Update: South Buona Vista Road Famous Teochew Boneless Duck Rice has relocated. The new address has been updated at the bottom of this post.
There is a braised duck rice stall with a rather lengthy name located near Mustafa Centre.
Its owner, Mr Ang Chiap Teck - brother-in-law to the founder of the famous Lim Seng Lee Duck Rice at Buona Vista - set up the business here at Verdun Road in 2013 after Lim Seng Lee closed down during that same year.
As a mark of respect to his brother-in-law who had given him his blessings to revive the 45 years old business, Mr Ang did not continue with the Lim Seng Lee brand. Instead, he named his business South Buona Vista Road Famous Teochew Boneless Duck Rice.
I have kiv-ed this stall for quite a few years now but have never gotten round to paying them a visit.
While getting out of bed one Saturday morning, I suddenly made up my mind not to put it off any longer and took the train to Farrer Park MRT station. Cutting through City Square Mall, I exited the mall and crossed the road to the opposite side where the stall is located inside a coffee shop named Kim San Leng.
There were no customers that Saturday morning so I was able to order a plate of braised duck rice for $4 immediately.
Its owner, Mr Ang Chiap Teck - brother-in-law to the founder of the famous Lim Seng Lee Duck Rice at Buona Vista - set up the business here at Verdun Road in 2013 after Lim Seng Lee closed down during that same year.
As a mark of respect to his brother-in-law who had given him his blessings to revive the 45 years old business, Mr Ang did not continue with the Lim Seng Lee brand. Instead, he named his business South Buona Vista Road Famous Teochew Boneless Duck Rice.
I have kiv-ed this stall for quite a few years now but have never gotten round to paying them a visit.
While getting out of bed one Saturday morning, I suddenly made up my mind not to put it off any longer and took the train to Farrer Park MRT station. Cutting through City Square Mall, I exited the mall and crossed the road to the opposite side where the stall is located inside a coffee shop named Kim San Leng.
There were no customers that Saturday morning so I was able to order a plate of braised duck rice for $4 immediately.
I am so happy that they have the option of white rice here which I gladly opt for over yam rice. There is a healthy portion of duck meat on the rice all drenched in sauce with herbal notes.
Slightly savory, the sauce was thickened with starch but the consistency is still considered runny by my standards. I prefer runny sauce more than starchy ones.
Slightly savory, the sauce was thickened with starch but the consistency is still considered runny by my standards. I prefer runny sauce more than starchy ones.
The thinly sliced duck meat is on the leaner side however, the meat texture is not fibrous at all. On the contrary, it is all soft and tender. I wonder how they managed to do it?
I am not sure if the skin is intentionally removed but I would have really enjoyed them.
They do not serve herbal soup here. What I had was salted mustard green soup aka chai buey soup. It is quite bland actually.
On the other hand, the chili dip go so well with the rice, duck meat and even the cucumber slices! The tang totally whet my appetite!
While taking photos of the stall, the stall owner strike up a conversation with me.
"Taking photos for memory's sake?"
Seeing my perplexed expression, he continued, "We are closing at the end of November (2019)."
"Why is that?" I asked in disbelief.
He lowered his voice and mentioned something about "them" not wanting to rent to him anymore.
"So have you found a new place?"
"We are not looking yet."
"Oh, do you have a Facebook account so customers could be updated of your new location?"
"Take my name card and give me a call." he said as he passed one to me.
I could feel the helplessness in his tone. A overwhelming sense of sadness wells up in me as I turned to walk away, with the name card tightly clutched in my hands.
Sometimes, I cannot help but wonder about life. I have put off visiting this stall for years but what prompted me that morning the moment I opened my eyes, with the sudden interest to go? If I had procrastinated as usual, I would have totally missed out on the opportunity to have this very homely braised duck rice.
I still remember back in 2013 when Lim Seng Lee Duck Rice owner's retirement news got out, fans flocked to the shop for a high profile last goodbye and the newsroom had a field day reporting it. Mr Ang who had worked for his brother-in-law for close to thirty years then reopened at a new location, renamed the business and thankfully maintained the standards of their braised duck.
Now, he too is closing and there is no telling whether he will set up shop at another location or if he will retire for good. So, do everyone a favor; let everyone you know about the closure so they too could have a last plate of Mr Ang's South Buona Vista Road Famous Teochew Boneless Duck Rice before he hangs up his apron for good.
Kim San Leng Eating House
16 Verdun Road
Singapore 207279
Business Hours
Fri - Wed: 9.30am - 5pm
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/yEHgx1HieyTs9BXL8
SOUTH BOUNA VISTA BRAISED DUCK 99湾卤鸭
81 Desker Road
Singapore 209604
Business Hours
Fri - Wed: 11am - 8pm
Closed: Thu
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Buona-Vista-Road-Famous-Teochew-Duck-Rice-at-16-Sam-Leong-Road/392491940850950
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Zm3XkyF11AQ7SnHt5