First things first, Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist 基记面家 located at Hong Lim Food Centre may not be like your average Singapore-style Wanton Noodles.
Other than the more usual ingredients of char siew and soup wanton, you get ingredients such as braised mushrooms, deep-fried wanton and vegetables.
All at an inexpensive price $4.50.
You would also realise that the mee kia noodles, whether in terms of texture or bite, is not quite what you ever had before.
That is because the noodles are specially sourced and made without ghee, so that customers don’t feel overly-full or bloated after the meal, and is a healthier alternative.
If you have returned to try the noodles in 2021, you may realise that it is different from the past.
Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist 基记面家 was set up in 1965 by Madam Lai Yau Kiew’s parents, and she has handed over operations to her two daughters Kristen and Jill – who have both maintained their family’s recipe and legacy.
It won the “Favourite Hawker” in the wanton noodles category organised by Straits Times, and is also listed in the Michelin Guide with a Michelin Plate.
The Ji Ji Signature Char Siew Wanton Noodle continue to be the best-selling noodle item, and it is priced at an affordable $4.50, with other options at $5.50, $6.50, and $8.50 if you want the bowl piled with ingredients.
In a bid to help with the lunchtime crowd, the stall has implemented a number of technologies, such as a cash-collecting payment system so that the hawkers do not come in contact with notes and coins.
Everything is done in a more systematic measure when compared to most other hawker stalls.
As previously mentioned, you would find the noodles slightly on the chewy side (not the thin springy type typically used in the Hong Kong style), with a thickness between the average mee kia and ramen.
I know there are varying opinions about this, but I think the noodles works well when the sauce is tossed and coated evenly around.
Talking about the base sauce, it is made in-house from a combination of sauces, deliciously savoury and fragrant with a sweet tinge. I feel it works better with a dollop of chilli.
I think what really draws customer is that you really get good value-for-money for so much going on it a single bowl.
If you are up for other noodles offerings, they include Dumpling Noodles, Braised Soya Sauce Chicken Noodles, Chicken Cutlet Noodles, Braised Chicken Feet Noodles, Mom’s Curry Chicken Noodles, Shredded Chicken and Ipoh Hor Fun.
The Braised Soya Sauce Chicken Noodles is my next favourite order, with easy-to-eat tender pieces of wings and drumlettes stewed in dark soy sauce till they are soft and flavourful.
The Chicken Cutlet Noodles with a chunky and juicy piece of chicken is always a draw, and the outer batter does stay crisp even after you take away and eat say half an hour later.
Ji Ji Noodle House 基记面家
Hong Lim Food Centre #02-48/49, 531A Upper Cross Street Singapore 051531
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun), Closed Thurs
Other Related Entries
10 Must-Try Wanton Noodles In Singapore
Koka Wanton Noodle (North Bridge Road Food Centre)
Kok Kee Wanton Noodle (Foch Road)
Eng’s Char Siew Wantan Mee (Tanjong Katong Road)
Wanton Fu (Jalan Besar)
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