Old Chang Kee

[Musicwhiz]

I personally have not tried A1's curry puffs, but heard some feedback that they are "wetter and more oily" as compared to OCK. But frankly OCK's puffs are also rather oily, but a colleague commented that at least it's NOT recycled oil.

[Bibi]

a colleague commented that at least it's NOT recycled oil.

Hi MW, how does your colleague know its not using recycled oil? It does not make business sense to pour away the oil after each basket of puffs are made. Even my mama recycled the oil for a few times till discovered by my wife and she told her off.

[Musicwhiz]

Hmm, my colleague said there is no used oil smell. She says if the oil is recycled then there is a distinctive smell which makes her nauseous.

[brattzz]

It's good snack.. abit unhealthy...

heehee,

[corydorus]

In Taiwan, the government is very particular with overnight oils as they can cause cancer. Popular fast-food outlets were actually caught using "old oil". Not sure how Singapore control our hawkers and fastfoods but something need to be careful about.

[brattzz]

ok, let me write to NEA to ask what is their "old oil" stand..

[chang]

last time i visited M, they told us oil are used for 3 days only before changed.

[Ben]

last time i visited M, they told us oil are used for 3 days only before changed.

What is M? Do you mean M_c?

I noticed that the OCK outlet near my place usually is able to clear most of their stock by the end of the day. On a few occassions when I feel like having a OCK chicken wing just before closing time, it is usually sold out. What's left is usually the curry puff. Not much wastage which is good.

[corydorus]

Oil should change Daily. That was what the fast food chain said they will do after they were caught.

[lonewolf]

I have no way of verifying this but I'm wondering if OCK charged different prices for their products at different outlet. I'm saying this becos I'm sure I have paid different price for their curry puff at different outlets. Or maybe it was just a crossover in the increase of their price. But if they are able to practice price differential at different outlets, then effectively they can pass some of their overhead to consumers. I rem they have an outlet along Orchard Rd (not sure if still there or not). I'm sure the overhead for that place cannot be cheaper than some of their sub-urban mall outlets. (Scratch that. I guess the price is standardise since it clearly listed on their website )

The best thing that OCK is doing well is that they have been able to maintain the consistency and quality of their products despite opening so many outlets. That is very important because I expect all OCK puffs to taste the same regardless of where I bought them. Sadly when good food start branching out, the quality drops. eg.高记酿豆腐面 (Gao Ji Yong Tau Fu)

They have also shown creativity in coming out with new flavours (sardine, chicken mushroom, black pepper - my favourite but not selling anymore) and promotions (giant fishballs to tie in with world cup). I also noticed that the outlet at Compass Point doing roaring business in the morning selling mee siam, nasi lemak, and other assorted kuehs. I dun know if this is standard for all other outlets.

There are rooms for improvement. Everything I see a Mr Bean outlet next to OCK, I keep wondering to myself why the two owners dun work something out to create a synergy between the 2 businesses. In fact Mr Bean soyabean drink is a perfect compliment for OCK snacks. It does not stretch the imagination for a Value Add Menu to be worked out (ala Macdonalds).