Nam Kee Pau (南记) is a well-known name for its handmade steamed buns, especially its Amy Yip Big Pau (叶子楣大包), and a list of dim sum / noodle / porridge dishes. The brand originated from Johor Bahru and has many outlets across Singapore, including a shop in The Rail Mall (Bukit Timah) and another in the basement of West Mall (Bukit Batok).
A new stall in Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre was opened in March 2025.
Nam Kee’s traditional handmade pau (buns) originated from Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Their signature large bun is called Amy Yip Pau (叶子楣大包) and is a size larger than their Big Pau (大包) — do specify clearly which “big” bun when ordering. Other buns include Char Siew Pau (叉烧包), Red Bean Pau (豆沙包) and Lotus Pau (莲蓉包). There are glutinous rice (糯米鸡), siew mai (烧卖) and a list of noodle / porridge dishes too. Note that different outlets may offer different sets of menu items.
Most big buns are about palm-size, but Nam Kee’s signature Amy Yip Pau (叶子楣大包) is around hand-size. The hot-selling large bun is stuffed with lean meat, minced meat, Chinese sausage, braised egg, etc. It has a savoury flavour and quite hearty — big enough to be shared by 2 persons.
The Big Pau (大包) has lesser ingredients than the Amy Yip Pau and has different flavours — it is not a smaller version of the Amy Yip Pau. This is a great option if Amy Yip Pau is too large for one’s appetite.
The Glutinous Rice (糯米鸡) with tender chicken meat is another hot-seller of Nam Kee Pau. It is sweet-savoury, well-smoothen by its oil-sauce and not salty. This is really delicious.
The Chilli Ban Mian (辣椒板面) is Nam Kee’s signature noodle dish. The dry-tossed ban mian is topped with minced meat, fried anchovies, sliced mushrooms, fried shallots, a poached egg, greens, and chilli paste. Mash the runny egg and mix it well with all the ingredients and it becomes a smooth, savoury and spicy dish with crunchy textures.
The traditional Mee Hoon Kueh (面粉粿) is served with thin hand-torn mee hoon kueh in soup with chunks of minced meat, slices of mushroom, fried anchovies, greens and half-cooked egg (meant to create egg flower in the soup). The hand-torn noodle is well-cooked and the soup has a nice old-taste flavour.
The Ee Mian (伊面) is served with ee-mee (brown egg noodle made with wheat flour) in soup and has similar ingredients as the mee hoon kueh dish. The elongated noodle adds its own taste characteristics to the dish and, with a chewier texture, offers a different taste experience.
Nam Kee Pau’s steamed buns and noodle dishes are great for dine-in or take-away. While the two Bukit Batok outlets are nearer to my place, the shop at The Rail Mall is a nice spot to have lunch after hiking along the Rail Corridor.
Social Media:
Facebook | Website
Bukit Batok Outlet:
Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre, #01-12
469 Bukit Batok West Ave 9, Singapore 650469
Opening Hours:
7:30am to 9pm | Daily
West Mall Outlet:
West Mall, #B1-04/04A
1 Bukit Batok Central Link, Singapore 658713
Opening Hours:
8am to 10pm | Daily
The Rail Mall Outlet:
The Rail Mall, Unit 444
380 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 678040
Opening Hours:
7am to 9:30pm | Daily
Nearby:
More @ Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre:
Leave a Reply