Top 1 Handmade Noodle at Beauty World Food Centre is highly raved among ban mian fans. I had wanted to give them a try since a long time ago but have always been turned off by the never-ending queue in front of the stall.
Perhaps due to the pandemic, there were a lot less people than usual when I visited the food centre today. What better time to join the queue than now?
But joining the queue is just the first hurdle. I stood in line for about twenty minutes before I finally get to place my order with the female stall helper. After making payment, I was told to wait at one side.
If you are dining in, you will be given a ticket number. It is then another round of waiting for your number to flash on the screen to collect your order (I waited for about another ten odd minutes). If you are taking away, she will call out to you therefore, wait where she could see you.
While waiting, I noticed her accepting phone orders so there may be invisible orders before yours. Manage your expectations regarding the waiting time. Do not join the queue if you are rushing for time. They do not entertain refunds unless the waiting time exceeds thirty minutes.
Looking at the menu, it might be confusing for first timers to place their order. First, you pick your choice of noodle (red column) followed by your soup base (blue column) and your choice of ingredient (green column).
There are quite a number of permutations and the price varies according to your selection.
It came with a bowl of soup served on the side.
Underneath the ban mian is a pool of dark sauce and chili sauce. Apparently, their chili is so potent, only a few drops are added in the plate. Despite that, I can actually feel the heat. The style of their chili sauce actually reminded me very much of Eng's. If you are adventurous for more, be prepared to fork out 30¢ per saucer.
The dark sauce, on the other hand, tastes a tad too sweet.
As for the soup, it is rich but too salty for me.
While the texture of their handmade ban mian is pleasingly chewy, I would prefer it slightly thicker for a more enjoyable mouthfeel.
Perhaps due to the pandemic, there were a lot less people than usual when I visited the food centre today. What better time to join the queue than now?
But joining the queue is just the first hurdle. I stood in line for about twenty minutes before I finally get to place my order with the female stall helper. After making payment, I was told to wait at one side.
If you are dining in, you will be given a ticket number. It is then another round of waiting for your number to flash on the screen to collect your order (I waited for about another ten odd minutes). If you are taking away, she will call out to you therefore, wait where she could see you.
While waiting, I noticed her accepting phone orders so there may be invisible orders before yours. Manage your expectations regarding the waiting time. Do not join the queue if you are rushing for time. They do not entertain refunds unless the waiting time exceeds thirty minutes.
There are quite a number of permutations and the price varies according to your selection.
I ordered the dry ban mian with fish meat ($5). I initially wanted the mee hoon kway but overheard the helper telling the customer before me that they had run out of it.
It was not even noon yet.
It was not even noon yet.
Apart from fish meat, I was surprised to find the usual ban mian ingredients such as pinches of minced meat, sliced mushroom, ikan bilis and chye sim.
It came with a bowl of soup served on the side.
Underneath the ban mian is a pool of dark sauce and chili sauce. Apparently, their chili is so potent, only a few drops are added in the plate. Despite that, I can actually feel the heat. The style of their chili sauce actually reminded me very much of Eng's. If you are adventurous for more, be prepared to fork out 30¢ per saucer.
The dark sauce, on the other hand, tastes a tad too sweet.
As for the soup, it is rich but too salty for me.
While the texture of their handmade ban mian is pleasingly chewy, I would prefer it slightly thicker for a more enjoyable mouthfeel.
The fish meat is fresh without any odor while the juicy sliced mushroom and crunchy ikan bilis provided some contrasting texture. On the other hand, the minced meat is over-seasoned with pepper.
For the price, I feel they could be more generous with the noodle portion. Also, it does not even include an egg which requires an additional 50¢ to top up for.
Personally, this is not value for money for me. Coupled with the long waiting time, I doubt I would return for it anytime soon.
Personally, this is not value for money for me. Coupled with the long waiting time, I doubt I would return for it anytime soon.
TOP 1 HANDMADE NOODLE 一级棒好吃面粉粿
Beauty World Centre
144 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#04-44
Singapore 588177
144 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#04-44
Singapore 588177
Business Hours
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/bGvtSy4apm6j4Kn67