Not sure if you are in the generation that would remember the good-old Odeon Beef Kway Teow opposite the old Odeon Theatre at North Bridge Road.
The first time I tried this brand of Beef Noodles was at the now-defunct Scotts Picnic Food Court. In fact, it probably one of those Hainanese Beef Noodles I fondly remember till now.
My mum would bring me that after shopping at CK Tang, and we would share a bowl of that gooey goodness. Wonderful memories.
In case you are a Beef Noodle fan, some of the well-known stalls in Singapore include Hong Kee Beef Noodle (Amoy Street Food Centre), Kheng Fatt Hainanese Beef Noodles (Golden Mile Food Centre), Hong Heng Beef Noodle (Ang Mo Kio Kebun Bahru Food Centre), Zheng Yi Hainanese Beef Noodles (Tai Thong Crescent), Joo Chiat Beef King (various locations), and Blanco Court Beef Noodles (Aperia Mall).
While the original name with “Odeon Beef Kway Teow” cannot be used anymore, you can still find that nostalgic taste at Bendemeer Market & Food Centre near Boon Keng (not in Toa Payoh just in case.)
However, the opening hours of “Toa Payoh · Hwa Heng Beef Noodles” is only from 10am to 2:30pm from Wednesdays to Saturdays. And I have been there a couple of Saturdays to try my luck, but the stall was never opened.
I must have been there about 6 to 7 times, and got fortunate one random weekday (like, finally). Even though I went slightly off-peak lunch hours, there was a long line that took about close to an hour to clear.
On the menu are Beef Noodles ($5.00) in soup or dry versions; while you can pick combinations with beef balls, mixed beef with or without tendon, or tendon noodles.
That bolt of nostalgia just hit me when I had my first mouthful of that smooth and sticky gravy over the strands of thick vermicelli.
I didn’t go like ”Wow, this is the best beef noodles in Singapore”.
While the gravy looked dark and possibly robust, it was more mellow taste and I was expecting something more intense.
However, everything else that went into the bowl, from the cuts of thin-sliced tender beef, soft beef balls, salted vegetable, to that light sesame oil fragrance made it a sumptuous, comforting treat.
The other key element was that familiar thick chilli sauce with slight-acidic chincalok, which would add another dimension (or magic!) to the dish.
Even though I saw 8 out of 10 customers ordering the Dry Beef Noodles, I ordered the Soup version to compare, and boy I loved it.
The soup with floating beef flotsam was warm, robust, light herbal notes, flavourful enough and not too salty – just nice.
Toa Payoh · Hwa Heng Beef Noodles
Bendemeer Market & Food Centre #01-86, 9 Bendemeer Road, Singapore 330029
Opening Hours: 10am – 2:30pm (Wed – Sat), Closed Sun – Tues
Other Related Entries
Hong Kee Beef Noodle (Amoy Street Food Centre)
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