Hin Hor Fun With Prawn. Beef. Sliced Fish (Ghim Moh Hawker Centre)

It is hard to miss this stall with its bright red signboard and long queue. Hin Hor Fun With Prawn. Beef. Sliced Fish is located in the middle of Ghim Moh Hawker Centre and there is a perpectual long queue during lunch time, stretching to more than 10 person long. 

They have recently increased the price of their Hor Fun from $5 to $6, a 20% increase. This is the plight of rising costs (gas, utilities, ingredients, manpower etc) for business owners and even hawkers. Currently, $6 is quite unheard of for Hor Fun at a hawker centre. But I believe that it will be the norm within a few more months due to stagflation. 

Although the queue was long, it moved fast as the Hor Fun ingredients were already prepared and they were constantly frying fresh batch of smoking hot Hor Fun.

$6 Hor Fun with Beef

I ordered the $6 Hor Fun with Beef. 

I was surprised that they were still so generous with the ingredients. To be frank, I was glad that they increased the price and maintained the portion, quality and taste. Unlike some businesses that decrease portion and increase price. 

$6 Hor Fun with Beef

Back to the Hor Fun with Beef, it looks so simple and dull, yet they totally nailed it in terms of taste. The Hor Fun was well fried with strong aroma of wok hei. The brown sauce provided contrasting flavours that alternated between smokey and caramelised flavours. I also noticed that they really used hor fun (wide flat rice noodles). Some places, they use kway teow (llong and thin flat rice noodles) for their hor fun. The beef slices were oh-so tender and soft!

I love their hor fun and will certainly continue to patronise them! 

Hin Hor Fun With Prawn. Beef. Sliced Fish (Ghim Moh Hawker Centre)
20 Ghim Moh Rd
#01-56 Ghim Moh Hawker Centre
Singapore 270020
Opening Hours: Tue to Sun 10am to 3pm, 5pm to 8.30pm
                           Closed on Mon

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Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hun Restaurant 荷兰村XO鱼头米粉酒楼 (Dover)

XO Fish Head Bee Hoon XO鱼头米粉 $7

Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hun Restaurant 荷兰村XO鱼头米粉酒楼  is a zi char stall located in a coffeeshop in Dover Crescent popular for their XO Fish Head Bee Hoon.

This stall is also well-known for their customer service which is terrible. Despite that, they still attract customers from all over the island. It is a testimony of how good their XO Fish Head Bee Hoon is.

This reminds me of some Hong Kong cha chaan teng where the more the service attitude is terrible, the better the food tastes.

The zi char stall sells a variety of food. You will need to ask for their menu. As you can see from the signage, the prices of their most popular item is clearly displayed. This reduces the number of requests for the menu as many people are here for just the XO Fish Head/Meat Bee Hoon.

For myself, I made a special trip down to specially their XO Fish Head Bee Hoon.

XO Fish Head Bee Hoon XO鱼头米粉 $7

I ordered the smallest version of the XO Fish Head Bee Hoon XO鱼头米粉 $7. It would have cost me $1 lesser if I had ordered the fish meat version. But I am one of those who loves fish head. It is in fact the real deal. If you are also a foodie, you will probably agree that fish head is better than fish meat.

XO Fish Head Bee Hoon XO鱼头米粉 $7

The XO Fish Head Bee Hoon was delicious! The soup which was cloudy, was tasty, creamy and intense XO taste. Surprisingly, I liked the soup and drank most of it. Not bad for someone who does not fancy liquor. Slices of ginger was added to balanced out the flavours and get rid of any unpleasant fishy smell. They were so generous as there was so many chunks of fried fish head in the bowl. They had given nearly the whole fish head (lips, grills, eyes, etc). Moreover, the fish head was so fresh.

Now I understand why the XO Fish Head Bee Hoon has been so highly raved about. In my opinion it is a real hearty bowl of XO Fish Head and value for money.

Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hun Restaurant 荷兰村XO鱼头米粉酒楼 (Dover)

Blk 19A Dover Crescent, #01-05

Singapore 131019 

Tel: +65 6778 3691

Opening Hours: Mon to Sun 1130 am - 2pm, 5pm - 11pm

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Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow 源记炒粿条 (Ghim Moh Food Centre) 2nd post

Fried Kway Teow $4

Good news! The popular Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow 源记炒粿条 is back! It located at newly renovated Ghim Moh Food Centre.

This stall continues to be one of the most popular stall in the hawker centre. It has the longest queue and I queue nearly an hour during lunch time on Friday. The owner has been frying Kway Teow for 46 years! 

As the stall names suggests, only Fried Kway Teow is available. Depending on the portion you want, it is available at $3, $4, $5. Most people order more than 1 plate / packet since they had queued so long.

Fried Kway Teow $4

I orderd the $4 Fried Kway Teow. It was delicious!! 

The Fried Kway Teow had a semi-wet consistency and each piece of kway teow was well coated with savoury sauce. There were several pieces of cockles added when the dish was nearly ready. The beansprouts provided a crunchy texture in between each mouthful. Chinese sausage (lap Cheong) were added too, it would have been great if more pieces were given. There were several pieces pork lard added in it and it was da bomb! The burst of flavour and fragrance from pork lard made this so addictive!! A must try! 

Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow 源记炒粿条 (Ghim Moh Food Centre)

#01-19 Ghim Moh Road Market and Food Centre

Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road 

Singapore 270020

Opening Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 930am to 230pm 

                         Closed on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Public Holidays

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Original Sin (Holland Village)

Original Sin is a Mediterranean Vegetarian restaurant located at Chip Bee Gardens less than 2 minutes walk from Holland Village MRT (exit A) station. The restaurant offers both alfresco and indoor (air-conditioned) dining. As we made reservations, we decided to sit indoors as the weather was scorching hot these days. In addition, we did not want to feed the mosquitoes. 

We visited during lunch time on a Saturday. During lunch hours, they had Set Lunch available during lunch hours. The set lunch consist of a Starter (choice of Soup of the Day/Green Salad), Mains and Dessert at $26. All of us ordered the set lunch. 

Minestrone Soup (Soup of the Day)

Most of us including myself ordered chose the Soup of the Day as our Starter. The Soup of the Day was Minestrone Soup. The soup was full of ingredients such as carrot, cabbage, tomato, spaghetti, etc. The soup itself was not well balanced in taste, I felt that it was a tad too sour and something seems to be lacking. 

Green Salad

A friend of mine ordered the Green Salad.

Spaghetti

For mains, I ordered Spaghetti which was cooked with zucchini, olive, cherry tomato, tossed in tomato basil sauce and parmesan cheese. The chef executed this dish quite well. What was lacking was that they could have been more generous with some of the ingredients such as zucchini.  

Tofu Burger

My friend ordered the Tofu Burger which was served with wedges and salad greens. This was a hit among us; in a league of its own. 

Tofu Burger

The Tofu Burger consisting of tofu and lentil pattie was surprisingly tasty. Although the patty was soft and crumbled easily, we love it! The potato wedges which came with potato skin was also nicely done. In addition, the entire dish was not soggy. 

Mediterranean Wrap

The Mediterranean Wrap which was essentially tortilla wrap filled with chickpea and pumpkin spread, grilled eggplant, feta and salad was a dish which most of us did not appreciate. The main reason was because we were not a fan of chickpea which had a unique taste and smell.

Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream

For desserts, we had Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream. The chocolate cake was a tad too dry. The molten dark chocolate that flowed out from the centre of the cake was rich and dense. It was so good that it made the chocolate cake seems inferior.

The set lunch made the meal more affordable compared to the ala carte menu. However, one should still note that even with the set lunch, at $26++, this is not exactly cheap. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable meal.

Original Sin (Holland Village)

Blk 43 #01-62 Jalan Merah Saga Holland Village

Chip Bee Gardens 

Singapore 278115

Tel: 6475 5605

Opening Hours: Daily 1130am - 230pm & 6pm - 1030pm

Website 

.6475 .6475 56055605.6475 5605

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Ghim Moh Chwee Kway 锦茂李老三 (Ghim Moh Food Centre)

Ghim Moh Chwee Kway 锦茂李老三 located at Ghim Moh Food Centre at near Buona Vista MRT station is operated by a couple. The couple (Mr and Mrs Lee Sah Bah) has been selling Chwee Kway since 1959 and is well-known among residents staying at this area. 

Price Chart

The prices of the Chwee Kway 水粿 are clearly stated on the price chart at the facade of the stall. 

Mrs Lee partially hidden by the stack of Chwee Kway in their metal moulds laid out on rounds boards stacked on top of one another!

Chwee Kway is essentially a steamed rice cake topped with diced preserved radish. At this stall, the owners make everything by hand, not machined made. This means that they have to wake up at 5am every day to start the preparation. In addition, they made the preserved radish (chye poh) differently from other stalls by just stir frying it for 2 hours with onion, garlic and pork lard (without sugar). 

As I was taking photos of the facade after having made my order, Mr Lee, 63 years old suddenly popped up (in front of me) and proudly showed me his City Food Hunt 2013 certificate which he just received! I could sense his pride and joy. With more than 54 years in this line of business, it was not an easy feat! Kudos! Many more years to come! 

Chwee Kway $1.20

Chwee Kway $1.20

4 pieces of Chwee Kway for $1.20. Unlike else where, you get toothpick(s) instead of fork or spoon. 

Chwee Kway $1.20

The Chwee Kway was not bad; soft yet firm. It was tasted pretty much the same as those at other stalls. What was unique was the chey poh.

When I got the Chwee Kway, the first thought that went into my mind was... Aiya, auntie give so little chye poh. After eating all the Chwee Kway, I suspect that the reason was because the way their version of chye poh was more salty. Beside being salty, their chye poh was oh-so fragrant (must be the pork lard)!! Hence, the amount given was sufficient.

Worth a try. 

Ghim Moh Chwee Kway 锦茂李老三 (Ghim Moh Food Centre)
#01-31 Ghim Moh Road Market and Food Centre
Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road
Singapore 270020 
Opening Hours: Daily 6am to 7pm

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Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow 源记炒粿条 (Ghim Moh Food Centre)

Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow 源记炒粿条 located at Ghim Moh Food Centre is one of the most popular stall in the food centre. This stall unlike other stalls is different. It's no frills signboard has no photos of the food he is selling and the signboard is so much smaller compared to those at the neighbouring stalls. This stall has garnered such a following that there was no need for that. Frequent patrons of this food centre would have known that there is always a perceptual queue at this stall. 

The owner has been frying Kway Teow for 44 years. He operates the stall toegther with his wife who takes the orders and collect the cash. They sell only Fried Kway Teow.

The stall front is plastered with many reviews from food shows and there were also several photos of the owners with celebrities. 

When I visited, there was a queue of more than 12 person in front of me. I queued for slightly more than half an hour before I got my plate of Fried Kway Teow. 

Fried Kway Teow $3

Fried Kway Teow $3

The Fried Kway Teow $3 was not bad, one of the better ones I have tried. The Fried Kway Teow had a semi-wet consistency and each piece of kway teow was well coated with savoury sauce. However, it was lacking in wok hei. 

There were several pieces of cockles added. The beansprouts provided a crunchy texture in between each mouthful. Chinese sausage (lap Cheong) were added too. However, there were only 3 pieces of Chinese sausage. It would have been great if more was given. There were several pieces pork lard added in it which was the bomb! The burst of flavour and fragrance from pork lard compensated for the lack of wok hei. 

Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow 源记炒粿条 (Ghim Moh Food Centre)

#01-12 Ghim Moh Road Market and Food Centre

Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road 

Singapore 270020

Opening Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 930am to 230pm 

                         Closed on Sunday, Monday and Thursday

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Commonwealth Crescent Fei Zai Eatery (Holland Village Food Centre)

Commonwealth Crescent Fei Zai Eatery is located in Holland Village Food Centre. As it was my first time in the food centre, I decided to patronise the stalll with the longest queue. Hence, I found myself at Commonwealth Crescent Fei Zai Eatery. 

The stall seems to specialise in selling a wide range of dishes that revolve around noodles. There's prawn noodle, pig liver noodles, pork ribs & prawn noodle, fishball noodle, minced meat noodle and braised beef noodles. The prices of the items are listed in the photo above. I ordered the Pork Ribs & Prawn Noodle after noticing that two of the persons in front of me ordered that. 

Pork Ribs & Prawn Noodle $4.50

The Pork Ribs & Prawn Noodle cost $4.50. What made it stood out was the pork ribs which was braised. 

Pork Ribs & Prawn Noodle $4.50

Pork Ribs & Prawn Noodle $4.50

Frankly, the Pork Ribs & Prawn Noodle was disappointing The soup lacked depth and did not taste like prawn soup. The taste of light and dark soya sauce overwhelmed any other flavours (if any) in the soup. It was no doubt salty. The prawns were not fresh. The only consolation was that the pork ribs were tender and separated from the bones easily. However, it was too salty too.

Commonwealth Crescent Fei Zai Eatery (Holland Village Food Centre)
1 Lorong Mambong
#01-14 Holland Village Food Centre
Singapore 277700
Location

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Orchard Emerald Beef Noodles 牛肉麵 (Holland Drive)

Orchard Emerald Beef Noodles 牛肉麵  used to be located at Orchard Emerald Basement Food Court in 1997. I understand that the owner has moved several times before finally settling down at its present location; a coffee shop at Blk 46 Holland Drive. The stall is located at a corner of the coffee shop near the zi char stall. 

I visited Orchard Emerald Beef Noodles 牛肉麵 on a weekday during lunch hours.There was a queue of around 4 person in front of me. Despite the short queue, I had to wait close to 10 minutes. This was because it was basically a one man show. The owner operate the whole stall by himself. He takes the order one at a time, cooks it upon order and collects the payment. This reminds me of Yilmaz Western (Ang Mo Kio) which was also a one man show. 

This may also explains why the owner has left a clear indication of his operating hours and the price list for addition of ingredients clearly at his stall front. 

Beef Noodle (Half Set Meal) $4.00

I ordered the Beef Noodle (Half Set Meal) which consisted of a bowl of Beef Noodles and a bowl of Beef Balls Soup.

Beef Noodles

This bowl of Beef Noodles was delicious. A generous portion of beansprouts, diced salted vegetables, slices of beef and spring onions was served together with the noodles. The owner has also grasped the timing to cook the thinly sliced beef perfectly. Such that they were not over cooked, slightly pinkish and was so tender, so soft. The smooth brownish gravy had the right consistency - was not too starchy nor too fluid. Taste wise, it was great; tasty and full of flavour from the beef stock. 

Beef Balls Soup

As for the Beef Balls Soup, it was as good as the bowl of Beef Noodles. Although there was nothing to shout about regarding the beef balls other than it was soft, the soup was the star. It was rich, tasty, full of flavour and essence from the beef. I doubt that any MSG was added as it did not taste salty and I did not feel thirsty after drinking all the soup.

This bowl of Beef Noodles and Beef Balls Soup from Orchard Emerald Beef Noodles 牛肉麵  is easily one of the better if not best beef noodles around. Fans of Beef Noodles will surely love this!

After thought: I admire the spirit of the local stall owners (e.g. Orchard Emerald Beef Noodles & Yilmaz Western)  who despite the difficulties (e.g. rising rental cost, rising cost of ingredients, difficulty and cost of hiring a helper) have gone to continue operating the stalls themselves. In addition, long hours and hard work  are required to cook such delectable dishes. Let's hope that they continue to persevere. I will definitely still be going back to these stalls to continue to patronise, support and at the same time satisfy my stomach. A win-win-win situation.

Orchard Emerald Beef Noodles 牛肉麵 (Holland Drive)

#01-359, Blk 46 Holland Drive 

Tel: 9678 3869

Opening Hours: 10am to 8pm

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