Kin Kin Chilli Pan Mee - MacPherson

The famous Restoran Kin Kin from Kuala Lumpur has opened a branch in Singapore. This branch at MacPherson Road has attracted queues as long as 2 hours when it initially opened, but the craze has since died down. When I visited it during one of the weekday lunchtime, the place was at most 75% filled at any moment of time.

This place offers two signature dishes. The first is the Signature Dry Chilli Pan Mee. The ingredients, such as the pork meatballs, poached egg, braised minced meat, fried shallots, crispy ikan bilis and pan mee (Singapore equivalent of ban mian), were served unmixed and without chilli. Depending on your preference or tolerance, you add the appropriate amount of dry chilli flakes. After mixing, the dry chilli flakes provide spicy fragrance to the otherwise normal bowl of pan mee. Overall, the pan mee tasted reasonably nice, but did not leave a deep impression.

The other signature dish is Handmade Fishball Soup. The fishballs are huge! From the uneven roundness of the fishballs, you can tell these are handmade. However, I found these fishball lacking firmness in texture and are rather plain. I like the soup though, which tasted quire refreshing.

Will I go back again? Maybe, but it definitely arouses my curiousity to try the authentic KL version.

Budget : $

Rating : 6.5 / 10

QQ Noodle House - Bugis

Originating from Sarawak Malaysia, QQ House Specialty in the dry noodles version resembles very much like the wantan mee. What sets the difference is the noodles itself, which has a nice chewy texture and avoids ghee taste typically found in yellow noodles. Revealed on the wall is the reason why - the noodles are made from the freshest eggs and flour. Wait, freshest eggs? I tried to peek into the kitchen but failed to see or hear any live chickens inside...maybe they are sleeping in a corner.

Though did not really like the meatballs, the QQ House Specialty noodles was still considered tasty overall. Note that the serving is small, and you have the option to add noodle with extra cost.  Also tried the Fried QQ Noodles, which is more savoury, but a little bit salty.

This place also serves a number of zi char dishes. Happy with the Fried La La, which come with the broth that was spiced up with chilli padi and spring onion. Missed out the Wu Xiang which I understood to be highly recommended - will order to try if I go back again

Budget : $ $

Rating : 7 / 10