Remember “118”, the Mediacorp drama that never seemed to end?
Actor Chew Chor Meng, who starred in the drama, has opened a coffeeshop.
Not only is Miss Tam Chiak one of its partners, the coffeeshop has a special touch for those who enjoyed “118”.
Chew Chor Meng Opens Coffeeshop in Hougang
Reporters from Chinese news daily Lianhe Zaobao visited the coffeeshop on the afternoon of 7 July.
It is located at 212 Hougang Street 21, if you ever want to visit it.
It is called TAM CHIAK Kopitiam.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, Chew, his wife, food blogger Ou Qianhui (Miss Tam Chiak) and other partners were at TAM CHIAK Kopitiam’s opening.
When asked about why he wanted to open a coffeeshop, Chew said, “I’ve always thought that coffeeshops are a place to forge emotional connections, a place for many to gather.”
Chew has opened many other eateries in previous years.
When reporters asked why he enjoyed being in this business, he replied, “I have always been interested in eating. Notably, I don’t always succeed. Some of my businesses have failed before.
“However, those failures don’t matter. I am devoted to the business and am grateful that my mookata business has been doing well for the past six years.
“I hope it continues to do well.”
In an Instagram reel uploaded by Lianhe Zaobao, Chew said that he opened the coffeeshop because it was his dream to do so.
With a smile, he said, “This is truly a dream come true.”
A Touch of “118”
Chew starred in “118” from 2014 to 2017.
It lasted for over 470 episodes and two seasons.
Assuming you watch one episode every day, it would take more than a year to finish the entire series.
Fans of the drama would know how iconic the “yao yao fa” plaque was.
After all, the plaque hung above the “yao yao fa” coffeeshop in “118”, owned by none other than Chew’s character.
Now, the plaque has found a new home, placed snugly above the beverage stall in TAM CHIAK Kopitiam.
According to Chew, he took home the plaque after the drama ended.
It was kept in his storage room for six years until he named TAM CHIAK Kopitiam’s beverage stall.
When he shared photos of the plaque’s new home with the cast of “118”, they responded with approval.
Chew was even asked if he was on the new set of the drama.
While filming for “118” wrapped up many years ago, Chew told Lianhe Zaobao that memories of being on set would be in his mind forever.
He added, “After I hung up the plaque, I suddenly realised how much time has passed. It has been many years since the finale of ‘118’”.
However, the plaque isn’t in TAM CHIAK Kopitiam purely for nostalgia.
TAM CHIAK Kopitiam is brightly coloured and has several Instagrammable spots, including the beverage stall and the plaque.
Chew mentioned that among the stall owners, several are young entrepreneurs.
He said, “I want to inject youthful vitality into TAM CHIAK Kopitiam, and I hope that more people will support young hawkers.”
Chew’s Other Business Ventures
Of course, TAM CHIAK Kopitiam is not the first of Chew’s business ventures.
He has opened numerous eateries in the past.
In 2018, he opened a porridge stall in Ang Mo Kio with actor Zhou Chongqing.
It is named Zhou Chu Ming, which literally translates to “famous porridge”.
In 2020, he opened a store that sold $16 lobster pao fan.
If that sounds too atas for you, Chew opened another pao fan stall in Lavender that sells the dish from $4.50.
However, Chew’s most successful and well-known F&B business is probably 888 Mookata.
Since 888 Mookta first opened in 2018, more outlets have appeared all over Singapore.
There’s even one outlet in the newly opened TAM CHIAK Kopitiam.
An Instagram reel jointly posted by TAM CHIAK Kopitiam and Chew revealed that 888 Mookata is reopening at Block 212 in Hougang.
In addition, patrons can enjoy 15% off their meals from 11 July to 18 July 2023.
TAM CHIAK Kopitiam seems like a foodie’s paradise.
Its Malay food and fishball noodle stalls have won Michelin awards, so you know that the food is good.
One of the stall owners is artist Hong Junyang, who sells innovative Korean dishes.
The Korean stall currently occupies the stall that 888 Mookata was situated at for six years.
The mookata stall is now located in the corner of TAM CHIAK Kopitiam.
Chew told Lianhe Zaobao, “I will give up the ‘treasure position’ to Junyang!”
TAM CHIAK Kopitiam’s Instagram calls the establishment “the most trendy coffeeshop in Hougang”, in case you need any convincing to pay it a visit.
Follow its Instagram to find out more.