Lai Yuan Gourmet @ Clementi Ave 3 - Discovering a New and Quality Bowl of Bak Chor Mee in the West

Recently, a new noodle stall, Lai Yuan Gourmet, opened at the coffeeshop in Blk 442 Clementi Ave 3 (facing the hawker centre), replacing the previous noodle stall. Intrigued by the change, I decided to check out the new establishment.

Opting for the Bak Chor Mee ($4.80), I was pleasantly surprised to find that the noodles and ingredients were served separately. The mee pok noodles were perfectly cooked, boasting a delightful al dente texture and tossed in a well-balanced mix of chilli and vinegar.

Bak Chor Mee 4.2/5

In addition to the delicious noodles, the ingredients included thickly cut pork liver, pork slices, minced pork, and pork balls in a flavourful soup. The standout element was undoubtedly the tender and well-marinated pork balls, which were elevated by adding sole fish.

Overall, Lai Yuan Gourmet serves up a commendable bowl of noodles that is definitely worth a visit. I'm pleased to have discovered a quality Bak Chor Mee stall in the West, providing a go-to option whenever the craving strikes.


Lai Yuan Gourmet
Blk 442 Clementi Ave 3
#01-121
Singapore 120442
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: TBC

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

West Coast 503 Teochew Fishball Noodle (潮洲魚圓麵) - $2.50 Bowl Of Noodle With Gigantic Fish Balls

West Coast 503 Teochew Fishball Noodle (潮洲魚圓麵), located in the quiet neighbourhood of Teban Garden, is an unassuming stall inside a coffeeshop on the second floor of the HDB block above the Sheng Siong Supermarket. It is my first time venturing into the area, and I decided to try the stall as it looks promising.

Teochew Fish Ball Noodle 4/5

The stall sells a good variety of noodle dishes. If I didn't count wrongly, it has fourteen noodle dishes on the menu with interesting options such as Snow Crab Noodle, Abalone Noodle and more. On top of that, it also sells other ala carte items such as fishcake and Wu Xiang.

What is remarkable is I can still find a bowl of noodles for $2.50. I have the Teochew Fish Ball Noodle, which comes with fishballs, fish cake slices, fish dumpling, pork slices, and minced pork.

I decided to go for mee pok, cooked to a nice bite. The chilli sauce and vinegar mixture goes well with the noodle, but I prefer it to be more piquant. The highlight goes to the fish ball, which is gigantic and super springy.

Overall, West Coast 503 Teochew Fishball Noodle sells an above average bowl of noodles, and for $2.50 I am not complaining. I don't mind returning if it is nearer to my home.


West Coast 503 Teochew Fishball Noodle
61 Teban Gardens Road
Singapore 600061
Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn Left and walk to Jurong Gateway Road. Cross the road. Turn right and walk to bus stop at block 131 (Stop ID 28301). Take bus number 79 or 143. Alight 9 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

Mr Meepok @ Clementi West Street 2 - Local Bak Chor Mee With A Japanese Twist By Young Hawkers

Recently a new Bak Chor Mee stall - Mr Meepok opened in my hood at Clementi West Street 2. I noticed a couple of young men running the stall. The stall has five items on the menu - Signature Minced Meat Noodle, Daily Noodle, Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle, Handmade Fishball Noodle and Laksa

While queueing for my order, I noticed one of the staff was busy losing the noodles and weighting them into individual portions. It seems like everything is measured to perfection for the one noodle dish.

The stall is better known for its Japanese-influenced bak chor mee, such as the Signature Minced Meat Noodle and Daily Noodle. The signature minced meat noodles come with an onsen egg and other accompaniments such as meatballs, minced pork, abalone slice (mock) and braised mushroom. The daily noodle is Japanese-style maze soba using meepok, paired with onsen egg, chashu, seaweed, and minced meat..

Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle 4.2/5

Since this is my first time visiting the stall, I decided to play safe and go for the traditional Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle ($3.80). It's also a test of whether the stall gets its fundamental right. It did not disappoint. The noodles cooked to al dente have a delightful bite. The well-balanced mixture of chilli sauce and fragrant vinegar made each strand of noodles a slurping enjoyment.

As for the accompanying ingredients, they are probably from suppliers. They are decent but not fantastic. I even added $1 for 3 more fishballs. 

Overall, it is a good and above average bowl of bak chor mee. The texture of the noodles is a stand out tossed in a delicious concoction of chilli sauce and vinegar. It is worth a miss if you are in the neighbourhood. I will be back to try its Japanese influenced bak chor mee.


Mr Meepok
Blk 727 Clementi West Street 2
#01-1294
Singapore 120727
Tel: +65 87791844
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7am - 2pm, 5pm - 945pm
Sat-Sun: 7am - 3pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17179). Take bus number 201. Alight 2 stops later. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Ah Ma Chi Mian (阿嬤吃麵) @ Clementi - A Bowl Of Satisfying Bak Chor Mee From The Founder’s Grandmother Recipe

Starting with their first stall at Hougang, Ah Ma Chi Mian (阿嬤吃麵) has expanded aggressively with 11 stalls around the island now. I visited their stall at Clementi Ave 3, located inside a coffeeshop near Clementi MRT station. 

Ah Ma Specialty Noodle 4/5

I had the Ah Ma Specialty Noodle ($5.50) with al dente noodles, abalone slices and ikan bilis. It is served together with a bowl of soup with pork slices and pig's liver. Though I find the chilli lacking the spicy kick, I enjoyed the noodle texture. The addition of crunchy ikan bilis accentuated the enjoyment.

As for the bowl of soup, it was tasty, but the pig's liver texture is no way near the best I have eaten. My best for pig's liver is still reserved for Mui Song Minced Meat Noodles.

Signature Scallop Dry Mee Sua 4/5

My partner, on the other hand, had the Signature Scallop Dry Mee Sua ($6.80) that comes with scallop, abalone slices and meatball. It also comes in a bowl of soup with pig's liver and pork slices.

Overall, I find it a decent bowl of hearty and comforting noodles. I can't say it is the best, but it is satisfying.


Ah Ma Chi Mian (阿嬤吃麵)
Blk 450 Clementi Ave 3
#01-271
Singapore 120450
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Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 730am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit D. Turn right at block 450. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map].

Eunos Famous Bak Chor Mee (友诺士肉脞面) @ Eunos Crescent - Probably The First Bak Chor Mee In Singapore Dated Back To 1920s

Bak Chor Mee is one of Singapore's iconic national dishes. It is a uniquely Singapore dish that you can't find elsewhere. Many of us have grown up having the dry version of Bak Chor Mee tossed in a concoction of vinegar, soy sauce, chilli sauce etc. However, the original version is the soup type with just noodle, dumpling and minced pork.

Eunos Famous Bak Chor Mee at Eunos Crescent has over 100 years of history. It started back in the 1920s when the late founder 陈联福 came to Singapore from China, selling bak chor mee, carrying his mobile kitchen over a bamboo pole. The good news is the fifth generation has continued his legacy allowing us to enjoy the century-old recipe.

Bak Chor Mee 3.8/5

The bowl of Bak Chor Mee comprises noodles, dumpling, minced pork, fried shallots and pork lard. The soup is sweet, further flavoured by the addition of minced pork, pork lard and fried shallot.

However, I didn't quite like the noodle's texture, which is the soft and soggy type. I guess this is the authentic traditional taste of bak chor mee. Still, it may not be receptive to the younger generation's palate. The dumpling is on the salty side too, though the skin is thin.

Eunos Famous Bak Chor Mee (友诺士肉脞面)
Hong Lee Coffee Shop
Blk 7 Eunos Crescent
Singapore 400007
Tel: +65 81006553
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Eunos (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 730pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Eunos MRT station. Take Exit C. Cut through the hawker centre and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Jin Xi Lai (Mui Siong) Minced Meat Noodles - Veerasamy Road (Little India) - Amazing Pig's Liver Bak Chor Mee

Recently I have been seeing many friends going to Jin Xi Lai (Mui Siong) Minced Meat Noodles for the bak chor mee. The stall is located inside a coffee shop in Little India, the same as the popular Victor Famous Fried Chicken Wing Rice. Even though I arrived early before the lunchtime crowd at 1130am, I still have to wait for 45 minutes for my bowl of bak chor mee.

Like many other noodle stalls, you can order a variety of noodles here. I decided to go for the Mee Kia Dry. The noodle is actually cooked to a nice textural bite however the sauce lacks the punch I seek in a good bowl of bar chor mee.

The highlight is actually the bowl of flavoursome soup that comes with the bowl of noodles. What really stood out is the pig liver! It is thickly sliced and comes with a texture you probably has never eaten before. Crunchy and yet with a soft interior, it is quite hard to describe in words. You still need to try it for yourself to be taken apart by the amazing texture.

Jin Xi Lai (Mui Siong) Minced Meat Noodles
Blk 638 Veerasamy Road
Singapore 200638
Tel: +65 91143731
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 730am - 230pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Jalan Besar MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Veerasamy Road. Turn left onto Veerasamy Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles @ Marsiling Mall Food Centre - Famous Bak Chor Mee Re-opens In Woodlands

A regret I have is not able to try Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles when it was at Serangoon Road. When I heard that the Uncle Yap has come out of retirement and open a new stall at Marsiling Mall Food Centre, I simply just have to drag my lazy feet to the North. No more regret and it is definitely worth the trip.

Mee Pork Dry 4.5/5

I tried the Mee Pok Dry ($4.50) which comes with minced pork, braised mushroom, fish cake slices and pig liver. It may look like an ordinary bowl of noodle but what binds all these ingredients together is the sauce and the doneness of the noodle's texture. Making each mouthful a slurping enjoyment.

Besides mee pok, you can order a variety of noodles such as mee kia, mee tai mak and mee sua. Incidentally, we discovered that the mee sua goes very well with the sauce. It soaked the vinegary sauce better, with the tanginess coming through more. I will order mee sua next time.

Not forgetting the bowl of soup. It is packed with flavours that are boiled over 3 to 4 hours with old hens, soybeans and anchovies. If you want to really enjoy the soup, I would recommend ordering either the Bak Chor Mee Soup or Xiao Wan Mian (小碗面).

I am glad that Uncle Yap decides to reopen his stall, and I can get to taste his delicious bowl of noodles. Hopefully don't leave any regret like me, go and check it out. Just in case he decides to retire again. By the way, I heard through the grapevine that they are opening another outlet in Serangoon, 1.5 km away from their old stall.


Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles
Marsiling Mall Food Centre
4 Woodlands Street 12
Singapore 738620
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT:

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun: 7am - 2pm
(Closed on Wed)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Marsiling MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Marsiling MRT station (Stop ID 46521). Take bus number 187, 768, 856, 925, 926, 950, 960, 961. 963 and 966. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Woodlands MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk to Woodlands Bus Interchange (Stop ID 46009). Take bus number 187, 856, 925, 926, 950, 960, 961, 963 and 966. Alight 1 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Soon Heng Pork Noodles @ Neil Road - Bedok 85 Style Bak Chor Mee

If you like the Bedok 85 style of Bak Chor Mee, then you are in for some great news. Soon Heng Pork Noodles at Neil Road serves a good bowl of the soupy style bar chor mee. Furthermore, it is located in the central of Singapore, hence for people like me staying in the West, it is more conveniently located.

Bak Chor Mee 4.5/5

The bowl of Bak Chor Mee ($4/$5) comes in 2 portions. We have the $4 portion which comes with 3 meatballs, 2 wanton and minced pork in the sweet soup that is robust and packed with flavours. Diner also gets to have a choice of noodles - mee kia, mee pok, mee tai bak and kway teow.

Unlike other bak chor mee stalls, the broth here is almost like a ramen broth that is rich and intense. This is achieved by simmering pork bones overnight for that heavenly flavour. It is so delicious that I drink up everything, not leaving a single drop. Picking the bone, what needs to improve is the wanton. The dough is a bit thick, and the filling lacks flavour.

Soon Heng Pork Noodles
120 Neil Road
Singapore 088855
Tel: +65 97928106
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am - 3pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk straight down New Bridge Road. Turn right onto Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right again onto Keong Saik Road. Walk down Keong Saik Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk straight down Neil Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Tai Wah Pork Noodle @ Hong Lim Food Centre - It Pales In Comparision To The Michelin-Starred Stall At Crawford Road

Many diners may have mistaken Tai Wah Pork Noodle at Hong Lim Food Centre to the Michelin starred hawker stall Hill Street Tai Wah Pork Noodle at Crawford Road. Even the bowl they used looks the same. The similarity is not coincidence as they are actually related. The stall at Hong Lim Food Centre is run by Mr Tang, the younger brother of  Hill Street Tai Wah Pork Noodle.

Bak Chor Mee 3.5/5

A bowl of Bak Chor Mee ($6/$8/$10) comes with wantons, pork balls and pork slices, minced pork and pig liver.

The noodle itself is cooked to a delectable bite and tossed in a mixture of vinegar and chilli sauce. Unfortunately I didn't find the vinegar they used as fragrant as the one at crawford road. Same goes to the pork balls which lack flavour.

While I didn't like the vinegar and pork balls, I have to say the wanton stuffed with marinated pork is really good. I can taste the robust flavour of dried sole fish in the wanton stuffing. The wanton skin is also thin and smooth.

The bowl of Bak Chor Mee is decent but pale in comparison to Hill Street Tai Wah Pork Noodle. Nevertheless, congratulation to Tai Wah Pork Noodle for being one of the awardees in the Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore 2018.


Tai Wah Pork Noodle
Hong Lim Food Centre
Blk 531A Cross Street
#02-16
Singapore 051531
Tel: +65 91828881
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 730am - 730pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit E. Cut cross Chinatown Point. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit F. Journey time about 5 minutes. Cut across Hong Lim Complex. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]