Truth be told when I first heard about cheese bee hoon, I didn't feel excited enough to dash to try it. The idea sounds gimmicky and I am slightly particular about cheese. Pictures of cheese bee hoon surfacing on social media also didn't look appetising 😬 Today's lunch meet up at Old World's new stall in Blk 246 Hougang changed everything 😄
Old World in Hougang like its sister stalls at Blk 732 Yishun and Tampines T-Space have an extensive menu including bak kut teh and their famed fried porridge.
It wasn't pretty. The mound of bee hoon (rice vermicelli) barely visible under a yellowish, thick gooey looking sauce. The couple of half submerged prawns mostly hidden under fried shallot and chopped spring onion. No aroma except for the subtle smell of fried shallot. The dish didn't look or smell inviting 🤔
The skinny, soft bee hoon were fully enveloped in the thick creamy yellowish sauce. The bee hoon were infused with umami savouriness and subtle smokey wok hei (which sets Old World's version apart). The cheesy sauce added yet another layer of savouriness with hints of seafood and mild spices. There was also a discernible pepperiness. The fried shallots added their aroma and taste. Everything melded together in a harmonious blend of umami, savoury, smokey, peppery, cheesy flavours which was robust but not overpowering. My only grouse was the bee hoon were soft from soaking in the umami bath.
We quickly finished the two servings of cheese bee hoon (along with many other dishes). I was so in love with the delicious cheese bee hoon that I requested for a third serving (I wasn't shy and the rest didn't object were happy that I asked 😛 ).
Of course, the idea of seafood cheese bee hoon originated from the legendary Restoran Tong Sheng 东升园海鲜家 in Malacca, Malaysia. Tong Sheng is a zhi char (known as dai chow in Malaysia) restaurant. Cheese bee hoon with large prawn or crab appeared in Tong Sheng's menu about 20 years ago. The premium price dish was extremely well received, including by local celebrities, and is widely emulated throughout Malaysia.
Jemmy Yeo owner of Old World created his own version of seafood cheese bee hoon using humble ingredients to serve an amazingly delicious dish at an affordable price of S$8 per serving. It is available in all three Old World outlets in Tampines, Yishun and Hougang.
As I write this, I am planning for another round of seafood cheese bee hoon at Old World tomorrow 😂
Old World just upped their umami game with lobster!! 🦞
Written by Tony Boey on 19 May 2022 | Updated: 20 Jun 2022
Looks absolutely delish!
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