Jian Bo Shui Kueh

Chwee kueh is a local breakfast snack of steamed rice cake topped with diced preserved radish (chye poh). Although it is commonly found in coffee shops all over the island, the best still comes from Jian Bo Shui Kueh in Tiong Bahru Market.


For only $1, you get 4 chwee kueh sprinkled with generous servings of chye poh. What is extraordinary about this chwee kueh is its soft yet firm consistency, its super smooth texture and its distinctive rice flavour that makes it so delicious, it can be eaten even on its own. The sweet and salty chye poh, with the fragrance of sesame seeds, further enhances the flavour of Jian Bo chwee kueh, making it the most outstanding in Singapore.

I have to admit that I am not a fan of chwee kueh but after trying Jian Bo's, I was truly impressed. Come down to Tiong Bahru and try it for yourself.

8/10

Jian Bo Shui Kueh
Tiong Bahru Market
#02-05

Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow

After a while, all good fried kway teow seem to taste the same, except for Tiong Bahru fried kway teow that keeps me coming back for more. This is the third time I have tried this fried kway teow in Tiong Bahru Market and it has been consistently outstanding so far.


For only $2, you get a satisfactory plate of fried kway teow topped with fish cake and fresh cockles. Impressively fried to a semi-wet consistency, the mouthwatering kway teow is coated with a thin layer of sweet and savory gravy with a distinctive charred fragrance and a subtle tinge of garlic.

A fantastic fried kway teow is one that makes you want to have it mouthful after mouthful without asking why. Tiong Bahru fried kway teow is just that. Reasonably priced at $2, this is certainly the cheapest and most delicious fried kway teow that I have tasted in Singapore.

7.5/10

Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow
Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre
30 Seng Poh Road
#02-11

Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Noodle

What makes a great wanton noodle? For Hong Mao at Joo Chiat, it is the special chilli. For Kok Kee at Lavender, it is the special sauce. But for Zhong Yu Yuan Wei at Tiong Bahru, it is the special char siew.

Even though I used to visit Tiong Bahru Market frequently, I only managed to try Zhong Yu Yuan Wei wanton noodle when I went there for lunch today.


I ordered a plate of wanton mee which cost $2.50. Somewhat similar to Kok Kee, the delicious noodles are topped with a sweet and savory sauce that enhances its flavour.

To the delight of char siew lovers, the well-marinated char siew is tasty, tender and exceptionally fleshy.

The outstanding char siew is certainly the highlight of Zhong Yu Yuan Wei wanton mee. Nowhere else in Singapore can you find a better grade char siew. Come and try it for yourself today.

7.5/10

Zhong Yu Yuan Wei Wanton Noodle
Tiong Bahru Market
Seng Poh Road #02-30
Singapore 168897

Tiong Bahru Lor Mee

This stall at Tiong Bahru Market has the original Tiong Bahru lor mee. Despite fierce competition from 178 Shark Meat Lor Mee, Tiong Bahru Lor Mee has its steady stream of customers who prefer its traditional lor mee than the unconventional lor mee from 178.


The first thing about Tiong Bahru Lor Mee that impresses me is the great variety of ingredients. A bowl of delicious lor mee, which costs $2 or $3, comes with ngor hiang, fish cake, fish nuggets, braised meat, braised egg, fried fish and fried dumplings, everything you would ever wish for in a bowl of lor mee. The savory gravy, though not as thick as 178's, is tasty and complementary to the noodles. The braised meat is lean and tender while the fried dumplings are sweet and crispy.

One thing for sure, those who prefer the traditional type of lor mee will certainly be delighted by Thong Bahru Lor Mee.

6.5/10

Tiong Bahru Lor Mee
Tiong Bahru Market
Seng Poh Road #02-79
Singapore 168897
Closed on Mondays

178 Shark Meat Lor Mee

Tiong Bahru Food Centre is famous for its lor mee. But unfortunately, there are 3 stalls selling lor mee, hence it is very difficult to tell which is the one everybody is talking about. To complicate things further, the stall selling the original Tiong Bahru lor mee is not the one with the longest queue. When I went there for lunch today, I decided to try the stall with the longest queue, 178 Lor Mee, which is well-known for its shark meat nuggets.


For only $3, you get a big bowl of delicious lor mee with generous servings of fish cake, braised meat, meat fritters and of course, shark meat nuggets. The outstanding gravy is savory and flavorful but not overly thick or starchy. The deep fried shark meat nuggets are fresh and tender but taste remarkably similar to ordinary fish nuggets.

Overall, 178 Lor Mee is definitely one of the best lor mee in Singapore, although some lor mee lovers who prefer the authentic lor mee with braised egg, braised meat and ngor hiang might be disappointed. But with shark meat nuggets as its distinguishing factor, it is self-explanatory why it is so well sought after.

7.5/10

178 Lor Mee
Tiong Bahru Market
Seng Poh Road #02-58
Singapore 168897
Closed on Wednesdays