Monday, December 10, 2018

Lai Heng Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle at Toa Payoh

They have recently moved from Block 51 Toa Payoh Lorong 6 to the current location. I was there slightly after 1 pm on a weekday for lunch. I was told that their mee pok and mee kia have already sold out and left with just mee tai mak, bee hoon and yellow noodles. Almost all of the tables at that coffee shop were taken up at that time. I decided to go with the $5 portion of yellow noodles. There is also the $4 and $6 portion available. I was given a number tag after making the payment. I waited for more than 35 minutes before seeing my number displayed on the LED panel.

Each bowl is served with pieces of lean meat, liver, minced meat and a handful of braised mushroom. The presentation reminded me of Joo Heng Mushroom Minced Pork Mee at AMK 628 Food Centre that I used to queue for 30 minutes or so for 3 to 4 times per week before that stall closed down quite suddenly. A friend mentioned that the Uncle retired due to injuries to his hands. I have tried some of those famous Bak Chor Mee including the Michelin starred Tai Hwa Pork Noodle and Seng Kee Minced Meat Noodle but I have yet to find another one that is as good. 


After tossing it, the pool of watery sauce consisting the chilli and vinegar beneath the pile of yellow noodles was still there. Apparently, the sauce was too thin to be able to coat the noodles well. My dining companion took a mouthful and pushed it away right after. He said, "No. I do not like it. The yellow noodles do not go well with the sauce and it was also a little too spicy for me." I did not request for extra chilli to be added when ordering. The ingredients were relatively fresh, particularly the nicely cooked liver and the braised mushroom.


That bowl of soup was from the pot that they used to blanch the minced meat, lean meat and liver. 


The average tasting of this Bak Chor Mee somehow did not quite justify the long waiting time. Amongst the many reasons behind the long queue of such a stall, it might not be just the food or even the service, it might also be the sentimental attachment. Another possible reason is this could be the best alternative for Bak Chor Mee in this area. There were some suggestions found online, someone recommended that should try the Kway Teow Soup instead and other suggested ordering mee tai mak with an extra amount of chilli. I might just try it again if the waiting time is much shorter as I liked the braised mushroom.


LAI HENG MUSHROOM MINCED MEAT NOODLE
Block 73 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 #01-611 SINGAPORE 310073
Operating Hours: 8.00 to 4.00 pm (Closed on Wednesdays)

12 comments:

  1. https://imgur.com/a/kUawZvx
    I went to try the blk158 Malaysia style fish ball noodles and it was closed. So I went further north and found this teochew fish porridge.

    I think it's trying to copy the Holland village one. But it has other varieties which I didn't get to try. They recommend the $10 老鼠斑. It was fresh but the broth was overwhelmed by the fried garlic they added. The Holland drive one is better but this is good alternative for those staying nearby. Blk631 amk

    The wanton mee also not bad. Sambal chili.

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  2. Hup Kee Fishball Noodle usually sold out quite early, it can be as early as before 12 pm.
    I tried the fish soup before together with their braised meat rice. The fish soup was not too bad but the braised meat rice totally cannot make it. The wanton mee is the Tanjung Rhu Wanton Mee in other coffee shop?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, the other shop.

      You should try the Holland drive one. https://eatbook.sg/swatow-is-here/

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    2. I heard about that stall but did not have a chance to try it yet as I do not usually go there.

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  3. The rice and broth are different. Its much better.

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  4. Try 58 BCM at Taman Jurong Hawker Centre. If you are early, say before 11:00, there is an elusive fish ball noodle on the 2nd floor 黄记. at lunch time the waiting for both stall is at least half an hour.

    https://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/ng_kee_teochew_fish_ball_kuay_teow_mee/

    https://www.hungrygowhere.com/gallery/best-bak-chor-mee-in-singapore-*gid-51863101/2da40200

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  5. I have tried the 58 BCM and it is one of my favorite choices. I am interested to try the fishball noodle, it looks good.

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    Replies
    1. I used the term elusive for 黄记 because of the 5 years i worked there i only managed to eat once and that's because i went out for an early lunch. Rest of the time wait time is min 30 mins. You don't see a queue as they deliver to the table.

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  6. https://imgur.com/a/gmQYajh
    This stall reminds me of joo heng when I first tried it. Xin heng hong. Lorong 8 fc #1-19.

    The liver is cooked just right. The pork ribs noodle is good too. Close alternate Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
  7. https://imgur.com/a/ZOjKbzb
    Ng Kee closed for long holiday.
    I found this Tom's Kitchen. 03-130
    The chicken chop is good. Skin is crispy like fried chicken but moist inside. The mash is fifty cents more. Quite buttery. The sauce is not bad.
    Leong huat fish ball also not bad.

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    Replies
    1. I tried their Chicken Chop before, it's amongst the best that I have eaten. Another really good one is from TCB Grill at Block 252 Jurong East Street 24. They only operate in the evening.

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