Heng En Noodle House to close after 2 months, owners to focus on original No. 25 outlet

Heng En Noodle House, the sister outlet of the famous No. 25 Minced Meat Noodle at Bukit Merah, will close its Bedok store come Sunday, July 30.

This comes less than two months after the owners, couple Lam Geng Han, 27, and Chelsea Goh, 26, opened Heng En Noodle House on June 9.

When Heng En Noodle House first opened in the east, it was met with much fanfare and anticipation due to the popularity of the couple’s first stall, No. 25 Minced Meat Noodle. 

No. 25 Minced Meat Noodle, which opened in February 2022, had amassed a legion of fans for its well-seasoned, pork lard-laden minced meat noodles and robust broth made in a traditional style, with ti po (sole fish powder).

Both Heng En and No. 25 sell bak chor mee, or minced meat noodles, but the couple had hoped to differentiate Heng En by adding Japanese-style mazesoba (dry noodles, S$6.80) and assorted handmade fish cake products (from S$4.30) to its menu. 

The handmade fishcake products, made from premium yellowtail fish, are sourced from a local second-generation owner/supplier and were brought in by the couple as an effort to further preserve the hawker heritage in Singapore. 

At Heng En, there is also a stronger focus on its popular signature garlic kway teow (S$6.80 for small, $8.80 for big) dish, as well as a clearer, lighter version of its pork broth. 

“Our signature garlic kway teow is something really special and we are confident it can’t be found elsewhere…we’d really love for more people to try this taste,” explained Goh.

Its pork broth, which comes with every purchase of its signature garlic kway teow, Japanese-style mazesoba and mee tai bak items, comes chockfull with ingredients including sliced cabbage, yellowtail fishball and Teochew fishball.  

On why they chose this location for Heng En, Goh said: “There were many people who approached us to tell us to open in the east, but the turnout has been disappointing.” 

The couple acknowledged that despite the supposed demand, they might have chosen a location that was less than suitable, given that Heng En is a new and unknown brand compared to the more established No. 25 name. 

Despite being in the central Bedok area, the stall is tucked away in a coffee shop that is slightly out of the way. Competition in the area is also quite stiff.

Owing to these factors, business has been slow since they opened and the couple are unfortunately unable to keep up with rent and rising food costs. 

Expressing extreme sadness at the closure, Goh says that if they could have done things differently, they would have done more market research and not rushed into opening the Bedok store.

But thankfully for Heng En fans, the couple will continue to serve their signature garlic kway teow, Japanese-style mazesoba, and handmade fishcake products back at their home base No. 25 in Bukit Merah. The fishcake products will likely be available from Thursdays to Saturdays.

Following the closure, the couple will focus on No. 25 and take the time needed to recoup their losses. They plan to expand the business again next year, after their wedding ceremony in December. 

Speaking to us before news of Heng En’s closure broke, Goh stressed: “We need a lot of support from fellow Singaporeans. We really have a very strong passion and drive to do this, but we can’t do this without people’s support.”

So show your support and grab your signature garlic kway teow and Japanese mazesoba from Heng En Noodle House at Bedok by this Sunday, July 30. Or continue to support them from No. 25 at Bukit Merah Central thereafter. 

For more ideas on local eats, check out our guide to some of the best nasi padang places in Singapore, or some affordable places to eat at Suntec City. 

Heng En Noodle House and No. 25 Minced Meat Noodle are available on Grabfood delivery and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited.

Book a ride to have your bak chor mee fix at Heng En Noodle House or No. 25 Minced Meat Noodle.