You may not know but I love fried beehoon very much, be it black or white. Basically it is just a simple and convenience food that many of us would have for breakfast. But actually it is that 'anytime of the day' food, even for supper. Once I find one that hit the spot plus cheap, I can have it almost everyday. And in order to know that taste, I learnt to cook at home on weekends for taste testing by myself and husband. When he gives a green light, I know I'm on the right track.
So what is it that we are looking for?
First, the texture. Neither too dry nor too soft. Depending on how long you soak it. Like al dente. Second, the oil. If you are hardworking enough, fry the shallot from scratch. That fragrance coming from the fried shallot that is just alluring and when mix well with the beehoon, you get every mouthful of that goodness. Third, it should not clump together because it means you never stir well. And it shouldn't 'break' into tiny pieces from over-stirring. All these are basics to achieve a nice plate of fried beehoon.
Here I am consolidating a list of food places for my fried beehoon crave in the City area. From norm to highly not recommended, for you to judge and the list goes on and will keep updating till I get out of City area for work.
Sidewalk Food Place
5 Coleman Street, Singapore 179805
Sidewalk Food Place
5 Coleman Street, Singapore 179805
Nearest MRT: City Hall
Hong Seng Express (SMU Branch)
*Recommended*
SMU (School of Economics/ Social Sciences)
90 Stamford Road Unit #01-73, Singapore 178903
PRICE: from $2 onwards (noodles/beehoon + sides)
The taste was just about ordinary but definitely pocket-friendly and decent portion. Too bad. Far for me since I changed to bus ride from home instead of MRT. The first one cost me $2 for 1 side and the second one cost $2.80 for 2 sides (depends on the sides chosen).
*Recommended*
SMU (School of Economics/ Social Sciences)
90 Stamford Road Unit #01-73, Singapore 178903
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah
Website: http://www.curryrice.sg/
PRICE: $3.00
Because I get to work by bus, it brings me to the express kiosk and am loving it. I can have it everyday for breakfast. They have only 2 choices: nasi lemak and fried beehoon set at $3 each. Sides for you as add on to your breakfast set. Beehoon here is good and met my expectation.
Toast Box - Citylink Mall
1 Raffles Link, #B1-42
CityLink Mall, Singapore 039393
Nearest MRT: City Hall
Website: http://www.toastbox.com.sg/
PRICE: $3.80
Raffles City Shopping Centre
Singapore 179103
Toast Junction
You can get the breakfast set in the morning only. Beehoon and Mee Goreng. No sides to choose from but you can add a drink. However, it is lacking on that fried onion fragrance I always looking forward.
Tip Top Curry Puff
*Recommended*
252, North Bridge Road, #B1-55 *Recommended*
Raffles City Shopping Centre
Singapore 179103
Nearest MRT: City Hall
Website: http://www.tiptopcurrypuff.com/
PRICE: $3.80 onwards (if there is add-on)
They sell standard beehoon set with a fried chicken wing or cutlet or fish fillet. 3 different sets to choose from. Not enough? Add on from their range of sides. They are like Old Chang Kee in my opinion which my colleague can even mistaken their stall as OCK. Haha... The important thing is their fried beehoon hit the spot which kept me wanting for lunch almost everyday (if I'm not lazy to head for it at Raffles City). I'm not very sure if they do morning breakfast. That one time I bought by chance in the morning.
Oh by the way, they started selling Nasi Lemak. Shall try one day.
Oh by the way, they started selling Nasi Lemak. Shall try one day.
Koufu Foodcourt @ SMU
70 Stamford Road #B1-26/28
University City Campus
Singapore 178901
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah (Circle Line)
PRICE: Varies depending on sides
This one here costs me $3.60 with 1 side (discount if you are SMU student). Limited selection of sides too (can count with your 10 fingers). With the same thing here at Sidewalk, I can get it for $2.
Toast Junction
252 North Bridge Road
#03-15/16/17, Raffles City
Singapore 179103
#03-15/16/17, Raffles City
Singapore 179103
Nearest MRT: City Hall (Interchange)
Price: Varies depending on sides
Food Republic @ Manulife Centre
*Highly NOT RECOMMENDED*
51 Bras Basah Road
#01-03 Manulife Centre
Singapore 189554
Nearest MRT: Bencoolen (Downtown Line)
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$6!!! 6 FREAKING DOLLARS FOR THIS SHIT!
Hainan Jia Li Fan 海南家里饭
190 Middle Road
#01-10 Fortune Centre
Singapore 188979
Nearest MRT: Bencoolen (Downtown Line)
Price: Varies
Was passing by one morning after buying lottery and determined to try out. Yes... all the beehoon mee sets are almost similar. So is this one here. Got it for $2 which includes $0.20 takeaway, $0.80 for a slice of luncheon meat and a dollar for beehoon mee. Somehow or rather, similar to that stall at Sidewalk Cafe. I was looking through the price list of the sides and the range is about $0.80 or $1 above. At least this is reasonable than Food Republic which I mentioned above. Imagine charging $2 for a fishcake while here, a dollar though I still find it expensive. Okay. I still can accept this place.
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Price: Varies depending on sides
This one at $4.30 with 2 sides and the vermicelli was over-stirred during the cooking process and it 'breaks' into tiny pieces which makes it hard to 'pick' it up with chopsticks. That was one of the mistakes I made when learning to cook fried beehoon at home. Definitely not my type.
Food Republic @ Manulife Centre
*Highly NOT RECOMMENDED*
51 Bras Basah Road
#01-03 Manulife Centre
Singapore 189554
Nearest MRT: Bencoolen (Downtown Line)
Can you tell from this photo how much it actually cost me? Make a guess. In my opinion, the most expensive for dining in foodcourt probably be $3+ to $4. So how much I actually have paid?
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$6!!! 6 FREAKING DOLLARS FOR THIS SHIT!
I couldn't believe it I had the most expensive economical beehoon ever. You may not agree with me but the price is freaking daylight robbery and from then on, that was the last time I patronized this stall. I posted in my Instagram that very day and was so angry. Either the staff just anyhow charged or 'see people' charged differently. How can a freaking fishcake and 3 pieces of seaweed chicken cost me $2 each? I don't know but I freaking don't care now. This stall is called Jia Jia Le 家家乐. I learnt my lesson.
Hainan Jia Li Fan 海南家里饭
190 Middle Road
#01-10 Fortune Centre
Singapore 188979
Nearest MRT: Bencoolen (Downtown Line)
Price: Varies
Was passing by one morning after buying lottery and determined to try out. Yes... all the beehoon mee sets are almost similar. So is this one here. Got it for $2 which includes $0.20 takeaway, $0.80 for a slice of luncheon meat and a dollar for beehoon mee. Somehow or rather, similar to that stall at Sidewalk Cafe. I was looking through the price list of the sides and the range is about $0.80 or $1 above. At least this is reasonable than Food Republic which I mentioned above. Imagine charging $2 for a fishcake while here, a dollar though I still find it expensive. Okay. I still can accept this place.
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In conclusion, opt for those at coffeeshop or standalone stalls in the malls and not foodcourts. Totally not worthy with that mediocre taste and steep price. For myself, if I'm not lazy, I will walk to Sidewalk for my breakfast. But if I am, I will go for Hong Seng Express. Depending on where you coming from to the City.
And for the similarity in taste and choices for sides, go for the cheapest. How cheap? $2 and below or not more than $3 for 1 or 2 sides. But depending on your preference, for convenience, go for the ones I tag 'Recommended'. Tip Top is just $0.80 more. I have to emphasize that different people, different taste bud. You might not agree with mine but it doesn't matter.
And so that is the woes of many working in the City area where most of the food places are expensive (except for some coffeeshops). Unless you don't give a damn, then this post isn't for you. Let's be prepared for the 9% GST coming soon. Learn to control your budget like me!
*This post may be updated anytime if there is anything new. Stay tune!*