Here’s some soupy stuffed stuff to help clear some of the smoke and smog in your system during the last few hazy weeks. Yong tau foo seems to be the same items at many stalls; that’s not surprising since the supply may come from factories. If that’s getting boring for you, here are a few stalls that offer something a little different from the usual fish-paste stuffed varieties.
BAI NIAN
01-58 Albert Centre, 270 Queen Street, Singapore 180270
Open: 8.30am to 9pm (Monday to Saturday), closed on Sundays
Bai Nian does only one thing, and does it well. The standard yong tau foo (S$4) comes with beehoon (no other noodle choices) in a lightly savoury soup. There’s no tau foo here ironically. You’ll get tau kee (fish cake in bean curd skin), minced shrimp balls and a mushroom-mince meatball – all of which are well made. They will also ask you if you want the stuffed bittergourd – take it as it’s quite different from the other items. Oddly they are happy to give you extra beehoon but will charge you 30 cents for extra sauce. It does have a steady following from people in the know, so there is a line but it moves pretty fast. You can also visit the new second branch at Chinatown Complex.
BAI NIAN
GOLDEN MILE SPECIAL YONG TAU FOO
#B1-44 Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road, Singapore 199583
Opening Hours: 10.45am – 3pm (Mondays to Saturdays); closed on Sundays
What’s different(actually, this is very old school, go ask Ah Ma) at this stall is that you get to pick your items the old school way from a boiling vat filled with goodies. This stall makes their own fish paste and they have been in business since 1958. The soup is exceptionally tasty because they use fish bones stock and the water used to soak the fish paste. Some of the handmade items may get sold out before 3pm, so head on over early if you want your favourite items.
GOLDEN MILE SPECIAL YONG TAU FOO
LAI YI WAN
-Hougang Street 21 Block 209 Market & Food Centre #01-03, 209 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530209
-Jalan Berseh #01-100, 27 Jalan Berseh, Singapore 200027
This chain seems to be popping up everywhere now. Lai Yi Wan means “come have a bowl” and you won’t regret doing so. A S$3.50 bowl gives you eight assorted pieces in a simple and delicate broth. These include orangey minced shrimp cakes, a green slab of spinach tako, various tau kee fishcake, stuffed tofu and fishballs. Top up 30 cents for the 8 Treasure set which will give you a bowl of noodles. It’s a small bowl but so well seasoned.
LAI YI WAN
