Monday, February 27, 2006
Date: February 25, 2006
Venue: Jalan Tua Kong Lau Lim Mee Pok Kway Teow Mee
When my dad and I discovered that our favorite mee pok (Chinese fetuccini) was no longer at the tiny coffee shop at the corner of Jalan Tua Kong, we were devastated. For a year. we searched high and low but to no avail. Obviously, we didn't search hard enough because after a year (and with help from a family friend), our mee pok loving hearts found their home once again.
One reason why I love this mee pok is simply because of the stall's generosity. You'd be amazed by the sheer amount of ingredients - mince meat, fried pork lard ( which is crazily and yummiliciously sinful), prawns, fish balls, slices of fish cake, fish dumpling, bean sprouts, and slices of pork. Besides coming in generous amounts, the ingredients are fresh too. For example, the prawns are always huge, crunchy, and sweet while the pork never posseses that overpowering smell which most meats tend to possess.
When it comes to flavor, the mee pok is nothing much to holler about but it is way much better than the average stall. The chilli sauce does not reek of vinegar nor does it contain a large amount of dried shrimp, definitely a sin other stores are guilty off. However, what contributes greatly to this flavorful bowl of noodles is the fact that the chilli is mixed with onion oil, pork lard, and a table spoon or two of the stall's crazily tasty soup.
The soup, which accompanies every bowl of dried noodles, is without a doubt the highlight of any meal at this stall. While it's a little on the salty side, it's extremely tasty. On it's own, you can already see why - the bits of pork swimming in the steaming in the soup. But the best way to enjoy the soup is simply with the ingredients mentioned above. If it's already so flavorful on it's own, just imagine the flavors the other ingredients will contribute, especially the sweetness of cooked bean sprouts. How to order it, simple. Just tell the stall dude, " Uncle, one liao tang!"
Every meal at this stall is down right enjoyable. However, the only turnoff is the queue and the crowd. So far, the longest I've waited was an hour. To avoid the queue always arrive before 11a.m. and after 2p.m. on weekdays. On Saturdays, just arrive as early as possible ( the stall opens at 7:30 a.m. every morning). Arrive any later than 1:30p.m., you risk hearing the words, " Sorry but we are sold out."
Price: A bowl of noodles costs $3, $4, and $5 dollars respectively, depending on the size. The ingredient rich soup costs $3.
Less the crowd, the wait is worth it. Just think of that steaming hot soup sliding your throat. Mmmmm - it never fails to motivate me.
