[CLOSED] Happy Congee (Hougang)

Finally tried the Zha Liang (Rice Noodle Roll w/ Dough Stick) from Happy Congee after seeing so many positive reviews and I must say, it was really good! The rice rolls are freshly made to order, which explains why it was so silky and smooth. The roll is then wrapped around crispy youtiao (dough stick) for a wonderful textural combination. When paired with the light & savoury soy sauce, this was just simply delightful! I’ll definitely be back for more, and will try their congee too when I return next.

[Happy Congee]
Recently open at Blk 681 Hougang, Happy Congee offers Chee Cheong Fun and Cantonese Congee of various types.

Rice Noodle Roll with Dough Stick ($4)
Basically YouTiao in Chee Cheong Fun - these may seem unassuming, but I really enjoyed the soft skin, and although we took away, some of the youtiao remained crispy, and went really well with the sauce that came along, as well as the chilli.

Black Iberico Pork Congee ($5)
Thinly sliced Iberico Pork with some fatty parts, made the congee slightly more "premium" sounding. Congee was decent, but wouldn't say it's something worth raving about, just a simple bowl to comfort your tummy.

Would definitely be back for the other CCF versions.

Had been wanting to give the Rice Roll Noodles from Happy Congee 满粥了a try every since I had noticed them at the BGAIN Eating House at ARC380, but Lavender has always been a tricky location for me. Pretty glad that they have opened another new outlet in the BGAIN681 Eating House at Blk 681 Hougang Avenue 8 — a location that I am very familiar with considering how I spent my childhood there.

Offering the same menu of rice noodle rolls and congee here, I found myself going for the Rice Noodle Roll with Dough Stick — partially because of my love for good Chee Cheong Fun, and also because I was looking for something more substantial to be had for a light dinner considering how I had congee already in the afternoon and that I ain’t too big a fan of congee either.

Its not difficult to tell that the Rice Noodle Roll with Dough Stick isn’t quite the same as the dainty ones often served at other dim sum establishments — the dough sticks here come seemingly chunkier and thicker, which also means that the portion size here is more substantial than the usual that we have had. More like the dough fritters that we usually see at hawker centres from stalls that sells fried fritters in the day, the dough fritters to be used were left in a corner beside the steamer for the rice noodle rolls — was expecting them to be somewhat limp but was somewhat surprised that they still remained crisp and toasty for a short while despite us making the visit in the evening whilst also giving a substantial bite given its sheer size; that being said, one should consume the item quickly considering how the dough sticks do turn limp after a while since they were already left there for some time, whilst also soaking up the soy sauce beneath. The rice noodle rolls were especially well-made; smooth and slurpy without being particularly thick — very easy to eat and soaks up all the light soy sauce beneath for a savoury-sweet note, while the chili gives a smoky, savoury note that was especially delicious whilst giving a mild hint of spiciness to tickle the taste buds.

Having read quite a fair bit of their rice noodle rolls from their ARC380 stall, and now having had it at their newest location at Hougang, it is little wonder why they seem to be pretty popular on social media for what they have to offer — the Rice Noodle Roll with Dough Stick being an item that exemplifies this the most, being a dish that is more commonly found in restaurants than in food court but offered here at an affordable price considering its portion size whilst being pretty well-executed. No doubt the fried dough stick could have been a little better, but given the circumstances that we have tried it in, the Rice Noodle Roll with Dough Stick is still something which I would gladly have be it to share, or just a light meal option. Can’t say that I am going to try their congee soon, but I guess I am likely to give their other Rice Noodle Roll offerings a try if there is any chance of revisiting them soon!