[SG] QQ Noodle House (Bugis)
Sunday, January 01, 2012
First and foremost, wishing all family and friends the best of health and a prosperous New Year! May 2012 be a year rid of natural disasters and more importantly remember to treasure your loved ones.
The festive period over the last week or two had been a crazy stretch for the waistline but it is quite a tedious affair to try and hold back with just about 2 weeks left in Singapore to enjoy the local gourmet. Oh well, dieting can come later.
A street photography outing in the vicinity of Bugis brought us to lunch at QQ Noodle House. Well, the air-condition was the prime reason but more importantly, it offered a quiet resting area away from the buzz of Bugis Village and Junction...talk about claustrophobia acting up.
Homemade Wu Xiang (S$6/-)
Wu Xiang or more commonly known as Ngo Hiang originated from Teochew, Hokkien cuisines. Consisting of minced pork, prawn shaped in a sausage-esque roll and seasoned with five-spice powder, it is rolled inside a beancurd skin and deep fried to the state in the appended photograph. It is usually served with a sweet sauce (think of thai sweet-chili) and/or chili sauce.
The festive period over the last week or two had been a crazy stretch for the waistline but it is quite a tedious affair to try and hold back with just about 2 weeks left in Singapore to enjoy the local gourmet. Oh well, dieting can come later.
A street photography outing in the vicinity of Bugis brought us to lunch at QQ Noodle House. Well, the air-condition was the prime reason but more importantly, it offered a quiet resting area away from the buzz of Bugis Village and Junction...talk about claustrophobia acting up.
Homemade Wu Xiang (S$6/-)
Wu Xiang or more commonly known as Ngo Hiang originated from Teochew, Hokkien cuisines. Consisting of minced pork, prawn shaped in a sausage-esque roll and seasoned with five-spice powder, it is rolled inside a beancurd skin and deep fried to the state in the appended photograph. It is usually served with a sweet sauce (think of thai sweet-chili) and/or chili sauce.
(+) Very crispy on the surface due to the thin layer of beancurd skin, fried to golden brown.
(+) Minced meat was very soft but not mashy and complemented the crispy skin very well.
(+) Amount of minced meat was very generous and snugly packed within the beancurd skin.
(+) Particularly enjoyed the crunchiness from the bits of water chestnut in the minced meat.
(+) Valued for money for the quality and portion size.
Verdict: 9.0/10
QQ House Specialty - Dry (S$5/-)
(+) Noodles were very bouncy and definitely lived up to its 'QQ' name.
(+) Perfectly cooked to al dente, which contributed to the 'QQ-ness' of noodles.
(-) Pale looking dish presented in an unappetizing manner.
(-) Only 1 fishball, 1 meatball, few slices of char siew, 2 wantons with minimal minced meat.
(-) Though soft in texture, fishball was the yielding, inelastic sort and not-bouncy.
(-) Meatball tasted like those frozen ones bought from supermarkets.
(-) Char Siew was very dry, tasteless and did not seem like it was roasted.
(-) The wantons had almost no fillings and were mere dumpling skin.
(-) The soup was MSG loaded, and the noodles seemed MSG infused too.
(-) Dry aftertaste when we left and was very thirsty for water.
Verdict: 7.0/10 (Worthy try only if you don't mind paying $5 for noodles)
Fried Ramen (S$5.50/-)
(-) Noodles were slightly hard.
(-) Taste-wise, similar to your local Char Kway Teow, without the flat noodles.
(-) Very mediocre despite being a featured dish.
It was not a terrible plate of noodles but it was not good either.
Verdict: 6.5/10
Prices reflected on the menu were nett and there was no GST nor service charge being levied on the bill which was a plus.
Service: When we were outside the restaurant browsing the menu, a very passionate waitress came out and attended to us and tried to recommend their signature dishes to us. It was definitely good customer service. When we wanted a table with cushion seats and backrest (but it had not been cleaned up yet), she cleaned it promptly and kept apologizing.
Ordering of food had to be done via filling in a simple form indicating the item no. and quantity and tendered to the cashier on your own. When ready, food would be served to your table.
The chili and soy sauce counter was located in the middle of the restaurant and diners are expected to scoop your own. This was acceptable as no service charge was levied. A minus though when I wanted some green chilis and container was empty. One of the waitress took the tub away and merely commented to me, 'No more already...' Well I was really expecting her to bring out some fresh chilis, but I could live with that.
The Bugis district is generally popular with teenagers and crowded with shoppers and commuters alike. If you are looking for a resting corner amidst the busy area, then this simply decorated noodle house might be a good option. Some hits and misses with the dishes like any restaurant, but the abundance in MSG might keep me away for some time yet.
QQ Noodle House
231 Victoria Street, Bugis Village
Singapore 188025
Tel: (+65) 6336 2698
Opening hours: Daily: 11am - 11pm
Song of the moment: 'Learn Chinese by MC Jin
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