Our mum, lovingly known as Ah Kiow (阿娇), opened her very first kueh stall that year. While her kueh brought smiles to many, she soon became obsessed with one humble dish: Glutinous Rice (糯米饭). She would spend countless mornings at the wet market or travelling to ingredient stalls, always in search of the very best ingredients: dried shrimps(虾米), fragrant shiitake mushrooms(香菇), finest grains of glutinous rice and etc, all in the name of perfecting this simple comforting dish. Through years of trial and error, she refined and adjusted her methods, determined to create the best recipe for it. And eventually, she found it the perfect balance of flavour, texture, and heart. Her glutinous rice became a staple not only for regular customers but also for hawker/kueh stalls and private events like baby full-months, birthdays, you name it. It wasn’t just food; it was her way of sharing love with the world. Even after she left us, her legacy never faded. Our dad took over the stove and carried her recipe forward with heart and devotion for over 15 years. His hands cooked with memory; his heart, with love. Now, it’s our turn and our duty. We’re the next generation, proudly taking on the family torch, not just to keep the recipe alive, but to remind people, especially the younger generation in Singapore, of the rich heritage behind these traditional dishes. We believe that food like this shouldn’t disappear with time. It’s a part of who we are, and it deserves to be remembered, celebrated, and shared. We’re here to make her proud and to let everyone have a taste of the love she left behind. Ah Kiow’s glutinous rice.
