So why Spinach Soup? Why in particular this Spinach Soup stall at Geylang Bahru Food Centre?
Yuan Yang Spinach Soup 鸳鸯苋菜汤 located in Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre was recently granted a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2023.
This makes three Bib Gourmand hawkers in the lesser-known food centre – the other two being Cheok Kee Duck Rice and Hui Wei Chilli Ban Mian.
To be honest, the inclusion of “Spinach Soup” does seem rather ‘random’, especially when there are more than 30 branches around the city.
And this is not considered the main outlet; or particularly outstanding, popular and well-known.
Not that it is any bad (of course taste is subjective), but is it “Michelin” worthy?
Spinach Soup has become a common sight at hawker centres especially in recent years; this seemingly modest dish packs a punch with its nutrient-rich profile and comforting flavours.
While there are variations depending on the hawker, the basic version of the Spinach Soup is a hearty blend of tender spinach leaves, goji berries, and a variety of other ingredients simmered to a clear, light broth.
If you are willing to get Yuan Yang Spinach Soup (located just next to Geylang Bahru MRT), identify the stall by a glass case facing the customers.
In it, a massive mound of spinach is kept, which quickly runs out considering how much spinach shrinks when cooked.
Every soup comes with a choice of carbs, including Thin Bee Hoon, Mee-Tai Mak, Koka Noodles, Macaroni and Rice.
The stall owner, Jina Saguna, a Thai national who has made Singapore her permanent home, spends over two hours preparing the soup base.
The recipe is said to include mix of soybeans, anchovies, corn, and other secret ingredients, resulting in a soup that is loaded with nutrients.
The simplest and the most popular version is the Spinach Seafood Soup ($4.50). Ingredients include prawns, minced meat, mushrooms and an egg.
The presentation is nothing to shout about, as it is a green-tinted bowl of soup with bits of egg floating around.
The spinach lends the soup a delicate sweetness, while the prawn didn’t taste super fresh.
I think the appeal is really in its higher iron content (compared to the average hawker dish) and nourishing option in a hawker centre.
In the alternative, get the Spinach Century & Salted Egg Soup ($4.50) which I enjoyed better.
More savoury intensity arrives from the salted egg; while the century egg is truly an acquired taste only for those who enjoy it, but it does make the soup more complex-tasting.
Lastly, there is also the Spinach Yong Tau Foo Soup ($4.50) for those who prefer more variety of ingredients.
Spinach soup is a rather healthy dish. The rise in popularity of Spinach Soup has done beauty lovers good.
Yuan Yang Spinach Soup 鸳鸯苋菜汤
Geylang Bahru Market & Food Centre #01-12, 69 Geylang Bahru, Singapore 330069
Read: DFD Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand Reviews
* Written by Daniel Ang and Dean Ang. Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
This chain of veg soup stall is average at best and don’t deserve the accolade. Sorry but not that I trust the Michelin Bib Guide anyway as I personally don’t think the appreciate or know our hawker food