Whampoa Soya Bean & Grass Jelly Drinks 黄埔豆花水 is a second-generation hawker that serves the essential Tau Huay aka Soya Beancurd, found almost anywhere around the island.
It takes its name from its place of operation, Whampoa Makan Place, also known simply as Whampoa Food Centre.
The stall has recently included in the Singapore Michelin Guide, probably the first Soya Beancurd Pudding stall in Singapore to be included.
(Over in Taipei, there is Fu Hang Dou Jiang 阜杭豆漿 at Zhongxiao East Road.)
The stall has been in the very same spot since 1979, although its history goes further back to 1968. The original owner is the father of the current owner.
Like many other old-timer hawkers, the story started out as a tricycle hawking soya bean along the streets of Desker Road, Dickson Road, Jalan Besar and Sungei Road.
For the sake of consistency and keeping to a traditional taste, the stall at Whampoa is its only one with no other branches elsewhere.
This means that the stall is not to be confused with the chain of “Whampoa Soya Bean” being ran in many other hawker centres. (Did come across a few negative Google reviews aiming at the wrong stall.)
Like other drink stalls, Whampoa Soya Bean & Grass Jelly Drinks is as no-fuss as it gets. Make your order using numbers and you will receive what you asked for in less than a minute.
Tip: be clear and concise in your orders because the aunties do sound a little hurried, so…
For soybean options, a cup of Soya Bean ($1.30) or Hot Beancurd ($1.30) would be the go-to.
Done the traditional style, each bowl comes with scoops of smooth beancurd that is drenched in sugar syrup.
Zhng it up by getting for the Gingko Beancurd ($2.20), Red Bean Beancurd ($2.20), Lotus & Gingko Beancurd ($2.70), or any of the other mix-and-match around.
The trio of Gingko, Red Bean and Lotus Tau Huay would be $3.20.
I ordered both in the morning and evening before, and realised that something the morning version tasted better – was hotter and fresher-tasting, and that made a difference.
My friend described the texture as somewhat close to the other L brand; I would think it was somewhere in the middle between the traditional beany sort and modern silky type.
I liked the toppings as they were soft and sweet.
Alternatively, get the Grass Jelly Drink ($1.20), Cold Grass Jelly ($1.40), or one of the premium ones like Lychee Grass Jelly ($2.20), Longan Grass Jelly ($2.20), or Attap Seed Grass Jelly ($2.20).
The grass jelly is milder in herbal taste and has a firmer bite to it.
For the best of both worlds, look at the Grass Jelly Soya Bean ($1.40) or the Beancurd Grass Jelly ($1.70) aka “Hei Bai” 黑白.
This particular drink has another casual name of “Michael Jackson”, because of his hit song “Black or White” – white representing the soya bean milk, black the grass jelly.
To me, the thing that still stands out more is the Soya Bean Curd, and get them in the morning when it is nicely warm.
Whampoa Soya Bean & Grass Jelly Drinks 黄埔豆花水
Whampoa Makan Place #01-52, 90/91 Whampoa Drive 91, Singapore 320091
Opening Hours: 7:15am – 8pm (Tues – Thurs, Sat – Sun), Closed Mon, Fri
* 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.
