Liao Fan, Singapore's Michelin-starred hawker stall, to announce partnership and expansion

Mr Chan Hon Meng, owner of Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle. Liao Fan is set to partner Hersing Culinary to expand globally. ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

SINGAPORE - Michelin-starred Hong Kong soya sauce chicken rice and noodle stall Liao Fan may be going global.

The hawker stall, which shot to fame in July after being anointed with one star by the Singapore Michelin guide, is holding a joint press conference on Friday (Oct 28) with Hersing Culinary.

According to a press release, the two companies will be sharing details of their "collaboration and upcoming global expansion plans".

Hersing owns the franchising rights to Hong Kong's Michelin-starred dim sum eatery Tim Ho Wan in the Asia Pacific region.

Liao Fan's owner owner Chan Hon Meng, 51, told Chinese evening daily daily Lianhe Wanbao that even as he expands his business, his outlet at Chinatown Food Complex will remain.

His business was one of two hawker stalls awarded the one-star rating, the other being Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle in Crawford Lane.

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The day after it received its Michelin star, the stall attracted queues before it had even opened.

In September, Mr Chan told The Straits Times that he had received offers from five companies to buy his recipe.

He said that he wanted to remain a partner even after selling the recipe, and had laid out three criteria for potential partners.

The first criteria was an offer of at least $2 million as a "guaranteed cooperation fee" for the recipe for his famed soya sauce chicken and cooking expertise.

The second was that the partner had to have the resources to expand the brand "all over the world".

Lastly, Mr Chan said the company needed to ensure that the taste of his soya sauce chicken is replicated and standardised in all the outlets.

His ambition is to become the "No. 2 chicken eatery chain" after fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken. A key reason for his intention to expand overseas is the increase in the number of tourists at his stall since the award - he estimated that they form about 90 per cent of his customers.

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