How many of you remember 抢摊大行动, the Channel 8 reality show also called “Buzzing Cashier”?
Hosted by Kym Ng and Quan Yi Feng, The show produced many memorable episodes where chefs stepped in to teach hawkers how to improve their culinary skills.
Min Nan Pork Ribs and Prawn Noodles 閩南排骨虾面 at Tiong Bahru Food Centre was one of the hawker stalls that benefitted from the TV programme and publicity (must remember a lot of people watched TV those days).
With the chef’s help, the stall scored a perfect score of 30 and revived its business.
Since then, you may have seen the signboard call it 抢摊排骨虾面 above the Min Nan name as a nod to that TV moment.
The Prawn Mee stall started in the 1960s, and has been serving up these noodles since before most of us were born.
Ordering here is straightforward. You pick between soup or dry, then decide on pork ribs, prawns, a mix of both or even with pig’s tail (not many stalls offer this part).
Prices are at $5, $6 or $8.
I have to say, the portion was generous.
The noodles arrived hot, tossed with a dark, savoury sauce and topped with crispy lard cubes and fried shallots.
While this is a Prawn Mee stall, the pork ribs were the real highlight.
Each piece was tender, marinated through, and just fatty enough.
If you have ever struggled with ribs that were too tough, you would appreciate how the meat fell apart without too much fuss.
I also ordered the meatball version just for a change, but after trying it, I was convinced that the pork ribs were better than the generic-tasting balls.
The prawns were fresh and sweet, shelled partially for your convenience.
Now, about that soup. This is where opinions split. It had a pleasant seafood sweetness and a mild pork flavour.
However, some regulars said the broth was a little lighter these days, not as prawn-heavy as it was in the past.
If you like a lighter, everyday prawn noodle with a focus on well-prepared meat and clean flavours, Min Nan did it pretty well.
Min Nan Pork Ribs and Prawn Noodles 閩南排骨虾面
Tiong Bahru Food Centre #02-31, 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898
Opening Hours: 8am – 2:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Other Related Entries
Albert Street Prawn Noodle (Old Airport Road Food Centre)
Galore Pork Noodle (Whampoa Food Centre)
ONE.85 Big Prawn Mee (Bedok 85 Food Centre)
The Prawn Story 一碗虾面 (Ghim Moh Food Centre)
Redhill Prawn Noodle 85红山蝦麵 (Redhill Food Centre)
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