Joo Chiat Ah Huat Wanton Mee (Dunman Food Centre)

Next to Fried Hokkien Mee, Chai Tow Kway and Chicken Rice, I reckon #WantonMee is one of the most subjective of hawker dishes out there. Everyone has a favourite stall they swear by, and are more than happy to list the evidence as to why it is so whenever the topic is tabled. Of course, there are no right and wrong answers because at the end of the day, our tastebuds simply gravitate towards the version we find most pleasing 😊.
Topping my own list of go-to’s when the craving hits is #JooChiatAhHuatWantonNoodle which is located in the basement of Dunman Road Food Centre. For those of you who’ve followed me on Instagram for a while, you’ve likely seen me share about it quite often on my Stories. Anyway, I’ve been a regular customer since they started because I had recognised the owner - he use to work side-by-side with the original ladyboss (I’m guessing they are related) of Hong Mao Wanton Mee when they were at Tembeling Road (I was such a huge fan!) before she retired and sold the business to a couple of her regular customers.
For me, Joo Chiat Ah Huat’s wanton mee tastes the same as Hong Mao’s. From the al dente noodles to the sauce (which is a bit darker than most) to the unique tangy chilli sambal, it’s a combination I enjoy immensely. While their lean slices of char siew are acceptable, their handmade wantons are scene-stealing with tastily-seasoned fillings and very smooth, soft skin. Our modus operandi is to add on an order of their wanton soup to share, so we can feast on more of those silky parcels. A plate of this stall’s braised chicken feet is another must for us because they do an extremely tasty rendition that includes frying the chicken feet before braising them in an aromatic sauce concocted from sesame oil, black soya sauce and ginger.
If you plan on trying the food from here, my advice is to arrive early, like in the morning or before 1pm to be very safe. And be prepared to queue.

My go to place for wanton mee since I was a teenager.

Cmi food.
Buffet also not worth.
Was told there was 1$ beer promo. Upon seating down they say promo ended and is not 6$ ( which was ok nvm) then ordered qingdao. They brought out some ganther beer, when asked, they say it’s a new product from qingdao.( upon checking... like don’t seem to be the case) Only 1 table filled the whole time we were there. The spread had oysters and prawns and fishes, no idea if they are part of the buffet spread but we didn’t go for buffet.
To be fair, the chicken wings and chicken yakitori was good. But the fish ball was 1$ for 1 ball cut into 3 piece...

Anyhow. Been there and will never be back

I suffered from “grab-a-phobia” when I was young. It’s a condition in which the sufferer has a fear of the claws of a chicken feet clamping the face when attempts are made to eat the fleshy palm part. At least, that’s what I named my phobia 😂😂😂 I got over it some years later and after that, dimsum wasn’t dimsum without an order of “feng zhao” or “Phoenix Claws” (it’s the romanticised name for steamed chicken feet).
However, the tastiest version for me, isn’t found in a Chinese restaurant but at a humble hawker stall that happens to also be one of my all-time favourites for wanton mee.
“Joo Chiat Ah Huat Wanton Noodle”, stall #01-04 at Dunman Food Centre, does one that’s terrifically delicious. I have witnessed customers ordering only that to enjoy on the spot or as takeaway.
The style of preparation at this stall involves frying the chicken feet before braising which makes the skin flavourful and puffs it up for extra texture. The sauce is thinner than the usual thick, unctuous sort of midnight-coloured braising liquid but it is wonderfully aromatic with garlic, ginger and sesame oil. Shown above is the $3 serving and it is good for two persons to share. There is the option to have it with noodles too.

This plate of braised chicken feet is not typical in any way.
It’s sold at “Joo Chiat Ah Huat Wanton Noodles”, a stall in the basement of Dunman Hawker Centre that’s very popular for their wanton mee (I’m a fan). Plus, it doesn’t taste anything like the ubiquitous chicken feet you get at dim-sum places because well, it’s cooked with sliced ginger, dark soya sauce and sesame oil. The smell and taste is exactly like “Mua Eu Kway” (Teochew for “Sesame Oil Chicken”) but there is more sauce due to the braising method used.
The chicken feet itself is fall-apart tender and I can’t think of a better way to eat it than to stick the whole thing in your mouth, suck and chew all the flavourful bouncy skin and gelatinous cartilage off, then spit the bones out into a spoon (do this gently so no one gets hurt).
One order is $4 and is enough to be shared between two if you’re also having noodles. Let me warn you though that you might be reluctant because it is really tasty.

Prices are at $3 - $4.50. Known as the Ang Moh Wanton Mee, this place reopened as Joo Chiat Ah Huat Wanton Noodle after a short hiatus. The Wanton Mee ($4 after adding noodle) has its noodle springy, but it slants towards the savoury side taste-wise. Spiciness was just right. Comes with lots of wanton!