The Central Business District has pretty much been bustling with the return of most of the office workers recently — quite glad how this has also translated into new F&B establishments taking over the premises that are left vacated by their previous tenants ever since COVID-19 had started. Opened just earlier this week at the Food Garden food court within Asia Square, Tok Tok Beef Soup is a new concept by the same folks behind South Union Park, Eleven Strands and Restaurant Mia (also unrelated to Tok Tok Indonesian Soup House and Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant at 313@Somerset and Joo Chiat Road respectively) — the stall is situated along the same stretch where Twyst and Pepper Lunch are located at for those who are familiar with the food court. Unlike their previous concepts, Tok Tok Beef Soup is not a restaurant-style concept; rather, Tok Tok Beef Soup is a food court stall — the first of such establishments for them. Primarily serving up beef noodle soup, the stall offers five (5) types of beef noodle soups — the Sliced Beef Noodle Soup, Ultimate Trio Beef Bowl, Beef Ball Noodle Soup, Beef Cheek Noodle Soup and Beef Short Rib Noodle Soup. Apart from beef noodle soup, Tok Tok Beef Soup also serves up Steamed Buns — think different meats sandwiched in between Lotus Leaf Buns just like what the now-defunct Bao Makers used to serve up. Sides available at Tok Tok Beef Soup includes the Truffle Kombu Sweet Potato Fries, while beverages available include Pink Lychee Lemonade and Lemonade (both from a Nestle dispenser), as well as soda drinks and water.

Being one who rarely makes beef noodle soup a choice to go for a meal, we found ourselves going for the Beef Ball Noodle Soup which sounds less intimidating as compared to those that feature sliced beef. Tok Tok Beef Soup allows patrons to pick their choice of carbs — one could opt for the Kway Teow, La Mian, Ban Mian or Plain Rice as the carbs to go with the Beef Soup; we went with the La Mian for our choice of noodles. Digging straight into the bowl, we started with the La Mian first — the La Mian is done just about right with the noodles carrying just enough bite without being overly firm. Having a sip of the broth, we found that the broth was especially interesting — whilst it does carry that savoury note that is typical of braised beef noodle soup, there is this element of tanginess that seemed to have come through from the use of tomatoes(?) that makes it especially appetising. That light, zippy note cuts through the heaviness of the meatiness and the broth, and along with the coriander just made it especially comforting and easy for one to finish the entire bowl of soup — something which would really be what we would be craving for on a rainy day. Apart from the beef balls which seemed to be handmade (considering how they were a little unevenly shaped with a bit of variance in texture — we could be wrong though), they also have included beef tendon as well; the former provides a good meaty bite with a slight gaminess from the beef that further elevates the flavours of the broth and noodles, while the latter gives this interesting gelatinous and chewy texture that provides so much contrast to the bowl of noodles. Needless to say, we found ourselves finishing the bowl of Beef Ball Noodle Soup in no time — each element seemingly having its place in the bowl of noodles for that extra flavour and texture, but yet comforting and speaks to the heart while at it; really satisfying.

It hasn’t been too long a while since we have said this; having followed the folks from South Union Park, Eleven Strands and Restaurant Mia over the years, we are pretty much fans of what they have served up. Tok Tok Beef Soup may be quite their most “outlandish” concept so far — one that operates as a food court stall, and also probably the only one by far that seems to be dedicated in serving up homely local fare. That being said, the end product feels like it is nothing short of what we would have expected from their previous ventures — just quality, comfort food that is priced reasonably for the office workers in the area. Not only is the food quality of the usual standard that one would expect from South Union Park, Eleven Strands and Restaurant Mia, but the portion sizes here are really generous for the price — the lowest priced Beef Noodle Soup dish starts at $10.90 for the Sliced Beef Noodle Soup and the Beef Ball Noodle Soup; the latter being packed with loads of beef balls and beef tendon, while the price of the Steamed Buns ranges from $6.50 to $6.90. It is needless to say that we would definitely return for the other beef noodle soup items; the beef noodle soup being something which we would probably be developing cravings for, though we are also pretty positive that we would be giving their range of Steamed Buns a go in due course as well. Congratulations to the folks behind South Union Park, Eleven Strands and Restaurant Mia for the opening of Tok Tok Beef Soup, and wishing them all the best in what is to come!