Decided to check out this stall (#02-073 Chinatown Food Centre, 335 Smith Street) after reading about them online. The stall is run by an old couple who has been in the business for more than a couple of decades prior to setting up shop in Chinatown. Hence, one can expect old school. And wow, the food was pretty good.
The broth from the fish bee hoon was what could have been described as smooth and rich. As rich as could be without cream and after a few splashes of soy sauce, flavours got more pronounced. What got me was their black bean sauce hor fun. I had initially been just a little apprehensive from appearances, but the taste from the sauce convinced me that these people are the real deal. I haven't had black bean gravy like that for ages. That coupled with that light smoky wok hei. If you're wondering, those shrivelled looking ochre stuff on top are fried fish roe. Not giant cordyceps. They are add ons.
The shop had ran out of the fish collars, oddly named as yu gai (鱼鸡), at half past twelve. I hadn't known that 鱼鸡 was collar meat from the chunky appearances. There was only belly meat left. I'm happy with that though. Note - go earlier the next time.
Yes it's real good stuff. The cook was a young chap though.
ReplyDeleteLooks old school...
ReplyDelete@Aston Chow
ReplyDeleteThe young chap wasn't there when I went. I read on Makansutra that he's the son of the old couple that helps out with the stall.
@TheCoolDude
Yes, indeed. Worth making a trip down for the food.