September 2024 Wrap-Up – What Else Did I Eat This Month?

For the past two months, I’ve been covering noodle dishes I think has potential and want you to try out. Butt before we draw September to a close, I’ve been to a couple of places this month that didn’t exactly make the cut to be part of any full-length reviews, but hold some slight potential that I hope to revisit someday to see if they have improved or not. I really wanted to like these places but due to various circumstances as you’ll find out soon enough, I find it a little challenging to recommend them for anyone who might want to find a noodle shop that’s easily accessible.

If you have been following me on my Instagram account, you know that I’ve covered dishes exclusively on the platform. I’ve sort of covered mazesoba in one of my IG Stories, but that’ll be a post I have in store in the near future. With these musings out of the way, let’s dive right in to noodle stores I’ve visited this September.

Place #1: Sunny Fishball Noodle

What I Got: Kway Teow Fishball Noodle Soup ($4.50, Soup)

Got this for lunch after a productive writing session at a cafe nearby, and this bowl of fishball noodles is as average as it gets at this price point. The noodles, the soup, the ingredients and garnishes all play its role as they are, but nothing noteworthy to dedicate the extra ‘omph’ factor to make me return for a second time. But if you’re hungry and you want a quick meal nearby, then the fishball noodles at Sunny Fishball Noodles serves its purpose to keep your tummy from growling further.

Address & Opening Hours:

Address:
12 Sixth Ave, Singapore 276475
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun, 6am to 4pm

Place #2: Cuo Cuo You Yu Bak Chor Mee

What I Got: Signature Bak Chor Mee ($6.00, Soup)

I really wanted to like these noodles.

What stopped me from posting a separate review of Cuo Cuo You Yu was the noodles, which I have a difficult finishing. Something feels off about them, and the sauce was unable to improve its taste to a standard that displays its greatest strength to the fullest.

In all honesty, the soup was a lot more palatable than the noodles even if the ingredients included was quite unorthodox (you tiao in BCM or fishball noodles, anyone?). I’m not a fan of cabbage in lighter soups, since it absorbs flavors easily that leaves the remaining soup bland, tasting more or less like plain hot water. As I mentioned earlier, the noodles left a lot to be desired, but until I return to this place again to try the other items of their menu that doesn’t make me want to contemplate about the meaning of life, then it will stay where it is for now.

Time will tell whether if the other items on the menu would prove my first impressions wrong.

Address & Opening Hours

Address:
Kopitiam Square
10 Sengkang Square, Singapore 544829
Opening Hours:
Open 24 hours

Place #3: Ah Yan Wanton Noodles & Fishball Noodles

What I Got: Putian Spare Ribs Noodle Soup ($5.00)

This one turned out to be a complete surprise, and it did not disappoint, aside from the fact that the shade of the soup from the menu didn’t match what I was actually given. Thought they were going to serve a lighter soup ala tonkotsu ramen, but it turned out more like bak kuh teh noodles in reality. Still, never judge a book by its cover, and what you see is what you get. It’s a steal when a bowl of pork rib noodles from a food court at Chang Cheng’s HQ costs only $5 after being so used to ramen restaurants in Singapore charging exuberant fees.

Jam packed with plenty of flavours with a slight herbal finish, the soup was well-rounded that isn’t pretentious one bit. The noodles in the bowl, while plain at first glance, balanced the soup well like yin and yang with the bok choi/xiao bai cai able to contribute a tinge of lightness and freshness like the icing on a cake. Would I return for another bowl again? I would return on all fronts, if not for being located in the middle of an industrial estate in Woodlands which will take a while considering traveling time.

Address & Opening Hours

Address:
Chang Cheng HQ Food Court
27 Woodlands Link, Singapore 738732
Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm
Closed on Sat and Sun