Love eating steamboat and hot pot? My wife and I are happy to recommend probably Singapore’s only artisan her kiao (fish dumpling) and fish noodles standalone shop: Lucky Her Kiao founded by Chef James Chua.
What is her kiao and fish noodles?
her kiao and fish noodles
Image Source: Screenshot from luckyherkiao Instagram
Her kiao is a traditional Teochew fish dumpling made with tapioca flour, fish paste, ground pork, and fried sole fish (otherwise known as tee poh). The flour and fish paste are mixed to make the skin that will be used to wrap the ground pork and sole fish (usually grounded to tiny bits or powder form) into a shape that resembles the more commonly eaten wanton.
Fish noodles are even more of a rarity today. They are simply the mixed flour and fish paste used to make her kiao skin cut into thin strips. I have very form memories of eating this when I was a young boy and had thought that this dish had since disappeared. To my delight, I recently discover two places that still make them, Lucky Her Kiao being one of them.
Who is James Chua?
James comes from the family who runs one of Singapore’s popular hawker brands: Song Kee fishball noodles. James’ father started the original stall in Toa Payoh Lor 5 Food Centre while other family members including uncles and cousins started various other stalls throughout Singapore, also under the Song Kee brand although the stalls operate independently.
James helped at his father’ stall from a very young age until he took over full time at the age of 20. By 30, he decided to focus full time on mastering his passion: the art of making her kiao and other soup based ingredients such as fish noodles, fish balls and meat balls. With more 3 decades in the food business and more than 2 decades making her kiao and fish products, he finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of starting his own artisan shop in 2020.
Why we love Lucky Her Kiao
It was purely by accident that I chanced upon his shop. Around end of 2021, I was driving around Balestier Road looking for a place to park my car when I entered a side road, Jalan Dusun, and found a parking lot. I then inadvertently walked past James’ shop which had colourful posters and signages promoting his products.
I peeked through the closed glass door and was pleasantly surprised to see a few helpers making the her kiao and fish balls by hand.
I took note of the shop and not long after, I brought my wife to patronize Lucky Her Kiao. Since then, we have become fans of Lucky Her Kio and introduced the shop to my in-laws and friends.
My wife and I love eating her kiao, fish noodles, meat balls and other ingredients made by James and his small group of passionate and dedicated team. James uses fresh yellowtail fish, arguably the best fish for making her kiao and fish balls amongst experts.
His products are freshly and painstakingly made by hands daily. We could clearly taste the freshness and quality compare with those purchased from supermarkets that are commercially mass factory produced. His her kiao have a slippery chew in every bite. According to James, he does not use preservatives or additives in his products.
When we visited the shop recently, this time we had a chance to chat with his team members. When I told them that I would help to promote their shop, one of them replied “please do if you want to continue to eat her kiao from Singapore only artisan shop. We ourselves eat our “her kiao” and fish noodles everyday”. Clearer, a team who are passionate and believe in their own products! Their love shows when tasting the products.
Where to buy?
This is the price list at the time of this post:
You can walk into Lucky Her Kiao for your purchase at
#01-01 One Dusun Residences, 1 Jln Dusun, 329363 (opens daily except Wednesday from 10.30am to 3pm)
Instagram: luckyherkiao
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Lucky-Her-Kiao-100057013601914/
Call or whatsapp: 9830 1661