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Saturday, February 28, 2009
I don’t usually write posts about hawker food. It’s not that I don’t like hawker food, it’s just that (1) there are others, like Leslie who know a helluva lot more about these dishes than I and post very eloquently about their findings, and (2) my darling wife S, despite also enjoying hawker food, doesn’t like most hawker centres. My poor wife, you see, tends to get overheated rather easily, which makes going to al fresco food centres a rather sweaty and stinky experience — which, if you know her, is way outside of her comfort zone. She’s more the turned-out-without-a-hair-out-of-place sort than the let’s-sit-around-in-singlets-and-shorts-that-are-way-too-small-for-me-do-you-like-my-tan type. Which is fine with me. Our little nation could do with more of the former and few less of the latter. But there are some instances when, no matter how hot it might get, the trip is worth it. Or as Emile Hirsch opined in The Girl Next Door, “the juice is worth the squeeze.” When Ignatius Chan, owner of Iggy’s, the highest ranked restaurant in the 2008/2009 edition of The Miele Guide, recently raved about a prawn mee (noodle) stall near my home, I knew that sooner or later I’d drag S out for a sweaty breakfast of prawn noodles and pig tail soup. Da Dong Prawn Mee is located in a small coffee shop at the corner of Rangoon Road and Starlight Road. Starlight Road is a small cul de sac street off of Rangoon Road, i.e. it intersects the street twice. If coming from Serangoon Road, you’ll find the coffee shop/hawker centre at the second junction. We had been told by Iggy to order the prawn noodles or the pork rib prawn noodles dry, and then to have side orders of both the prawn stock and the pig tail soup. Which is exactly what we did. Now, let me make it clear that I am no prawn mee expert. I haven’t even tried the cultishly famous one in Pek Kio market, which is literally a stone’s throw from my home. That said, I think I have a pretty good palate and can appreciate good food. From the first bite, I think I understood why Iggy likes this stall so much.
The noodles are nice and firm, the flavours subtle and surprisingly elegant. Customers who appreciate fine technique and subtletly, especially diners who love simple, homecooked Italian pasta dishes, will really like the prawn noodles here. I found that the sauce was well-balanced, in a way that without having to clobber you over the head, provided you with enough taste and flavour to make this one darn tasty bowl of mee. I also loved that the noodles were al dente. What’s nice about serving noodles with a light touch such as this is that even after finishing your portion, you could still have just a bit more… which is the perfect way (in my opinion) to leave a customer. On the other hand, the prawn soup was super rich and immensely satisfying. Appropriately, it was served to us in a small bowl. The pig tail soup was, by contrast, a little sweeter yet equally gratifying. The fatty meat around the bone was tender and slurpingly terrific. So would I come back? Hell yes. But given that I’m just a few minutes away, I think I’ll be buying take-away from now on. After all, keeping S happy is also worth the squeeze. Da Dong prawn mee        Posted by Chubby Hubby 
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I am so excited! I moved to the same neighborhood and this is a few blocks from my place. Will be trying the prawn mee this weekend!
Posted by: Timi Siytangco | 28 February 2009 @ 3:31 pm
The prawn mee looks fantastic, and to think I ran by this place on my morning runs when I visited Singapore and missed an incredible culinary opportunity is almost too sad to contemplate.
I just need to plan another trip. Thanks for adding to my list of reasons that I need to return.
Posted by: OysterCulture | 28 February 2009 @ 11:11 pm
I went there twice!! It is excellent. One of the best that I’ve ever eaten in Singapore so far, but the stall’s business isn’t good! Please go help them.
Posted by: Pam | 1 March 2009 @ 9:32 pm
I must say, eying those noodles and reading their description, makes me hungry, and has me on the edge anticipating my nearing migration to SE Asia. Looks fantastic, and I can’t wait to indulge in a few weeks!
Posted by: Mark Wiens | 4 March 2009 @ 1:54 am
I’m trying to get your RSS feed. Got one?
Also, I’m looking forward to trying some of your recipes!
Posted by: ben smithson | 4 March 2009 @ 7:23 am
Really laughed and enjoyed this post.
Posted by: Labelga | 6 March 2009 @ 5:04 pm
Hey - like I say nothing like al fresco dining! We also have a motor-stall that parks up near the next block. All we need to do is walk up and grab the wrought iron chairs before they are gone. The place literally buzzes and the sea food is awesome!
Posted by: Samantha | 6 March 2009 @ 6:44 pm
Noodles have become one of my favorite dishes. I just got back from visiting my boyfriend’s family in Sapporo and the ramen was…life changing!
Posted by: Jana Nordstrand | 6 March 2009 @ 8:38 pm
Congrats! The most pretentious thing i have read all week. Next time i see a guy in a tuxedo at a hawker centre i’ll know it’s you.
Posted by: Puunk | 6 March 2009 @ 10:17 pm
hello!
the photos made me feel hungry
i love noodles
i am an asian and noodles are a part of my daily meal
Posted by: sterndal | 9 March 2009 @ 11:06 pm
“She’s more the turned-out-without-a-hair-out-of-place sort than the let’s-sit-around-in-singlets-and-shorts-that-are-way-too-small-for-me-do-you-like-my-tan type. Which is fine with me. Our little nation could do with more of the former and few less of the latter.”
CH, ordinarily, I love your posts, but this post stinks all because of one comment. Our little nation could do with more of the latter and less of the former, CH. Singapore-casual is not sitting at PS Cafe lounging indolently in nice clothes having nice breakfasts, but rather sweating it out at a kopitiam over a good bowl of noodles, and dressed in whatever the hell you want.
Posted by: Joseph | 10 March 2009 @ 8:08 am
Joseph: I think there is a vast difference between wearing whatever one feels most comfortable in and purposely choosing the smallest, tightest and most revealing outfits possible — which, I have to say, sometimes don’t look all that comfortable. I have no issue with the former but am getting really tired of the mass proliferation of the latter. I know I’ll get a lot of flack for this (especially from guys who love checking out the ladies), but on many gals, it just makes them look cheap and highly available. But that’s just my opinion.
Posted by: Chubby Hubby | 10 March 2009 @ 10:43 am
Was surprise to see hawker food on your blog…
U are lucky to be living in that area seriously. there are so much good food in area worth traveling for!
Posted by: Wilson | 10 March 2009 @ 4:38 pm
hey guys,
my dad is the person that run the place.
i’ve showed him the post and comments,
he wanted me to thank you guys for the continual support.
many thanks to chubbyhubby for posting the post up in your page.
we’re really grateful.
Posted by: Watson | 11 March 2009 @ 3:33 pm
I went to try the stall after reading your blog. What stands out to me is actually the pork rib. It is really tender and delicious. A very good recommendation. Be warned…this is serious arteries clogging stuff, moderation is advised.
Posted by: Ivan C | 12 March 2009 @ 3:08 pm
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, and it’s time to de-lurk! This really makes me miss Singapore and now I have a craving for prawn mee…
Although i’ll have to side with S. - I also hate hawker centers. Too hot and too crowded.
Posted by: L.A. Daze | 14 March 2009 @ 6:04 am
im fine w the statement, take balls to express how one truly feels… im less bothered w wat others wear, i personally steer clear of small shorts.. wahahah
Posted by: Tim | 15 March 2009 @ 8:42 pm
“turned-out-without-a-hair-out-of-place sort than the let’s-sit-around-in-singlets-and-shorts-that-are-way-too-small-for-me-do-you-like-my-tan type……..
Our little nation could do with more of the former and few less of the latter.”
Amen to that. What many need to realise is, short isn’t always sexier. Just because the masses are doing it does not make it cool/attractive/appealing.
Great post! And on a separate note, what this nation needs is more like you, one with distinctly good taste, and who can clearly differentiate between crass and class.
Cheers!
Chloe
Posted by: Chloe | 21 March 2009 @ 6:12 pm
I tried it on 22 March 09 at 11.15am. Beehoon/noodle soup with ribs and prawns. Nice tender and flavourful ribs. But the soup lacks a certain oomph I was expecting. Would prefer Wah Kee or Hoe Nam anytime. But Wah Kee’s long queue is getting longer.
Posted by: hmphie | 23 March 2009 @ 12:26 pm
Just tried it this afternoon and was a bit disappointed. My mee pok was overdone, and far too rich, the lard bits being rather overwhelming. Must say that I prefer the stalls at Cambridge Road market - Wah Kee is the more well known but there is another stall (also with long queues, and whose name I forget) which also sells pork ribs, intestines and pig tails either with or separate from the noodles.
Posted by: Susan | 4 April 2009 @ 1:56 pm
hmm this post makes me hungry.. but i found this small stall selling penang prawn noodle in a quiet lonely coffeeshop.. Tai Chong restaurant.. 834 upper bukit timah road… this place has the Best Prawn Noodle.. the soup is oomph!
Posted by: may | 20 June 2009 @ 10:30 pm
Spotted today at Starlight Road - a rather handsome couple with an Olympus EP-1. Could it be Chubby Hubby and wife, or a dedicated follower?
Posted by: Dex | 18 October 2009 @ 5:48 pm