Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Foo

This is a pretty famous Teochew stall at Chinatown commanding queues of 30 minutes during peak hours. Why would people queue for yong tau fu? I did not understand it until I tried it....and I'm kicking myself for not doing this earlier.

It's not only good, it's quite different. Firstly, the signature ikan bilis atop the noodles gives it superbly savoury crunch. Here, I picked dry kway teow, but you can choose anything from yellow noodles to beehoon.

And then the yong tau fu pieces - fresh, tender, handmade with skill. They serve only a few kinds of yong tau foo - fishballs, soft white tofu with fish paste, stuffed taupok and fried beancurd skin rolls. You don't get to choose any, unlike most yong tau fu stalls that give you a variety. But you won't complain, because it's all good.

The deliciously light and clean-tasting stock also continues along that line. In short, it's all very simple, fresh and tasty.

I didn't think much of the chili sauce, but some lady behind me was literally pouring gobs of it onto her noodles.



Xiu Ji takes up two stalls, one of which is used for handmaking the fishballs and yong tau fu pieces. They start really early and close after lunch in the afternoon. Prices are really friendly too - S$3 for noodles with 7 pieces of yong tau fu, or just 9 pieces of yong tau fu (sans noodles). It's all self-service, give your order of noodles, soup or dry, and pick up your bowl there and then. They work pretty fast.


XIU JI IKAN BILIS YONG TAU FU
Blk 335 Smith Street
#02-87/88 Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Singapore
Open daily 5.45am – 3pm

Share: