A bowl of instant noodle soup with a poached egg is really satisfying. When I was a kid, instant noodles was a ‘luxury’. My parents never allowed me to have too much of them, because of the amount of msg found in the packet of seasoning. When I did have it, it’s usually as a ‘reward’.

Even today, I still crave for instant noodles occasionally, but I always wished that it was “healthier”. I usually sate my cravings at Hai Xian Zhu Zhou, which has two outlets — one in Bukit Panjang, and the other in Yishun.

One might think that the place sells mainly porridge. They do, but that isn’t what is usually ordered. Instead, many opt for the instant noodles. The stall uses the ‘Koka’ brand instant noodles, hence the name Koka noodles, or ‘ke kou mian’.

The ordering process at Hai Xian Zhu Zhou is simple. Choose your preferred soup broth(seafood, pork, tom yum or spicy) and pick your choice of noodles. If you’re not a big fan of instant noodles, you can also opt for ee mee, sheng mian, bee hoon and even mee sua. You’ll then get a queue number, so wait patiently for your number to be flashed on the screen, before you make your way to the stall to collect your noodles.

We tried the Pork Koka Noodles ($3.50) and Tom Yum Koka Noodles ($3.70). We added an egg($0.50) into each bowl.

The pork broth isn’t as salty as what you’d get from a soup that’s made with the regular seasoning packet that comes in every pack of instant noodles. The soup packs a good amount of flavour and grew on me gradually. A bite of noodles, some minced meat, bits of egg, and a spoonful of broth — doesn’t that just sound so satisfying?

Similar to the pork broth, the tom yum broth isn’t too salty as well. The soup does pack a bit of heat, but isn’t as strong as what you’ll get from authentic tom yum soup. It isn’t as sour either.

Both bowls of noodles came with a generous serving of sliced pork, minced meat, vegetables, as well as pork liver. I thoroughly enjoyed the pork liver, which wasn’t sandy and overcooked, but chewy and tender.

Although cooking instant noodles at home is a cheaper alternative, you wouldn’t be able to get the delicate homecooked broth that you can get here.  

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

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