I love JB-style wanton mee, especially the dark sauce kind with springy noodles and crispy lard on the side.
But HW Wan Tan Mee 海威传统手工云吞面 took me a while to try, mainly because it only opens from 6pm.
I am usually more of a morning person (cutting down on suppers too), so by the time this stall starts its day, I am already half asleep.
Located at Jalan Abiad in Taman Maju Jaya, HW Wan Tan Mee is a night-time wanton mee spot near the KSL area (another at Mount Austin), and has been around since 2015.
The brand is known for traditional handmade wanton mee, with both black sauce and white sauce versions available.
The white version is closer to the Singapore-style, while the black version is tossed in a darker sauce that gives the noodles a sweeter, more savoury coating.
I ordered both, because it felt wrong to visit for the first time and not compare them.
The Black Sauce Wantan Mee comes in small (RM 9.40) and big (RM 12.40), with spicy and non spicy options.
The noodles were thin, so firm and springy, with that slightly wiry bite.
The dark sauce coated the strands well without making them too wet, giving each mouthful a sweet savoury flavour that became even better after mixing in some chilli.
It was not overly rich, but there was enough sauce and lard fragrance to keep the noodles tasty. The char siew was more old-school and leaner, though nothing really to shout about.
The white version tasted cleaner and lighter, which some people may prefer if they want the noodle texture to come through more clearly.
I felt that the chilli taste was on the stronger side, and complemented the black sauce version better.
There are also side dishes such as Fried Wantan with 12 pieces (RM 9.50), Wantan in dry or soup version (RM 10), Tao Fu Pok in dry or soup version (RM 12.50), and Dumplings (RM 10).
The deep-fried wantons (RM 9.50) came in a pile, golden and crisp, with thin skins that were light enough to keep eating without feeling too oily. So good.
The Tao Fu Pok (RM 12.50) which was another popular order, came stuffed with minced pork and Chinese chives, and was just okay for me.
It was decent enough as something extra to share, though it did not leave as strong an impression as the deep-fried wantons.
HW Wan Tan Mee 海威传统手工云吞面
68, Jalan Abiad, Taman Maju Jaya, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 6pm – 3:30am (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – HW Wan Tan Mee Taman Maju Jaya
HW Wan Tan Mee 海威传统手工云吞面 – Mount Austin
33, Jalan Austin Heights 3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 6pm – 3:30am (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Google Maps – HW Wan Tan Mee Mount Austin
Click HERE for other JB Food Entries
* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Telegram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
