Rayben King of Seafood Soup at Sin Ming

The owners, Ray and Benson started this stall in the midst of December 2020 serving seafood soup, There are only 3 choices on their menu, the smallest portion at $8.00 followed by $18.00, and then at $38. Ben was there taking the order. He recommended that we should try the $18.80 as it is good to be shared amongst 2 pax. 

I asked, "Why do you choose such a location? How is the business so far?" He said, "We wanted somewhere to start and the rental here is reasonable. And, we have been doing good so far. We even have customers coming from as far as Jurong." Ray mentioned competing against a popular stall and wanting to serve the best. I asked out of curiosity, "Who is this competitor? Do not tell me it is one of those that serve Pao Fan as I do not like." He replied, "I think Pao Fan is gimmicky. The texture of rice after soaked in the broth usually was too soggy." He later mentioned that this stall is the popular Yan Ji Fish Soup at Marsiling Mall Food Centre. 

We were given a buzzer after done with the payment. The medium portion consists of half a rock lobster, half a flower crab, 2 tiger prawns, Batang fish, squid, la la, and pacific clams. It came with choices of rice as well as thick bee hoon and we opted for rice. 

My dining companion tasted the soup and said, "The soup is quite tasty, naturally flavored." He said, "I could taste there is milk added." Benson happened to walk past and he asked, "How was it?" I said, "You added milk into it?" He replied, "I added just a bit of milk for a smoother texture."

My dining companion also said, "It is not the usual coffee shop pricing and is not quite worth the value. I would actually prefer a simple bowl of seafood soup without those premium ingredients added like the one by Yan Ji though they use Dory fish. I enjoyed their chunky handmade meatballs."

I did not try to ask for more soup though it was suggested in a review posted on their Facebook as someone tried but was declined. It is also not a practice to refill soup at Yan Ji Seafood Soup. The soup is supposed to serve concentrated and if they allowed refilling of soup then they would have to dilute the soup to make it more which does not quite make sense. 

I would just go for their basic bowl of seafood soup if I do come back.

RAYBEN KING OF SEAFOOD SOUP

39 Sin Ming Drive SINGAPORE 575713

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 8.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

Zhong Crayfish Seafood Soup at Ang Mo Kio Central

Henry Tay, 38, the owner of this stall serving mainly the Crayfish Seafood Soup at the coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio central, directly facing the MRT station. His stall was featured in the recent episode of Buzzing Hawker. Henry has about 20 years of cooking experiences. He worked in a Western restaurant after his national service before starting his hawker stall. He created his own recipe for the seafood soup using 8 different types of ingredients before Chef Michael Lau, his mentor chef adjusted it by adding flower crabs as part of the ingredients for making the soup. I was there close to 2 pm for a late lunch. There was another customer right in front of me, waiting for her order to be ready. I waited for a few minutes to order. This was before the particular episode that featured the stall was aired on TV. 

The menu includes Seafood Soup ($4.00/$6.00), Fish Soup ($4.00/$6.00), Fish Head Soup ($5.00) and Tom Yum Seafood Soup ($4.50). Other than rice, the other choices are fresh mee sua, thick bee hoon, porridge, bee hoon, ban mian and mee kia for $0.50. I decided to go with the large portion of Seafood soup and opted to have it with the fresh mee sua for $0.50. 

It consists of a substantial portion of mee sua with fresh tasting ingredients like the sliced fish, prawns, handmade meatballs, tofu, sliced tomato, vegetable and a piece of dried beancurd skin.  It was garnished with fried garlic and chopped coriander. The soup was much lighter as compared to the famous Yan Ji Seafood Soup at Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre with a hint of natural sweetness. The fresh mee sua is different than the usual mee sua, it was slightly thicker and not as mushy which I liked. 

It was rather comforting though not the tastiest choice. 

ZHONG CRAYFISH SEAFOOD SOUP

Block 721 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 #01-2823 SINGAPORE 560721

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 8.00 pm (Daily)

Shun Feng Crayfish Delight : standard is not consistent

Daniel, 39 and Willy, 38, started this hawker stall in April 2017 at a coffee shop near Khatib MRT station. Crystal Crayfish Delight at $6 and $10 is their signature item and it consists of dory fish, tofu and handmade meatballs.

I went back twice in a week. The first visit was on a weekday and the second one was a Saturday. On the second visit, I was informed that the $10 portion is not available when ordering. And so, if I want a bigger portion, I would have to order 2 of the $6 portion. It puzzled me as I could not see the logic behind this other than the motivation is kind of profit-minded and to possibly maximise the earnings during lunch on a Saturday when the queue was rather long. The long queue was likely caused by their slowness in cooking. The $10 portion was available during my first visit though and that was on a weekday at about 2 pm when there was just another customer right in front of me.

The standard is not quite consistent as well, the soup was better the first time that I tried but it was kind of diluted on the second visit. The crayfish did not taste too fresh when I came to take away the first time, the meat was a bit too mushy and soft but it fared much better during the second visit, the meat was firmer this time.

Those meatballs are handmade with a mix of dried sole fish and sliced mushroom for a distinct flavor. The stock is made of the old mother hen, chicken feet, pork bones and other secret ingredients then boiled for about 4 hours till it is milky white. 

You could choose to have it with rice or horfun. The horfun  is actually thin rice noodles tossed in dark soya sauce then served with fried shallots. I would think rice is a better option as the horfun did not go too well with the seafood soup.

Overall, it was not bad but its standard is still far from Yan Ji Seafood Soup at Woodlands Centre Road Food Centre, which is still the best. 

SHUN FENG CRAYFISH DELIGHT

Block 848 Yishun Street 81 SINGAPORE 760848

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 12.00 am (Daily)

Don Signature Crab : affordable Crab Bee Hoon Soup

Don Lim, started this stall at a coffee shop in Toa Payoh serving Crab Bee Hoon Soup and Chilli Crab as their signature dishes. Other dishes include Crab Laksa, Prawn Laksa, Black Pepper Crab Bee Hoon and more. Most dishes are priced at $25, $30, $40 and $50, depending on the size of the crab. He was the owner of the famous Don Your Personal Pie Club before he sold it away in November 2015.

I was with a friend to try the western food stall in the same coffee shop and took notice that most of the customers there ordered Crab Bee Hoon from this stall. When ordering, I was asked, "For how many people?" I said, "Just two of us." The Uncle that was taking my order replied, "I would suggest that you go for the $30 portion." I said, "We just had dinner so might be too much for us." And, Uncle said, "Then just go for the smallest portion."

It was served to our table in about 10 minutes. There was a small crab with some vegetables and thick bee hoon in the claypot. Now, I understand why did the Uncle suggest that I should go for a larger portion if it is to be shared as this is just enough for a person. 

We tasted the soup first and both of us agreed it was not as good as we expected it to be as we compared to what we had at Mellben's. It was mildly flavored with ginger, dang gui and Chinese cooking wine added to enhance it. 

The prices are definitely cheaper as compared to the same dish at other Cze Cha places, it is affordable but not that cheap to be called unbelievable prices though. 

DON SIGNATURE CRAB

Block 206 Toa Payoh North 1 #01-1197 SINGAPORE 310206

Operating Hours: 12.00 pm to 8.30 pm (Daily)

Fresh Generation : Premium Seafood Soup

Fresh Generation is the newest hawker stall at Bukit Timah Food Centre that has recently opened in March, it is near to Beauty World MRT station. They serve seafood soup in various sizes with different types of seafood including crayfish and lobster at premium prices. It seems this is the current food trend as there are many such stalls mushrooming and they are serving similar items.

And, they are related to Woon Woon Pek Bee Hoon at Changi Village Food Centre, in fact, it is an expansion based on the success of their popular white bee hoon after 8 months. The chef, Ah Soon, 62, is a former restaurant head chef that has decades of culinary experience under his belt. Now, you can expect a certain standard of their seafood soup. He is also the father of Reece Wong, the co-owner of the stalls and Javien, is the other owner. They used to be corporate business partners but sold away their companies then venturing into the food business. 

The menu features the Original Seafood Soup ($6 for 1 pax and $16 for 3 pax), Crayfish Seafood Soup ($10 for 1 pax and $28 for 3 pax), Scallop Seafood Soup ($10 for 1 pax and $28 for 3 pax), Lobster Seafood Soup ($28 for 1 pax and $58 for 3 pax) and their Signature Seafood Platter ($28 for 3 pax). There is the option to go with either rice or noodles for 0.50 cents. It is prepared upon order, the ingredients are wok-fried first before adding in the soup to bring forth the wok fragrance. The soup base comprises of clams and flower crabs simmered for a relatively long period to bring out the flavour, it is used for all the soups.

I decided to go with the Crayfish Seafood Soup and I opted to go with rice. I added 3 pieces of Lobster Balls for $2.00. There are also options to add clams for $2.00, sliced fish for $3.00, scallop for $5.00, crayfish for $5.00 and lobster for $22. The Crayfish Seafood Soup came with fresh tasting prawns, clams, sliced threadfin fish, lobster balls and crayfish. The soup though lightly flavoured but it was full of natural sweetness, this is definitely a healthier choice. 

The lobster balls are forgettable though, it tasted just like those that are readily available in the supermarkets and only order if you want more varieties.

You should try it if you are in the vicinity. 

FRESH GENERATION

51 Bukit Timah Road #02-164 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 9.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

Yan Ji Seafood Soup: As Good as It Gets

Yan Ji Seafood Soup has been around for more than 30 years and it is in the good hands of the 2nd generation now. Their main outlet is at Woodlands Centre Road Food Centre and they have just started a branch at Marsiling Lane in September 2014.

The prices for the seafood soup range from the normal one at $6 and $8 to those with crayfish or fish maw at $10 and $12, they also serve Braised Pork's Trotter at $7.00.  Rice is available at 0.50 cents per bowl.

The main outlet at Woodlands Centre Road Food Centre is usually crowded during lunch and weekends, the waiting time could be as long as 45 minutes or even longer. My usual order whenever i am there is their medium portion of seafood soup which consists of 3 medium sized prawns that are served together with those minced pork chunks and several pieces of dory fish in the broth.

The prawns were notably fresh, its meat was rather firm and it peeled off the shells quite easily. Those chunky pieces of minced meat were nicely seasoned with quite a distinct dried flat fish flavor and bits of mushroom embedded in it, its texture was quite tender. I did not like those pieces of dory fish too much and its taste did not quite stand out. The crayfish tasted equally fresh and sweet, it is an interesting option to have it with the seafood soup. The broth was full-bodied and rich with a distinct sweetness, derived from simmering quality ingredients like dried Hokkaido scallops in it.

YAN JI SEAFOOD SOUP 炎记海鲜汤

Block 4A Woodlands Centre Road #02-11 Woodlands Centre Road Food Centre 

SINGAPORE 730004

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 4.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

It is located at the same HDB block with Sin Kee Seafood Soup but in a much quieter coffee shop at the other corner. Their menu is the same with their main outlet in Woodlands Centre Road Food Centre. I was there during lunch but unlike their other outlet, there was no queue at all. I ordered exactly the same thing, which is the medium portion of seafood soup at $8.00. 

It has also 3 pieces of medium sized prawns, few pieces of chunky minced meat and dory fish. It is more expansive as compared to the other 2 stalls in Marsiling Lane that is served with about the same portion at only $6.50 and that might the reason why there are most customers at the other 2 stalls. Though the ingredients were relatively fresh but the soup here was slightly clearer but less robust and not as flavorful as compared to their main outlet. 

YAN JI SEAFOOD SOUP 炎记海鲜汤

Block 19 Marsiling Lane #01-283 Broadway Coffee Shop SINGAPORE 739152

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 4.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

Sin Kee Seafood Soup : Impressive Service

Sin Kee Seafood Soup is amongst the 3 stalls in Marsiling Lane serving this unique version of seafood soup. There is also Yan Ji Seafood Soup, a branch of the main outlet at Woodlands Centre Road Food Cetnre, located in another coffee shop at the other corner of the same block. And, also SK Seafood Soup in the food centre, directly opposite the block. These 3 stalls seemed to be in some way related to each other but Yan Ji Seafood Soup has ever announced on their Facebook Page that they are in no way related to Sin Kee Seafood Soup.  

Sin Kee Seafood Soup is located in the same coffee shop with the relatively famous Hong Ji Claypot Bak Kut Teh. The menu of Sin Kee Seafood Soup is quite similar to the other 2 stalls but they do not serve Braised Pork Knuckle which is available on the menu of that 2 stalls. 

You could choose between dory fish, batang fish or pomfret fish, crayfish is available as an add on for the seafood soup, the price difference is indicated on the price list that is prominently displayed at the stall. Each portion is cooked individually using the broth from the main pot then simmered with fish slices, prawns and minced meat. The combination of ingredients has given the seafood soup a distinct flavor with a hint of dried flat fish, which is commonly known as teepo.

I placed my order for the the medium portion of seafood soup with dory fish for $6.50 which consists of 3 pieces rather big prawns with a few pieces of chunky minced meat and also dory fish chunks. All the ingredients tasted relatively fresh though the broth was lighter than that of Yan Ji Seafood Soup at the Woodlands Centre Road Food Centre. Those chunks of minced meat though flavorful and in bigger pieces but it did not have bits of mushroom in it so not as tasty. 

What is most impressive is definitely their service. I walked away after placing my order without collecting the number tag but i pointed to the table right in front of their stall to indicate that i would be seating there. A friendly lady from the stall approached the table with a number tag. She pushed those dirty plates on the table to the corner and wiped the table. She then came over again with a saucer of red cut chillies together with a pair of chopsticks and spoon. I moved to a bigger table just beside later after the customers seated there left. The same lady delivered the seafood soup with a bowl of rice a while later and she came back just a bit with a cloth. She cleared those dirty plates on the table and wiped the table even though i told her it is alright to just leave those dirty plates on the table. 

SIN KEE SEAFOOD SOUP 鲜记海鲜汤

Block 19 Marsiling Lane Teo #01-329 Chap Bee Eating House SINGAPORE 730019

Operating Hours: 10.30 am to 8.30 pm (Closed on Mondays)