The first clue that Legacy Ban Mian is not your average Mee Hoon Kueh stall is that you see young hawkers tearing noodle sheets by hand.
As many stalls rely on machines, it is getting more unusual to see the hawkers sticking to the more traditional method.
With an original outlet at Upper Boon Keng Road (Food Haven Coffeeshop), Legacy Ban Mian has also opened at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre (same row as Ji Ji Noodle House).
The stall is run by cousins Ashley and Xavier Tan, both in their twenties, who grew up watching their family run a handmade noodle business.
The original business is Sheng Wang Handmade Noodles at Pasir Ris, with more than thirty years of commitment to handmade noodles.
Available on the menu are Ban Mian in soup or dry form ($4.50, $5.00), Mee Hoon Kueh in soup or dry versions ($5.00, $5.50).
When I asked the hawker which was more popular, he said “50-50”.
Diners can choose between several noodle types, including Yee Mee, You Mian and Bee Hoon.
There is also a range of add ons such as anchovies ($1.00), shrimp paste ($2.00), minced meat ($2.00), egg ($0.80), mani cai ($0.80) and extra noodles ($0.80).
Since they are most famous for the hand-torn Mee Hoon Kueh, that was what I ordered first.
They knead and tear dough in small batches so the Mee Hoon Kueh stays thick at the edges and soft in the centre.
That uneven quality gave the noodles a natural and chewy texture that commercial cutters cannot reproduce.
The broth leaned on ikan bilis and pork bones, simmered long enough to produce a clear but flavourful base. I was pleasantly surprised it was layered in taste and not too salty.
The pieces absorbed the broth well and kept their bite even after sitting for a while.
I also ordered the Dry Ban Mian which came coated in a glossy mix of dark soy and savoury seasoning.
Each strand had a good chew, firm but not tough. When the soft egg broke into the mix of braised mushrooms and minced meat, everything turned richer but still balanced.
If I needed to nitpick, I wish there was more of the dark sauce so that the mix could be more thorough.
Oh yes, do not miss the special chilli blend as well.
As the hawkers tear their Mee Hoon Kueh by hand, the stall can be slower during peak lunch hours.
If you enjoy handmade noodles, Legacy Ban Mian is worth the trip. I would return for the dry version again, maybe with an extra spoon of chilli.
Legacy Ban Mian
Hong Lim Market & Food Centre #02-47, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531 (Near Chinatown MRT)
Opening Hours: 8am – 3pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Legacy Ban Mian
5 Upper Boon Keng Road, Food Haven Coffeeshop #01-22, Singapore 380005
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)
Other Related Entries
Ji Ji Noodle House (Hong Lim Food Centre)
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The Noodle Memories 古月麵 (Hong Lim Food Centre)
Japanese Curry Rice (Hong Lim Food Centre)
Eddy’s (Hong Lim Food Centre)
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