Nam Seng - Old National Library Wanton Mee @ 25 China Street

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Update: Nam Seng is permanently closed.

Recently, misstamchiak posted on her instagram about this Nam Seng Wanton Mee which used to be from the hut under the big tree beside the old National Library at Stamford Road.

Well, the old National Library is no stranger to all Singaporeans since it was, if I am not mistaken, our very first public library that has been around since the 1960s. I have a direct bus from my place to Orchard Road which passes by Stamford Road so I have passed by the library with its iconic red bricks countless of times.

However, watching the library and the hut pass me by from inside the bus is all there is of the memories I have had of them. I have not stepped into the library or eaten at the hut before and I will never have the chance to since both have already been torn down for redevelopment in 2004.

As I am a ardent fan of old school wanton mee, I thought why not pay a visit to the stall at its current location at 25 China Street? 

You know, for nostalgia's sake?

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Popo is friendlier than she looks

Upon reaching the shop, I see an old lady sitting right in front at the counter who shouts my order to the ladies behind her who promptly prepared my noodles while she collects the payment from me. 

Quite evidently, you can tell who's boss here.

Within a few minutes, I collected my noodles, thanked popo and proceeded to have my noodles but I realized that there are no seating arrangements inside the shop.

Do not fret, however, because there are a row of tables by the side of the building where you can have your wanton mee alfresco-styled.

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At first glance, the wanton mee seemed very plain and unassuming but looks can be deceiving.

After some tossing, a concoction of soy sauce with oil and probably some secret seasonings which gave the mee kia its unique flavors was revealed underneath. The thicker than usual mee kia were springy without clumping together.

The mee kia actually reminded me of those from Ji Ji though I enjoyed Nam Seng's version more. The savory sauce coating the mee kia were simple yet very comforting.

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As for the char siew, they were the lean and dry type but at least they were not paper thin. In fact, I think they were quite generous with the char siew

Served in the soup were four well-seasoned juicy wantons that is a mix of lean and fatty minced pork but they were a little puny though.

This is a rather satisfying plate of wanton mee and even though I find the $5 price tag slightly high, I guess people still find the old school taste worth it.

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The old national Library (link)


NAM SENG WANTON MEE 南生云吞面
25 China Street
#01-01
Far East Square
Singapore 049567

Business Hours
Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm
Sat: 8am - 3pm
Sun: Closed

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/qvhEiyeyQ892
GPS Coordinates: 1.2834779,103.8456023

NAM SENG WANTON MEE 南生云吞面
Che Kitchen by 車老闆
1008A Toa Payoh North
Singapore 318998

Business Hours
Mon - Sat: 8am - 2pm
Closed: Sun

Website: https://www.namsengnoodles.com

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/qvhEiyeyQ892


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