Bai Li Xiang Economic Bee Hoon – Where is Ah Lian now?

With the owner’s notorious reputation for having a RBF and being unfriendly, Bai Li Xiang Economic Bee Hoon had earned its nickname of Ah Lian Bee Hoon amongst NTU students since a long time ago. Ah Lian Bee Hoon has been the most popular supper spot for NTU students since the 80s, that having supper here is almost a rite of passage for every student who’s living on campus.

I remember arriving at 179 Kopitiam for supper late one night with my friends. We had caught Ah Lian in a bad mood and when one of us requested: “可以加米粉吗？” (can I add more Bee Hoon?), she replied: “要加米粉啊？来，加给你死！” (want to add Bee Hoon ah? Come, add until you die!). Good times.

It has been some time since I last had Ah Lian Bee Hoon. Still, I was not prepared to learn that she no longer makes an appearance at the stall. Arriving for dinner around 7PM last night, I noticed that she was not behind the counter, and that a sign which says “We are looking for Stall Helper” had been put up at the storefront.

Upon enquiring about her absence, the part-time staff manning the stall mentioned that Ah Lian no longer comes down to operate the stall. Instead, she spends her days sleeping and relaxing at home. One of them even said that ever since he started work a few months ago, he has yet to see Ah Lian.

Even though Ah Lian no longer makes an appearance, the stall’s noodles still remain one of the most satisfying bee hoons I have ever tasted. Just look at its majestic grandeur of golden brown. Until today, I still can’t figure out what it is that makes the bee hoon so delicious — does Ah Lian’s impatience and rage add an unexplainable fragrance to her food? I guess I’ll never find out.

Although the Fried Kway Teow was a tad oily, and the portion seemed smaller than it used to be, the chicken wings, seaweed chicken, egg, sausage, fillet, and luncheon meat, which I frequently ordered, were still well marinated and crispy (especially the chicken wings)!

The standard NTU da bao order is always bee hoon with egg and chicken wing.

Another wonderful aspect of the Ah Lian Bee Hoon that has yet to change is the chilli sauce. Usually, I use my chilli sauce as a dip to enhance the flavour of whatever I am eating. However, whenever I dine at Ah Lian Bee Hoon, I soak my ingredients in the chilli sauce AND mix it into my noodles as though it were gravy. Never too spicy and always flavourful!

I was glad to find out from my visit that the standard of Ah Lian Bee Hoon has been maintained. The only difference is that Ah Lian does not appear anymore.

Ah Lian, if you are reading this, you are sorely missed.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

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