When I was looking out for Ipoh Horfun to feature in Singapore last year, a Malaysian friend recommended me to a ‘secret’ place that he claimed to be very authentic and reminded him of home.
I was half-sceptical at first, because while there are many Ipoh Horfun stalls in Singapore, not all are Ipoh-Ipoh in style.
The humble eatery is founded at the Level 2 of City Plaza at Paya Lebar, not quite the most accessible of places. (Yes, Arnold’s Fried Chicken and Poon Nah City Home Made Noodle is found in the same building).
Named Chiderful 吃淂福 which literally means “eating with blessings”, the eatery is opened after the “Circuit Breaker” by a couple who originated from Ipoh.
The Chef used to work at Sessions Restaurant at Resorts World Sentosa, and he mentioned his famed dish there was the Chilli Crabs. Coincidentally, it was the dish I ordered the last time I dined at Sessions.
The menu has a mish-mash of Ipoh delights and zi char fare. In terms of Ipoh offerings, there are the Chicken Rice ($5), Ipoh Hor Fun in dry or soup ($5) and Drunken Chicken ($16 for half, $30 for whole).
The strength of their Ipoh Horfun ($5) was in the chicken meat, poached so well so that it was both tender and flavourful – plus it was a little on the cold side which some may just like.
The rice noodles used was also thin and slippery, while not quite totally ‘Ipoh-smooth’, this was good enough to satisfy cravings.
I only wished that the base could have been saucier, though the owners say that Singaporean customers generally did prefer something that is more “zhong kou wei” (heavier in flavours).
So you can let them know if you prefer slightly more sauce in your rice noodles beforehand.
The Chicken Rice ($5) was obviously fragrant, and I especially like the crispy fried shallots and housemade ginger paste which complemented well with the fluffy rice grains.
Unfortunately, bean sprouts were not available as a side order, which is what I would typically order with my Chicken Rice.
Some zi char available at my time of visit included Crispy Prawn Paste Chicken Wings ($6 for 6 pcs), Crispy Nan Ru Pork Belly ($9), Sweet & Sour Pork ($15), Bamboo Clams ($12 to $14 per piece), Braised Homemade Beancurd with Seafood ($22), and Stewed Beef with Red Wine ($30).
Note that the dishes rotate depending on availability of fresh ingredients in the market, and some items would require one-day advance pre-order.
Chiderful is not on any delivery platform currently as they have no extra help to coordinate, but hopefully they will do well enough soon.
Chiderful 吃淂福
City Plaza #02-73, 810 Geylang Road, Singapore 409286
Tel: +65 9895 9972
Opening Hours: 12pm – 7pm (Mon – Sun)
Other Related Entries
10 Must-Try Ipoh Horfun In Singapore
Ipoh Tuck Kee Son (Jalan Besar)
Enjoy Eating House (Hotel Mercure on Stevens)
Bee Kia (Thomson)
On & On Diners Zi Char
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