Famous Amoy Street Lor Mee : comfort food

It is stated on their signboard that this is the "Best Lu Mian In Town". I am curious and have been wanting to try. Lor Mee is the only item on their menu, it is available at $3 and $4. There were a few other customers in the queue when I was there on a weekday for an early lunch. They used to be at Amoy Street Food Centre from 1982 to 1997 before resurfacing at its current location about 12 years ago. The owner is using a recipe that has been handed down from his father. 

While queuing, the boss asked, "$3 or $4?" I decided to have a larger portion. It consists of a good portion of flat yellow noodles with ingredients like prawn roll, fried batang, battered fish and lor bak. The chilli, garlic, and vinegar are available for self-service. My first mouthful did not exactly wow me but I liked it enough to keep eating. The braising sauce was nicely complemented by the amount of chilli and garlic added, it was quite thick and not too starchy. It is nice though not quite the best Lor Mee in town but is definitely amongst the best.  

My dining companion asked, "I thought you just had Lor Mee yesterday and why are you eating it so soon?" I can actually eat it every day as I am quite a fan of Lor Mee and have been going around eating this dish from different stalls. It is simply my kind of comfort food. I will come back soon for another bowl of their Lor Mee and this time, I will go for extra ingredients. 

FAMOUS AMOY STREET LOR MEE

Block 91 Whampoa Drive #01-19 Whampoa Food Centre SINGAPORE 320091

Operating Hours: 8.00 am to 2.00 pm (Daily)

Traditional Famous Prawn Mee : Lor Mee

I used to eat this with my late Grandpa at one of these usual makan places near Teck Ghee Court Market & Food Centre. I could not quite believe how time has flown and he has been gone for 7 years. Grandpa always ordered their Prawn Mee as he did not like the Lor Mee. This is one of the few places that are still around. I have not been eating here regularly ever since the passing of my dearest Grandpa. I could not even remember when was the last time. 

There was just another person in front of me when I was there for lunch, the queue was much longer when it reached 12 pm. It used to have 2 sizes to choose but there is only left with a single selection at $4 and I added $1 for extra ingredients like the braised egg, braised meat, and fried fish nuggets. When it was placed on my tray, the nice chap that took my order pointed at one of the bottles of dark sauce, said, "This is the vinegar." I was wearing a headphone then and he still made an effort to inform me. 

The braised sauce though flavorful but was a little runny, it was enhanced by adding the vinegar, minced garlic, chilli paste, and red cut chilli. The flat yellow noodles were nicely cooked to the right texture. 

This might not be the best Lor Mee but the familiar taste is so alluring. I was missing my Grandpa terribly when eating this alone and there is still a lingering emptiness since his passing.

TRADITIONAL FAMOUS PRAWN MEE

Block 338 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 #01-1639 SINGAPORE 560338

Operating Hours: 8.00 am to 2.00 pm

Zhen Hao Lor Mee : must-try

I was surprised to find this popular stall still opened at about 1 pm on a Saturday when I was there to take away Fried Hokkien Mee from Hoe Hokkien Mee (#01-93). There were just another 2 customers in front of me. I was eager as I have heard of this Lor Mee but never get to try. The menu includes Treasure Lor Mee ($6), Traditional Lor Mee ($4), Cod Fish Fillet Lor Mee ($5) and Chicken Cutlet Horfun ($3). I ordered the Treasure Lor Mee and the light of the signboard went off after I received my bowl of Lor Mee as they operate from 7 pm to 1 pm the next day. This is a popular place for supper.

The amount of black vinegar added was a little overwhelmed and it is slightly too acidic for me. I would request for less of it the next time. It is served with ingredients like the pork ribs, pork belly, ngor hiang, shredded fish, braised egg and fritters, well dunked in the gravy. I requested for an extra amount of chilli to be added and even so, the level of spiciness is still manageable. The gravy is well-flavored and thick, it did not get diluted.

After trying this, I should be able to conclude the best Lor Mee amongst those that I have tried so far.

ZHEN HAO NOODLES

10 North Bridge Road #01-97 North Bridge Food Centre SINGAPORE 190010

Operating Hours: 7.00 pm to 1.00 pm (Closed on Sundays)

Ah Ma Lor Mee : by the third generation of Feng Zhen Lor Mee

If you ask me what is the dish that I missed most when away from Singapore, it has to be none other than Lor Mee. I even bother to travel all over Singapore just to taste those recommended choices.

This stall is located in a coffee shop just a stone's throw away from Clementi MRT Station. It is helmed by the third generation of popular Feng Zhen Lor Mee at Taman Jurong Food Centre, using the same recipe. The menu includes Lor Mee ($3.50), Fish Lor Mee ($4.50), Prawn Mee ($3.50) and Prawn Rolls ($3.50). I decided to go with Fish Lor Mee with additional shredded fish and fried meatballs for $6.00. There are garlic paste, chilli paste, coriander and red cut chilli at the counter for self-service.

It came with a good portion of flat yellow noodles with ingredients like braised meat, braised egg, fishcake, fried meatballs, and shredded fish. The braised sauce is thick and quite flavorful, it did not turn watery at the end of it. 

This is good but I still think Feng Zhen Lor Mee is better, but even so, this is definitely amongst the better ones around. 

AH MA LOR MEE

Block 328 Clementi Avenue 2 SINGAPORE 120328

Operating Hours: 7.00 am to 2.00 pm (Closed on Thursdays)

Hock Choon Laksa . Lor Mee at Eunos Crescent Food Centre

There was a short queue when I reached there just before lunch. You do not usually get to see queue at this quiet food centre, there was also a queue at a Yong Tau Foo at another row. There are only 2 items on their menu, Laksa, and Lor Mee respectively at just $3. It seemed Lor Mee is slightly more popular as most of their customers ordered it.

When it was my turn to order, I said, "Can I order it with extra ingredients?" The lady in there nodded. It was served in the oval-shaped bowl rather than the usual round ones, it is priced at $4. When it was ready, the lady handed the bowl to the Uncle, he passed it to me and collected the payment. There were sambal chilli, minced garlic, red-cut chilli and a bottle of vinegar available for self-service. I added everything except the vinegar. 

Tables were slowly taken up when it passed 12 pm but it was still easy to find a table. I mixed it lightly before eating it. I was given more pieces of the nicely fried fish nuggets for that extra $1 together with half a piece of braised egg, handmade meatballs and some pieces of braised pork belly that were drenched in the savory gravy.

HOCK CHOON LAKSA LOR MEE

Block 4A Eunos Crescent #01-25 Eunos Crescent Food Centre SINGAPORE 

Operating Hours: 9.00 am to 3.00 pm (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)

137 Lor Mee Prawn Mee : with fried fish nuggets

There was no queue when I was there for Lor Mee. Apparently, they serve only Lor Mee though it is indicated on their signboard that they do serve Prawn Mee as well. I have to decide between the $3 and the $4 portion. When it was my turn to order, I said, "I want it with extra fried fish nuggets." The Uncle looked up while cooking and said, "Then, it is the $4 one."

It consists of a good portion of the flat yellow noodles with ingredients like braised pork belly, ngor hiang, fish cake and half of a braised egg with fried fish nuggets, garnished with chopped coriander, garlic paste, and red cut chili. To start, give it a good mix. The braised sauce was not as sticky as I liked it to be, it was much lighter though still quite flavorful. The fried fish nuggets still retained its crispiness and did not turn soggy even after soaked in the sauce. 

Though this is not amongst the best Lor Mee that I had eaten but it is quite satisfying, a definitely must-try if you happen to be in this food centre for lunch. 

137 LOR MEE PRAWN MEE
137A Tampines Street 11 #01-09 Tampines Round Market Food Centre SINGAPORE 522137
Operating Hours: 6.30 am to 2.00 pm

Ang Mo Kio Lor Mee . Laksa : a part of my growing up memories

This stall has been a part of my growing up memories. When my mother was still around, she usually brought me here for the Laksa, she would just ordered a bowl to share with me but I was too young to really appreciate the taste. After she left, I did not get to visit this stall as often though I still followed my late Grandpa to this food centre and we usually eat at Chia Keng Kway Teow Mee. I visited again a few years ago but the taste was not quite memorable. This stall serves only Lor Mee and Laksa at $3.00 and $4.00. I was here with a friend on a Sunday, the queue was still long even though it has already past the lunch hour. We decided to order the small portion of Laksa and Lor Mee to share. 

I went for the Laksa first. It tasted quite simple with a slightly diluted gravy and ingredients like tau pok, fish cake, cockles and hard-boiled egg together with a handful of bean sprouts then garnished with laksa leaves and sambal chilli. Somehow, it seemed to taste much nicer when I had it with my mother. 

The Lor Mee served with a few slices of braised meat, fish cake, ngor hiang, hard-boiled egg and bean sprouts garnished with chopped coriander, minced garlic and sambal chilli to serve. They used to serve with fried wanton but they have stopped making it. The gravy was slightly too watery to my liking and I did not like it as much as there are other better choices for Lor Mee around. 

I could not quite understand the persistent long queue right in front of this stall, the Laksa and Lor Mee are not amongst the best ever tasted but I guess, it is the familiarity and comforts of the dishes that kept the customer to keep coming back. 

ANG MO KIO LOR MEE . LAKSA

Block 453A Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 #01-17 Chong Boon Food Centre SINGAPORE 560453
Operating Hours: 6.00 am to 2.30 pm (Closed on Wednesdays)

Tiong Bahru Lor Mee : a comforting choice

There are 2 stalls serving Lor Mee in this food centre and both are equally popular. This one is serving a traditional Lor Mee with the usual ingredients and the other is focusing more on fried shark fish nuggets. Apparently, both stalls are not the original stalls from the Seng Poh Road Market that was demolished in 2004. The 2 original stalls that used to be there were moved out, one of them is currently at Bukit Batok and the other has already ceased operation. 

It was a Saturday when I went for lunch. This was the only option as the other stall was closed on that day. It was located at the corner and you might not get to see the queue from far. There are 3 sizes available, the smallest one at $3 then followed by $4 and the largest portion is at $5. I told the Auntie, "The $4 portion with extra ingredients." She replied, "so the $5 portion la." 

It came with a substantial portion of flat yellow noodles in flavorful gooey gravy with ingredients like slices of fishcake and ngor hiang, fried fish nuggets, stewed pork belly and braised egg, serving with sambal chill, red/green chopped chillies, and minced garlic. Overall, it was not too bad though not amongst my top 3 choices. 

TIONG BAHRU LOR MEE

30 Seng Poh Road #02-80 Tiong Bahru Food Centre SINGAPORE 168898

Operating Hours: 7.00 am to 8.00 pm (Daily)

Soon Lee Lor Mee Stall : the 4 decades old Lor Mee

This stall has been around for more than 40 years since the 1970s, manned by an elderly couple. It is currently located at Circuit Road Food Centre. I visited twice in the same week, the first time was to take away and dined there during the second visit. I was telling the friendly Uncle that I have been thinking about his Lor Mee constantly since that day I came to take away. "I know your stall is closed on Monday and Tuesday so I came back today to eat it." Then I said, "When I came to take away and left it for about 3 hours before eating it, the noodles surprisingly did not stick together and it also did not turn soggy or broken up."

Uncle chuckled, said, "We are using good quality noodles that able to absorb the sauce well. We are particular in its quality and we only want to serve the best to our customers as most of them are our regulars." He continued to say, "The better quality noodles are costlier but I would rather earn a little lesser." Then, he said, "The recipe can still be improved further but we are already old so might not have much time to do so." 

I asked, "Would any of your children interested in taking over?" He said, "I will leave it to them to decide. My oldest one is already in the 40s."

Their Lor Mee is different, it has an old-school taste that you hardly come across these days and it tasted good too. Their ingredients are not as elaborate as compared to some other stalls. Their handmade ngor hiang uses shredded yams that are shaped into flat patties then cut into stripes. It is served with plain hard boiled eggs and not the usual braised eggs together with tasty braised meat. The noodles were cooked just right and well-coated with the slightly sweet gravy. 

SOON LEE LOR MEE STALL

Block 79 Circuit Road #01-07 Circuit Road Food Centre SINGAPORE 370079

Operating Hours: 12.00 pm to 9.00 pm (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)

Ah Song Noodle House : so so Lor Mee

I came for Hambaobao, a burger stall in this food centre but the waiting time was 1 hour after placing the order. And, just like a few of other customers, I decided not to wait. After walking around, I settled for this noodle stall that is at the quiet corner of Beauty World Food Centre. There was no other customer when I visited on a Sunday for lunch. Their menu is simple, there are Fish Ball Soup ($3), Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle ($3), Fish Ball Minced Meat Noodle ($3) and Lor Mee (3) which I ordered. 

The portion was substantial and served with braised egg, fried dumpling, slices of ngor hiang and lean meat. I was asked to help myself to the sambal chilli, garlic paste and vinegar.

The sauce was a bit too light and not gooey enough to coat the noodles well. It tasted slightly better after mixing in the garlic paste and sambal chilli. They served it with the poached meat rather than the usual braised meat which did not have much taste, it might be a healthier choice or simply serve it out of convenience. I did not like it. 

AH SONG NOODLE HOUSE

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road #04-59 Beauty World Food Centre SINGAPORE 588177

Soon Heng Food Delights : Lor Mee, my kind of comfort food

This might not be the best Lor Mee but it is my personal favourite as I literally grew up eating this. This stall is one of the longest surviving stalls at Tanjong Pagar Food Centre. It was there when I started working as a recruiter in one of those office buildings nearby and it is still there after all these years. There was no queue at 11 am on a weekday. The stall is manned by an elderly couple. The auntie was a bit grumpy on that day as she was nagging at the uncle, heartwarmingly. It reminded me of my late Grandma as she always nagged at my late Grandpa over little things. 

I always go for their Fried Shark Fish Lor Mee and I usually go for the $4 portion and added $1 for an extra serving of fried shark fish nuggets. There is also the $5 portion available. 

Other than those fried shark fish nuggets, it is also served with ingredients like braised meat, braised egg, fried dumpling and slices of fried ngor hiang. The braising sauce was slightly thin, not as gooey and not quite flavorful but it was enhanced by mixing in the chilli and garlic paste.  I am a big fan of those big chunks of fried shark fish nuggets even though it was not freshly fried but it was particularly tasty when soaked it with the braising sauce. Nonetheless, that simple taste has always been my comfort food. 

SOON HENG FOOD DELIGHTS

6 Tanjong Pagar Road #02-19 Tanjong Pagar Plaza Food Centre SINGAPORE 081006

Operating Hours: 9.00 am to 3.00 pm (Closed on Saturdays)

Yong Zhen Lor Mee . Prawn Mee : a comforting taste

I used to patronise this stall quite often when i stayed in Holland area and that was about more than 10 years ago. I remember this stall used to be manned by an elderly couple then, the elderly auntie was doing the cooking while the elderly uncle served it. I did not get to patronise as often after i moved away though i still come back as and when whenever i happened to be in the vicinity. I have stopped seeing the elderly Uncle around about a few years ago, the elderly auntie was working alone then. There was a middle-aged couple helping her when i visited a few days ago, the middle-aged lady was doing the cooking, the elderly auntie was still there but mainly to help with taking orders and collecting payments. 

I was the other customer waiting in queue when i was there slightly after 11 am. I was a little surprised to find out that most of the stalls were still not ready yet at that time in the food centre. This stall serves only Prawn Mee and Lor Mee but i usually just go with the Lor Mee, i do not actually remember that i ever tried their Prawn Mee before. I might have done so but it must be a really long time ago as i do not have even a slight impression of it. In fact, most of their regular customers go with the Lor Mee too as it is a more popular choice.

It is priced at $3.00 for a bowl serving with ingredients like slices of fish cake and pieces of braised meat with some crispy bits. If i remember correctly, they used to serve it with fried fish nuggets too but i did not find anything in my bowl this time. I even added $1 for extra ingredients but the amount added did not quite justify the value of that extra dollar. The braised egg is available at 0.50 cents per piece.

I was asked whether i want to have minced garlic added and as for the chilli sauce as well as vinegar and red cut chillies are available for self-service. Apparently, it seemed to be a little different in taste, the gravy seemed lighter and not as gooey. Or, perhaps, i might have tried other better Lor Mee thus i did not find it as good as it used to be. It is still a comforting taste nonetheless.

YONG ZHEN LOR MEE . PRAWN MEE

Block 6 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-40 ABC Brickworks Market Food Centre SINGAPORE 150006

Operating Hours: 8.00 am to 5.30 pm (Closed on Wednesdays & Thursdays)

Wei Nan Wang Hock Kian Lor Mee : Soon to be Gone

This humble stall is operated by an elderly couple. This stall has an interesting name and to translate it into English, it simply means the 'unforgettable taste' Hokkien Lor Mee. I was there at about 10.30 am, the elderly Auntie was still slicing the braised meat and i thought they are not ready yet, i approached the Auntie to ask. She said, "We have already started. What do you want?" I told her that i wanted the $4 portion with $1 extra ingredients added. Auntie did not quite expect that i go for the bigger portion. There is also the smaller portion at $3.00. There are also a few types of noodles to choose from.

While waiting for the Uncle to prepare it, i started chatting with the Auntie. We talked about the demolition of Market Street Food Centre that is going to take place next year. When asked whether would they be moving to the new food centre, the Auntie said, "No, we are going to retire after this food centre is gone." She then said, "I am already 77 years old." I asked, "How old is your husband?" She replied, "He is also 77 years old. We are of the same age."

She told me that they have been selling Lor Mee for the past 40 over years, they started in Bugis Street and have moved a few times though still in the town area. She said, "We stay at Pasir Panjang and we have to come as early as 3.00 am to start the preparation work. We used to stay in Bukit Merah though but moved farther and farther away." She added, "We are already too old to continue doing it." She also said, "It can be quite boring if just stay at home and do nothing." And, i asked, "Would your children want to take over?" She said, "My son is a graduate and he used to study Computer Science in oversea. He would never want to take over." Auntie was saying there is usually long queue during lunch time and they will closed after lunch.

I did not quite expect it to be such a big bowl when i received it. I do not know whether is this the usual serving size or i was given an extra bigger portion for my friendliness? In the end, i did not manage to finish it with some noodles left. 

It was topped with minced garlic, sambal chilli and also the red cut chillies. The gravy was not too starchy, a little too light though and a bit watery, it has a slight of sourish taste. It was served with quite a bit of those fried balls that are made of flour, i thought it was meatballs initially though. The other ingredients consist of braised meat, shredded fish meat, fried fish skin. There was also another fried item in it which i think was the fried beancurd skin, it was a bit too soft after soaked in the gravy for a bit so i could not really tell. 

This is another stall to check it out before the demolition of the food centre as they would call it quit after the food centre is gone. Then, the forgettable taste would only be in the memory. It might not be the best tasting Lor Mee that i have ever eaten but the old-school taste is rather pleasing. 

WEI NAN WANG HOCK KIAN LOR MEE

50 Market Street #03-03 Market Street Food Centre SINGAPORE 048940

Operating Hours: 10.00 am to 2.30 pm (Monday to Friday)

Zhi Xiang Special Lor Mee : with Fried Shredded Yam

This is probably the only stall that is serving their Lor Mee with fried shredded yam and that is why they called it the Special Lor Mee. That is also the only item on their menu, the smaller portion at $3 and the larger portion at $4.  This is amongst one of those popular stalls in this food centre and is operated by a middle-aged couple.

I ordered from the Aunty and i told her that, 'My friend recommended your Lor Mee and he said, it is very nice.' I ordered the $4 portion and requested for extra chilli and garlic paste to be added. The Aunty pointed to those condiments that are placed at the front, saying, 'You can help yourself to those.' I continued to say, 'Your Lor Mee has those fried shredded yam which is different from other stall.' She smiled and asked, 'You want it with leaner or fatter braised meat?' Then, she asked, 'So, you want extra chill and garlic paste, how about vinegar?' I replied cheekily, 'Just a bit, 我不吃醋 '. I was trying to tell her that i am not a jealous person but she did not seem to get it or maybe i just did not sound too funny when saying that. She placed everything on the tray and handed it to me. And, she said, 'Thank you.' 

They actually made an effort to separate the fried shredded yam by placing it in a small bowl for the $4 portion that i ordered. It came with a substantial portion of yellow flat noodles with ngor hiang, fishcake and braised meat. Unlike the usual fried fish nuggets, fried shredded yam is rather special and its crispiness has actually added a crunchy texture.

It was quite a fun thing to do when you tried to break the fried shredded yam into smaller pieces and have it mixed well with chilli and garlic paste as well as the noodles and other ingredients before eating it. 

Perhaps my expectation was a bit too high as the actual taste did not quite match up to it. The addition of those fried shredded yam has differentiate it from other Lor Mee out there and added a special factor but if without it, this would be just a bowl of rather mediocre Lor Mee. The spiciness of chilli has added a certain punch to bring forth its flavor. The gravy was not too starchy nor too thick but flavorful and went well with the noodles and ingredients.

It is not too bad but not worth the effort to travel all the way here just to eat it but it is a worth a try, if you happen to be in this food centre and wanting something different.

ZHI XIANG SPECIAL LOR MEE

Block 93 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 #01-49 SINGAPORE 310093

Operating Hours: 7.00 am to 4.00 pm (Daily)

Taman Jurong Food Centre: A Hidden Gem in the West

Taman Jurong Food Centre is the first hawker centre built by the government in 1971. Though it might have lost its former glory as it is not as crowded as before but calling it a 'ghost town' and 'forsaken place' as in a particular article that i came across is definitely exaggerating. It was mentioned in the article that 'during lunch hours owners could be seen swatting flies by empty tables' is not quite right.

Some of the stalls do close as early as 2 pm and some of them sold out pretty early as the nearby factories usually send out representatives to take away lunches as early as 11 am. Their rentals might be on the high side as mentioned in the article as there are some stalls particularly the back row at level 3 are left unoccupied. Of course, do not come at night when most of the stalls have already closed, then the food centre is really a ghost town. Otherwise, i was there for lunch quite often and to call it a forsaken place, i do not quite agree at all. 

Here are some of the popular stalls that you should check it out if you are there:

TOM'S KITCHEN (#03-130)
Operating Hours:12.00 pm to 9.00 pm (Off on Mondays & Thursdays)

They moved from Bukit Timah Food Centre to here in March 2014. This is one of the stalls with a constant queue. Their signature dishes are Chicken Chop, Pork Chop and Baked Rice since their opening in 2004. I did not hear much about this stall when i first chanced upon them but my attention was caught by that on going long queue. I decided to have Fried Chicken Cutlet ($5) during my first visit but the taste was not quite memorable. When i came back this time, i decided to go with their Grilled Chicken Chop ($5). I was expected to pay first then asked to come back in 15 minutes to collect it. 

The Auntie could actually remember you and your order. When you return to collect your order, you just need to hang around there and just watch out for her to signal you over to collect it.

The Chicken Chop consists of a piece of grilled chicken chop with a portion of fries, coleslaw, cucumber and tomato in a pool of brown sauce. It was gorgeously tender and succulent with a smoky charred flavor, it was nicely seared to give the skin a delightful crispiness as it demonstrated a good control of fire. The accompanying brown gravy was intensely flavored and very tasty. My first mouthful actually blew me away, it has not happened for the longest time. This was one of the tastiest Chicken Chop and it tasted so good that i am actually ranking it amongst the top 3 in my list for the best Chicken Chop. 

The menu also consists of Grilled Fish ($5.50), Grilled Salmon ($6.50), Grilled Pork Chop ($5.50), Grilld Sirloin Steak ($7.00), Grilled Lamb Chop ($7.00), Chicken Cutlet ($5.00), Fish Cutlet ($5.50), Pork Cutlet ($5.00) and Chicken Wing Rice ($3.00). They do also serve pasta and baked rice. 

TIEN LAI FOOD STALL (#02-66)

Operating Hours: 9.30 am to 1.00 pm (Closed on Saturdays)

It was founded a really long time ago and it is in the good hands of the second generation now. It serves Hong Kong Roasted Meats that is highly raved by many to be the one of the best in the western part of Singapore, it has one of the longest queues in this food centre. It was almost sold out during my first and second visit, i made an effort to come early this time and joined in the long queue. I waited for close to 30 minutes before i got to order. I decided to have a Roasted Duck Drumstick for $5 and a plate of Char Siew & Sio Bak for $3.

The Roasted Duck Drumstick was nicely roasted to impart a slight smoky flavor beneath the skin with a perfect tenderness. 

I was told that their Char Siew and Sio Bak are usually the first to be sold out, much earlier than their Roasted Ducks. The portion was quite substantial with an adequate amount of rice with Char Siew and Sio Bak. The carmalized Char Siew has an nostalgic old school taste, it was nicely charred around the edges and sweetened. 

They are known to use a higher grade of rice like the pearl rice which gives a better texture as compared to the other stalls. It was then drizzled with their thick and richly flavored dark sauce on the rice.

58 MINCED MEAT NOODLE (#03-150)
Operating Hours: 6.00 am to 2.30 pm (Closed on Tuesdays)

The stall owner, Mr Ang, is the second generation hawker, taken over the stall that first started by his father in 1973 at the old market in Taman Jurong. He started helping his father since young before he took over the stall about 10 years ago. There is another stall with the same stall name at the Taman Jurong Shopping Centre operated by a close relative supposedly with a comparable standard.

The mee pok was cooked well to give it the desired springiness and the right softness. It serves with a good amount of ingredients like minced pork, pork liver, mushroom with bits of crispy pork lards added to enhance its flavor. They did not braised their mushroom here but rather they sauteed it, a rather old school way of doing it. I particularly enjoyed the few big pieces of pork liver that were of the right thickness and sizes, perfectly cooked to a perfect tenderness. 

To enjoy, first is to mix the noodles well with the chilli and vinegar base sauce mix underneath that pile of noodles. The amount of vinegar added was just right to add flavor and not powering, the level of spiciness was just right for the chilli.

I would have be one of their regular customers if it not of its location, as it is way too far from my house. I would also be more than willing to pay $3.50 for such a bowl of noodles as this is one of the cheaper and better Bak Chor Mee that i have ever eaten. You could add another $1 for an extra amount of ingredients.

FENG ZHEN LOR MEE (#03-146)
Operating Hours: 5.00 am to 3.00 pm (Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)

This is another popular stall in this food centre will a constant long queue. They used to be in other part of Jurong but moved to the food centre about 7 years ago. Though there are other noodle dishes on their menu but the most popular has to be their Lor Mee. You could choose between the $2.50 or the $3.00 portion, you could also order the $4 portion for an additional amount of ingredients added. You could specifically tell them what extra ingredients you would want to be added.

The Lor Mee came with ingredients like their handmade fried meatballs, shredded fish meat, braised pork belly, fishcake and half a braised egg. Some customers even order their handmade fried meatballs as a side dish to have it with the Lor Mee or just eat it by itself. The braised gravy is not as heavily flavored and not too overly starchy as well, i usually requested for an extra amount of chilli and garlic paste to be added to bring forth a stronger flavor.

If you come during lunch, you are expected to queue for at least 15 minutes or more but the queue is fast moving though.

HAI ZHEN (#03-166)
Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 2.00 pm / 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm (Daily)

Even though they are not the only Zi Char stall selling this hearty dish but their Fish Head Curry is quite popular. Their prices are very much depend on the sizes of the fish head on that day, it could be from $19 to $22. The freshness of these fish heads is guaranteed as the owner insists in only serving the freshest, he would rather not sell it then compromised its quality. 

The fish head is usually quite big and meaty, with loads of brinji and ladies finger added with tomato and pineapple to bring forth a sourish taste. The curry sauce is not as creamy but rather aromatic with a rather mild level of spiciness. 

SOON LEE (#02-93)
Operating Hours: 5.30 am to 6.30 pm (Daily)

This is a popular drink stall that serves most of their drinks at only 0.70 cents, the popular choices are pineapple drink, lime juice, coconut water and soya milk. They do have also serve freshly squeezed sugar cane drink.

TAMAN JURONG FOOD CENTRE

3 Yung Seng Road SINGAPORE 618499