Sin Hoe Hin Dark Sauce Wanton Mee

According to the ST Foodies Club, there are at least 5 different types of dry wanton mee in Singapore: the traditional Cantonese wanton mee, the ketchup wanton mee, the Kuala Lumpur dark sauce wanton mee, the Sarawak kolo mee and the Pontian wanton mee. Sin Hoe Hin Dark Sauce Wanton Mee is a KL dark sauce wanton mee which is characterised by the use of dark soya sauce and oyster sauce as compared with the traditional Cantonese wanton mee which uses light soya sauce, chilli and oil.


I ordered a plate of $4 wanton mee which comes with delicious noodles topped with generous servings of char siew, kangkong vegetables, fried wanton and shrimp dumplings. The mouthwatering noodles are thoroughly coated with the flavorful dark sauce which has the unmistakable fragrance of dark soya sauce and the delightful sweetness of oyster sauce. The fresh kangkong complements the noodles very well, adding a different flavour to the dish. The char siew is tender and well-roasted. The fried wanton are crispy and tasty. The shrimp dumplings are extremely fleshy and appetizing.

Although I am a fan of the traditional Cantonese wanton mee like Hong Mao, Fei Fei, Koka and Koung's, I still find Sin Hoe Hin wanton mee very sumptuous. This is indeed the best KL dark sauce wanton mee in Singapore.

7.5/10

Sin Hoe Hin Dark Sauce Wanton Mee
12 Rowell Road
7.30am to 1.30pm
Closed on Tuesdays

Update 21/9/2008 - This stall has closed down.

Zi Yean Stewed Beef La Mian

Zi Yean is a restaurant at the void deck of a HDB flat which has two sections, an air-conditioned and an alfresco one. Though famous for its impressive tze char (ala carte cooked dishes), Zi Yean also serves delicious dim sum (snacks and dumplings) and la mian (homemade noodles) for lunch and tea.


My favorite is the stewed beef la mian. For only $3.80, you get a bowl of delicious la mian with generous chunks of stewed beef. All beef lovers will be delighted to know that the chunks of beef are not only VERY HUGE but tasty, tender and well-marinated. The flavorful gravy is extremely complementary to the homemade noodles which are smooth and delicate.

I strongly recommend Zi Yean's stewed beef la mian for lunch. One day I shall try its famous tze char and blog about it too. Stay tuned.

7.5/10

Zi Yean Restaurant
Blk 56 Lengkok Bahru
#01-443 S(150056)

Bukit Purmei Lor Mee

Located in a coffee shop at the void deck of a small housing estate, this famous lor mee is well-known to draw large crowds during lunch time. When I went there for lunch today, I had to queue for 20 minutes before I got my noodles.

A $3 bowl of Bukit Purmei lor mee comes with a satisfactory variety of delicious ingredients eg ngor hiang, fish cake, braised meat, char siew, meat nuggets etc. Like Yuan Chun Famous Lor Mee at Amoy Street, its mouthwatering gravy is its winning factor.


Extraordinarily fragrant and flavorful, the special gravy coats every strand of noodle thoroughly, every mouthful is simply irresistable. The complementary chilli and garlic pastes further accentuate the rich and authentic flavour of the gravy, making the dish so fantastic that you can eat it on its own. Even so, this lor mee comes with generous servings of ingredients which are fresh and tasty. I was pleasantly surprised to find char siew in lor mee.

Compared with Yuan Chun lor mee, I feel that Bukit Purmei lor mee is more delicious and value-for-money. Even though it is not as accessible, I still prefer to have Bukit Purmei lor mee for lunch.

8/10

Bukit Purmei Lor Mee
Blk 109 Bukit Purmei Road
7am - 3.30pm
Closed on Mondays

Five Star Hainanese Chicken Rice

When I was younger, I used to go down to East Coast for supper. And more often than not, I would have Five Star Hainanese chicken rice as it was one of the few stalls that were open until late at night. I still remembered the exceptionally fragrant rice, extraordinarily spicy chilli and extremely tasty chicken. In my mind, this was no doubt the best chicken rice in Singapore.

When I went there for dinner today, I had very high expectations of Five Star chicken rice. I ordered a chicken drumstick and a plate of rice which cost $4.60.


Remarkably chewy in consistency, the impressive rice is well-cooked in irresistable chicken broth, every grain is coated with a layer of savory essence and delightful aroma. The distinctive chilli sauce is unbelievably spicy, scorching the taste buds gently as it combusts within the mouth, leaving a sensational aftertaste that lingers for hours. Fresh and tender, the delicious steamed chicken is especially fleshy and flavorful, much to the delight of chicken lovers.

It was indeed a very sumptuous and satisfying dinner. To all chicken rice enthusiasts out there, please do not miss the opportunity to try Singapore's best chicken rice. Come down to East Coast today.

8.5/10

Five Star Hainanese Chicken Rice
191 East Coast Road

Koka Wanton Noodles

There is something strange about this wanton mee stall in North Bridge Road Food Centre. Firstly it starts business only after 8pm and secondly its signboard isn't lighted up when it starts business. Yet when I went there for dinner last Friday, I was surprised to know that people have started placing their orders as early as 7pm and there were more than 20 people waiting for their noodles by the time it's 8pm. I waited for more than an hour and certainly had very high expectations of the noodles.


I ordered a $4 plate of Koka wanton mee. My first impression of the noodles is that it has a striking resemblance to Hong Mao Wanton Noodles. Its impressive chilli sauce, which is more spicy and salty than sweet compared to other wanton mee, is delightfully flavorful and blends extremely well with the delicious noodles. The char siew is fresh and tender and the dumplings are big and tasty.

Despite its unilluminated signboard and unconventional operating hours, Koka Wanton Noodles is no doubt one of the best wanton mee in Singapore and is definitely worthwhile waiting an hour for.

8/10

Koka Wanton Noodles
North Bridge Road Food Centre
Blk 10 North Bridge Road
#01-99 Singapore 190010
8pm to 12am
Closed on Sundays

Yuan Chun Famous Lor Mee

As its name suggests, Yuan Chun Famous Lor Mee is one of the famous lor mee in Singapore. Located on the second storey of Amoy Street Food Centre, this stall is well-known to have queues that are so long, it is almost impossible to have it during lunch time. My opportunity finally came when I went there on a Saturday afternoon at 2pm, a time when the queue was practically non-existent.

I ordered a bowl of $3 lor mee which comes with ngor hiang, braised meat and fried fish. The distinguishing factor of Yuan Chun lor mee lies in its mouthwatering gravy that gives every strand of noodle a thick coat of extraordinary flavour. I was initially disappointed when I found out that Yuan Chun lor mee does not come with chilli paste but I soon discovered why. The savory gravy complements the noodles so well, there is no need for any chilli paste.


Apart from the special gravy, the rest of the lor mee, including the ngor hiang, braised meat and fried fish, is sadly ordinary. The slices of ngor hiang are more plentiful than braised meat and fried fish, although I would prefer more of the latter two.

Nevertheless this is indeed one of the more tasty lor mee in Singapore. I would have rated it as the best if it had come with better ingredients eg shark meat nuggets.

7.5/10

Yuan Chun Famous Lor Mee
Amoy Street Food Centre
7 Maxwell Rd
#02-79/80 S(069111)
0830 to 1600
Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays

River South (Hoe Nam) Prawn Noodles

As a prawn mee enthusiast, nothing makes my day more than a bowl of delicious prawn noodles with huge prawns. Of all the prawn mee I have recommended so far, I like Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodles best. None of the other prawn noodles has ever come close. Until I tried River South (Hoe Nam) Prawn Noodles today that I finally found another prawn mee that can match the impressive standards of Wah Kee.


I ordered a $5 bowl of prawn noodles with pork ribs. Unlike some famous prawn noodles which serve halved prawns with meat stuck onto their shells, Hoe Nam prawn mee comes with 3 large full prawns which are extremely fresh and succulent. There are also 3 large pieces of well-marinated pork ribs that are tender and tasty. The savory soup is concentrated with the rich essence of prawns and pork ribs, complementing the delicious noodles and accentuating its seafood flavour.

It was indeed a very satisfying experience eating Hoe Nam prawn mee. This is no doubt one of the best prawn noodles in Singapore. If you are a prawn mee lover too, do not miss this opportunity. Come down and try Hoe Nam prawn noodles today.

8/10

River South (Hoe Nam) Prawn Noodles
31 Tai Thong Crescent (Near Jackson Centre)
Singapore 347859
Tel: 62819293
6.30am to 4.30pm daily
Closed once a month on Mondays

Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa

There is plenty of controversy surrounding Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa. It started many years ago when a famous stall selling delicious claypot laksa at Depot Road closed down. It subsequently re-opened in Alexandra Village Food Centre but people were skeptical if this was the original stall. After all there were other stalls with similar names, selling claypot laksa at Telok Blangah, Killiney Road and Vivocity.

When I went to Alexandra Village Food Centre for lunch yesterday, there was a long queue in front of this stall. I ordered the $4 claypot laksa which came with a reasonable serving of noodles with prawns, cockles and shredded chicken . The mouthwatering gravy is delightfully sweet and spicy, brimming with the concentrated flavors of coconut and dried shrimps. Every strand of the delicious noodles is thoroughly coated with a thick layer of savory gravy, every mouthful is simply irresistable.


It is indeed a very sumptuous claypot laksa. My only dissatisfaction is that the gravy is slightly too thick. As compared with Katong Laksa which I can finish two bowls at one go, Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa is so filling, I could hardly finish the gravy. Nevertheless it is still the best laksa I have tasted in Singapore and I definitely look forward to having Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa again.

8/10

Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa
Alexandra Village Food Centre
Block 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-75
8.30am to 3pm
Closed on Mondays

Borshch Steakhouse

Let me begin by introducing Borshch Steakhouse as the restaurant which serves the best and most affordable Russian food in Singapore. Located at Serangoon Gardens, opposite Chomp Chomp Food Centre, this restaurant is surprisingly quiet despite its inexpensive set lunches and set dinners. Maybe it's the lack of publicity. Maybe it's the lacklustre surroundings. Or maybe it's the old-fashioned layout. Nevertheless I decided to give it a try and I was extremely impressed.

I ordered the set dinner which comes with shrimp cocktail, Borshch soup, sirloin steak, peach melba and coffee for only $13.80 ($14.50 after service charge and no GST). Where else in Singapore can you get a sumptuous Western set dinner at such a price?


The shrimp cocktail which is delightful and appetizing, serves to prime the taste buds for the irresistable main course. The authentic Borshch soup which comes with cabbage and mutton, is absolutely mouthwatering with a kaleidoscope of flavors ranging from sweet to spicy to sour.


Served sizzling on the hotplate, the impressive sirloin steak is tender, succulent and fingerlicking good. Every portion of the sirloin steak is evenly grilled with a distinctive charred aroma and an unforgettable smoky taste.


Complete your sensational dining experience with peach melba which is vanilla ice-cream topped with a slice of peach.


This Russian restaurant is indeed praiseworthy for its affordable food and prompt service. However its dim lighting and poor ventilation can be improved. Nevertheless Borshch Steakhouse left me a great impression and I will certainly be returning for more.

8/10

Borshch Steakhouse
58 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555954
Tel: 6280 4351
Opens daily from 11am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm

Xing Ji Minced Meat Noodles

This is the one and only minced meat noodles (or better known as rou cuo mian in Mandarin or bak chor mee in dialect) in Singapore that I have a craving for. Having tasted Xing Ji minced meat noodles many years ago, I still remembered the smoothness of the noodles and the flavorfulness of the soup.

Seated near the stall and watching the owner churn out bowl after bowl of noodles, I waited very impatiently for more than half an hour before my noodles arrived. Fortunately it was still as impressive as ever.


A $3 bowl of Xing Ji noodles comes with delicious yi mee topped with generous servings of minced meat and 8 meatballs. The savory soup is filled with the irresistable essence of minced meat and blends extraordinarily well with the delicate mee kia, fresh minced meat and tasty meatballs. The noodles are so fantastic, I just couldn't stop eating them, mouthful after mouthful.

This is indeed the best minced meat noodles in Singapore. Come down to Bedok North and experience it for yourself today.

8.5/10

Xing Ji Rou Cuo Mian
Fengshan Food Centre
Block 85 #01-07
Bedok North Street 4
5.30pm to 3am

Albert Street Prawn Noodle

I was at Old Airport Road Food Centre last weekend when I saw a long queue in front of Albert Street Prawn Noodle. Somehow the name sounded vaguely familiar but I just couldn't recall where I have seen it before. Tempted by the big and fresh prawns that were displayed at the front of the stall, I decided to give it a try.


I ordered a bowl of prawn noodles with pork ribs which costs $5. When I first tasted the soup, I immediately remembered that I tasted Albert Street Prawn Noodle at Lavender Food Centre before and was put off by the strong herbal taste of the soup. But this one at Old Airport Road Food Centre was slightly different. The flavorful soup has a subtle herbal taste that blends nicely with the rich essence of prawns and pork ribs and complements the delicious noodles very well. The tasty pork ribs are tender and fingerlicking good. The fresh prawns are extremely sweet and easily de-shelled.

I must admit that I was very satisfied with Albert Street Prawn Noodle for the extraordinary freshness of its prawns and pork ribs. Do not miss it if you are a frequent patron of Old Airport Road Food Centre.

7.5/10

Albert Street Prawn Noodle
Old Airport Road Food Centre
51 Old Airport Road #01-93
Singapore 390051

Xing Long Economic Rice

I love economic rice or otherwise known as mixed vegetable rice because of the wide variety of dishes available for mix and match. While a plate of economic rice with 2 vegetables and 1 meat costs around $2.50 in hawker centres and $3.50 in food courts, I was surprised to pay $4.50 when I first tried Xin Long economic rice in Marine Parade Food Centre a few years back. But the higher price did not deter me or the rest of the customers in the queue from patronizing this stall all these years. There is something special about this economic rice that keeps all of us coming back.


Of all the delicious dishes, I like the fried ngor hiang best. Filled with abundant water chestnut and marinated minced meat, the fried ngor hiang is unbelievably crunchy, sweet and tasty. The curry chicken, though not the best I've tasted, is fresh and tender and coated with thick savory gravy. The fried egg omelette is extremely flavorful with the irresistable sweetness of spring onion.

This is one economic rice that comes up top in terms of culinary skills. It is definitely worthwhile to pay more for the impressive quality of the dishes. Try it for yourself today.

7.5/10

Xing Long Cooked Food
Marine Parade Food Centre
Blk 84 #01-185
Closed on Sundays