From Sim Lim Square, to 55 Lengkok Bahru in Redhill, and finally Kelantan Lane in Jalan Besar, the popular Sim Lim Square Bak Chor Mee has been making more comebacks than your favourite Kpop idol group.
Here’s what happened.
Sim Lim Square Bak Chor Mee Reopened For The First Time At Lengkok Bahru Only To Close A Month Later
Hardcore fans of the popular Bak Chor Mee stall bade farewell to the stall for the first time back in 2022, when the stall had finally reached the end of its (very successful) 20-year-old lease at Broadway Food Court at Sim Lim Square.
Fortunately, there was light at the end of the tunnel after a gruelling year of silence from the stall owners.
A Facebook Post then revealed that Sim Lim Square Bak Chor Mee would be reopening at a coffee shop at Blk 55 Lengkok Bahru.
After its reopening at Redhill in October 2023, fans flocked to get a taste of the familiar, comforting taste of the stall’s signature Bak Chor Mee.
After a month without incident, loyal customers were left to grapple with Sim Lim Square Bak Chor Mee’s closure for a second time.
A Facebook announcement on 11 November 2023 confirmed that the stall would be closed temporarily to “fix certain operational matters”.
However, the closure at Redhill would eventually become a permanent one, with Sim Lim Square Bak Chor Mee looking to find a different venue to continue its operations.
According to an interview with Shin Min Daily News, while the main reason for the closure was due to certain “management issues”, it was revealed that patrons had also expressed their desire for the stall to move somewhere close to its original location.
However, in nothing short of a Christmas Miracle, another Facebook post would finally announce the triumphant return of Sim Lim Square Bak Chor Mee on 22 December 2023 at Bistro8@Kelantan Lane in Jalan Besar.
58-year-old Stall owner Papa Tan and his wife reveal that business has been booming once again since their return, with 40% of their old customers having paid them a visit since the stall’s reopening. It seems that their decision to open close to their old home turf has been paying off.
The owners also added in an interview with Shin Min Daily News that the stall will be maintaining the price of their dishes this year as a way of giving back to the regulars who have always supported them.
Sim Lim Square Bak Chor Mee will be continuing its usual routine, with it operating daily from 8am to 5pm.