The tastiest chilli ban mian you’ll discover in SG

I’ve stated this earlier than and can say it once more: I’m a sucker for something ban mian. If I had to decide on just one sort to have for the remainder of my life (and I hope I don’t ever should), it will be chilli ban mian, in any other case referred to as chilli pan mee.

Nonetheless, I not too long ago learnt that I can’t name myself a fan of the dish until I’ve had the one from Chilli Pan Mee (Batu Rd). Say no extra; it grew to become an prompt next-up on my to-eat checklist.

In case you didn’t know, Chilli Pan Mee (Batu Rd) hails from Malaysia. There, it’s referred to as Restoran Tremendous Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee, an area family model well-loved for none apart from its titular dish. It landed on our shores in 2018 with its first and solely worldwide outlet that has remained in Far East Sq. ever since.

The quaint eatery homes many tables, all of that are often occupied throughout peak hours. I used to be greeted by the chic sight of an empty restaurant after I visited within the late afternoon, although.

Chilli Pan Mee (Batu Rd) prides itself on genuine KL-style chilli pan mee made with the identical recipe as its mum or dad model. I thus made my go to harbouring the very best of hopes and expectations.

What I attempted at Chilli Pan Mee (Batu Rd)

Evidently, I needed to begin with a superb ol’ bowl of Chilli Pan Mee (S$8.50). The Chilli Pan Mee right here makes use of you mian noodles rather than the traditional ban mian. It’s topped with minced meat, ikan bilis, a poached egg, a heap of shallots and a singular piece of deep-fried pork lard.

One factor you would possibly’ve observed is that the Chilli Pan Mee got here devoid of sauce. No, it isn’t hidden beneath the mattress of noodles. You’ve bought all the pieces you want proper there within the bowl. 

Properly, aside from the chilli. Their home mix is available in a separate container that’s positioned in your desk so that you can assist your self to. I’d liken it to a chilli crisp fairly than the standard paste.

As a spice lover, I used to be thrilled; if all chilli pan mee joints had these containers, I’d by no means complain about my noodles missing spice ever once more. Nonetheless, I used to be sparing with the quantity I added for worry of inadvertently overpowering the noodles.

“Aiya, add a bit first, later add extra,” I instructed my eating accomplice.

Earlier than I tucked in, I couldn’t assist however break into the poached egg. Superb lava-esque egg yolk flowed out as I pulled it aside. In true meals photographer trend, I couldn’t do with out snapping just a few images.

I gave the bowl a radical combine, making certain that each strand of noodle can be coated in chilli and all of that velvety yolk. Regardless of the dearth of sauce, I tossed the noodles up simply tremendous.

Keep in mind after I so confidently stated that I’d return to the chilli later? I knew from my first chunk that I now not needed to; the chilli mix carried a potent spice that felt good for me.

The mix was additionally seasoned with the correct amount of salt, complementing the noodles properly in tandem with the aromatic shallots and savoury minced meat. The springy noodles held a pleasant chunk too!

I used to be shocked to study that the chilli doesn’t include any hae bee. How then may or not it’s this tasty? Belief me after I say I walloped the bowl very quickly.

There was a lot to shout in regards to the substances, too. The heap of succulent minced meat had a pleasant mixture of each lean and fatty meat. It was well-seasoned, with an umami that made the noodles all of the extra palatable.

The pork lard took me without warning. Whereas it tastes the way in which you’d anticipate it to when eaten by itself, having it along with the noodles introduced out an enthralling perfume that enhanced the dish as a complete.

The Noodle Recollections: Genuine KL-style chilli pan mee by Malaysian hawkers with customisable chilli ranges from $5

I used to be delighted to see that Chilli Pan Mee (Batu Rd) provided Mee Hoon Kueh (S$8.50/S$9.50). Clearly, I needed to give it a worthy shot.

Aside from the bowl’s sheer measurement, one factor that stood out to me was the color of the broth. Versus a typical clear broth, it was a lightweight brown. I discovered it strong but gentle because it glided down my throat with ease.

Like every genuine bowl of mee hoon kueh, this was full of mildly bitter mani cai that balanced out the saltiness of the soup. The bowl additionally included marinated minced meat as with the Chilli Pan Mee, together with slices of shiitake mushrooms that introduced a wealthy earthiness to the broth.

As a self-proclaimed mee hoon kueh connoisseur, I used to be excited to see if the noodles had been hand-torn. They weren’t, as may very well be seen from the uniformity of the items. Nonetheless, I wasn’t dismayed; they had been completely thick and chewy.

To make the meal a contact heartier, I opted for a aspect of Deep Fried Pork (S$6.50 for Small, S$10.50 for Massive).

The pork slices had been hefty but tender, frivolously crusted with a crispy pores and skin that was not greasy within the least, regardless of the fairly off-putting ‘deep-fried’ within the dish title.

Style-wise, that they had a succulent savouriness with hints of 5 spice. Dipping them into the refreshing Thai candy chilli sauce lower by the delicate gamey-ness of the pork, permitting for a superb flavour steadiness.

Ultimate Ideas

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Chilli Pan Mee (Batu Rd)’s Chilli Pan Mee blew me away. I by no means thought it was potential for me to like the dish any greater than I already did, however right here we’re.

Having gotten a powerful exhibiting from all of the dishes I attempted, I solely have 2 phrases to say: 5 stars. Though the fare’s just a little pricier than what you will get elsewhere, I promise that it’s value your each cent.

Chilli Pan Mee (Batu Rd) takes the crown for the tastiest chilli pan mee yow will discover in Singapore, no less than in my books. If that is the usual for ban mian in Malaysia, I’ll gladly give them the profitable hand over us in that area.

Anticipated harm: S$8.50 – S$9.50 per pax

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