Tucked away in a nook all the way in which to the again of Ci Yuan Hawker Centre, Man Man Chi 慢慢吃 is a kind of unintentional finds that I had the pleasure of discovering on one in all my weekend meals hunts.
The meals stall was began in 2019 by 44-year-old Mr Cheah Kok Hean, who hails from Ipoh. The bulk of the dishes and handmade kueh bought at Man Man Chi are from recipes which have been handed down from his ancestors.
When Mr Cheah started his operations through the COVID-19 pandemic, it was difficult to get enterprise and introduce Malaysian delicacies to Singaporeans. Thankfully, through the circuit breaker interval, he managed to tide by with supply orders with the assistance of social media protection.
He even managed to be nominated on the 2022 Singapore Hawkers Awards beneath the heritage class— 3 cheers for Mr Cheah!
Mr Cheah’s mother-in-law helps out on the stall. I may really feel the heat as she beneficial some dishes and the condiments to pair them with— I felt as if I used to be a visitor eating at her dwelling.
What I attempted at Man Man Chi 慢慢吃
The crowd-favourite right here is Curry Chee Cheong Fun (S$4), however after I noticed Curry Chwee Kueh (S$4) on the menu, I simply needed to strive it!
According to the aunty, the individuals of Ipoh normally add some fried objects to their curry. And so I ordered a fried Prawn Cracker (+S$1.30). The luxurious plate had 4 items of chwee kueh (reduce in half), a sprinkling of sesame seeds, and greens doused in a wealthy curry gravy.
The items of chwee kueh have been like silky pillows in my mouth. They have been extraordinarily mushy and high quality. I may have eaten 50 of them!
The curry was seasoned completely. Slightly smoky, spicy and possessing creamy coconutty notes all on the similar time. Ladies and gents, this was liquid gold!
The curry greens consisted of lengthy beans, carrots and cabbage. They have been braised until mushy (simply the way in which I prefer it). The Prawn Cracker was extraordinarily crispy and engaging, which raised the bar larger on my satisfaction metre. Shiok!
I gave their selfmade snacks a strive as nicely. I ordered the Pan Fried Png Kueh (S$1.50) in addition to the Steamed Yam Cake (S$1.30). I’d normally go for the steamed model of png kueh, so this pan-fried rendition was one thing completely different.
The crust was barely crispy and the glutinous rice inside was good and chewy. However, the peanuts, mushrooms and dried shrimps have been so high quality that I had the impression of consuming a plain glutinous rice filling— I wanted they have been chunkier.
Dipping it into the black candy sauce salvaged it somewhat bit, although.
The Steamed Yam Cake was topped with chai poh and served with spring onions and crimson chilli strips. The cake was velvety and clean, and had tiny bits of textural yam inside. The chai poh added a tangy and crunchy contact to the dish.
The chilli was well-balanced and had simply the correct amount of warmth. It was the right accompaniment to the yam cake.
The final dish I attempted was the Glutinous Rice (S$3). The recipe was handed down by Mr Cheah’s aunty, who has been promoting it on the streets of Ipoh even earlier than he was born, and nonetheless does it till right now— spectacular!
It was a delicious mound of brownish glutinous rice stuffed with black mushrooms, dried shrimp, chai poh, and garnished with spring onions and crimson chilli.
Unlike our native model which has peanuts, the Ipoh model makes use of chai poh as a substitute. It gave a novel texture to the rice, and supplied refined salty and acidic punches to it as nicely.
I’ve all the time cherished this old-school dish and it undoubtedly hit the spot for me.
Final ideas
Having a Malaysian-style breakfast undoubtedly was an awesome begin to my morning. I’m undoubtedly recommending the tremendous distinctive Curry Chwee Kueh to my household, associates and colleagues.
I’m excited to return right here to strive their different choices, just like the Fried Pumpkin (S$1.50) and Mushroom Chicken Chee Cheong Fun (S$4).
Expected harm: S$1.50 – S$5.50 per pax
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Price: $
Our Rating: 4 / 5
Man Man Chi 慢慢吃
51 Hougang Avenue 9, Ci Yuan Hawker Centre, #01-38, Singapore 538776
Price
Our Rating 4/5
Man Man Chi 慢慢吃
51 Hougang Avenue 9, Ci Yuan Hawker Centre, #01-38, Singapore 538776
Telephone: +65 9795 1683
Operating Hours: 7am – 3pm (Tue – Sun), Closed on Mon