Decades ago, this corner of Sam Leong Road and Verdun Road was one of my favourite haunts. I like the pork organ noodles at this corner coffee shop.
In those days, I never note down the coffee shop name, the name of the stall, not even the exact name of the dish. I just come here by habit because I like the taste.
Decades on, I still past here when I am around Little India but the stall is gone (replaced by the drinks stall). I makes me a little sad 🥹
Today, I asked the prawn noodle stall at the coffee shop "where has the stall in middle gone to? I used to eat here regularly long time ago".
"They are my in-laws", the prawn noodle lady boss replied.
Those were the most beautiful words.
Truth be told, I was a little skeptical as I remembered that it was some sort of pork organ dish while this is Middle Road Pork Ribs Prawn Mee. Maybe I confused her as my memories were vague in the first place.
I ordered the prawn mee anyway.
Lady boss was very friendly. She allowed me to just have prawns and pork skin (my favourite pork part now). This bowl for $5 (it's a steal in today's market).
I ordered soup instinctively because I always ordered soup here. I also don't know why 🤔 Maybe it's because I always thought of this as a pork organ soup place. (Actually, they do have dry noodles too.)
Anyway, this soup is good! It has a well balanced, layered blend of savoury, umami and sweet. It even has a smooth round subtly viscous body. It's not overly greasy.
They use thick bee hoon (rice vermicelli) which I prefer over the skinny, limp, thread thin type. They do the yellow noodles perfectly - I mean, the yellow noodles have a spongy firm springy bounce to the bite that comes only once in a hundred noodle stalls nowadays 👍
The little finger size prawns were alright. Fresh enough, sweetish and have nice natural texture (you know.... not those QF type).
The pig skin was a winner. Tender firm, springy, like gummy candy and actually had a bit of soft-tacky, gelatinous chewiness. I love it.
Swee. I love this. Whether this was my old flame or not. I love this now.
So, I went kaypoh kaypoh (explore) around. They don't use those QF (quick freeze) prawns.
Peek at what others were eating 🤭
Ah.... yes.... it is all coming back slowly. I used to have all these, plus powder pork intestines (hoon tng 粉肠 in Hokkien).
Yes, this was indeed the old stall I used to haunt decades ago. It's a new generation now, and it still tastes great today.
I think it's time to revive an old habit.
Written by Tony Boey on 7 Oct 2023
🎗 This blog is powered by voluntary contributions from appreciative readers to Tony Boey Johor Kaki PAYNOW 96888768 in Singapore $.
Join Johor Kaki mailing list
Old resident near Sam Leong Rd would all know the legacy Tau Kwa Seng Prawn fritter stall,President Shopping center,Cathay aquarium near this kopitiam that relocate from Cathay cinema.
ReplyDeleteJust had it now n apparently lol e owner said strangely today a lot of ppl asked for pig skin. I said becos of someone special mention. Hahahah *offhand,they just sold out all pig skin*
ReplyDeleteMy favourite, use to eat this every weekend or at least once a fortnight but age & cholesterol levels have made this a rare treat for me 😅
ReplyDeleteComfort food at its best 👍
ReplyDeleteAt one time, there was even a popular Nigerian food stall in this coffeeshop. I came for jollof rice and egusi soup.
ReplyDeleteTony Boey Yes, that was back in 2006 when I just read Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Half of a Yellow Sun" and was in a Nigerian food phase. 😂
ReplyDeleteWow…thanks for reminding, I have forgotten about them, so long never being there, you just make me drool 😋😅
ReplyDeleteSam Leong road chicken rice now have its own cafe opposite its previous kopi tiam
ReplyDelete