Michelin-recommended wanton mee brimming with substances from $4.50

It was fairly a sight. Every single bowl sitting within the tray return cupboard was the identical vivid purple color, signifying that it was from Ji Ji Noodle House. You might win all of the official accolades you need (the stall has been included in each version of the Michelin Guide since 2016) however the public endorsement tells it prefer it actually is.

What began off as just a little pushcart in 1965 has change into an internationally-renowned enterprise at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre. It is now within the palms of the third technology— sisters Kristen and Jill— at the same time as their mom Madam Lai nonetheless oversees the complete operation.

Older sister Kristen recollects taking part in between the tables right here as a child as her mother and father labored. She is the entrance of the enterprise, each actually and figuratively. You will see her on the counter, whipping the famed wanton noodle signature dish collectively and interacting with clients. Jill works primarily behind the scenes, making ready the noodles and sauces.

Ji Ji Noodle House occupies 3 stalls, models 48 to 50 on the primary flooring of the meals centre. Kristen explains it’s to maintain the uncooked substances so far as potential from the cooking space— the absence of warmth retains them recent longer which, in flip, means tastier meals.

Just how tasty was the query of the day.

What I attempted at Ji Ji Noodle House

I used to be there to strive the famend Ji Ji Noodle Bowl (S$4.50/S$5.50/S$6.50/S$8.50) and selected the S$5.50 model. My bowl of dry wanton noodles and accompanying bowl of soup was prepared in lower than 5 minutes.

My first impression was: ingredient overdose! The deep bowl was brimming with its contents and I started to want that I had ordered the S$4.50 model as a substitute.

Topping it was extra pork lard than I’ve been served in a single bowl my entire life. I counted 6 wantons— 3 fried and three steamed, 3 child bak choy stalks, and extra char siew than I might rely. No, actually, there was simply not sufficient house within the bowl to have the ability to rely the person items. If you like your char siew, this dish is made for you.

I discovered the noodles to not be the everyday springy sort. Instead, Ji Ji Noodle House serves noodles with extra of a chewy texture. Though not ‘bad’, it was a bit uncommon for my palate.

My favorite half, although, was the fried wantons. Very crisp, they had been additionally very skinny, fairly a standout in opposition to the standard chunkier variations which might be the norm. I preferred these higher! The steamed wantons had been tasty, too, and the pork lard injected a wholesome dose of flavoursome goodness itself.

You’ll discover that the soup served right here is barely darker. It additionally incorporates sliced crimson dates and goji berries. Kristen explains that these are a current addition, launched in response to the pandemic for his or her potential to enhance blood circulation.

There had been most likely some secret substances in there additionally as a result of it was actually good!

It’s maybe just a little onerous for me to justify this as a grievance however there was disproportionately extra meat than noodles. Great for the strapping younger lads who spend hours within the health club however fairly a problem for poor little me who has joined the membership of bought-expensive-treadmill- only-being-used-as-clothes-hanger.

It actually appeared like a bowl of endless char siew after I was consuming however I feel there have been between 15 and 20 items. I shudder to suppose what the S$8.50 bowl entails.

Final ideas

Ji Ji Noodle House is a Singapore establishment and one that’s constantly rated between 4 and 5 stars on Google. It shouldn’t be your typical bowl of wanton noodles due to the distinctive texture of the noodles themselves.

In phrases of worth for cash, it’s a straight 5 out of 5. I merely can’t overstate how a lot meat was in my bowl. Coupled with the 6 wantons in my S$5.50 order, it was simply an excessive amount of for me. Next time, I’ll ask for the smallest dimension and extra noodles.

A phrase of warning if you happen to’ve not eaten right here earlier than: don’t come at mealtimes if you happen to don’t have the stamina to queue. The lunchtime line at Ji Ji Noodle House begins at round 11am and may final till 2pm. A storefront signal reminds us that the wait could also be so long as an hour throughout peak durations. You’ve been warned.

Expected harm: S$4.50 – $12.50 per pax

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