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]

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]

Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee @ Bukit Batok - Singapore's Traditional Delicacy That Falls Short Of My Expectation

Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee has been opening several stalls around the island in recent years with the latest outlet in the West. The stall is located at Gather Together Coffeeshop at block 177 Bukit Batok West Ave 8. 

Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee's original stall is at Old Airport Road, run by Mr Ng Hock Wah, who should be 74 years old this year. He learnt the art of cooking hokkien mee since 18 years old. He is a legend himself, cooking and mastering that only one dish for 57 years.

Fried Hokkien Mee 3/5

Traditional Fried Hokkien Mee comes with only chopped red chillis. However, to cater to the younger generation, the stall has introduced sambal to go with the noodle. I know there are split views of Nam Sing's hokkien mee among my foodie friends. Most of them does not like it. I have never tried it, so this will determine which side of the fence I stand on.

The plate of Fried Hokkien Mee comes in $5, $8 and $10. It is the dry version using thin vermicelli. It seems the ratio of beehoon is much more than the yellow noodle. I am probably used to eating hokkien mee that has a slurping texture. This version with a mouthful of thin beehoon is too dry for me. In addition, the prawn stock is almost undetectable. It is more like a plate of fried beehoon rather than fried hokkien mee. Now I understand why most of my food friends do not like it. I am not a fan of it too.

Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee
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]

Jiak Song Mee Hoon Kway @ Bukit Batok - Ex Master Chef Finalist Opens Latest Stall In The West

Jiak Song Mee Hoon Kway is opened by ex-Master Chef finalist Aaron Wong. I first went to queue at his first stall when it opened at Telok Blangah Crescent Food Centre, but it was sold out by the time I reached there. Since then, I have been procrastinating to check out the stall as I heard the queue can be up to an hour. So this time round, I decided to drop by his latest stall at block 177 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 with a few of my friends.

Signature All-In-One Combo 4.2/5

I decided to have the Signature All-In-One Combo ($5.50), which comes with the handmade mee hoon kway, minced pork, pork slices, pork ball, shrimp ball and ikan bilis. It also comes with a bowl of soup with an egg.

Give the bowl of noodles a good toss to get the black sauce to coat the chewy dough. The first thing I notice is the amount of black sauce. It is not a lot. I would say it is just sufficient. The dough also has a more delectable chewy bite which I enjoyed. It is almost like having gnocchi. What surprises us is that there was a smoky flavour. I didn't see any stir-frying of the noodle; hence I suspect it is from the black sauce.

Overall, I like the delicious bowl of mee hoon kway. There was a lot of textures at play complemented by the smoky flavour. I should try the soup version on the next visit to find out the difference.


Jiak Song
Get Together Coffeeship
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]

Tasty Thai @ Bukit Batok Street 11 - Phuket-style Thai Kway Chap

Thai-style kway chap is not common in Singapore, not to mention Phuket-style Thai Kway Chap. However, there is a stall, Tasty Thai, at Bukit Batok Street 11 that offers such a style of kway chap. I understand that the stall is opened by an ex-restaurant manager and his two partners.

Thai-style Kway Chap 4/5

Unlike the Bangko-style kway chap, which comes in a clear peppery soup and crispy roasted pork, the Phuket-style Kway Chap ($4.90) comes in a dark herbal soup. Prowling through the bowl of kway chap, I can find Thai sausage, meatball, pig's skin, pork belly, egg and rolled up rice sheet.

I also noticed that the rolled rice sheet used by Tasty Thai is much thicker than the type used in our local kway chap and Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap, which I didn't enjoy. However, I like the herb-based soup compared to the peppery type. To heat up the taste profile, I would recommend adding some Thai chilli flakes to the soup.

Thai Pork Trotter Rice 3/5

Besides the Thai-style kway chap, the stall also offers Thai Pork Trotter Rice ($4.90) on the menu. I was excited to see the item on the menu, but it fell short of my expectation. The meat was on the tough side, and the rice was a bit hard for me. Even the chilli sauce lacked the tanginess to whet up the enjoyment. In conclusion, it didn't manage to reignite my fond memories for one of my favourite Thai street food.

Tasty Thai
Blk 150 Bukit Batok Street 11
#01-246
Singapore 650150
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Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok MRT (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 991. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]