Lao Ma Ban Mian (老媽拌麵) @ West Mall - Tainan’s Iconic Sun-Dried Guan Miao Noodles Lands in Singapore at West Mall

Lao Ma Ban Mian (老媽拌麵), a beloved noodle brand from Tainan, Taiwan, has made its debut in Singapore with its first outlet at West Mall, opening on 15 April 2025. Known for its iconic sun-dried Guan Miao noodles (关庙面) crafted using traditional methods, the brand brings with it the distinct chewiness and aroma that have made it a staple in Taiwanese households. The noodles are available in two variations — wavy Guan Miao noodles that are perfect for soaking up bold sauces and soups, and traditional flat Guan Miao noodles that strike a delightful balance between smoothness and bite.

Dried Scallop Huadiao Chicken Noodles Soup (干贝花雕鸡汤面) 4.5/5

I tried the Dried Scallop Huadiao Chicken Noodles Soup ($16.50), a hearty bowl packed with robust flavours to kick off the meal. It featured tender, chunky chicken pieces, vegetables, mushrooms, and baby corn, all nestled in a comforting broth made by slow-simmering whole hens, Jinhua ham, and scallops. The addition of aromatic Huadiao wine elevated the overall profile, while the traditional Guan Miao noodles added a lovely, silky texture. It was a warm, soothing bowl that felt like a hug in noodle form.

Chilli Oil Preserved Egg & Meat Sauce Noodles (红油皮蛋肉酱面) 4.5/5

Next up was the Chilli Oil Preserved Egg & Meat Sauce Noodles ($12.50), a crowd-pleaser that brought together bold and complex flavours. The creamy, rich century egg combined with fragrant chilli oil and savoury minced meat sauce to create a beautifully umami-rich dish. The wavy Guan Miao noodles held the sauce effortlessly, allowing each bite to deliver a delightful explosion of flavour and texture.

Garlic Fermented Soy Pork Chop Noodles (蒜香豆乳猪扒拌面) 4.2/5

Garlic Fermented Soy Chicken Chop Noodles (蒜香豆乳猪扒拌面) 4.2/5

For those craving something closer to Taiwanese street food, the Garlic Fermented Soy Pork Chop Noodles ($15.50) and Garlic Fermented Soy Chicken Chop Noodles ($15.50) offered a satisfying alternative. The meats were marinated for over 24 hours in garlic and fermented tofu, imparting a deeply savoury and umami flavour. Between the two, I personally preferred the chicken chop for its tenderness and juiciness, though both versions complemented the dry-style Guan Miao noodles well.

Blanched Vegetables with Fried Shallots 古早味油葱烫青菜 3/5

French Beans with Sesame Sauce 胡麻酱四季豆 3/5

I sampled a couple of sides to accompany the main dishes. The Blanched Vegetables with Fried Shallots ($4.50) and the French Beans with Sesame Sauce ($4) were light, simple additions. While they didn't particularly stand out, they served their role as something to munch on in between the richer mains.

Braised Pig's Trotter 卤猪脚 3/5

Braised Beef Brisket 卤牛腩 4/5

Braised Bai-Ye Tofu 百页豆腐 3/5

There's also a selection of braised items, including Braised Pig's Trotter ($9), Braised Beef Brisket ($7), and Braised Bai-Ye Tofu ($4.50). The Braised Beef Brisket stood out the most of the trio — it was fork-tender and well-infused with the savoury braising sauce. The pig's trotter had a firmer, more gelatinous texture, catering to those who enjoy the collagen-rich chewiness. As for the Bai-Ye tofu, which is firmer and more rubbery like Tian Bu La, it may appeal to Taiwanese palates, though I prefer tofu with a softer texture and more pronounced soybean flavour.

Taiwanese Spicy Mala Hot Pot Rice 台式麻辣火锅饭 3.8/5

Another interesting addition to the menu was the Taiwanese Spicy Mala Hot Pot Rice ($17.50), which came with a generous mix of ingredients such as meat, prawn balls, cheese fishcake, fish dumplings, vegetables, and mushrooms. While it was hearty and packed with variety, the broth didn't quite live up to its "mala" name — it lacked the numbing spice and aromatic heat typically associated with mala dishes. It leaned more towards a sha cha (沙茶) flavour, which might leave mala lovers wanting more.

Showa Pudding 昭和布丁 4/5

To end the meal on a sweet note, we had the Showa Pudding. Smooth, creamy, and comforting, it was topped with chewy pearls for a delightful contrast in texture, making it a lovely finale to the meal.

As part of its grand opening celebration, Lao Ma Ban Mian is offering an exclusive Grand Opening Promotion from 15 to 29 April 2025. Diners can enjoy the signature Chilli Oil Preserved Egg & Meat Sauce Noodles at a special price of just $5, down from the usual $12.50. On top of that, customers can sign up for a free membership programme, which offers a lifetime 10% discount on all menu items and lets diners earn points with every purchase. With its rich heritage, comforting flavours, and thoughtful promotions, Lao Ma Ban Mian brings a truly authentic Taiwanese noodle experience to the heart of Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Lao Ma Bàn Mian (老媽拌麵)
West Mall
1 Bukit Batok Central
#B1-K10/K23
Singapore 658713
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Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Da Pang Congee Base Hot Pot (大胖粥底火锅) @ Bukit Batok - Tuck into Comforting & Unique Charcoal Hot Pot Bases Such As Wintermelon Seafood and Congee

Da Pang Congee Base Hot Pot (大胖粥底火锅) is a fresh addition to the hot pot scene, nestled within a coffeeshop at IBIZ Centre, located between Bukit Batok and Jurong East. Its unique broth bases set Da Pang apart from other hot pot spots.

In addition to their signature hot pot offerings, they also serve Fried Hokkien Sotong Prawn Mee ($6/$8/$12), prepared in a slightly wetter style.

When you visit Da Pang, the ingredients for the hot pot are neatly packed and available for self-service from display refrigerators.

With a basket in hand, diners can enjoy a 'shopping trip' experience, selecting their preferred ingredients and bringing them back to the table. Each item is cling-wrapped and organised by categories such as vegetables, seafood, and meats, making it easy to choose.

The ingredients are priced according to the colour of the plates: White ($1) for mostly vegetables, Green and Yellow ($3), Orange ($5) for a selection of house-marinated meats, and Red ($8) for premium items.

Right in front of the stall, you'll find a variety of condiments, along with free-flow cabbage and xiao bai cai in these vintage baskets. Live crabs are also available at $10 each, which will be prepared by the staff upon order.

We were pleasantly surprised by the range of fresh ingredients, which came in more substantial portions than we've experienced in other similar hot pot eateries.

Wintermelon Seafood Hotpot 4.2/5

We opted for the Wintermelon Seafood Hotpot ($32) as our base for our meal. We sipped the broth before adding any ingredients and enjoyed how flavourful it was. This base features a carved winter melon centrepiece, filled with prawns and la la clams, surrounded by watermelon cubes. The broth itself had a comforting, well-balanced herbal sweetness married with seafood flavours. I particularly liked how it was not overly salty.

Da Pang offers a variety of other broth bases, including Lala Hotpot ($18/$28), Prawn Hotpot ($18/$28), and Lala & Prawn Hotpot ($22/$32). These bases can be paired with different soups such as Clear Soup, Tomato Soup, Herbal Soup, or their Specialty Congee base. If you're interested in trying the Wintermelon Seafood Hotpot, it's best to call ahead and reserve it at least a day in advance.

Some of our favourite ingredient picks included marinated pork paste, prawn paste, marinated chicken, dumplings, and green bamboo shoots. The clams, prawns, and winter melon that came with our soup base were satisfying, too.

Broth refills are complimentary, and the attentive staff were quick to assist with this. We also learned that instead of breaking down the winter melon, you can leave it boiling whole and dip your ingredients into it. The winter melon is cleverly carved with a tunnel inside, allowing the ingredients to cook thoroughly.

We concluded our meal with a piece of fried egg floss that soaked up the soup!

Although Da Pang is not located in the most accessible location, we had an enjoyable meal and look forward to returning.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Da Pang Congee Base Hot Pot (大胖粥底火锅)
IBIZ Centre
32 Old Toh Tuck Road
#01-17
Singapore 597658
Tel: +65 8788 5812
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Nearest MRT: Clement (EW Line), Beauty World (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 2pm, 4pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17171). Take bus number 106. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Clementi Bus Interchange (Stop ID 17009). Take bus number 173. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 16 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Beauty World MRT station (Stop ID 42151). Take bus 41. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

4) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Beauty World MRT station (Stop ID 42151). Take bus 173. Alight 7 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 16 minutes. [Map]

ABC Seafood Charcoal Claypot @ Bukit Batok - Crayfish Charcoal Claypot Hotpot Hidden in Industrial Estate

Charcoal claypot hotpots have become increasingly popular, offering unique variations such as lala claypot and prawn claypot. Joining this trend, ABC Seafood Charcoal Claypot in Bukit Batok has introduced its Crayfish Charcoal Claypot Hotpot.

Hidden within Bukit Batok's industrial estate park in 7 Days Coffee Shop, the dining space is bright and airy. The eatery sits among various other dining options, such as zi char, mookata and ma la xiang guo.

Standard Premium Seafood Broth

The menu is straightforward and focused on their crayfish hotpot. Diners can choose between a base of the Standard Premium Seafood Broth - 4pcs Crayfish ($32.80) or Large Premium Seafood Broth - 8pcs Crayfish ($52.80). The crayfish are served halved over a charcoal fire and broth refills are available on a self-service basis.

Mark your selected ingredients on the menu, and the staff will serve them directly to your table. The menu is divided into different categories: Meat, Seafood, Vegetables, and Others.

For Meat, some options include Pork Belly Shabu ($6.90), Premium Kurobuta Pork Shabu ($9.90) and Premium Beef Shabu ($6.90), while the Seafood category has dishes such as Fresh La La ($9.90), Fresh Red Leg Prawn ($10.90), Fresh Batang Fish ($8.90) and Fresh Squid (9.90).

For Vegetables, choose from items such as Enoki Mushroom ($2.50), Xiao Bai Cai ($2.50) and Sliced White Radish ($2.50). For Others, there is Dao Xiao Mian ($3), Quail Egg ($4.90), Cheese Tofu ($4.90) and more.

Crayfish Charcoal Claypot Hotpot 2.8/5

While the crayfish quality was decently fresh, we found the base broth to be blander than expected, lacking the strong crustacean sweetness we had hoped for.

On the side of the coffee shop is a condiments station where diners can customise their dips or add them directly to the broth.

Among the items we tried, we most enjoyed the fresh and crunchy Fresh Red Leg Prawn, which made the broth sweeter. Given the prices, however, we felt that the individual portions of ingredients could be larger.

ABC Seafood Charcoal Claypot is also preparing for its new outlet, which will soon open in Ang Mo Kio, 5058 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


ABC Seafood Charcoal Claypot
Bukit Batok Industrial Estate Park A
#01-262
2019 Bukit Batok Street 23
Singapore 659528
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Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 3pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 12pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 43009). Alight 6 stops later. Walkto destination. Journey time about 18 mintues. [Map]

Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice (源源砂煲饭) @ Bukit Batok - Claypot Rice with 40 Years of Heritage Opens New Stall

After 40 years, Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice has a new stall in the recently renovated and brightly-lit Mei De Coffeeshop in Bukit Batok. Founded initially by Uncle Seah at ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre in Bukit Merah in 1982, his son and second-generation owner, Raymond Seah, officially took over in 2019. Raymond then explored an apprenticeship model intending to preserve his father's legacy.

Cooking with charcoal fire is not an easy skill, especially to master the different techniques required for cooking single pax claypots versus bigger claypots that serve 2 to 5 pax. Raymond focused on imparting the craft of cooking single pax claypots to his apprentices, and that is what you will find here in Bukit Batok, the first stall to be helmed by his trained apprentice chef. The chicken stock and homemade secret black sauce will continue to be made and supplied by Raymond.

Claypot Rice 砂锅饭 4/5

Each portion of Claypot Rice ($8) is served with a generous drizzle of the homemade black sauce and a classic mix of ingredients - marinated chicken, lup cheong, liver sausage, salted fish and vegetables. Please give it a good mix before digging in!

The result of cooking over charcoal fire shines through, as you get a lovely smokiness in terms of fragrance and taste. There was also a nicely-charred crust at the bottom of the pot, which is one of my favourite things about claypot rice.

I enjoyed how the black sauce is not too sweet so that while it adds on sweetness, it doesn't end up overwhelming the flavours of the other ingredients. The chicken chunks were tender and thoroughly marinated with a lingering hint of hua diao wine.

Deep Fried Prawn Rolls 五香虾枣 3.8/5

The Deep Fried Prawn Rolls ($8) was served piping hot as they are freshly fried upon order. Each of them had a thin, crunchy exterior that reminded us of fried wanton skins. The well-packed filling was perfectly seasoned with a distinct touch of star anise.

Seasonal Vegetables 油菜

If you need more greens to go with your claypot rice, the Seasonal Vegetables ($4/$6) are also available for order.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice
Blk 273 Bukit Batok East Ave 4
Mei De Coffee Shop
Singapore 650273
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Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station. Walk to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 43009). Take bus number 177. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes [Map]

Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice @ Bukit Batok - Getting My Chicken Rice Fix Before Malaysia Flesh Chicken Export Ban

With Malaysia banning the export of fresh chicken to Singapore from 01 June 2022, hopefully, this is short term for Malaysia to stabilise domestic supply and price hike. Nevertheless, it causes a swarm of customers at various chicken rice stalls around the island before the ban kicks in. As a result, some stalls may close for a while or change to selling other stuff without fresh chicken until the ban is lifted.

One of my favourite chicken rice stalls is Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice, an awardee of Michelin Bib Gourmand. It has expanded with several stalls across the island in the last year. I visited one of their stalls at Bukit Batok to have my chicken rice craving.

I had the Duo Chicken Rice ($5/$6), which comes with steamed chicken and Roasted Chicken. We also added a braised egg. The rice is fluffy and fragrant with tender chicken. I also like the accompanying achar giving it a refreshing touch.

Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
Get Together Coffeeshop
Blk 177 Bukit Batok West Ave 8
Singapore 650177
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Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 8pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 43009). Take bus number 941. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

The NeighbourWok 街坊 @ Bukit Batok - Another Good Plate of Fried Hokkien Mee In The West

My friend Jennifer (@qiuuing), who stays at Bukit Batok area, has been eating the Hokkien Mee from The NeighbourWok 街坊, and I have been drooling over her delicious food posting. She arouses my curiosity about what makes the plate of Hokkien Mee so good that she has been a repeat customer.

To prepare to wait up to a good 30 minutes at least. While I was there, there were many delivery orders and customers patiently sitting around the coffeeshop, waiting for their collection buzzers to sound. I would recommend waiting away from the stall. This is because the whole coffeeshop becomes very smokey whenever the stall cooks a new batch.

The Fried Hokkien Mee ($4/ $5) comes with egg, prawn, pork belly slices, squid and pork lard. The style reminds me of Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee at Toa Payoh. It is the gooey type, neither too wet nor dry, soaking up the flavoursome stock.

To enjoy the fried hokkien mee to the fullest, let the sour tinge from the accompanying sambal chilli perks up the appreciation of the slurping goodness, further fragrant by the pork lard bits. It is a decent plate of fried hokkien mee worth the calories if you stay in the West.

The Neighbourwok 街坊
Blk 207 Bukit Batok Street 21
#01-118
Singapore 650207
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Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 830pm

Direction:
1) Alight A Bukit Batok MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 43009). Take bus number 189. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2 Alight A Bukit Batok MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 43009). Take bus number 173. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]