Thye Hong Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodles @ Food Republic, VivoCity

Was in Singapore during the last weekend for a short holiday. One of the things I always wanted to try was their Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodles. Well this is available in KL actually, namely Thye Hong at Pavilion’s Food Republic but it would be better if I could try a more authentic one.

We went to Geylang to hunt for the famous Swee Guan Fried Hokkien Mee in the afternoon, looking for it at Lorong 29 for nearly an hour only to find it CLOSED. What a waste of time and energy, plus it was raining too!
Since we couldn’t try the hawker version, we decided to try Thye Hong at VivoCity‘s Food Republic instead. Besides Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodles, they also have Fried Koay Teow and Fried Oyster Omelette.

The smallest serving is S$4.50 and the portion is quite large and filling, comes with three moderate sized fresh prawns as well (fresh water ones though). Don’t convert it to RM or you will feel its expensiveness lol. For Singaporeans earning Singapore Dollar, it is considered quite cheap.

It was interesting to see the cooking process because the sequences of preparing a Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle actually starts from frying eggs, chopped garlic and onions, add in the thick stock, followed by noodles then prawns and squids at last.
The seafood is cooked by stirring them slowly in the simmering broth, letting the noodles absorb all the flavors nicely. I read that cubes of lard were one of the ingredients added at first traditionally, but omitted in the later days due to health concerns.

Taste wise I would say it’s pretty good, could be much better if the sambal was a litte more spicier. It somehow lacked the ‘kick’. If a food court can dish out a nice Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee like this, I am sure the hawker version is more satisfying.

And I think the Fried Hokkien Mee at Pavilion’s Thye Hong should more or less taste the same provided the quality control is there. It’s the next best for us who can’t go to Singapore for the real thing.