Text and images by Catherine Ling @ Makansutra
The queue at Hua Feng Mian Jia
Wouldn’t you love to have a three-day work week? Well, this wanton noodle stall called “Hua Feng Mian Jia” at Tiong Bahru Food Centre does. They open only on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. And each time they do, they see long queues of customers.
Fortunately, the queue moves fairly quickly, and you are soon rewarded with a hearty plate of noodles for your patience.
Wanton Noodles may look simple to some, but fans swear by its taste.
Many people are fans of its “QQ” or springy noodles. I asked if they make their own, but they claim it is just ordinary noodles procured from a factory. However, everything else they make themselves – the char siew (unfortunately the lacklustre, red-stained type but at least it’s not too papery dry), the dumplings, the stewed mushrooms and chicken feet.
The noodles are springy.
The noodles do indeed offer a good bite, but it isn’t quite the same texture as Hong Kong wanton noodles. Also, the springiness doesn’t last long; by the end of the meal, they are plump and softened by the oily gravy and chili mixture.
The main draw are the wantons.
The highlight here, are the wantons themselves. Along with the S$3 noodles, you get five tasty dumplings with billowy soft skin floating in slurpworthy soup. Each of the meaty dumplings is incredibly savoury, and I almost detect a tinge of salted or dried fish in them. Just like the ones I had in Kuala Lumpur as a child whenever we visited Grandma.
For fans of chicken feet, check out the Phoenix Claw.
The other thing that’s quite popular here are the “Phoenix Claw” (braised chicken feet) noodles. This is a S$2 portion, and it is pretty much the same size as the S$3 one, noodles-wise! The S$3 probably gets you more toppings (three claws instead of two?). The chicken feet are awesome – really large and well-fried before being braised til tender. It’s little wonder I see people buying entire bowls of chicken feet as a side dish to their wanton noodles.
You’ll have to be an early bird to catch the noodles here. Hua Feng Mian Jia opens from 6am to 2pm, but often sells out by noon. That’s not surprising as so few places these days offer a hearty and satisfying meal for just S$2.
Hua Feng Mian Jia (華豐面家 – yes the signboard is in Traditional Chinese)
#02-24 Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre
30 Seng Poh Road
Singapore 168898
Open Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; 6am to 2pm
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