Tag: hokkien mee

6 Dishes Crazy Rich Asians Should Have Tried At Newton Food Centre Instead Of Satay

If the sheer number of articles, videos and opinion pieces showing up on our news feeds in the past week are any indication, it’s clear that we’ve reached peak Crazy Rich Asians hype.

There’s been a lot of discussion surrounding the movie, and while we’re generally okay with how Singapore was portrayed, one scene that did irk us was when the main characters visit Newton Food Centre and declared its satay as the best in Singapore.

Uh…no. We’re not calling ourselves the ultimate authority on food, but we’re pretty sure that we’ve had better ones at East Coast and Lau Pa Sat, at the very least.

While it might not have the best satay, it *is* true that Newton Circus is home to some really good eats. If you’re planning to head down to this iconic hawker centre to channel your inner Rachel Chu, here are the six dishes that you should be trying out instead:

Bee Heng Popiah

If you’re looking for an appetiser before going all-out, then Bee Heng Popiah ($4.40 for a minimum order of 2) is pretty much the only right choice here.

The generous amount of shredded turnip is probably enough to warrant a place on this list, but it’s the skin that’s the real star of the show. Unlike other Popiah’s it has a light, sweet taste of its own, which blends well with the other ingredients of egg, nuts and shrimp.

The soft skin makes for a weak foundation, however, and there’s about a 60% chance that the abundance of ingredients will spill out before you can bring it to your mouth.

Some might prefer more structurally sound Popiah’s, but if you’re willing to put up with the mess you’ll be treated to one of the tastiest versions of this beloved dish that we’ve had.

Bee Heng
Unit: #01-12

XO Bak Chor Mee

There’s Bak Chor Mee…and then there’s XO Bak Chor Mee ($4.50).

If you’re a fan of minced meat noodles and haven’t tried this variant, you owe it to yourself to. Thanks to the addition of…well, XO, the noodles don’t dry out as fast, and quite literally add a new layer of savoury taste to it.

The “meat” part of the dish isn’t anything to scoff at, either — the pork was extremely lean and pretty much melted in our mouths, and the minced meat was so abundant that we had enough to put in every spoonful.

The best part of the dish, however, is still the Fuzhou fish ball, which might honestly be the best Fuzhou fish ball that we’ve ever eaten. There’s only one per bowl, which is probably a good thing because any more would lead to a full-blown addiction.

XO Minced Meat Noodle
Unit: #01-10

Kwee Heng Duck Noodle

On their own, the ingredients of Kwee Heng’s Duck Noodles ($4) aren’t anything to write home about — the noodles and soup are standard prawn noodle fare, and the duck strangely enough tastes a bit like chicken.

When eaten as a whole, however, the flavour profile is flipped on its head in the best of ways. The saltiness of the soup is perfectly complimented by the lighter taste of the meat, creating a balanced taste that’s just the right amount of savoury.

And if for some reason that isn’t enough, adding a hint of chilli further enhances the flavour with an extra kick of sweet spiciness. We admittedly weren’t expecting much from this dish, but it quickly grew to become one of our favourites.

Kwee Heng
Unit: #01-13

Stall 51 Hokkien Mee

With the use of thinner noodles, Stall 51’s Hokkien Mee ($5) is reminiscent of those served at Old Airport Road or Serangoon Gardens’ Chomp Chomp, and taste just as good as well.

The dish has just the right amount of wetness, and retained its consistency even after being left on the table while we got our other dishes (the hallmark of a good Hokkien Mee). The amount of seafood is decent enough, but its the generous serving of egg that really puts this on a whole other level.

And what’s Hokkien Mee without some good chilli? The owner jokingly warned us about how spicy his blend was, but despite its belachan-esque appearance we found it to be more sweet and spicy, and added a new dimension to the dish’s flavour. Needless to say, we wiped the plate clean.

Stall 51
Unit: #01-51

Alliance Seafood

Being awarded the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand for two years straight is no small feat, but we can totally see why the folks at Alliance Seafood managed to do so. The stall is probably best known for their Chilli Crab and Cereal Prawns, but we decided to go for the other crowd-favourite choice of stingray ($12) instead.

the meat was well-cooked throughout, and flaked off the bone as soon as we applied the slightest amount of pressure with our chopsticks. The dish is also lathered with sambal, and while it wasn’t as spicy as we would have wanted it to be, has a rather sweet taste that grows on you.

Much like Kwee Heng’s Duck Noodles, the two ingredients are okay on their own, but produce an entirely new taste when eaten together. We’d recommend flaking all the meat and giving it a good mix before eating to achieve the maximum effect.

Alliance Seafood
Unit: #01-27

Bangkok Express

When you think of “good Thai food”, the usual suspects like Nakhon Kitchen and…well, the entire Golden Mile Complex are usually the first places that come to mind.

Don’t let the rather random location of Bangkok Express fool you, though — with food prepared by an actual Thai chef, this unassuming stall will give your favourite haunts a run for their money, and is one of the best-kept secrets of those working around the Newton area.

Their extensive menu offers everything from Phad Thai to Basil Chicken, and with so much food already on our plates we decided to go for the Seafood Tom Yum Soup ($6).

While most Tom Yum dishes will have you ordering another cup of sugar cane, this iteration is surprisingly light on the spiciness, while still packing a strong, sweet flavour at the same time. They’re pretty generous with the seafood part as well, with squids and prawns appearing in pretty much every spoonful.

Bangkok Express
Unit: #01-04

Also Read 5 Must-Order Dishes At Hougang’s Hainanese Village For $4 And Under

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

8 Best Hokkien Mee In Singapore For That Fragrant Seafood Flavour

Ask any Singaporean and it won’t be long before they list Hae Mee, otherwise known as Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodles as one of their favourite local dishes. Who could blame them? Fried with eggs, yellow noodles, bee hoon, juicy prawns, squid and pork belly strips before simmered in rich prawn broth, this mouth-watering dish is perfect for any time of the day.

From the dry to the soup(ier) versions, here’s our pick of the 8 best Hokkien Mee you can find in our sunny island!

1. Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles

Situated at Chomp Chomp Food Centre, Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles is the place to go for your late night Hokkien Mee fix! Their version of Hokkien Mee is the dry version and they use thin bee hoon instead of the thick ones. What’s different about this dish is that, along with its noodles, bits of prawns and seafood are simmered in pork stock, giving the dish its rich flavour. This stall also uses a combination of cut red chilli and sambal chilli.

Expectedly, Hokkien Mee lovers around the area flock to this stall. There’s a short queue to place your order, and they’ll deliver the Hokkien Mee to you. The waiting time ranges from 15 – 45mins. $3, $4, $5 portions are available.

Ah Hock Hokkien Noodles
Address: 20 Kensington Park Road, #01-27, S557269
Opening Hours: 530pm-12am (Closed every other Tue)

2. Geylang Lor 29 Fried Hokkien Mee

It may be named Geylang Lorong 29 Hokkien Mee, but this stall is actually located at East Coast Road. The reason is simple; the stall is helmed but the same family who owns the stall located in Geylang Lorong 9! A rare sight these days, the stall owner uses a special charcoal fire wok to fry the noodles. This dish is of the soupier type and has a slightly smokey taste to it. Simmered in prawn stock for 7 -8 mins, the owners do their best to serve pipping hot noodles to every customer.

Although the waiting time is slightly longer and each plate may be relatively more expensive ($6), the Hokkien Mee here is flavourful; full of garlicky, eggy goodness; topped with fresh sotong and prawns; and served with deep-fried crispy lard – totally worth the wait! With the generous portion of seafood, we thought the noodles are worth the price and if you ask us, this is definitely one of our top choices for Hokkien Mee.

Geylang Lor 29 Fried Hokkien Mee
Address: 396 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428994
Contact: 65 6440 5340
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-8pm

3. Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee

Run by four brothers who used to run their stall at Hougang, Nam Sing Fried Hokkien Mee is now situated at Old Airport Road Food Centre.

The Hokkien Mee here isn’t overly dry and has sufficient moisture that brings out its flavour. With more bee hoon than yellow noodles, we have to say, the owner really knows the way to our hearts. The flavourful savoury prawn stock which requires hours of preparation coupled with the extensive amount of ingredients used, gives the stock its slight tinge of sweetness. For the health conscious, you’ll be glad to know that no lard is used for this stall’s Hokkien Mee.

Priced at $3, expect to wait for approximately 15-30mins for your plate of noodles. Is it worth the wait? Definitely. Do note that this stall closes on random days and they are usually sold out before closing hours, so do call before heading down to avoid disappointment!

Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee
Address: Old Airport Road, #01-32 Old Airport Road Food Centre, S390051
Contact: 65 6242 0080
Opening Hours: 11.30am-9.30pm, closed on Mon

4. Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee

Whenever anyone mentions Whampoa Market, Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee stall is one that immediately comes to mind. It may have perpetually long queues, but this wok hei* Hokkien Mee noodles is well worth the wait. With 3 types of chillies – sambal, red cut, and green cut – take your pick and spice the dish up your way. Non-chilli lovers may want to stay away from the super spicy sambal chilli.

At $4 per plate, their Hokkien Mee will make you instinctively slurp up the noodles in no time.

Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee 
Address: Whampoa Food Market, Block 90 Whampoa Drive #01-32,  Singapore 320090
Contact: 65 6251 2857
Opening Hours: Daily 4pm-1.30am

5. Eng Ho Hokkien Mee

Do you know that the owners of Ah Eng Hokkien Mee are relatives of the owners of Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee and Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Noodles? Now you know why their thin bee hoon seems familiar.

The stock has ingredients such as wild sea prawns instead of the usual tiger prawns. Combined with squid and pork, the overall sweetness of the stock is hardly surprising. Their Hokkien Mee leans to the wetter version with it being neither overly satly nor oily.

Its location may not be easily accessible, but the stall still attracts a huge crowd. With its operating hours from 4pm-12am, Ah Eng is the place to go for your dinner and late night suppers! Price ranges from $3 to $5 per plate.

Ah Eng Hokkien Mee
Address: 409 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-34 Teck Ghee Square Food Centre, S560409
Contact: 98156826 (Mr Tan)
Opening Hours: 4pm-12am (Closed on alt Tues)

6. Simon Road Hokkien Mee

Originally located at the corner coffee shop along Upper Serangoon Road and Simon Road, Simon Road Hokkien Mee has relocated to Hougang. This stall is now helmed by its fourth-generation.

With its spicy chilli and drips of lime juice, this is one 0f the most flavourful, tasty Hokkien Mee with a taste of wok hei* and a fragrant aroma.

If you are around Hougang Central area, do check out this plate of traditional goodness. Their Hokkien Mee ranges from $4 for a small plate up to $10. Advance orders are also accepted should you wish to skip the queue.

210 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530210
Contact: 9820 2888
Opening Hours: 11am-10pm (Closed on Mon & Tue)

Situated in the West, Soon Kee serves up a delightful plate of Hokkien Mee. Not only are the prawns big and fresh, but the amount of sliced squid is also generous. This Hokkien Mee is served with sambal and lots of crispy pork lard to add extra oomph to your Hokkien Mee.

If you prefer a soupier version of Hokkien Mee, Soon Kee is definitely the place to go to. Prices start from $3 a plate.

Soon Kee Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle
Address:  Li Soon Eating House, Blk 155 Bukit Batok Street 11, #01-322, Singapore 650155
Opening Hours: 8am-9pm (Closed on Mon)

8. Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee

Located at ABC Market, Mr Toh is Yi Sheng Hokkien Mee’s second generation hawker. His father started selling Hokkien Mee in a push cart in Tiong Bahru before moving to their current location.

Yi Sheng’s Hokkien Mee is moist with its thick prawn broth and thin bee hoon. The noodles are tender – not too hard or soggy, with its savoury lard flavour. What’s special about their Hokkien Mee is its signature sambal chilli. Robust with a savoury flavour made from anchovies and dried prawns, their addictive homemade chilli is proudly made using a secret recipe.

As this stall is quite well known around Queenstown area, queueing in the heat can get pretty frustrating. But fear not, as Mr Toh encourages his customers to make pre-orders to reduce their waiting time! Each plate is priced at $3/$4/$5.

Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
Address: Blk 6, Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-13, ABC Brickworks Food Centre
Contact: 9862 9296
Opening Hours: 3pm-10.45pm, closed on Wed

With such good Hokkien Mee around, it sure is difficult choosing our favourite stall. Do share your favourite Hokkien Mee stall by leaving a comment below!

*wok hei is the “essence” imparted by the wok when stir-frying over very high heat.

(Header image by sgfoodonfoot)

Also read: 5 Best Places To Try Famous American-Chinese Dishes In SG

Chomp Chomp Food Centre – 5 Must Try Hawker Stalls Only Insiders Will Know!

Looking to satisfy your late night cravings? This iconic makan place retains much of its old charm.

Supper in the Singaporean context is a late evening meal comprising local fare that’s rustic, gratuitous, unpretentious and never nutritious – usually partaken in the company of compatriots at an outdoor hawker setting.

Chomp Chomp at Serangoon Gardens exists for supper-goers like me. The stores’ opening hours start at 6pm and extend beyond midnight. I was introduced to ‘Chomp’ in 2008 and have found myself returning religiously ever since.

Frequent visitors have a common process: Find a seat, remember your seat number, appoint someone to stay behind to ‘chope’ the seats while the rest split up and order food. In case you are unfamiliar with the iconic food centre, here are some food that you should absolutely order when you are there.

Ah Hock Hokkien Mee

On peak days, Ah Hock will inform you of a 40-minute waiting time so order this first. This drier take on Hokkien Mee pairs yellow noodles with normal bee hoon noodles instead of the popular ‘chu mee fen’ (thick bee hoon) strands. Because the noodles are cooked, or rather less cooked, to a firmer consistency, this pairing works better in this case.

My only gripe about Ah Hock is that on good days, the sauce is rich and flavourful, the prawns are fresh and the chilli is savoury while on other days, one or more elements of the dish will go awry. My tip: order no larger than the $5 serving to hedge your risk.

Chong Pang Huat BBQ Chicken Wings

Head next door and order good ol’ Chicken Wings – the classic supper food! Sure, Chomp Chomp is filled with other stalls selling chix wings, but while competitors have come and gone, this store has stood the test of time which should mean their doing something right. At least I think so.

Traditional Hai Nam Fang Yuan Satay

Facing the chicken wings stall, make an about-turn and you’ll find this Satay stall, but don’t order the Satay. I mean, you can, but that would be beside the point. You want to try their Rojak. The ingredients come in generous crispy chunks and the thick sauce has a nice smoky flavour about it.

Swee Heng Wanton Noodle

My definition of good Wonton Mee: firm but springy strands of thin yellow noodles seasoned with an almost colourless but flavourful sauce, of course embellished with thick cuts of Char Siew pork, blanched veggies and a side of Wonton Soup. This stall delivers just that – most of the time. If you’re a purist lard lover, you may want to look elsewhere because I couldn’t detect any trace of it.

Charlie Corner Healthy Juices

Finally, what better way to cleanse your palate than with a refreshingly healthy glass of fruit juice? For that, I like to go to Charlie (as you can see accompanied with my plate of rojak) if for nothing else than his jovial service.

***

Does Chomp Chomp serve the best food? I dare say, not really. But what’s unique about this place is the atmosphere. The place just comes alive at night and gives off a certain vibe. You have to visit to experience it.