How would you define “Unique Hawker Food?”
There’s a fine line between unique and bizarre. Would the unique interpretations deter too far away from the quintessential hawker food that we all grew up on and love?
Partly, I agree that all hawkers are unique in their own ways –unless they are exact duplicates. But, tremendous uniqueness comes from something that’s innovative and out of the box, standing out from the rest –something that intrigues and leaves an impression.
I never thought I’d encounter something so truly unique, but this bowl of Fruit Juice Mee Siam from Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa emerges as so.
Fruit Juice Mee Siam with Crayfish ($6)
The owner takes pride in cooking the gravy from scratch, insisting on using only the freshest ingredients he obtains from the wet market daily.
What sets this Mee Siam apart from others is the secret blend, of several fruit juices that yields a light and refreshing taste. The commixture of fruit juices imparts a familiar tangy flavour that we associate Mee Siam with, but without the heaviness, oiliness and cloyingness of the accustomed version. There’s also a subtle sweetness coming through the tangy notes, which I suspect comes pineapple juice. I couldn’t discern the other ingredients he’d added, but the grittiness commonly encountered in Mee Siam (from the addition of shrimp paste) is not present.
Hawker foods are generally high in calories. A regular serving of Mee Siam consists of an average of 700 calories. For those who seek a healthier alternative, this Fruit Juice Mee Siam is more forgiving on the waistline –same amount of satisfaction, but lesser the guilt. I actually enjoyed this version more than the conventional version of Mee Siam.
A bowl of Fruit Juice Mee Siam costs $3 to $4. For a slightly more lavish option, you can order the $6 portion that comes with poached crayfish. The succulent flesh comes off the shell easily –evidence of its freshness.
Thank you OpenRice for organising this food tasting session.
OpenRice is an online dining guide that engages with members of the portal by organising free food tasting sessions.
Share your dining experiences to win great prizes! Read more here: http://sg.openrice.com/info/gourmet/prize.html
Pictures in this post are taken using the Sony NEX-3N.
Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa
Hong Lim Food Centre & Market
531A Upper Cross Street
#02-66 Singapore 051531
How to get there?
By Bus:
- Bus Stop No: B05049
- Bus No: 2, 12, 33, 54, 143, 147, 190
By MRT:
- Nearest MRT: Chinatown
- 5 minute walk from MRT Station
By Car:
- Best to google under “531A Upper Cross Street”