Every once in a while, we come across foodstalls with queues that can take up a bit of our time, but have you ever counted, how many times have you joined the queue only to find out that the quality of the food didn’t justify the waiting time?

Hong Mao Mian Jia at 128 Tembeling Road

Hong Mao Mian Jia at 128 Tembeling Road is very popular around Joo Chiat area. Although the name suggests that they serve Ang Mo noodles, there are no noodles that’s bizarrely Ang Mo style here. It’s just the common Wanton Mee that we can buy anywhere else though the appearance of the stall did looked very traditional.

When I turned up at the stall on a warm Sunday afternoon, I was told that the wait time could be 45 mins long. It was very easy for me to conclude that this is one of those stalls that will be worth the long wait time and possibly a gem to behold.

Happily, I waited. In case you’re wondering why it’s named Ang Mo Noodle House, rumors have it that the original owner of this stall looks like an Eurasian so everyone called him as the Ang Mo Wanton Mee seller so it’s an “Ang Mo” Noodle House.

So, mercy the misleading name of this Wanton Mee stall, there are no Char Siew Pasta or minced pork Agnolotti to be found.

My noodles arrived exactly after 45 mins waiting time. I must also mention that, while I was waiting, two regular customers came and was allowed to jump queue(the seller authorised it of course) and they both ordered something like 5 packets each for take away. Barring those 2 customers, the wait time should be a lot shorter and maybe something like 20-25 mins so don’t let the 45 mins wait time scares you off ok?

Hong Mao Mian Jia’s Wanton Mee $3.50

From the photo above, you can easily tell that the noodles look like maggi mee. Well it even tasted like it, except that it’s not that well cooked. Just dump your maggi mee into the boiling water for approximately 30 seconds and the texture will be identical to this. I’m sure many in the queue would testify to the special texture of this noodles though I would prefer my noodles to come a little bit more spongy.

This is a very oily plate of Wanton Mee. Probably half of the sauce makes up of oil and the overall taste of it was very interesting no doubt. The sweetness and saltiness were subtle and the chilli sauce tasted very similar to the Fei Fei Wanton Mee’s chilli. Being so near to each other(around 100 metres), won’t be surprised if they copied from each other.

The char siew here is just red dyed meat though the round tips of it were pretty charred so it’s quite delicious though it’s definitely very far from the best. The wanton was choke-full of minced pork which was slightly salty but nonetheless pretty good. The soup, on the other hand, was a let down for me though I must mention that it’s all that ikan bilis flavour which is something I dread.

Totally understandable why some regard this as a gem. It is definitely unique and probably 2 notches above the common ones you find in the market. May or may not boost your umami, it all depends on how well you receive the differences, after all, authenticity is a relative term, agree?

Hong Mao Mian Jia’s Wanton Mee $3.50

Price: $3.50

Conclusion: Pretty interesting flavour in the sauce. Noodles was less spongy than I would prefer but a refreshing change no doubt. Wanton was good though not great. Soup was disaster for me with all that ikan bilis flavour. Can understand why this is popular, probably a few more visits are needed to see if I can get the hang of the taste.

Likes: Sauce was unique, with subtle sweetness and saltiness.

Dislikes: Probably can do better for me if it’s that slightly sweeter and less oily.

Address		Overall Rating
Hong Mao Mian Jia 128 Tembeling Road 7am to 4pm Off: Mondays		Food: 7/10   Authenticity: 9/10   Value: 7/10   Service: 7/10   Ambience: 7/10   Cleanliness: 7/10   Overall: 7.25/10