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Hua Bee Restaurant (78 Moh Guan Terrace) is known for a few things. That the 1995 local movie Mee Pok Man was filmed here and in recent years, a Japanese kushiyaki joint - Bincho operates out back in the evening after the mee pok stall is closed.
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Here’s the bowl of mee kia (though I ordered mee pok, and the aunty got my order wrong) from Hua Bee. The noodles were a little sticky, clumped together I had to add the soup to separate them, vinegar indiscernible and the chilli didn’t pack much of heat (had to asked for extra). The noodle was really al dente and I love the slurp. The ingredients were generous in their bowl of soup, but nothing was particularly outstanding.
Christmas Day and decided to go to Hua Bee for breakfast, since it seemed so popular whenever I walked past. I was also taking the chance to ask the aunties where's the entrance to Bincho (they called the owner 日本酸梅汤 😂). Because it was still early, I forego the chilli and had ketchup sauce for my #bakchormee Realized it's a mistake later. It turns out to be the blandest #bcm I've ever eaten. Because the soup was pretty much tasteless this early part of the day, I felt that I merely had carbs. Noodles was of good springy texture. Ingredients in the soup are more than your usual.
The aunties are not as pricky in the morning maybe cos there's no crowd. I like the kopi C gosong they made for me.
I'll probably try again next time, at a later timing, and, with chilli?
Be warned, the grande dames of all things noodly treat the eatery as the Forbidden Palace. Don't mess with them if you're not familiar with the ordering and seating protocol.
If you're clueless like my dining buddies and I were, wait to be seated and also wait for your orders to be taken. We messed up. Twice.
We were left unattended and we decided to walk over to the counter to place our orders. We were barked at to return to our seats. Came here expecting lunch and we were served double appetisers of attitude even before we placed our orders. Sorry ma'ams.
We nearly left there and they, but we were brought out of the Cold Palace by the sudden change in attitude in the dowagers. They must have been really busy earlier, but we're forgiving people (as long as the food is good).
Got myself a bowl of Mee Pok with chilli. It arrived in half the time it took for us to get a seat and place our orders, which was a rather pleasant surprise. The portions of both noodles and ingredients were pretty generous. These are remarkably well cooked, and will probably be some of the best noodles you'll ever taste. The chilli was just enough to leave every mouthful satisfied, and the soup carried enough flavour to be stand on its own.
In short, come here if you want perfectly cooked noodles and some marvellously meaty goodness. Don't come here if you don't want a side of snark with your lunch.
I like the Bak Chor here. Just the right mix of fatty and lean pork.
I can't exactly put my finger on what's so special about this bowl of noodles. The ingredients are alright - good variety, but nothing spectacular. Crowded during regular breakfast & lunch hours, be prepared to wait for a table if you're in a big group. If not, just slot yourself somewhere or share a table ☺
I love the dry & soup versions equally. The chilli is shiok, but I wish the vinegar taste were stronger. The soup itself isn't great, but is a slightly less oily alternative to the dry version.
I think it's the noodles that got me hooked. Extremely al dente in the best way possible. I find myself coming back a couple of times - although a disclamer: I wouldn't travel long distances for it (I can walk here). The teh/kopi is pretty good here too. Service, however, can be a little grumpy.
Something interesting: Behind the curtains in a corner is a dimly lit Japanese eatery called Bincho. The ambience is great, decor is pretty cool too. Food is 6-10 times a bowl of Mee Pok, but whatever floats your boat, man.
You can order food from Bincho to eat where the Mee Pok tables are.. Although I don't know why you'd do that because it's is hot & sweaty outside. I did that, though, because we had a mix of Mee Pok-ers & Bincho-ers in our group.
I woke up early for these. It was really quite nice! The chili was good and the fish balls were springy. Limited seats thou so many came to tabao.