Our Story — Guan Chee Hong Kong Roast Meats

The Guan Chee stall at Hougang Avenue 1 in August 2026, roasts hanging under the signboard — The Hougang shopfront in 1995 — the sign reads 源記香港燒臘. Drag to see the same stall on 14 August 2026.

The Hougang shopfront in 1995 — the sign reads 源記香港燒臘. Drag to see the same stall on 14 August 2026.

1983

Terence Chi began roasting in a small corner of Hougang Avenue 1, using a recipe he had worked out himself.

There was no plan for ten outlets. There was one stall, a charcoal fire, and the particular Hong Kong style of roasting — siu laap — that Singapore’s heartlands had taken to.

Forty-three years later the recipe has not changed, the roasting is still done in-house every morning, and the pigs are still turned by hand.

A whole pig turning by hand on a spit over an open charcoal fire

How we roast

Nothing about it is quick.

01Roasted where it’s soldNine of our ten stalls roast their own on the premises each morning. Only The Woodleigh Mall is supplied from Hougang.
02Our own marinadeThe same homegrown recipe the business started with in 1983.
03Over charcoalTraditional charcoal at Hougang and most of our stalls — ducks, char siew, roast pork and whole pigs. Three food-court outlets use gas and electric ovens, where charcoal is not permitted.
04Chopped to orderNothing sits under a lamp waiting. It’s cut when you ask for it.

Along the way

Forty-three years, briefly.

Every certificate below is one Guan Chee still has.

1983

A corner of Hougang Avenue 1

Terence Chi starts roasting at Block 106. One stall, one recipe.
2003

Singapore Food Map

Certificate of Award for Fine Culinary Skill.
2005

Roasted Meat Specialists 八大燒臘篇

Listed among the eight, with a five-star rating.
2007

Listed again

A second listing in the same food guide’s 2007 edition.
2008

Heritage Brands

Recognised by Singapore TODAY in the business enterprise category.
2015

SG50 Heartland Enterprise Star Award

Named a Heartland Heritage Enterprise in Singapore’s jubilee year, presented by then Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Founder Terence Chi receiving the award at the 2015 ceremony, presented by then Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
2017

Delivery arrives

A partnership with foodpanda brought Guan Chee to customers around Parkway Parade without them having to queue — the first time the roast meats travelled.
Today

Ten outlets across Singapore

From the original coffee shop at Hougang to food courts at Jewel, Marina Bay Sands and Mandai — still roasting to the same recipe.

See all ten