Niu Dian Beef Noodles @ Balestier Road - Taiwan Michelin Bib Gourmand Beef Noodles

The famous Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee - Niu Dian Beef Noodles from Taipei, Taiwan, opened in Singapore at VIIO @ Balestier. The establishment was founded by Mr Lin Chun Ying, a former head chef at a 5-star hotel in 2005, recreating his childhood memories of a delicious bowl of beef noodle incorporating some of his western cooking methods into his unique bowl of beef noodle.

Chrysanthemum Milk Tea and Lychee Mint Black Tea

Niu Dian has also collaborated with homegrown bubble tea brand Palace Tea to provide diners with an authentic Taiwan dining experience. We tried its Chrysanthemum Milk Tea and Lychee Mint Black Tea.

Trio Specialty Beef Noodles 4/5

The Trio Specialty Beef Noodles in Original Soup ($19.90) comes with boneless rib cut, tendon, and golden coin. The chewy texture of the handmade noodles stood out for me, followed by the consomme-like soup brewed over 24 hours with various beef bone parts, mirepoix and herbs.

Combination Specialty Beef Noodles 3.8/5

Diners can also pick the braised soup to go with the noodle for an additional one dollar. To try the difference, we ordered the Combination Specialty Beef Noodles ($19.90) with boneless rib cut, tendon, tripe and golden coin in a spicy soup base. I prefer the original flavour to taste the depth and body of the soup, as the chilli did not raise the taste profile but only gave it a spicy finish.

Cold Century Egg Tofu with Bonito Flaks 4/5

Braised Beancurd 4.2/5

Complete the meal with a number of sides, such as the Cold Century Egg Tofu with Bonito Flakes ($5.90) and Braised Beancurd ($3.90). They are delightful sides that are worth ordering to go with the noodles.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Niu Dian Beef Noodles
VIIO @ Balestier
520 Balestier Road
#01-01/02
Singapore 329853
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Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 930pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 139 or 145. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Tow Kwar Pop (豆乾薄) @ Tiong Bahru Food Centre - A Dish That Is Disappearing From Our Hawker Scene

Located at Tiong Bahru Food Centre is an unassuming stall selling Tow Kwar Pop (Stuffed Tofu Puffs), a dish disappearing from the Singapore hawker scene. The dish name is also the stall name. The stall was started by two brothers in 1965, the same year as Singapore's independence.

Tow Kwar Pop 4.5/5

The plate of Tow Kwar Pop ($4/$5) comes with freshly toasted tofu puffs over charcoal fire stuffed with crunchy vegetables such as cucumber and beansprouts, topped with peanuts. Accompanying the tofu puffs are you tiao, cuttlefish, pineapple, turnip, and green papaya, which is quite similar to a plate of naked rojak. I enjoyed the addition of cut fruits, giving the dish an extra refreshing touch.

It also comes with two accompanying sauces. One is a dark sweet, tangy sauce similar to rojak sauce with fragrant shrimp paste. Those who prefer some kick can dip the tofu puff in the chilli sauce.


Tow Kwar Pop (豆乾薄)
Tiong Bahru Food Centre
30 Seng Poh Road
#02-06
Singapore 168898
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Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 930am - 3pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT. Take Exit 2. Walk straight down Zion Road to junction of Tiong Bahru Road and Seng Poh Road. Cross the road and walk down Seng Poh Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]