There is a story behind Lee Fun Nam Kee. It started by Mr Lee Nam as a food stall in 1966 at the food centre in Toa Payoh Lorong 4 before moving to its current location. He also co-founded another stall with a Mr Wee in Novena. Mr Lee decided to sell away his share of Nam Kee to Mr Wee and he then renamed it to Wee Nam Kee. Mr Lee was sued by the Nam Kee along Thomson Road for using Nam Kee as its name in the 80s. Mr Lee then added Lee to Nam Kee so it became Lee Nam Kee and later, he decided to add his wife's name to it and so Lee Fun Nam Kee is formed. It has been around for more than 40 years since then and it is now in the good hands of the second generation.
It was not too crowded when I was there for lunch. I ordered a portion of Soya Sauce Chicken ($6) to go with Plain Noodle ($2) and a bowl of Fresh Shrimp Dumpling Soup ($5) with their Homemade Barley ($1.80). This was my first time dining there, I usually will just order half of their Soya Sauce Chicken with rice and their Fresh Shrimp Dumpling Soup to takeaway.
They are specialised in Hainanese style soya sauce chicken, which is different from the Cantonese version and its braising sauce comprises of 15 different types of herbs. It is a unique recipe that was created by the founder. It does taste different in an old-fashioned way which you do not get it elsewhere, the braising sauce is slightly sweeter, thick, starchy and not too salty with a slight herbal flavour. The chicken is so tender, moist and rich in flavour, not particularly spectacular but it is kind of special.
This in, in fact, the Michelin standard Soya Sauce Chicken, not the other one. It is so much better than the soya sauce chicken from Liao Fan Hawker Chan that has been awarded 1-Michelin star. I was never a fan of their chicken not then and not now though this is more expensive but it is worth the value.
This was my first time having it with their noodles and somehow, I would still prefer their rice a little more. The rice is slightly greasy but fragrant which is how a good chicken rice should be, it is so good that you could even eat it on its own. It is even so after left it for a few hours when I took away to have it for dinner at home.
Their Fresh Shrimp Dumpling Soup is a personal favourite which is a must-order each time. It consists of 5 pieces of plump dumpling for the smallest portion at $5, you could taste the crunchiness of the water chestnut embedded amongst the well-seasoned filling.
This is a definite must-try if you are a fan of soya sauce chicken.
LEE FUN NAM KEE
Block 94 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 #01-04 SINGAPORE 310094
Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 3.00 pm / 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Block 94 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 #01-04 SINGAPORE 310094
Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 3.00 pm / 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm