Not to be confused with Hao Wei Lai 好味来 (a fried rice shop), this is Hao Lai Wei 好来味.
Has Fortune Centre quietly become the fish soup building?
For a mall many still associate with vegetarian eateries, quiet cafés, Japanese food and hidden dessert shops, there now seem to be a few fish soup options.
There is Chao Bing Xian 潮炳鲜 on the first floor, Diner’s Shack on the second floor, and Hao Lai Wei 好来味 up on the fourth floor.
Outside Hao Lai Wei 好来味, there are yellow lanterns, bright yellow posters, a few tables outside, and the rather direct line “I Want To Eat Fish” on the signage.
Well, cannot get clearer than that.
What makes Hao Lai Wei a little more interesting is its backstory.
It is run by Steven Yee, a long-time lecturer at Singapore University of Social Sciences, who previously taught Digital Photography and had worked on a project documenting hawkers during the pandemic.
He reportedly did not come from an F&B background, but spent about a year on R&D before opening the stall. That explains why the place feels slightly different from the usual fish soup stall.
The current menu is focused mainly on Signature Fish Soup ($7.50), made with “Grade A batang fish” and a scallop-brewed soup.
The fish soup came with batang fish slices, cabbage, tofu, tomato and greens in a clear broth.
This was not the heavy milky type. Instead, it was light and clean, with a gentle sweetness from the broth. The scallop-brewed base gave it a rounder, somewhat saltier flavour.
If you like your fish soup milkier or deeply savoury, this may come across a little too light.
The batang fish slices were fresh-tasting and fairly thick, with a clean bite. No muddy or overly fishy aftertaste.
I liked the Japanese pearl rice with furikake. It is a small upgrade from the usual plain rice, and the furikake added a bit of savoury crunch and aroma.
The cold onsen egg was another simple add-on. Break the yolk, mix it with the seasoning, then have it with the rice.
There is also a Signature Tofu Series ($4 each), which includes Zen Tofu with olive vegetable sesame sauce, Black Pepper Silken Tofu, Wafu Tomato Glazed Tofu and Black Velvet Tofu.
Would I say this is the strongest fish soup in Fortune Centre? That really depends on the style you like, especially with Chao Bing Xian and Diner’s Shack also in the same building.
But Hao Lai Wei has its own quiet appeal.
There is a free drink with every fish soup, with cold soya bean drink available on Tuesday and Friday, and winter melon drink on other days (subject to availability). That’s a nice touch.
Hao Lai Wei 好来味
Fortune Centre #04-16, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Other Related Entries
Chao Bing Xian 潮炳鲜 (Fortune Centre)
Bau Mak (Golden Mile Food Centre)
Thai Seng Fish Soup (Ubi)
Piao Ji Fish Porridge 標记 (Amoy Street Food Centre)
Chen Fa Fish Soup 臣發魚湯 (Lower Delta Road)
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