Old Chang Kee - Covent Garden

Old Chang Kee appointed interior designers Quiddington & Associates to undertake the interior fit out of their UK flagship Singaporean street food institution. Opening its doors in Covent Garden, the store brings with it over 60 years of Singaporean street food heritage.

 

On entering the narrow street of New Row from Covent Garden the completely re-built facade of Old Chang Kee proudly announces it’s  arrival in Farrow & Ball Dayroom yellow with traditional encaustic tiles lining the front step. On entering the restaurant you are immersed into an eclectic world of rich Peranakan-style curios. Singaporean heritage is rich in cultural diversity and we wanted the interior to reflect this heterogeneity in both the materials and the display content. Colonial style fielded timber wall panelling, white Carrara marble and clashing encaustic patterned tiles are juxtaposed with joyous discord. 

 

Split over two floors, the existing space was completely reconfigured by moving the existing staircase to allow for a working kitchen in the basement with dumb waiter serving the ground floor servery. The space was very challenging, given that the dining space had to also incorporate the new stair case, a well equipped kitchen/servery, dumb waiter and lots of service ducting.......... so it’s cosy, but typical of Singaporean street establishments. The banquette seating and joinery is all crafted in rich bespoke timber, stained to a beautiful reddish brown and then the shelves gloriously filled with authentic Singaporean house hold items, original posters and authentic wall tiles in vibrant Peranakan patterns. Unmistakable and nostalgic motifs are employed to dramatic effect including a back lit mock steel security shutter along with mesh panels within the joinery display and dark timber ceiling fans.

 

Having started in 1956 as a small stall, Old Chang Kee now holds legendary status amongst Singaporeans and those who’ve lived in or visited the country. The iconic curry puff – has long been the hero of the snack chain. 

 

Old Chang Kee has more than 90 outlets across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

 

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