To Eat

After having fed the Hwa Chong family for more than a decade, the couple running the noodle store in the Hwa Chong Institution (High School) canteen now serves up their signature dishes of Sliced Fish Soup and Pork Rib Noodles at Blk 216 Bedok North Street 1 Hawker and Food Centre.

I remember running down to the canteen with my classmates during every recess break to place an order with Auntie while Uncle busied himself in the kitchen cooking up the countless number of orders. Running at my fastest speed was never enough because somehow, there would always still be a snaking queue in front of the noodle store. The queue would comprise of students from Hwa Chong International School, Hwa Chong Institution (High School), Hwa Chong Institution (College) and teachers from all 3 schools. Given that the Singapore Institute Of Management Campus was just a stone’s throw away, I’d occasionally spot students from there as well.

The last time I ate a bowl of noodles served up by Auntie and Uncle was back in 2012. Attempts at further patronage were all unsuccessful due to my hectic schedule or them selling out before my arrival. A few months ago, I learnt that Auntie and Uncle had moved out of the school canteen to reopen their business at Bedok North’s Market. My friends and I then planned to pay a visit to them when our schedules allowed it.

Before my visit to the store, I asked myself a few questions that some of you may have been thinking about: "Were the noodles really that nice? Was it because the noodles were just good in comparison to the other stalls in the canteen?”.

Upon our arrival at the hawker centre, my friends and I were greeted by a familiar sight: Auntie and Uncle wearing their trademark “High School Canteen” uniforms and of course… the much dreaded queue. To remember their days in Hwa Chong and for easy identification by old customers, Auntie and Uncle even named their new stall “Hwa Chong Sliced Fish Soup • Pork Ribs Noodle”. Once part of the Hwa Chong family, always part of the Hwa Chong family.

During their days in Hwa Chong, Pork Ribs Noodle and Sliced Fish Soup were only available on Mondays and Wednesdays respectively. Having not had their noodles in so long and delighted that I could order both of their signature dishes on the same day, I placed my order for both the Pork Ribs Noodles and Sliced Fish Soup.

The Pork Ribs Noodle was exactly the same as I remembered it to be: Thick gravy with a hint of clover/ star anise (I have to verify this with auntie) at the end, tender fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, huge pieces of braised mushrooms all coming together to bury the generous heap of bee hoon.

The Sliced Fish Soup was light, tasty and followed with a slight taste of dried flat fish at the end. For those of you who do not like dried pollock, you might still find this acceptable as the taste isn't that strong. The chopped garlic bits mixed into the soup lent it even more flavour. Auntie and Uncle were still as generous as ever with their slices of fresh fish.

I noticed that the fish soup appeared to be the most popular item at the new stall, with most of the customers before and after us requesting for that. Then again, it could also partially be because our party of 5 cleared out the remaining bowls of Pork Ribs Noodles, especially since Auntie appeared to have 加料 for us. Auntie even jokingly chided us for not informing her of our visit beforehand as she was concerned that what we wanted would have sold out before our arrival.

Hwa Chong Sliced Fish Soup • Pork Ribs Noodle was the only one in the row of stalls with a queue despite it being lunch hour. I guess you can form your own judgement about the quality of food served. While this stall may not top your list of "Best Fish Soup" or "Best Pork Ribs Noodle", what Auntie and Uncle serve up is definitely above average and value for money. Prices start from $3 for Pork Ribs Noodle and go up to $6 for the bigger sized portion of Sliced Fish/Seafood Soup.

Open everyday from 8am-230pm and closed on Tuesdays, pay a visit to Hwa Chong Sliced Fish Soup • Pork Ribs Noodle at Blk 216 Bedok North Street 1 Hawker and Food Centre. Taste for yourself the dishes that have fed a few generations of Hwa Chong students. Get there early to avoid disappointment or ask Auntie for her number and call her maybe to reserve your food.

(I know the photo isn't symmetrical but blame it on me being in a rush to wolf down the noodles)

LOL. But still makes good supper food lah #reasonstoeat