$3.50 soto ayam so elusive that it’s solely out there 3 days every week

Good and low cost hawker meals is so uncommon today that stumbling upon one feels such as you’ve simply struck 4D. That was how I felt once I got here throughout Warong H.J. Sukarjo, a hidden Muslim hawker stall that sells soto ayam.

Located inside The Marketplace @ 58, which is the title for the hawker centre positioned at Block 58 Upper Changi Road, Warong H.J. Sukarjo is simply open for 3 days every week (Fri to Sun) and normally for under three to 4 hours at a time.

The stall solely affords 4 dishes: Mee Rebus, Mee Soto, Soto Ayam and Gado Gado, all of that are priced affordably at S$3.50. It’s no surprise then that folk of all ages and races queue up for a style of their elusive choices!

When I arrived at 10am, I used to be surprised to see a queue so lengthy that it prolonged previous the other hawker stall. I seemed round and observed that this stall simply garnered one of many longest queues in the complete hawker centre.

There had been about 10 folks in entrance of me, and I proceeded to attend for my flip. The queue moved infuriatingly gradual and it took round 25 minutes or so earlier than it was lastly my flip to order.

Warong H.J. Sukarjo is run by two makciks, who’re the truth is sisters! According to a number of on-line critiques, the stall has been operating for 43 years.

Both sisters had been pleasant when taking my order. My meals was ready contemporary on the spot, so it’s no surprise that the queue moved painstakingly gradual. 

What I attempted at Warong H.J. Sukarjo

I began off with the Soto Ayam, which got here with giant items of ketupat, shredded rooster, beansprouts, fried shallots, and spring onions.

I additionally appreciated that the bowl had been served on prime of a small plate, making it a lot simpler to carry with out worrying concerning the broth spilling out.

I assumed it’d style like rooster broth, like these served in mee soto, however I used to be so flawed. 

This was the richest and earthiest bowl of Soto Ayam that I’ve ever had. The complicated broth was full-bodied and savoury, which mellowed out to a smoky sweetness with a touch of freshness from the herbs. I might style hints of kaffir lime, lemongrass and ginger, which complemented its earthy notes. As for its texture, it was thicker and grittier than anticipated, however nonetheless very drinkable. 

My style buds went on such a pleasant journey with every sip— from full-bodied savouriness to mellow smoky sweetness, after which completed off with a vivid herb-like freshness— to the purpose that I have to’ve simply sat there sipping on the broth for an excellent two to a few minutes or so earlier than touching the remainder of the substances.

While the shredded rooster wasn’t essentially the most tender (in any case, it’s simply shredded rooster), it did an excellent job at absorbing all that fabulous savoury goodness from the broth. 

The giant sq. blocks of ketupat acted as a pleasant textural distinction to the remainder of the savoury notes on this bowl of Soto Ayam. 

What I liked concerning the ketupat was the way it got here in such huge items, permitting for the outer layer of rice to absorb the broth. Yet, biting into it revealed untouched layers of rice, which was aromatic and mildly candy. Though the ketupat turned barely mushy after a while, I nonetheless loved pairing it with the scrumptious gravy for an all-rounded chew.

If you’re up for a problem, ask Warong H.J. Sukarjo for a saucer of chilli to accompany your Soto Ayam, however be warned— it’s actually spicy.

The minute the chilli hit my tongue, the intense and bitter spice hit me right away. There was a robust style of lime and herbs, which accentuated the chilli’s spice and made it all of the extra fiery. I’m not kidding once I say that I used to be in precise ache. My tongue remained on fireplace for an excellent period of time, so add with warning!

I moved on to Warong H.J. Sukarjo’s Mee Rebus, which got here with the common suspects: yellow noodles, beansprouts, a tough boiled egg, chopped inexperienced chillies and a lime. It was topped off with cubes of tofu, fried shallots and spring onions.

This was your traditional bowl of mee rebus. The sauce was completely finished— it was nutty and creamy, and had simply the precise quantities of candy and salty notes. Texture sensible, it was sufficiently thick and coated the yellow noodles in a shiny and shiny method.

I liked how beneficiant Warong H.J. Sukarjo was with the remainder of the substances, such that every chew was suffering from vivid, herb-like notes from biting into the occasional inexperienced chilli, tofu, spring onion or fried shallots. It added a well-needed freshness to every heavy chew.

Upon Warong H.J. Sukarjo’s recommendation, I took a saucer of candy sauce with me. While it resembled darkish soy sauce when it comes to texture, its style blew me away. It was savoury and crammed with umami notes, and jogged my memory of fish sauce and kecap manis, so make sure you add this into your mee rebus for an added salty kick!

Final ideas

For simply S$3.50 per bowl, this was such an actual steal. I loved each single little bit of my meal at Warong H.J. Sukarjo. In explicit, the Soto Ayam impressed me with its strong, umami-filled broth, and I can see why folks would queue for near half an hour for it.

If you’re within the Bedok space on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday morning, I’d say that this stall is most positively price a go to. Be able to courageous the queue although, and are available early to keep away from being dissatisfied by probably sold-out substances!

Expected harm: S$3.50 per pax

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