This New Zi Char Place Is A “Mini SG” With Themed Decor Like An Old-School Bus Stop & ERP Gantry

KEK Seafood at SAFRA Punggol

Keng Eng Kee Seafood, or KEK Seafood for short, is a famous zi char restaurant most Singaporeans already know and love. Even the late Anthony Bourdain had something to say about their wok hei-filled delicacies.

So what can you expect at their 3rd restaurant at SAFRA Punggol? Well to put it plainly, a lot. Beyond the delicious food, this outlet has Insta-worthy interiors to boot – we’re talking seating inspired by old-school swings and an archway that looks like an ERP gantry.

Old-school themed eatery with unique photo spots

Don’t let the ERP gantry and day parking sign scare you – this one won’t kena saman.
Image credit: KEK Seafood

KEK Seafood’s first outlet at Alexandra Village has classic hawker-style dining at its peak, situated on the ground floor of Block 124, Bukit Merah Lane. Then, there’s also the outlet at SAFRA Tampines, which features a mural that’s an ode to the Singapore hawker culture.

Are you walking into a zi char place or Punggol MRT station? Who knows.
Image credit: KEK Seafood

And even though it might not be located within a residential area, the new KEK Seafood at SAFRA Punggol has an even stronger focus on the Singaporean day-to-day life. We guarantee that you’ll feel right at home.

Image credit: KEK Seafood

Your eyes don’t deceive you, this restaurant pays homage to some of the things that are unique to Singaporeans. An ERP Gantry is used as a decorative arch, while diners can wait to be seated at a 1/1 replica of a temporary public bus stop.

Localised road signs and traffic lights line their “streets”, with floors modelled after our very own roads and expressways.

Image credit KEK Seafood

Head to one of the seating areas, which has ceilings covered by a faux shelter – the kind with corrugated zinc sheets as roofing. There’s a mural featuring kids at play at an old school dragon playground. You’ll be having lunch or dinner seated at tables that have been modelled like old-school playground swings.

Dig into Michelin-rated hawker food

Image credit: Eatbook

Fun fact: KEK Seafood has earned features on Netflix and CNN. So besides the Insta-worthy interiors, of course you’d come to KEK Seafood at SAFRA Punggol for the yummy eats.

Their classic signatures like the Signature Moonlight Horfun (from $10.80) or Marmite Chicken (from $15.80) have helped them claim the prestigious Michelin Guide’s Michelin Plate for the past 7 years.

The 3 dishes exclusive to SAFRA Punggol.
Image credit: KEK Seafood

Alongside their usual specialities, this outlet has some new and exclusive dishes that you won’t find at their other branches: Grilled Assorted Seafood with their special homemade KEK sauce, Otah Charcoal Fried Dough Fritters, and Cereal Hei Bee Hiam Fried Ice Cream for a sweet treat.

Check out KEK Seafood at SAFRA Punggol

Image credit: KEK Seafood

So if you’re craving local zhi char in a unique setting, head over to SAFRA Punggol for some Michelin-rated cereal prawns, chilli crab, and claypot. You and your dining mates won’t run out of things to talk about – from the super shiok food to the nostalgic decor. The only thing that’s missing is the staff wearing school uniforms or dressing like bus captains and NSmen.

Address: 9 Sentul Crescent, #02-01 SAFRA Punggol, Singapore 828654
Opening hours: 11am-2pm & 5pm-10pm, Daily
Contact: 9691 0616 | KEK Seafood website

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Cover image adapted from KEK Seafood