Tracing its Hokkien history
Some say it was originally known as Rochor mee because it was first sold at Rochor Road. Hokkien sailors who had worked at noodle factories in post-war Singapore would gather at Rochor Road in the evenings to fry the excess noodles from the factories over charcoal stoves. Others suggest that a stall beside the 7th Storey Hotel near Rochor Road first created this dish.
Yet some point out that Rochor Mee was the Peranakan interpretation of the dish, which is cooked with more gravy and accompanied by sambal – a more common version these days. The original Hokkien mee is supposedly fried till dry and eaten with sliced red chilli.
But it does not matter which account is true, just know that the noodles, typically found in hawker centres, are delightfully delicious.