Ho Seng Kee Wanton Mee @ CIty Square Shopping Mall [Johor Bahru, Malaysia] - Duck Egg Wanton Mee

From a push cart stall in the early 1940s to now a full fledge restaurant at one of the most highly patronised mall in Johor Bahru, City Square, Ho Seng Kee Wanton Mee (何成記云吞面世家) has indeed come a long way. Freshly made daily, the noodles are 100% egg based (Duck eggs and Chicken Eggs) and made from high Canadian quality Hard Spring wheat. Sounds like homemade tagliatelle to me!

Black sauce + Chilli sauce 4/5

The signature here is none other than the original Wanton Mee (RM$8.90), in which you get to choose the way you want it to be done - Plain Sauce (original), Home-made Chili Sauce (Spice), Black Sauce or Mixed (black & chili sauce). We ordered one of each. The one that delivers the most flavour is definitely the black sauce + chilli sauce. Malaysian black sauce is known for its sweet-savoury depth, which adds dimension to the overall taste of the noodles. I like the plain version just as much, like how I would appreciate a plate of good Alio Olio. The accompanying soup is sweet, unlike those that are heavy with hei bi.

Original Dry 3.5/5

The texture of the noodles is something to be savoured upon. It is unbelievably springy. We raved about it as we eat, we continued to rave about it as we made our way out. However, our sentiments towards the wantons are the opposite.

The wanton is simply a ball of meat, pepper and salt. I was expecting a pouch of sweet, juicy pork with some diced chestnut for flavour and texture but none of my imagination got translated into our wantons.

Shrimp Wanton Set 2.5/5

We also ordered the Prawn Dumpling Set to try. The prawn dumpling is no better than the wanton, other than sticking a prawn with the 'meatball' together to form the end product. The otah and fried wanton are nothing memorable.

Chicken Roll 3.8/5

The Chicken Roll (RM$8) which is our ngoh hiang, fares so much better with its crispy exterior and balanced ratio of meat and diced water chestnuts.

The noodle is definitely something to come back for, as I don't know where else you can get such good local noodle. On my next visit, perhaps just the plain noodle and a side dish will be good enough.

Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Ho Seng Kee Wanton Mee
CIty Square Shopping Mall
108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook
Level 6
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
[Map]

Opening hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Tian Tian Xiang Claypot Rice (天天香砂煲饭) @ Aljunied Ave 2 - The Claypot Rice Comes With Salted Egg Yolk

Recently I came across Tian Tian Xiang Claypot Rice (天天香砂煲饭), located inside a coffeeshop at Aljunied Ave 2. I was there during dinner time and basically every table at the coffeeshop is having the claypot rice. It aroused my interests when I see so many people ordering the same thing. The next moment I am at the table waiting for my claypot rice to be served.

Claypot Rice 4/5

The Claypot Rice comes in 4 pricing - $6 (1 pax), $12 (2 pax), $16 (3 pax) and $22 (4 pax or more). The different pricing caters for different dining group. Besides the tender chicken pieces, slices of Chinese sausages and crunchy vegetables, I was surprised to find salted egg yolk among the fluffy rice. I have never seen it elsewhere. Do note, there is no salted egg yolk for individual portion.

Usually when I have claypot rice, I would like to separate the chicken pieces before pouring the dark sauce into the rice and mixed everything up, so that each grain is coated with the dark sauce. During the mixing process, I also like to scrape the base of the claypot to mix the charred rice with the fluffy rice. This ensures each mouthful comes with the charred crispiness.

Another star at Tian Tian Xiang Claypot Rice is their Sambal Chilli. The sambal chilli is really spicy and will send you breathing fire. It really has that fiery kick but its damn shiok.

Chicken Feet and Peanut Soup 4/5

Besides the claypot rice, you can also order a bowl of soup to go with the rice. I had the Chicken Feet and Peanut Soup. A sip of the soup and  you can taste that it has been boiled of hours, extracting the goodness of the ingredients, flavouring the delicious soup.

Tian Tian Xiang Claypot Rice (天天香砂煲饭)
Blk 119 Aljunied Ave 2
#01-54
Singapore 380119
Tel: +65 67440158
Facebook
Nearest MRT:

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun: 10am - 10pm
(Closed on Fri)

Direction:
1) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk towards Aljunied Road. Take the overhead bridge. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Aljunied MRT station (Stop ID 81081). Take bus number 80. Alight 2 stops later. Cut through the housing estate and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

 2) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to Geylang East Ave 1. On Geylang East Ave 1, turn left and continue to the end of the road. Cross the road and continue on Aljunied Crescent. Walk down Aljunied Crescent and turn right onto Aljunied Ave 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Paya Lebar MRT station (Stop ID 81119). Take bus number 134 or 155. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the road. Cut through the housing estate and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]