Soon Kee Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle @ Bukit Batok Street 11 - The Hokkien Mee Comes with Sio Bak

After writing about Fried Baby Squid Prawn Mee at Bukit Batok Street 11, I was told that there was another Hokkien Mee stall located at the other coffeeshop around the back of the same block. Hence I made my way down to Bukit Batok Street 11 on a Saturday to check out for myself.

Fried Hokkien Mee 3/5

I had the Fried Hokkien Mee with Sio Bak ($5/$7/$10). The normal one without the sio bak is priced at $3.50, $5 and $8. Surprisingly the sio bak is pretty good. It did give the plate of noodle an extra element of enjoyment

The version of hokkien mee at Soon Kee is the wet version. Compared to Fried Baby Squid Prawn Mee, I preferred the texture of the noodles here more. It is not as gooey with the noodles retaining a good bite to it. Unfortunately things went downhill from here. The prawn stock to cook the noodles was not robust enough and the noodles failed to absorb the flavour of the stock. It also lacked the wok hei. On top of that, I dislike the chilli sauce, it did not go well with the noodles at all.

Overall I think it was a decent plate of fried hokkien mee but not one of the best I have eaten. I do like the idea of having sio bak together with the hokkien mee if only if the noodle itself can match up to it.


Soon Kee Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle
Blk 155 Bukit Batok Street 11
#01-322
Singapore 650155
Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 8am - 9pm
(Closed on Mon)

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 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Wrap & Roll @ ION Orchard - First in Singapore Vietnamese Skewer Buffet

In Vietnamese cuisine, grilling forms a huge part of it, though it is not that pronounced over here in Singapore. However, you will get to experience that at Wrap & Roll latest offering at its Ion Orchard outlet - the very first Vietnamese Skewer Buffet in Singapore. The buffet is ala carte format. You get to choose from starters, deep fried & bites, meat & seafood, as well as vegetables. Drinks will be free flow at $2.90, beer at $5 a bottle.

After ordering our items, we were given some starters first while waiting - Butter corn with pork floss, brinjal with spring onion, spicy cucumber cubes and pickled carrot. The brinjal that comes with sweet sauce was quite likeable and my favourite is the pickled carrot. Repeated orders were made for that as it went really well with all the meat skewers.

It took a while for our food to come as all will be served at one go. There is a hot plate to keep the food warm but do be careful not to put your skewers on it for too long and it may burn your food. I would highly recommend the fried Spring Rolls with Pork & Seafood as they are really made of the Vienamese rice paper instead of our local popiah skin. Do eat it as soon as it is served. The stir fried noodles and fried rice are passable.

There are 4 signature meat and seafood skewers - Lemongrass Chicken, Hanoi Pork Skewer, Hanoi Tumeric Fish and Beef Wrapped with Cheese & Onion. The Hanoi Pork Skewer brought back fond memories of my trip to Vietnam. Pork slices held together by 2 charred sticks was how it is done back in Vietnam but with a much longer and thicker sticks. I enjoy the process of removing the meat, placing it onto the vegetables and in it goes into my mouth! Every grilled skewer has it own unique individual marinate. However, you may still spice up your skewers by dipping them into either of the 4 specialty Wrap & Roll sauces given. Among the beef skewers available, the recommended beef with cheese & onion is indeed a better one as it is much more tender and juicer. The Chicken with Lime Leaves is just as good as the Lemongrass Chicken. The meats were tender and the hint of the lemongrass and lime leaves elevates the flavours.

Don't neglect the vegetables skewers! They complement the meat and balance up the meal. It's so rare to find grilled pineapples on the menu but it is offered here. It goes so well with any grilled meat, just like that of burgers! Grilled shiitake mushrooms is of course always welcome, and the grilled capsicums is great with chicken.

The waiting time for the food can be quite long, perhaps the team has yet gotten the hang of the new launch. So do pace your ordering well, especially when the buffet is limited to 90 minutes. $22.90 on weekdays, $24.90 on weekends.

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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Wrap & Roll
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#B3-19
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 65091555
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 mins. [Map]