Simei Penang Laksa Speciality @ Yuhua Food Centre - Healthy Penang Laksa and Penang Fried Kway Teow Using Whole Grain Noodle

My attention was drawn to the Simei Penang Laksa Speciality when I was at Yuhua Food Centre the other day. The word Simei stood out for me. It is a neighbourhood in the East. Why did it move all the way from the East to the West? The other thing that caught my eyes is the calories information for their dishs. 290 Kcal for the Penang Laksa and 500 Kcal for the Penang Char Kway Teow.

Penang Fried Kway Teow 3/5

For a healthier option, the stall uses whole grain noodle for their noodle dishes. It is great to see even with the higher cost in using whole grain noodle, the pricing has been reasonable. I can't say that the Penang Fried Kway Teow ($3.50) is the best I have eaten but credit to the well executed frying, infused with wok hei. Digging in the plate of kway teow, I can find pork lard, prawn, cockles, bean sprout and egg. It is a bit spicy too.

Penang Laksa 2/5

The Penang Laksa ($3) brimming with the various ingredients, looked promising when I received it from the stall owner. Unfortunately the broth lacked depth and robustness for a good bowl of Penang laksa. I was disappointed and I didn't finish it.  In addition, while the thick rice noodle has a good firm texture, I was not the authentic noodle used for Penang laksa.

The healthier version of Penang Laksa and Fried Kway Teow is not for me. However for those that prefer to eat healthy, I am sure you will find these a delicious option.


Simei Penang Laksa Speciality
Yuhua Food Centre
Blk 347 Jurong East Avenue 1
#01-199
Singapore 600347
Nearest MRT: Chinese Garden (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 8am - 230pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinese Garden MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Boon Lay Way. Turn left and walk to the overhead bridge. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

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