Greatest handmade ban mian with a fiery kick that’ll make you break right into a sweat

Woohoo! I lastly did it! After 4 visits to Geylang Bahru Market and Meals Centre, I lastly managed to seek out Hui Wei Chilli Ban Mian open. That wasn’t the tip of my journey, although— there have been nonetheless about 10 individuals forward of me within the queue. I settled in and watched the motion on the stall.

The very first thing that caught my eye was the noodle machine on one aspect behind the counter. It was whirring away as the girl hawker labored a sheet of noodles maybe 1 foot extensive and plenty of, many metres lengthy into the feeder on the high. They had been dancing out the opposite aspect within the acquainted slim noodle dimensions we all know. Fascinating to see it being performed by hand proper in entrance of me!

One other factor I observed was the “Since 1996” tagline underneath the Hui Wei Chilli Ban Mian brand. Over 1 / 4 of a century within the enterprise, huh? That was each an achievement in itself and a testomony to the standard of their meals. Geez, why was the queue taking so lengthy?!

quarter-hour later, I used to be on the entrance, prepared with my order.

What I attempted at Hui Wei Chilli Ban Mian

I requested for the Signature Chilli Ban Mian (S$4.50 for small, S$6.50 for big) and selected the smaller bowl. Regardless of that, the serving gave the impression to be fairly substantial when it arrived. Greater than that, although, it was attractive!

I’ll attempt to describe it however the footage do it a lot extra justice. You get a way of it from the ‘grainy’ texture of the elements, particularly the dangerous-looking mass of red-brown chilli in its nook.

There have been 2 meatballs, glistening in a lightweight sheen. Minced pork and pork lard occupied the area subsequent to it, splendidly deep brown. Lighter brown ikan bilis had been scattered over the complete floor, promising a savoury crunch. Clean, sensible white and yellow, the egg appeared so inviting.

A smattering of inexperienced shallots accomplished the highest layer. Beneath all of it, the flat ban mian lay absorbing the deep, rich-looking sauce.

I want there was a way I may convey the heavenly aroma wafting from the bowl. The aromatic chilli, shallots, cooked meat and sauce mixed to create an beautiful scent that makes me salivate as I write this.

I pulled a mass of noodles up they usually got here coated within the candy, darkish sauce, a sight that made me wish to gobble all of it down directly.

I composed myself and thoroughly added a number of the minced pork, pork lard and chilli onto my spoon.

Man, that first mouthful was so good. Softness from the mince. Crispiness from the lard. Spicy, bitter, savoury and candy contributions from the chilli. And, round all of it, the perfectly-done ban mian absorbing every thing and giving it concord and steadiness.

For my subsequent chew, I had meatball, ikan bilis, egg and, after all, the chilli. My meatball had soaked up a number of the darkish sauce and was already smeared with chilli. Are you able to think about the push of flavours that it launched once I bit in? It was made much more pleasurable by the crunch of the ikan bilis and the creamy egg yolk. Simply… wow!

I’m no nice chilli eater so Hui Wei Ban Mian’s model hit me laborious, however I pushed on (in a sweat) because the dish was too good to not be completed. In case you’re up for one thing extremely spicy, this bowl is for you!

I’d nearly forgotten that the dish is served with a bowl of soup, too. Venturing a sip, I discovered the soup to be peppery and a bit thicker than I’ve tasted elsewhere. Wonderful by itself, sure, however undoubtedly taking part in second fiddle to the star performer that was my essential bowl.

Ultimate ideas

I used to be prepared to surrender on Hui Wei Ban Mian after seeing it closed the primary couple of instances I visited. After tasting the meals, I breathed an enormous sigh of aid that I had persevered.

Their handmade noodles actually do stand aside. In the meantime, the chilli recipe is simply excellent. They know deal with proportions very properly— spicy, savoury, candy and even bitter every add their dimension in simply the best quantities. Then, there’s the distinction between crunchy, kind and smooth textures. What a heady combine!

The individuals expertise is so vital and the couple on the Hui Wei Ban Mian stall are actually great. One factor I wish to add is that the parking at this meals centre may be very restricted and the carpark itself is kind of cramped, which means chances are you’ll wrestle with reverse parking. In case you can, take public transport. Regardless, it’s best to make your means right down to Hui Wei Chilli Ban Mian.

Anticipated injury: S$4.50 – $6.50 per pax

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