Kim Keat Claypot Hokkien Mee

Claypot Hokkien Mee ($10)

Fried Hokkien noodle is the family favorite. So we couldn't wait to try the one at Kim Keat when we read they serve them in claypots. How different can it be from the wok fried?

Lunch at 92 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, in the same kopitiam as the popular Ocean Curry Fish Head, there was only a short wait for the noodle. When served, we found the noodle gravy to be really flavorsome. Taken with their specially concocted chili sambal, it was very enjoyable. The seafood was fresh and serving was considered generous. The roast pork savory and crunchy. Alas, wok hei from wok frying was missed.

Still, the stall is worth a return trip. Note, they rest on Tues.

Oyster Omelet @ 802 Tampines

Oyster Omelete ($5)

Two favorites, dish out from the steaming kitchen of the nameless stall at 802, Tampines Ave 4 kopitiam. Almost every table is waiting for their oyster omelet. But like many customers here, we too, took to their fried Hokkien noodle for its very fresh, bouncy seafood - the prawns and squids.

The highlight is still the oyster omelet - crisp, yet not overly done, retaining the moist, fluffy eggs and flour mixtures which we loved. Oiliness is well controlled here as well.

The no signboard stall, easily matches our favourite of Lim's Oyster at Jalan Berseh. Or even yummier.

Hokkien Mee ($4)

益生, Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee

Fried Hokkien Noodle ($5, prices start from $4)

Step into the ABC Brickworks Food Centre, one cannot miss the snaking queue at Yi Sheng (#01-13). What impresses me is the white-haired hawker at work by his big scalding wok.

We ordered a $5 plate which comes with 2 good sized prawns and generous serving of fresh sotong. Being the last plate from the wok, our noodles have lost its texture, but are still very wet. Flavor wise, we couldn't detect good wok hei, nor fragrance. Their good sambal chili is the saving grace.

For avid fans, many still call in at 9862-9296 to place large orders.

Changi Village Food Centre

Standard Chicken Wings Set ($3.50, add $1.50 for Fried Ikan Kuning)

Changi Village has always been associated with nasi lemak. There are several good stalls here, and they are famous for their aromatic steamed rice and freshly deep fried chicken wings. It is really quite irresistible for many. The one we have today is from Changi Famous Nasi Lemak (#01-28). But my recent favourite is the homely, fresh tasting one from Orang Orang, in Bukit Batok.

Now, don't forget the iconic 'Commando dessert'. Made famous by our Commando soldiers at the nearby Hendo camp, who love to come by and order it for the whole table! Nearly every dessert stalls here serve it, and this dessert is unique to Changi Village only.

Red Tea Jelly with Longan, the "Commando Dessert" ($2)

You may wish to skip the soggy fried Hokkien mee we had. Curb whatever your cravings. Order instead a plate of savory fried kway tiao, or the well charred Chinese rojak with zesty lime juice in its dressing! You would thank me for it.

For more eats from the Changi Village, please type in 'Changi Village Food Centre' in the search box located at the right column of this blog. Eat your way out :)

Lai Xiang Rojak, #01-65 ($3)

Xiang Xiang Char Kway Teow, #01-58 ($3.50) 

Changi Village Fried Hokkien Mee, #01-53 ($3)

Bedok South (牛记) Niu Ji Prawn Noodle

You know how they say, behind every aged senior is a courageous past? One day, if you come across a once famous stall that is no longer commanding; remember too that they once had a glorious past.

It was strange, that in our numerous visits to the Blk 16, Bedok South Hawker Centre, i had never blogged about their very delicious fried prawn noodle. So popular among the evening diners, you have to take a queue and wait. I had only singled out their morning fare of soupy prawn noodle.

So many years had passed, with the hawker aging and their recipe, simplified to accommodate their weaken body. The fried noodle no longer carries that alluring burned aroma or the score of 100 points. But the sambal chili is still robust and the pork lard crispy. You could ask for an extra lime and the hawker is still all smiles. Use of fresh seafood was never compromised.

Frankly, a stall that still uses fine rice vermicelli for their Hokkien fried noodle is far and few between. I'm still eating here.

Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle ($3)

天天到, Hokkien Fried Noodles

"Everyday you report!" Such auspicious name for a stall; direct translation from its Chinese signboard.

As an unspoken rule - you go to any hawker centre; you saw the longest queue; you join the queue at the stall; and you should get to savour some of the tastiest, right? Haaaa... Wrong! When you are at Ang Mo Kio, Chong Boon Market and Food Centre.

Hokkien Sotong Mee ($3.50)

Our smallest serving from the stall to share when Ric saw their lesser than desirable cooking as he nears the front of the queue, and decides to downsize our order. Haaaa... we couldn't understand the long queue given the mediocre standard of the Hokkien noodle.

Give the girl a BMX, and she would gladly cycle over to nearby Teck Ghee Square for some truly scrumptious Eng Ho Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee.

荣和, Eng Ho Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee

Before we could leave Teck Ghee Square hawker centre in peace, a very busy food stall caught our attention. They are the fried Hokkien noodle featured in the 2nd installment of "Where the queue starts", and that was like few years back!

We reckon the cook must have been much dependable; given his surrounding tables of loyal customers. So we place an extra order of dinner to stuff our already bloated tummy; never regretting the savouring of the bountiful prawn essence in every mouthful. Can you see some of the beautifully charred noodles by the fierce fire? And few hawker does vermicelli for this dish nowadays - the bee hoon giving it the correct texture.

Fried Hokkien Bee Hoon Mee ($3)

坤记, Koon Kee Seafood

Squids, Prawns, White Clams and Chinese Mussels (displayed at stall counter)

Don't we all love Veterans? Veteran cook, veteran artist, veteran seamstress; the only good thing about aging is the wealth of experience and skills that come along with it.

We know of this old uncle at 79, Telok Blangah Drive Food Centre, #01-22 who despite his advance in age, insist on operating his little seafood cook stall with fresh ingredients bought from the market every morning!

What's on menu for the day depends on the type of seafood he succeed in obtaining that morning; but one thing's for sure - the Seafood Hokkien Mee.

Hokkien Seafood Noodle ($4, less seafood option for $3 available)

As i took picture of his seafood, the uncle said shyly, "Today's prawns a little small sized." But i didn't mind, for that's a lot of seafood for the modest price. You wouldn't too, especially after tasting the freshness of his sea products.

They were so... good! So fresh! And sweet! Oh!

And i was definitely surprised that Ric, who has rather weak stomach, took in the shellfish greedily. While the seafood came fresh, it took meticulous effort to ensure they were properly clean for consumption. And the old hawker manages to maintain a good level of hygiene all by himself, at the stall.

We are proud to recommend this food joint.

成发, Seng Huat Hokkien Bee Hoon

Much has been written about the Seng Huat noodle stall on the internet; so we had to come see for ourselves at the Pasir Panjang Food Centre. Earlier, Ric had their fried noodles and rated it mediocre, tonight he led me to their crown jewel - the Hokkien fried vermicelli.

After an ordeal of pushy attitude from the hawker auntie for our miser order of just 1 plate from them, our order arrived without accident. Thankfully.

Hokkien Bee Hoon ($4)

Having a craving for something wet and savory like our usual serving of Hokkien Mee, this plate of Hokkien Bee Hoon has much disparity that led to some disappointment, initially.

As we proceed, i learnt to appreciate the art of simplicity behind - though lightly flavored, it eludes distinct fragrance of well sauteed rice vermicelli in a dry, less oily finish. A level of expertise that is rare among the average hawkers.

Given the hawker's snobbishness; i hate to admit the job well done.

勿洛湾炒虾面, Hokkien Prawn Mee

Haha... 3 hours later and we are back to Bedok Corner!

After picking up my favourite Crocs Classic from the Metro Expo Sales, Ric suggested to pack home our desirable Hokkien Mee - upon my uncle's strong endorsement for a 'must try'.

Hokkien Prawn Noodle ($4)

It was 1 BIG pack! In double brown paper wrappings to contain the heat; it does work as we un-wrapped our 'smoking' package.

With our first bite, we really couldn't understand what's the big hoo-ha about the Fried Hokkien Noodle? And the unexplained long long queues...? After finishing the entire pack, we began to realize its goodness - no feeling of extreme thirstiness nor weightiness from overly oiled fried noodles.

I was in fact craving for more, and pinched 2 mouthful from Dad's pack ;)

 

Buzzing Cashier - 19 熟食快餐

Episode 5 of Buzzing Cashier2 bought us to the TV featured Hokkien Noodle stall at Blk 127 Toa Payoh Lor. 1, #02-19.

While the initial crowd might have thinned since airing of the programme, it does seem strangely quiet here at the busy lunch hour of 1 o'clock.

Fried Hokkien Mee ($3.50)

Being skeptical though, we ordered just a plate to share.

And Ric got his noodle as soon as he ordered? A wok of ready cooked noodles was in waiting, he said.

And true to all who commented, the selling point of this Hokkien Mee was really just its chewy Udon-like Noodles and 'sea fresh' tasteful gravy.

Their weakest link would be the use of substandard ingredients. The squishy Prawns and Fish meat used are going to cost their business dearly...

Anyone with a weak stomach like Ric will suffer stomach burns and make a run for it.

A wasted effort of their mentor, Chef Eric Teo.
And of all our support :(
Infuriating indeed.

Whampoa Makan Shopping

Makan Shopping would mean we walk around the area, looking out for popular eats that attract queues or seemingly interesting stalls. And today we were at Whampoa Food Centre.

Ah Hock Fried Oyster Houngang
We had observed that business was still at the stall, but drew by its TV interview last night, and with its many display of food awards we made a brief order for its smallest $4 plate.

I wouldn't have minded of its miserable serving if food was at least palatable, but to say the least, i have had better. Saving grace was of its 4 reasonable-sized oysters.

Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee

This stall caught my attention with its big bags of noodles and plateful of shelled prawns. It certainly means they are in the big business and must have all the order of noodles they need :)

And boy i was right, while digging in to our flavorful plateful; we saw orders coming in both for take-away and dine-in. A $15 plate? How big, i wonder?

It was good; i'm missing it right now.

Cola Cold & Hot Dessert, #01-58

Tempted by the big bowl of Ice-Kachang ($1.20) on the neighbouring table, i have to get one too.

Its ever soft, finely shaved ice melts in our mouths.

And more pleasant discovery awaits us as we dig deeper into the icy hill to savour the tasty red bean mash and herbal glass jelly.

Its red bean mash reminds me of the ones we had in Japanese dessert :)

Lastly, we do take-away Duck Rice from the legendary stall that was already close to selling out with their last duckie by this early evening at 5pm.