My buddies know I am a regular in Hong Lim food centre but how did I miss this unheralded gem all these years? 😮
Today, I tried out a media famous stall at Hong Lim but it didn't inspire me to write anything. Wandering around looking for something else to salvage my wasted calories, I stumbled upon Chai Kee, noticing its long queue.
There was a queue of about 6 - 8 deep the whole time we were there. The stall closed about 12:30pm after all the ingredients were sold out. Ah... that's why I missed it - its operating hours are short!
The gas stove was roaring the whole time I was there queuing and eating.
This was my $8 serving of bee hoon with mixed ikan batang fish slices and fried fish. Didn't look extraordinary.
When I bit into this piece of ikan batang, it was tender-firm (not flaky soft), fresh and clean tasting sweet. Hey... hey, hey, no more mucking around. Suddenly, my senses came alive again, I sat up straight, pulled out my camera.
There were several pieces of fried fish also. There was a slight crispness outside despite soaking in the soup. The inside was moist tender and savoury sweet.
The cloudy soup (not milky) was packed with layers of savoury flavours and aromatics at the right intensity for me.
Then, I found the "culprit" for it - a large piece of ti poh (dried sole fish). The weapon of mass umami of Teochew and Cantonese cuisine. Liddat.... win already lor.... .
If that is not enough for you, there's free flow of freshly fried garlic oil for more aromatics.
Sold out for the day. Next time, I shall go for the fish soup without any carbs inside 😄 Do check out Chai Kee fish soup, if you are in Hong Lim.
There was a queue of about 6 - 8 deep the whole time we were there. The stall closed about 12:30pm after all the ingredients were sold out. Ah... that's why I missed it - its operating hours are short!
Bumped in Johor Kaki readers while in the queue 😄
"You mean you haven't tried this?"
Me: No leh 😳 😬
"OK! we wait for your review."
Me: 👌 😄
The gas stove was roaring the whole time I was there queuing and eating.
This was my $8 serving of bee hoon with mixed ikan batang fish slices and fried fish. Didn't look extraordinary.
When I bit into this piece of ikan batang, it was tender-firm (not flaky soft), fresh and clean tasting sweet. Hey... hey, hey, no more mucking around. Suddenly, my senses came alive again, I sat up straight, pulled out my camera.
The ikan batang came with skin which I like because of the additional texture and flavour. I know some folks prefer the skin trimmed off.
There were several pieces of fried fish also. There was a slight crispness outside despite soaking in the soup. The inside was moist tender and savoury sweet.
I didn't count but estimate that there were 6 - 8 large pieces of fried and boiled fish pieces in the bowl, which I felt is generous.
The cloudy soup (not milky) was packed with layers of savoury flavours and aromatics at the right intensity for me.
Then, I found the "culprit" for it - a large piece of ti poh (dried sole fish). The weapon of mass umami of Teochew and Cantonese cuisine. Liddat.... win already lor.... .
If that is not enough for you, there's free flow of freshly fried garlic oil for more aromatics.
Sold out for the day. Next time, I shall go for the fish soup without any carbs inside 😄 Do check out Chai Kee fish soup, if you are in Hong Lim.
Adding Chai Kee to my list of favourite fish soup stalls in Singapore 👈 click
And, list of my favourite stalls in Hong Lim Food Centre 👈 click
Written by Tony Boey on 22 Jun 2022
Marcus Yap said on Facebook:
ReplyDelete"Tony Boey, indeed. One would have assumed that since they have been there for decades with hordes of office workers having lunch there, at least some mention in the media. I think it has to do with their customer base. Your next visit, if u are there between 10am-noon, u will notice most of his customers are residents and the older demographics. And coupled with the fact that this is just fish soup, i am assuming the lack of interest and hence the non-existence limelight. But hey, i am not complaining though. Just dont go after 11am, queue is daunting from there on."
Sharon Ing:
Delete"Marcus Yap Amoy Fish Soup cannot eat ( both stall). Tried once n thirsty whole day.
This stall at Hong Lim got invisible regular Q 😁. Way up there for them."
I like fish soups!
ReplyDelete