will find shops selling the Nian Gao, Love letters, Pineapple Tarts and New Year cakes too.

Maps

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Jurong West Street 25

A Visit to Thong Hup Gardens Pte Ltd at 2 Jurong West Street 25

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Fishery Port Road

A Visit to Song Fish Dealer at 19 Fishery Port Road.

This is certainly the highlight of most people’s day. Fresh and Frozen Seafood are sold here. I’ve bought my raw salmon skin at S$1 each. They offer prawns, crayfish, fish, lobsters, crabs and other seafood.

Maps

If you are taking the bus, you can hop on bus 98 from Jurong East Interchange and align before the Jurong Fishery Port and take a 10 minutes walk in.

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Pandan Loop

A Visit to Hock Seng Food Pte Ltd at 267 Pandan Loop

Hock Seng Food is a manufacturer of the “Hosen” brand canned food stuffs.

Hmm.. I enjoy eating longan as the next person but darn, there is no way I can finish this can even if I eat it every day.

The next stop was Tai Sun (Lim Kee) Food Industries Pte Ltd at 255 Pandan Loop

Wow! I’m in peanut heaven

Maps

If you are taking the bus, you can take bus 285 from Clementi Interchange to both of the locations.

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It was a tiring trip and well did spend many pennies here but there are certainly some bargains and the experience of visiting the factories is certain priceless. I will certainly do that next year.

Enjoy and Gong Xi Fa Cai!