Heartlands bak chor mee with particular fried fishballs

As somebody who loves languages however doesn’t converse Chinese language, I take advantage of dish names as little language classes. So, bak chor mee— actually, minced meat noodles— is useful because it tells me what I’m consuming. (In the meantime, one thing like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is just not so useful)

So, I knew what I used to be in for once I heard of Sin Kian Heng Bak Chor Mee at 22 Sin Ming Street. The truth is, it’s proper subsequent door to Serangoon BBQ & Curry, which we cherished once we visited in April. Would Sin Kian Heng stay as much as the Sin Ming Street hype?

What I attempted at Sin Kian Heng

Deciding to strive what a number of different folks appeared to be consuming, I ordered a bowl of Minced Meat Noodles (S$4/S$5) within the bigger dimension. There have been a few folks forward of me in queue and it took about 10 minutes to be served, which was a bit longer than I’d have thought. However when my order did come, it introduced its arrival with a ravishing aroma.

In my bowl, there have been 3 fishballs, 2 medium-sized items of fish cake, about 5 slices of mushroom, 5 items of sliced pork and fairly a big portion of minced pork. Even with out the noodles, it seemed like a fairly large portion.

The broth contributed to the aroma, too. It was brimming with minced pork and sliced scallion and I couldn’t assist however take a sip even earlier than I attempted the noodles. Good selection, as a result of it was wealthy and flavourful. The bits of pork had been gentle and absorbed the broth very properly.

Pulling up a spoonful of noodles, I additionally received a fishcake and a sliced mushroom. The noodles had been springy and cooked good. I’m not a really large chilli fan so I had requested them to go straightforward on that ingredient. Nonetheless, the little bit that was included had a contact of fireside to it. Extra importantly, it was well-spiced and added to the style of the dish. I favor this method to the ‘simply burn your tongue’ one the place the chilli distracts from and overwhelms all the opposite elements.

I’m sorely tempted to say that the fishballs had been the spotlight of the bowl. Gentle and really springy, their browned pores and skin tells you they’ve been fried. Sin Kian Heng apparently will get its fishballs contemporary each day however they’re then fried within the stall’s personal particular oil earlier than making their method into your bowl. This little twist makes such a distinction!

My 2 fish cake slices had been simply good, nothing particular that I can say. Nonetheless, along with all the opposite elements such because the minced pork and sliced pork, they added to the ‘fullness’ of the meal. I say that as a result of each chunk I took proper up until the time I completed had a really good noodle-meat stability. A number of stalls provide you with extra noodles than mandatory and you’re anticipated to ration the opposite elements to maintain them going until the tip. Not so right here, luckily.

Ultimate ideas

My go to to Sin Kian Heng was completely pleasing and I want I had an even bigger tummy so I may strive extra than simply the Minced Meat Noodles.

Whereas I selected the essential Minced Meat Noodles, Sin Kian Heng presents a variety of add-ons, too. Watching the group, it appears the Braised Trotters (S$2), Braised Intestines (S$2) and Braised Hen Toes (S$2) are the preferred add-ons.

The bestseller among the many full bowls is Braised Pork Trotter (S$6), however you too can ask for Meatball Soup (S$6). Primarily based on how good the fishballs had been, I’ll positively strive the Meatball Soup the subsequent time I’m right here.

All of the braised gadgets on the menu, together with the mushrooms are cooked in an enormous pot proper on the entrance of the stall. I cherished watching the complete pot steaming away because the broth simmered inside, and all of the add-ons in addition to bones for flavour jockeying for place on the high. The scent of spices and cooked meat added to the expertise.

Anticipated harm: S$5 – S$12 per pax

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