Experience Halal Taiwan road meals like beef beancurd and scallion pancake

In my 24 years of being alive, I don’t assume I’ve had correct Taiwanese road meals, except you depend these shoddy shark fin soup stalls in pasar malams. It’s not like I’m towards that concept, nevertheless it’s troublesome to discover a Muslim-friendly stall that serves them. That was till I patronised Alley Wei situated in Northpoint City, which serves halal Taiwanese road meals.

Situated on the basement degree, Alley Wei actually performs on its Taiwanese affect with wood tables and stools which are far too slim for their very own good. The lack of a backrest additionally meant that my online game binges and constant slouching through the years has lastly bitten again. But I’m all for it if this was how they’ve it again in Taiwan.

There was additionally a transparent window so that you can observe workers pounding away on the flour and dough earlier than slowly massaging them, forming the pores and skin of a dumpling like well-oiled machines. It makes for an ideal time killer whereas ready on your meal—till they stare again, in fact.

What I attempted at Alley Wei

Surprisingly, Alley Wei had a comparatively clear menu regardless of being impressed by Taiwanese road meals. There wasn’t any fried mantou with slices of bak kwa in between, or youtiao topped with an obscene quantity of Nutella and marshmallows which, to be sincere, sounds fairly good. 

You have your set of unsweetened Beancurd with choices like Beancurd with Peanut (S$3.20), Beancurd with Soymilk (S$2.80) and even savoury ones comparable to Beef Beancurd (S$6.80) which was what I bought. I additionally had an order of Pan-Fried Dumplings (S$6.80) and Steamed Dumplings (S$4.80).

There had been extra acquainted noodle choices like Noodles with Chicken Soup (S$5.80) and Beef Noodles (S$8.80). I additionally had the Scallion Pancake (S$4.20) which got here in different flavours comparable to Chicken Pancake (S$4.30). Of course not forgetting, the Youtiao (S$1.80).

To wash all of that down, I opted for the Soybean Milk (S$2.20), however you could possibly additionally get Almond Soybean Milk (S$2.6) and Chin Chow Drink (S$2.60). Mind you that a few of the soybean milk drinks are served in a bowl, nonetheless, straws had been out there.

I began off with one thing acquainted, the Beef Noodles. Admittedly, the clear broth already advised me that it’s going to be a bland expertise. And I used to be proper: it wasn’t the most flavorful beef noodles I’ve had, however at the very least it wasn’t the worst.

It was a very light-tasting broth with solely hints of savouriness and sweetness. To its credit score, it wasn’t overly salty or oily, which considerably makes up for it. Similarly, the opposite components, just like the noodles, beef slices and radish had been all well-cooked. I significantly preferred the addition of scallions which freshened up all the bowl.

Up subsequent was the Beef Beancurd and it was the one factor that I couldn’t wait to strive after I first came upon about Alley Wei. Turns out, I ought to have waited. The already impartial tasting beancurd simply didn’t go nicely with the identical broth from the Beef Noodles.

And its smooth and jelly-like texture examined the resolve of my gag reflex to the utmost. It didn’t assist that my thoughts was fine-tuned in anticipating the style of candy syrup, which by no means got here.

My associate nonetheless, loved the attention-grabbing textural mixture of beef slices and beancurd, which left little doubt on who completed the bowl.

I needed to take a breather from the beancurd expertise and located the Soybean Milk to be refreshing and milky. Thankfully, it was barely candy so you possibly can totally recognize its creaminess. 

Continuing the meal, I went for the Pan-Fried Dumplings and Steamed Dumplings. The former was simply one of the best factor I ordered. It nonetheless had a decently crispy exterior with a smooth and chewy inside. The rooster filling was actually flavorful with hints of soy sauce and once more, scallions. 

The Steamed Dumplings, nonetheless, had been a letdown. They used a unique kind of rooster meat which had a slimy texture, however maybe it’d’ve been due to the soup that accompanied it. 

Another letdown was their Scallion Pancake. My associate and I joked that it seemed like roti prata, which was really form of true because it tasted comparable. It was overly doughy with no semblance of a robust scallion style in contrast to the Pan-Fried Dumplings and Beef Noodles.

Lastly was the Youtiao. Tastewise, it’s actually much like what you’d get wherever else, with its signature barely salty inside. However, this rendition was a lot crispier and fewer oily as in comparison with different youtiao.

Final ideas 

I can’t say I loved every part that I had at Alley Wei, however I’m glad I skilled it within the first place. I’d undoubtedly suggest the Pan-Fried Dumplings and Soybean Milk for first-timers. 

Ultimately, what received me over wasn’t essentially the meals, however how comparatively inexpensive and filling it was. Have I discussed that it’s GST-free?

Expected harm: S$2.20 – S$14.30 per pax

Other articles you would possibly like:

True Breakfast Capitol: Where Taiwanese in Singapore go for a delicious all-day breakfast

10 genuine Taiwanese eateries in Singapore for a legit style of Taiwan