Last night, I wanted to treat myself to a nice dinner, but then I changed my mind, not because I didn’t want it, but because I realized that Friday nights usually turn the city into a crowded area. So I simply decided to go to a hawker food center and order a nice bowl of noodles. And I knew exactly what I wanted: a stall with a long queue, multiple Michelin Guide awards, and great reviews from bloggers and vloggers. The name of the stall is Hui Wei Chili Ban Mian!
I got myself the Mee Hoon Kueh!
The last time I had this dish was months ago, and the reason I rarely visit this stall, despite its great reputation, is because of the queue, LOL. It’s the stall that always has the longest line, especially during dinner time. They have plenty of loyal patrons supporting them, and I think I know why. I’ll share those reasons here in this post.
Although I’m not a fan of queueing for food, I still did, because I had plenty of time and I wasn’t super hungry yet. The first thing you’ll notice, something that truly legitimizes the quality of their food, is their consistency in attracting attention from the Michelin Guide. They’ve been listed for the past three years, and they’ve also caught the eye of Food King, a popular vlogger here in the city. Another reason is that their version of Ban Mian is quite unique in many aspects. You can tell they’ve leveled up the dish through the quality of their ingredients and the overall value for money.
Have I mentioned that they make their noodles fresh, right before cooking? Oh yes, they actually do. That means you’re getting the freshest noodles possible. While some stalls claim to make homemade noodles, many prepare them in bulk and keep them in the fridge until cooking time. This stall doesn’t do that. They run the dough through the machine just a few minutes before cooking, so the noodle quality is at its absolute best.
I ordered the version with flat, wide noodles for a different kind of experience. Usually, I go for flat or thin noodles, but rarely do I find noodles as white as a dollar bill, LOL. I really liked it because it gave the feeling of eating a lasagna sheet, and I loved that.
The toppings included a giant prawn, sautéed minced meat, ikan bilis, and greens. I really enjoy the dry version because I can choose when to sip the soup and when to eat the noodles. I also love the sauce they drizzle over the dish, it’s slightly sweet and savory, with a good balance between the two.
The minced meat was definitely something I enjoyed. The fact that I liked it even more than the prawn is worth mentioning. I don’t know how they achieve such a rich flavor in their minced meat, but it’s what makes their dishes stand out among the sea of Ban Mian stalls in the city.
Overall, this bowl of Ban Mian reminded me why patience is sometimes rewarded with truly satisfying food. It was worth every minute of the queue. If you haven’t tried it yet, consider this your sign to give it a go.
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