Kerrod Trott 
From a kampong in busy Singapore to a sustainable home in an Arts and Eco Village community in rural Aldinga, Ee Ling and Francis Tan’s journey has taken them a long way.
According to Francis, one of the most important things they brought with them from Singapore back in 2008 was a love of Singaporean -hawker food.
Hence the decision to open Lot 8 in Port Rd, Aldinga.
Francis describes Lot 8 as a typical Singapore home kitchen or comfort food restaurant, where a few classic Singaporean dishes – chicken or vegetable laksa, chicken with noodles, chicken rice, etc., – are prepared using fresh ingredients and following the traditional recipe.
“Lot 8 is born out of a love of our heritage food and to share a part of our food experience with our local community,” says Francis.
Luckily, Francis and Ee Ling’s children share their parents’ love of food and hospitality, and regularly pitch in to help out in the restaurant.
Lot 8 has been enthusiastically welcomed by the local community, and being a one-man show, Francis tries his best to meet all the order bookings but, on some days, he has to post “Sold Out” notice before it is even opened for service.
It pays, therefore, to order in advance, using Facebook Messenger at (1) Lot8aldinga | Facebook – especially as now, under Covid restrictions, Lot 8 operates only as a take-away eatery.
“Please send us your order via messenger or SMS at 0481 796 951 with your name and date & time of pick-up,” says Francis. “If possible, send in your orders any time before 5pm on the day of your pickup. This will help us to schedule/ confirm pick-up time.”
Francis and Ee Ling were recently approached by the Oz Asia Festival, and asked to participate in an adventurous theatre experiment where they would share with live audiences their lived experiences of migrating to South Australia, and making a new life for themselves in Aldinga. (Details below.)
The local community is much richer for the presence of Francis and Ee Ling, and we’re glad to call them neighbours.
Open Homes – OzAsia Festival
Described by The Guardian as “A rare glimpse into the lives of people you might pass on the street and never meet”, Open -Homes looks behind every door of every home, and the stories that might never be told.
Featuring personal and moving accounts from everyday people, audiences are invited into the homes of strangers to hear their stories. First conceptualised by artist Jeffrey Tan for the Singapore International Festival of Arts, this season includes six generous Asian Australian storytellers as they host listeners and share stories of their own lived experience making Adelaide home.
A rare opportunity for a very small audience, Open Homes uses no actors – just real people sharing their terraces, backyards and apartments in this series of fleeting yet intimate encounters. Understated, sincere and humbling, it is an authentic theatre-going experience about the importance of fostering community and taking a moment to walk in someone else’s shoes.
Journey to the South
Ee Ling & Francis Tan, Aldinga
Facilitated by Tyson Olson
How did Singapore noodles come to Aldinga? From kampong to eco village, what values do this Chinese couple bring for their journey to the south?
Performance Dates
24, 31 Oct & 7 Nov, 2pm
31 Oct, 4pm
To book tickets Open Homes – OzAsia Festival
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