Team Behind Anthony Bourdain’s Food Hall Revives Plans With Singaporean Hawker Center in Midtown | Eater NY

"Planned to open in early 2022, this 10,000-square-foot, yet-to-be-named Singapore hawker-style food hall at 135 West 50th Street (between Sixth and Seventh avenues, on a stretch of 6 1/2 Avenue between 50th and 51st streets) will feature 18 Singaporean vendors offering staples such as chile crab, oyster omelettes, nasi lemak, char kway teow, and Hainanese chicken rice; vendors confirmed include Ah Tai, who supposedly served Anthony Bourdain his first taste of Hainanese chicken rice, and Chris Hooi, whose family is credited with the beloved rendition of chile crab created more than 60 years ago. Backed by Urbanspace and KF Seetoh, the project aims to recreate the soul‑ful comfort of Singapore’s hawker centers — which the U.N. recognized for their cultural heritage — by helping hawkers run a business focused on a single dish, and Seetoh stresses that “our hawker food is not Instagram food. It goes to your soul,” with dishes like char kway teow and chicken rice described as absolute comfort food." - Bao Ong