Fishball Story @ Hungry Bee Coffeeshop (Geylang Lorong 28) - New Supper Spot In Geylang

It is a sad news for me to know that Fishball Story has moved out of NUS UTown which is near my home and embarked on a new challenge in Geylang. However I am happy for Douglas and Fishball Story as it is bringing its delicious bowl of fishball noodle to the East. Together with Char Grill Bar and 818 Seafood, they have partnered to open a new coffeeshop called Hungry Bee at Geylang Lorong 28.

Even greater news for fishball story fans and supper seeker, Fishball Story at Hungry Bee Coffeeshop is opened until 2am!

Premium Fishball Noodle 4.5/5

The Premium Fishball Noodle ($6) comprises of fishballs, fishcakes, fried fish skin, fish dumpling and fried bean curd skin with fish paste. Douglas continues to make the firm and bouncy fishballs using his grandmother's recipe, using 100% yellowtail fish meat. Instead of making the fishballs and fishcakes at the stall itself now, Douglas made them from his new central kitchen and deliver them to the stalls.

Not only does Douglas handmade his fishballs and fishcakes, he also prepared the sambal and pork lard for the stalls. It has been a while since I last had his noodle and I thought the sambal has improved. The marriage of the spiciness with the noodle has a better kick, layered by the pork lard aroma.

If noodle is too heavy for you, you can also opt for the Fishball Soup ($4.50) or Mix Soup ($4.50) with fishballs and fishcakes in a flavourful and sweet soup. Go for the mix soup if you prefer varieties, especially the fish cakes which is speckled with chilli and scallions.

Fishball Story
Hungry Bee Coffeeshop
(Geylang Lorong 28)
512 Geylang Road
Singapore 389468
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Aljunied (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 2am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Sims Ave. Cross the road. Continue on Geylang 25. Walk to the end and to Geylang Road. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Ah Ter Teochew Fish Ball Noodles @ Amoy Food Centre - Voted Most Handsome Hawker

I was told that there is a handsome hawker at Ah Ter Teochew Fish Ball Noodles at Amoy Food Centre, so I made my way down hoping to meet him. Haha the part on the handsome hawker is true because Gilbert an ex-trader was the winner of the Straits Times's Most Handsome Hawker in 2005. However I am not there to see him but to try the fish ball noodles.

Fish Ball Noodle

During my visit, Gilbert's father was manning the stall and he was at the back prepping for the day's ingredients, back facing me all the time when I waited for his dad to cook my noodle. I had the Fish Ball Noodle ($3.50 small) which comes with 2 fishballs, slices of fishcake, fish dumpling, pork lard, minced meat and beans sprout.

Although the fishballs are from supplier, it was soft and bouncy. What I like most is the chilli sauce mixture that paired excellently with the noodles. It has that nostalgic taste with the sweetness of the tomato sauce providing a balance to the spicy kick.

I heard that the stall is very popular with the office crowd and there is always a long queue during lunch hour. I was lucky to visit at around 11am avoiding the lunch crowd. My advice is to visit before 12pm or after 2pm.


Ah Ter Teochew Fish Ball Noodles
Amoy Food Centre
7 Maxwell Road
#01-14
Singapore 069111
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7am - 4pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Turn left and walk to Amoy Street Food Centre. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle Soup @ Toa Payoh Lorong 5 - Bouncy Fishball & Delicious Fish Dumpling

For some mysterious reason, it took me until now to visit Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle Soup at block 75 Toa Payoh Lorong 5. The stall is known for its fishball and fish dumpling. It is known to be related to the popular Song Kee in Serangoon Road before it pulled down its shutter and reopens in Tembeling Road.

Kway Teow Noodle Soup 3.8/5

The Kway Teow Noodle Soup comes with 5 fish balls made from yellow tail fish. The fresh fishball has a subtle fish flavour with a delectable springy texture. The bowl of noodle is further perfumed by the aromatic pork lard. Unfortunately the rice noodle's texture was on the thick side.

Mee Pok Dry 4/5

Not to be missed is the Mee Pok Dry tossed in a mix of chilli and tomato sauce. The noodle was cooked to a nice bite complemented by the sauce and topped with fried shallots and spring onions. It also comes with 6 delectable fish balls. I thought the chilli can be more spicy. Guess I have to ask the stall to add extra chilli sauce in my next visit.

Unfortunately during my visit, I was not able to savour their signature fish dumpling. If I am not wrong, they only served it in the evening due to a lack of manpower in making them.




Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle Soup
Blk 75 Toa Payoh Lorong 5
#01-20
Singapore 310075
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 12midnight
(Closed on Alt Wed)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at block 111 (Stop ID 52161), Take bus number 235. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at block 111 (Stop ID 52161), Take bus number 231. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 235. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

San Yuan Fishball Meatball Noodles @ Albert Centre Food Centre - Fishball Noodle At Only $2

It is not hard to notice San Yuan Fishball Meatball Noodles at Albert Centre Food Centre with its bright red colour sign board which stands out among the stalls in the hawker centre. San Yuan has several outlets around the island selling fishball noodle, minced meat noodle and laksa.

Fishball Noodle 4/5

A bowl of Fishball Noodle at San Yuan costs only $2. In this era, such pricing is almost non existence. The bowl of noodle comes with six bouncy and springy fish ball. Although not huge but it was enjoyable. While its only $2, it did not compromise in taste. The noodle was also cooked to an enjoyable al dente bite.

The other reason why I think San Yuan has its own fan base is not just because of its pricing but the chilli sauce too. The sauce carries a savoury and robust flavour that complemented the noodles excellently.


San Yuan Fishball Meatball Noodles
Albert Centre Food Centre
270 Queen Street
#01-61
Singapore 180270
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 730am - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to Victoria Street. Cross the road. Cut across Bugis Village to Queen Street. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

JH Fishball Noodle @ Teban Garden Food Centre - One Of The Cheapest Fishball Noodle At $2

JH Fishball Noodle located at Teban Garden Food Centre is run by Mr Chua Boon Haw who is 67 years old. Mr Chua has been hawkering at Teban Garden Food Centre for the past 38 years. At his stall, he sells only 3 items, fishball noodle soup, fishball noodle dry and fishball soup.

Fishball Noodle Soup 3.5/5

I order a bowl of the Fishball Noodle Soup which is only $2. Over the years the price has increased from 70 cents to $2. However the price has remained at $2 for the past 16 years. What a blessing for the neighbourhood. There is also option for $2.50 and $3 if you prefer a bigger bowl.

Fishball Noodle Soup 3.5/5

For the price, I was surprised at how generous is the serving. In the bowl of piping hot soup, there are 2 huge fishballs, slices of fishcake and minced meat. What Mr Chua serves at his stall has the nostalgic flavour without anything fancy. It was just a hearty and comforting bowl of noodle.

What I like about the bowl of fishball noodle is the smooth texture of the rice noodle and the bouncy texture of the huge fishballs.

Although food price has increased over the years, Mr Chua has not increased his bowl of $2 fishball noodle (dry and soup) for the past 16 years on the reason that he rather sell more and earn less.


JH Fishball Noodle
Teban Garden Food Centre
Blk 37A Teban Garden Road
#01-07
Singapore 601037
Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 5am - 2pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Jurong East Bus Interchange (Stop ID 28009). Take bus number 143. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Jurong East Bus Interchange (Stop ID 28009). Take bus number 79. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle @ Kim Keat Palm Food Centre - Old School Fishball Noodle

I used to go Kim Keat Palm Food Centre for my mutton soup fix until Ivy's Hainanese Herbal Mutton Soup pull down its shutter. Recently I went back to the food centre again and decided to give Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle a try since its one of the few stalls at the food centre that always have a long queue. Moreover, it opens only 4 times a week.

Fishball Noodle 

I ordered the Fishball Noodle Dry ($3) which comes with 5 huge golf size fishball. The bowl of mee pok noodle is also drenched in a mixture of ketchup and chilli sauce.

The noodle is cooked to a nice al dente bite. It shows the skill of the hawker behind the noodle ladle. The ketchup sauce gave the bowl of noodle a nostalgic flavour but I thought there was too much of it, throwing the balance off. The bowl of noodle was too sweet for me.

The highlight actually is not the noodle but the fishball. For a mere three dollars, customers get to enjoy these huge and bouncy, handmade fishballs. It is definitely value for money.

It was understand that the stall used to be run by an old couple but when I was there, a young man is helping out in the stall, cooking the noodle while the old uncle is in charge of the fishballs. Looks like the old couple has found someone that is willing to learn the trade and continue the legacy since 1968.


Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle
Kim Keat Palm Food Centre
Blk 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7
#01-20
Singapore 310022
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Thu, Sat-Sun: 8am - 1pm
(Closed on Mon, Tue and Fri)

Direction:
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Braddell MRT station (Stop ID 52171). Take bus number 232. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 238. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Timbre+ @ Ayer Rajah Crescent (One North) - What To Eat At Timbre+

Will this be our future Hawker Centre? Judging from the crowd since its opening, Timbre+ seems to have got it right housing 35 different F&B brands under one roof at the latest and newest gastropark with a mix of hawkers and restaurants. I prefer to call it the hipster hawker centre.

---

NAM HENG CHICKEN RICE

---

While Timbre+ may house most of the latest F&B brands, it did not forget about the heritage of Ayer Raja Crescent. As per my best understanding, the original food stalls from the demolished Ayer Raja Crescent hawker centre which moved to a temporary tent nearby has been invited back to the latest iconic dining spot in Singapore. It may not be the best chicken rice in town but it definitely has its followers after all these years.

---

WONG KEE WANTON NOODLES & ROASTED DELIGHTS

---

Not to be missed at Timbre+ is Wong Kee Wanton Noodles and Roasted Delights. I would recommend having their Char Siew Dumpling Tomato Noodles and Beef Brisket Spinach Noodle. The tomato noodles has a hint of sweetness on top of the springy bite but the char siew can be better. I would suggest trying the beef brisket spinach noodle. The beef brisket cooked with more then 15 different spices and stewed for hours is really flavourful and tender. The savoury sauce pairs excellently with the noodles too. Another star at the stall is the chunky dumpling that is stuffed with crunchy chestnut bits, turnip and black fungus.

---

FISHBALL STORY

---

Many would ask what make the fishball noodle at Fishball Story so special? Douglas, 26 years old this year makes his fish balls and fish cakes from scratch using yellow tail fish only. His usual day starts from 4am to make the fish balls and fish cakes, even the sambal chilli and pork lard. I mean who at this age or his generation is willing to do this nowadays. At Timbre+, the Premium Fishball Noodle ($6) comes with fish balls, fish cakes, deep fried fish cake and fish skin.

---

WANG JIAO BAN MIAN

---

Normally we will order ban mian soup for its rich and flavourful soup. At Wang Jiao Ban Mian, I would recommend trying the Dry Ban Mian ($3.30). The bowl of dry ban mian comes with a perfectly cooked egg, ikan bilis and chewy homemade noodle. All these are hold together by the savoury dark sauce, bringing everything together.

---

SOON HUAT BAK KUT TEH

---

Sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment, Jabez Tan found a new lease of life in God. Coming up with his own Bak Kut Teh recipe, he started his F&B business in 2011 and employs mainly ex-convicts to work at the restaurant giving them a second chance in life. The signature item at Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh has to be there Dried Bak Kut Teh. Using the same soup from the Bak Kut Teh, it was reduced in a concoction of soy sauce and oyster sauce coating the pork ribs with its sweetness while the dried chilli gives it a nice kick in spiciness. The whole enjoyment is rounded off with the aromatic topping of the fried cuttlefish. This is a must try.

---

TWO WINGS

---

Two Wings has made a name for themselves after their first flagship outlet at Bukit Merah. At Two Wings, the wings are deep fried for nine minutes which will give them that moist and juiciness inside while crispy on the outside. Worth mentioning is the special homemade chilli sauce that is pretty potent. If you can't take spicy stuff, I advice you to skip it as it probably will numb your taste buds deterring you to enjoy the delicious wings. In conjunction with the opening of their third outlets at Timbre+, Two Wings launches its new flavour - Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Wings.

---

ISKINA CEBU

---

Iskina Cebu which sells the popular Lechon is opened by owner Chris. Words soon get around the island and long queues are formed each day at his Paya Lebar stall to taste the delicious Lechon (roasting the whole pig over charcoal fire) which painstaking takes about 5 hours to cook. Chris has also recently changed his supply using Spanish pig instead of Holland pig. It is understand that the quality is better and more flavourful.

---

THE WORLD IS FLAT

---

The World Is Flat is by the same folk behind Tanuki Raw, Standing Sushi Bar and Shinkasen. Offering something new in its unique pizza menu, is the deep dish pizza inspired from California. A think slide of the Fat Samurai ($9/slice, $49 whole pizza). The charcoal infused doughy crust is topped with duck confit, bacon, prawn, burnt onions, smashed US beef, roasted cabbage, Konbu mayo, balsamic Okonomiyaki sauce, crispy bonito flakes, mozzarella and brie. It is really rich and heavy in flavour. For some light bites, you may like to try the interesting Marshmallow Sweet Potato Fries.

---

FOOD ANATOMY

---

The most instagram food has to be from the Food Anatomy. The so called stacked food comes in a variety of combination. Each meal is $16 which comes with a choice of 3 different stacked food. We tried the Cold Soba, Organic Lasagna and Pork Cheek with Fragrant Rice. The cold soba is our favourite with the creative de-constructed cold soba idea. Pretty in presentation but I think the stall overlook the fact that it is very hard to handle and eat the dishes.

---

D'S JOINT

---

I have long heard about Chef Damian D'Silva's culinary skill but I never get to try it until my recent visit to Timbre+. D's Joint is Chef Damian's later concept serving up some surprises such as the Lim Peh Slider. I had a bite of the pastry, stuffed with the aromatic rendang and I could not stop eating. This is a must try.

---

TEPPEI DAIDOKORO

---

Teppei Daidokoro is the latest Japanese yakitori concept of Chef Teppei Yamashita. Teppei Daidoroko (“Daidokoro” means “kitchen” in Japanese) brings Chef Teppei’s characteristic high quality and reasonably-priced Japanese food with a focus on yakitori (Japanese skewers) into Timbre+. In addition, Teppei fans can also enjoy the signature Kaisen Don $16 (sashimi rice bowl), grilled/deep-fried breaded bentos/dons and Hokkaido croquettes.

---

BOTTLE SHOP

---

The Bottle Shop has a rotating beer and cider menu of close to 200 different types. At any one time you visit the Bottle Shop, there are at least 100 beers and ciders for you to choose from to go with the variety of food at Timbre+. For the not-so-beer-nerds, the Bottle Shop also offers a limited range of spirits and wines.

---

$1 Tray Return System

---

Besides the good food and drinks at Timbre+, it also introduces the first ever tray return initiative. All the trays are mirco-chipped. When you order your food and you required a tray, a dollar is charged to your total bill. When you return the tray at the centralized collection location, the system will return a dollar back to you. I find this a good initiative since the current campaign at hawker centres does not work. At least I am not seeing dirty plates lying around , stacking up and even birds eating the left over food.


Timbre+
JTC LaunchPad @ One North
73A Ayer Rajah Crescent
Singapore 139957
Website
Nearest MRT: One North (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 6am - 6pm (hawker stalls), 11am - 11pm (restaurants)
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at One North MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]