Before “Da Dong Prawn Noodles” moved to Joo Chiat and stole my heart and stomach, it was “Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodles” at Pek Kio Market that ranked as my favourite stall to hit whenever I craved a good bowl of “hae mee” or 虾面. I would brace myself to brave the queue and the elderly lady who takes the orders (she is an interesting character) so as to indulge.
After at least a couple of years of not dining there, I dropped by the stall with my dad a few days ago. To my surprise, there was no queue and the same lady was chatty and full of smiles (“time to buy 4D”, my dad had commented under his breath). So we happily ordered a $5 bowl each. I opted for the dry version as I remember liking the savoury sambal chilli they tossed the noodles in. True enough, that was still shiok but the soup left me less impressed. It struck me as being all about prawns which I’m sure is why many love it, but I felt it tasted pretty one-dimensional personally. Perhaps the main reason for this is because I have gotten used to the thicker, more rounded style of broth at Da Dong’s which is boosted by the sweetness of pork bones as well.
But to be clear, I still found pleasure in my bowl of Wah Kee’s prawn noodles. It was good; just nowhere as mind-blowing as it was for me in the past.