Handmade xiao lengthy bao & dumplings by native Chinese couple at Geylang Bahru

Just a couple of years again, I used to be launched to Geylang Bahru Hawker Centre by my mates after a night swim on the Kallang Basin Swimming Complex close by. That was once I found Ding Xiang Mei Shi (鼎香美食) which has been round since 2018.

I nonetheless keep in mind the pleasant and heat service I used to be given the primary time I patronised the stall. Having been within the meals and beverage trade, good service is all the time high precedence for me, aside from serving good meals. I’d by no means return to an eatery if the service is dangerous, irrespective of how glorious the meals could also be.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhang are from Shandong, China, and each of them run the operations on the stall. The pleasant couple handmakes their noodles, dumplings and xiao lengthy baos on the stall itself with precision and velocity. There’s even a small freezer situated together with their stall which homes their frozen dumplings and different merchandise which might be on the market.

While ready for my meals patiently, I had the pleasure to see Mrs. Zhang make my xiao lengthy baos on the spot in addition to kneading the dough for my dumplings— what a visible deal with!

It was a pity that the Hot and Spicy Noodles (S$4.50 for small, S$5.50 for big) and Minced Meat Paste Noodle (S$4.50 for small, S$5.50 for big) weren’t obtainable. The flour provider had some points and they didn’t have the supplies to make the noodles— oh effectively, I shall strive them the subsequent time.

What I attempted at Ding Xiang Mei Shi (鼎香美食)

My abdomen was already growling and I couldn’t wait to get began. I dragged my dad alongside as my eating companion right now for a senior grownup’s standpoint on the meals. We began our late lunch with Xiao Long Bao (S$6 for small), which got here in a dim sum basket stuffed with eight items.

Upon taking my first chew of the Xiao Long Bao, the nice and cozy savoury inventory flowed into my mouth. It was flavourful however I simply wished there had been just a little extra liquid trapped inside— it will’ve been excellent!

The default pairing for Xiao Long Bao is usually black vinegar with shreds of ginger. I made a decision to interrupt the foundations and dunk mine into their home made chilli as a substitute. The chilli had a powerful smoky flavour and the warmth packed a punch— the mix labored completely effectively for me.

We moved on to the Fried Dumpling (S$6 for small), which got here in a tower of 12 items. The color of the dumplings had been just a little on the pale facet and I needed they had been just a little extra golden brown. Surprisingly, I wasn’t anticipating the pores and skin of the dumplings to be tremendous crispy once I sunk my enamel into them— the crunch was satisfying certainly.

The filling inside was filled with minced pork and a great deal of koo chye (garlic chives), which gave a garlicky infusion to its style. The dumpling along with the shredded ginger and black vinegar dip was a match made in heaven.

The final dish we tried at Ding Xiang Mei Shi (鼎香美食) was the Red Oil Chao Shou (S$6.60 for medium). It had a dozen plump wantons that had been soaked in a chilli oil and vinegar combination, topped with a great deal of spring onions and coriander.

The pores and skin of the wantons had been velvety clean and paper-thin, and slid down my throat with no effort— even my dad had excessive praises for it. The meat inside was scrumptious and paired rather well with the sauce that was barely tangy from the vinegar. The chilli oil’s warmth was very mellow and it was light sufficient even for my dad, contemplating how delicate he’s to spice.

Final Thoughts

Though I’d admit that I used to be barely disenchanted that I didn’t get the prospect to strive their noodles, their handmade dumplings and xiao lengthy bao had been adequate to make me overlook about my displeasure.

I’m actually glad to see that every part at Ding Xiang Mei Shi (鼎香美食) is produced from scratch and no store-bought gadgets are getting used right here.

I’ll positively return to Geylang Bahru Hawker Centre and pay Mr. & Mrs. Zhang a go to as soon as once more. I hope I’ll get the prospect to strive their noodle dishes the subsequent time!

Expected injury: S$4.50 – S$12.50 per pax

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