Wow Wow West Chicken Chop

Behind this Western food stall in ABC Brickworks Food Centre is a heartwarming story of how the owner, who spent part of his childhood in Boys' Town, decided to give ex-convicts a second chance by hiring them to run his stall. However this is not the reason why Wow Wow West is so popular. Instead it is well-known for its Western food that is not only very delicious but comes in super generous portions.


I ordered the chicken chop which costs $5. Although it was a crowded Friday evening, the service was efficient and I was served within 15 minutes of ordering. Indeed living up to its reputation, the generous portion of chicken chop is the largest that I have seen so far. Perfectly grilled with a delightful charred aroma, the tender chicken chop is topped with savory black pepper sauce that accentuates its distinctive flavour. The complementary coleslaw is also plentiful and tasty.

Enough said, the chicken chop is one of the best that I have tasted in Singapore. While a heartwarming story may entice customers to try the food, it is the outstanding culinary standard that will keep them coming back for more. Wow Wow West has both.

8/10

Wow Wow West
ABC Brickworks Food Centre
#01-133
Closed on Sundays

Jason Penang Pork Rib Prawn Noodle

I only found out recently that ABC Brickworks Food Centre at Bukit Merah has plenty of delicious food ranging from fried hokkien mee, handmade fishball noodle, top grade char siew, Western food etc. If Hong Lim Food Centre is known as a food paradise, then I feel that ABC Brickworks Food Centre deserves the same title.


When I was there for dinner last weekend, I decided to try the Penang pork rib prawn noodle from Jason Penang Cuisine. Certainly value for money, a bowl of Penang pork rib prawn noodle which costs $4 comes with 3 big deshelled prawns and 5 pieces of pork ribs. Filled with the concentrated essence of prawns and pork ribs and the distinctive flavour of spices, the unique soup of Penang prawn noodle is more salty than sweet as compared to the traditional prawn noodle. I was initially skeptical when the stallholder suggested that I add the special chilli paste, instead of the usual sliced chilli, into the soup but after doing so, I was impressed by how the spicy chilli paste enhances the authentic flavour of the soup. The prawns are fresh and sweet and the pork ribs are meaty and tasty.

Whether you are a fan of Penang cuisine or not, if you like the traditional Hokkien prawn noodle soup, you must not miss Jason Penang pork rib prawn noodle. I will certainly return to try its other signature dishes eg fried kway teow.

7.5/10

Jason Penang Cuisine
ABC Brickworks Food Centre
Blk 6 Jalan Bukit Merah
#01-112

Fatty Cheong Char Siew Wanton Mee

Located at ABC Brickworks Food Centre in Bukit Merah, Fatty Cheong is famous for its top grade char siew. Even though I have read its raving reviews on local food blogs, I have yet to try it until today.


I ordered a plate of char siew wanton mee which costs $3. Living up to its reputation, the well-marinated char siew is extraordinarily fleshy and tasty, certainly one of the best in Singapore. The savory light sauce and the spicy chilli paste complement the springy noodles very well, making every mouthful seem really irresistable.

If you are a fan of wanton noodle, you must not miss Fatty Cheong char siew wanton mee. It is not only impressive for its fantastic char siew but its delicious noodles as well.

7.5/10

Fatty Cheong Char Siew Wanton Mee
ABC Brickworks Food Centre
6 Jalan Bukit Merah
#01-120
Closed on Thursdays

Depot Road Zheng Zhong Zhen Shan Mei Famous Claypot Laksa

Once a hot topic of discussion on the Makansutra forum, the debate on which is the original Depot Road claypot laksa was almost forgotten until recently when a stall named Depot Road Zheng Zhong Zhen Shan Mei Famous Claypot Laksa appeared at Bukit Merah Central. To add flavour to the story, the original auntie and uncle from the old Depot Road stall are present at this new stall, with their photos prominently displayed on the colorful signboard.


Served bubbling hot in a claypot, a $4 bowl of laksa comes with thick mouthwatering gravy that complements the noodles very well, as well as generous servings of fresh cockles and prawns. Rich with the concentrated aroma of coconut milk, the gravy is savory but not overly spicy.

In comparison with the other claypot laksa, Depot Road Zheng Zhong claypot laksa comes with larger servings of noodle and dishes for its price. For laksa fans who can't tolerate the super spicy gravy of the claypot laksa in Alexandra Village, do come down to Bukit Merah and try Depot Road Zheng Zhong claypot laksa today.

7.5/10

Depot Road Zheng Zhong Zhen Shan Mei Famous Claypot Laksa
161 Bukit Merah Central


Update 26/3/2009 - This stall has closed down.

Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee

This fried hokkien mee at Bukit Merah has been discussed on our local food blogs and forums, compared to the likes of Kim's and Nam Sing. When I went down to ABC Food Centre for lunch today, I was surprised to see no queue in front of Yi Sheng Hokkien Mee. After all I had the impression that the length of the queue is somewhat proportional to the standard of the food.


I ordered a plate of $4 fried hokkien mee which comes with 3 medium sized prawns and generous servings of sotong. The delicious noodles are thoroughly fried in mouthwatering prawn broth with a delightful charcoal aroma and flavorful taste. The distinguishing factor in Yi Sheng's Hokkien Mee is its special homemade chilli which is fabulously savory and extremely complementary to the noodles.

Somehow I feel that Yi Sheng fried hokkien mee resembles Geylang Lor 29's in terms of taste and consistency, although Yi Sheng is less oily and more tasty. Compared with Kim's, I still feel that Kim's is much better in terms of culinary skills.

7/10

Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
ABC Brickworks Food Centre
6 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-13
Closed on Wednesdays