Bukit Ho Swee Charcoal Curry Fish Head

The 3rd outlet of Bukit Ho Swee Charcoal Curry Fish Head has officially made its way to the West. With its 1st outlet in Yishun and 2nd in Waterloo, the latest addition at Bukit Batok brings this well-known heritage brand closer to us. Having never visited any of their outlets before, this new and easily accessible location gave us the perfect reason to finally head down and experience their famous charcoal curry fish head for ourselves.

Charcoal Curry Fish Head

Priding themselves as Singapore’s very first Charcoal Claypot Curry Fish Head, it gave us yet another reason to check them out. During our visit, the coffeeshop was buzzing with activity, and almost 80% of the tables had Bukit Ho Swee Charcoal Curry Fish Head claypots sitting proudly in front of diners, a clear sign of its popularity.

Instead of the fish head, we opted for their Curry Fish Tail as it is known to be meatier and easier to enjoy. The Fish Tail is only available in Mangrove Jack, while the Fish Head offers a choice between Mangrove Jack and Hong Ji Fish, giving diners a little more variety depending on their preference.

Claypot Curry Fish Tail 砂煲咖喱鱼尾 - $35

Served bubbling hot in the charcoal-heated claypot, the curry released an inviting aroma of spices and coconut richness the moment it arrived at our table. The fragrance carried a subtle smokiness from the charcoal, adding an extra depth that made it feel more robust and comforting compared to the usual versions.

The Mangrove Jack Fish Tail was indeed meatier, with thick, firm chunks that held up well in the rich curry gravy. The flesh was tender and flaky, absorbing the curry beautifully while retaining its natural sweetness. Each bite was satisfying without being overly fishy.

One of the starring components was the generous amount of fried bean curd skin scattered throughout the claypot. These golden sheets soaked up the curry like a sponge, turning soft and flavourful while still retaining slight texture in some parts. It added an extra layer of enjoyment, making every scoop of the curry feel more indulgent and complete.

Fish Tail

The Vietnamese Style Fried Prawn Ball turned out to be more of a stir-fried preparation rather than deep-fried as expected. It immediately reminded us of the familiar Hong Kong style Kam Heong, as the prawn balls were tossed together with fragrant curry leaves and sliced onions in a savoury, slightly sweet sauce. The aroma was enticing, with the curry leaves adding a distinctive fragrance that elevated the dish. The prawn balls themselves were plump and bouncy, coated well in the sauce, making it a flavourful companion to the meal.

Vietnamese Style Fried Prawn Ball 越式炒虾球 - $18

While the menu only featured Sambal Sweet Potato Leaves, we made a special request for the garlic version instead, since the curry fish tail was already rich and spicy. This turned out to be a good decision. The vegetables dish was homely and simple, allowing the natural freshness of the sweet potato leaves to shine. Lightly cooked to retain its vibrant green colour and tender texture, it was complemented by the fragrance of crispy garlic bits sprinkled on top. It provided a comforting and balanced contrast to the heavier dishes on the table.

Sweet Potatoes Leaves with Garlic 蒜蓉番薯叶 - $8

Overall, our first visit to Bukit Ho Swee Charcoal Curry Fish Head at Bukit Batok was an enjoyable and satisfying one. The charcoal claypot curry fish tail delivered the rich, comforting flavours we were hoping for, and the supporting dishes complemented the meal well. Seeing how popular the stall was with the steady crowd is definitely a good sign of its consistency and appeal. There are still many other dishes on the menu that caught our attention, and we will certainly be back again to explore more of what they have to offer.

Bukit Ho Swee Charcoal Curry Fish Head
Location: 272 Bukit Batok East Ave 4, Singapore 650272

Ah Huat Hokkien Prawn Mee (Bukit Batok)

Ah Huat Hokkien Mee has a few outlets, and we visited the one in Bukit Batok. For those who love chasing good CKT and HKM, you’ve probably heard of them by now. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stall is run by a passionate team you wouldn’t typically expect behind a Hokkien Mee wok proof that great food knows no boundaries.

Ah Huat Hokkien Prawn Mee (Bukit Batok)

While the stall is known for its Hokkien Mee, ordering a plate feels almost mandatory for a proper taste test. Presentation was inviting with a good mix of bee hoon and yellow noodles soaking up the thick, flavourful broth. A generous mound of crispy pork lard was tucked neatly at the side, a must-have finishing touch.

Hokkien Prawn Mee

While Bukit Batok already has its fair share of popular Hokkien Prawn Mee stalls, this plate was satisfying and met the mark for a solid, baseline HKM. That said, my personal preference still leans toward another stall within the neighbourhood.

Hokkien Prawn Mee

As for the Char Kway Teow, it came well-coated in a sweet, savoury sauce. Though tasty, it lacked the ‘wok hei’ that would have taken the dish to the next level.

Char Kway Teow

While my friend opted for the Fried Prawn instead of the Fried Oyster, I still found the pairing of prawns with crispy starch and egg a little unusual. The combination just wasn’t to my liking.

Fried Prawn

There were hits and misses, and to be honest, Ah Huat Hokkien Prawn Mee at Bukit Batok wouldn’t be my first choice when I’m craving Hokkien Mee, Char Kway Teow, or even their fried prawn.

Rating: 3 / 5

Ah Huat Hokkien Prawn Mee (Bukit Batok)
Location: Blk 451 Bukit Batok West Ave 6 #01-11 Singapore 650451

Ju Bao Xuan

Steamed seafood dishes have been trending lately, with more stalls focusing on serving steamed fish at attractive prices. In fact, there’s been a surge of such stalls everywhere. 

Menu

Menu

Even my favourite White Bee Hoon stall has transformed into a steamed fish stall after the coffeeshop’s renovation.

Stall of Ju Bao Xuan

We ordered two sets of fish, topped up with additional clams and prawns. Each set comes with one side dish by default. It’s great that they offer a variety of sides to choose from, including refreshing cucumber sticks, Hong Kong–style bean sprouts, Hong Kong–style baby bok choy, and steamed egg.

2 Set of Dishes

The Bean Paste Steamed Seabass was fairly average. We topped up the meal with a prawn at $1.50, only to realise it was just a single piece. While the sauce did complement the seabass, the portion felt rather meagre.

Bean Paste Steamed Seabass - $7.90 + $150

We also had the Teochew-Style Steamed Seabass Set, topped up with lala for an additional $1.50. The steamed fish came with the usual Teochew staples, salted vegetables, tofu, plum, and tomato. While the ingredients were classic, I found the dish overall to be on the saltier side. Unfortunately, the lala was rather disappointing, with sand and cracked shells throughout.

Teochew Style Steamed Seabass Set - $7.90 + $1.50

For our sides, we both chose steamed egg, unfortunately, another let-down. The eggs turned out hard rather than soft and silky, falling short of the texture we expected. Overall, it wasn’t a good experience compared with similar offerings from other competitors in the market.

Steamed Egg

Compared to what I’ve had from other stalls, this would be my least preferred so far. I don’t see myself returning anytime soon.

Ju Bao Xuan
Location: Happy Hawkers, 632 Bukit Batok Central, Singapore 650632

Swatow City

Visiting Swatow again, but this time with a twist for which every Wednesday night, Swatow City @ Bukit Batok HomeTeamNS hosts open mic sessions from 6.30–9.30pm. 🎤

HomeTeamNS

Swatow City is located on the 2nd level of the club, welcoming guests with a glamorous entrance framed by warm lighting and an inviting archway. 

Entrance

We settled ourselves down and were served with the nicely packed chrysanthemum drinks packed by the restaurant in a nice bottle.

Chrysanthemum Drinks

We began with the Teochew Specialities Trio Combination Platter, a must-try at any Teochew restaurant. It featured Chilled Jellied Pork Knuckles, Crispy-Fried Handmade Prawn Roll, and the unique Crispy-Fried Pork Liver Roll, each showcasing the essence of traditional Teochew flavors. The platter was accompanied by sweet sauce and chilli sauce on the side, perfect for enhancing the flavors of each bite.

Teochew Specialities Trio Combination Platter 潮州三彩拼盘 - $32

Skipping the rice for carbs, we opted for Ee Fu Noodles instead. Despite its simplicity with mushrooms, beansprouts, and chives, the noodles were undeniably delicious, carrying that comforting wok-kissed flavor in every bite.

Ee Fu Noodle with Mushroom

Here comes a series of chef’s specials. The Braised Pork Ribs with Bitter Gourd in Preserved Black Bean Sauce brought a familiar comfort, reminiscent of classic Cze Char dishes found in the heartlands. The flavors were well-balanced, not overly salty, making it enjoyable even on its own without white rice.

Braised Pork Ribs with Bitter Gourd in Preserved Black Bean Sauce 鼓汁凉瓜排骨 - $23

Besides the array of tantalising dishes, the highlight is also the Open Mic Session every Wednesday, where diners can dedicate songs and sing over the microphone, adding a lively and engaging touch to the dining experience.

Open Mic Session Every Wednesday

Sichuan Chicken with Dry Red Chilli came with crunchy cashew nuts and carried a savoury kick. It wasn’t overly spicy, though the flavours could have been more deeply infused into the meat.

Sichuan Chicken with Dry Red Chilli 官保鸡球 - $23

Next up, the Prawns with Creamy Lime Sauce, juicy battered prawns, deep-fried to golden crisp, then coated in a rich, tangy lime sauce and finished with a sprinkle of roasted sesame for extra fragrance.

Prawns with Creamy Lime Sauce 西柠奶油下 - $24

Crispy Fish Coated with Sweet Golden Syrup, this dish instantly reminded me of a Chinese New Year snack. If I wasn’t told it was fish, I could have mistaken it for the familiar syrup-coated treat, with its addictive crunch and caramelised sweetness.

Crispy Fish Coated with Sweet Golden Syrup 酥烤鱼柳（四川） - $20

Stewed Eggplant with Sambal Chilli, a comforting dish that evoked a nostalgic taste of home-cooked food, with tender eggplant soaking up the spicy, savoury sambal.

Stewed Eggplant with Sambal Chilli 辣味茄子 - $18

Stewed French Beans with Minced Meat (Sichuan Style) – a delightful dish with a sweet and tangy balance, appetising with every bite.

Stewed French Beans with Minced Meat (Sichuan Style) 干扁四季豆 （四川）- $18

Overall, these were the dishes we ordered, a delightful spread with a good balance of noodles, vegetables, seafood, and meat dishes.

Dishes Order

No meal feels complete without desserts. We ended with the Teochew staple, Orh Nee with pumpkin and ginkgo nuts not too sweet, just to our liking

Teochew Orh Nee with Pumpkin & Gingko Nuts 潮州金瓜白果芋泥

We also shared the Fresh Mango & Pomelo Sago, a refreshing and satisfying way to complete the meal.

Fresh Mango & Pomelo Sago 金枝玉露

With Chef Specials featuring both Teochew and Sichuan dishes, plus an open mic on Wednesdays, it’s no wonder the place draws a crowd.

Swatow City 
Location: Bukit Batok HomeTeamNS, 2 Bukit Batok West Ave 7, #02-05 , Singapore 659003

Legend Wonton Mee (Bukit Batok)

I was thrilled to see Legend Wanton Mee open in Bukit Batok. I arrived at 7 AM and waited 20 minutes for the stall to open and start taking orders.

Legend Wanton Mee

The menu is fairly straightforward, featuring their signature wanton mee in both dry and soup versions. For dumpling lovers, the noodles are also available dry or in soup. You’ll also find classic sides like vegetables, wanton soup, dumpling soup, and crispy fried wantons.

Menu

The Signature Dry Wanton Mee was a delight, served with three plump wantons, slices of lean char siew, and blanched greens. Presented in an old-school metal plate alongside a comforting bowl of soup, it carried a touch of nostalgia.

Signature Dry Wanton Mee - $5.50

The noodles were springy with a pleasant chew, well-coated in a flavorful mix of sauce and seasonings that made them delicious on their own. The Hong Kong–style blanched greens, briefly soaked in seasoning before being placed on the plate, added a simple yet savory touch.

Close up

The char siew boasted a beautifully caramelised outer layer that gave a gentle sweetness with every bite, while its lean cut offered a clean, meaty chew that paired perfectly with the noodles.

Char Siew

Overall, it was a simple yet satisfying bowl of wanton mee, with each element, from the springy noodles to the lean char siew and seasoned greens, coming together in comforting harmony.

Legend Wonton Mee (Bukit Batok)
Location: Blk 177 Bukit Batok West Ave. 8, Singapore 650177

老招牌云吞面 Wantan Noodle

Besides the popular Jue Yan Lor Mee at Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre, Lao Zhao Pai Wantan Noodle stands out as another must-try gem for noodle lovers.

Wantan Noodle 

Let’s uncover what makes this “old signboard” wantan noodle special. We went for Set A, which includes five pieces of crispy fried wanton, a bowl of comforting soup with wantans, and their Signature Wanton Noodle topped with another crispy wanton. Dipping the fried wantons into the thousand island sauce was a game-changer, definitely yummy and satisfying!

Signature Wanton Noodle + Fried Wanton (5pcs) - $6.20

The Signature Wantan Noodle was a solid pick, springy noodles topped with slices of char siew and fresh greens. Toss it all together with the savory sauce and spring onions, and you’ve got a comforting bowl full of texture and flavor.

 Signature Wanton Noodle (Dry) - $4.50

I wouldn’t mind coming back for another bowl of their wantan mee, satisfying, flavorful, and just the kind of comfort food that keeps you craving more.

老招牌云吞面 Wantan Noodle
Location: Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre, 469 Bukit Batok West Ave 9, #01-06 , Singapore 650469

Feng Wei Ngoh Hiang

While crowds swarmed the newly opened hawker centre, I found myself joining the hype. I made my way to a Ngoh Hiang stall tucked in the far end corner, drawn in by the display of traditional Chinese prawn crackers and satay. Something about its old-school vibe and simple setup felt promising enough to give it a go.

Stall of Feng Wei Ngoh Hiang 

The items weren’t exactly cheap, totaling nearly $20 for sharing. To make matters worse, the taste and quality fell short of expectations. We enjoyed a delightful selection of dishes, including Century Egg, Otah Fish Cake, Spring Rolls, Prawn Crackers, Fritters, and Octopus. Each dish brought its own unique flavors to the table, making for a memorable meal.

Our Selection

Pairing our chosen dishes with two plates of fried bee hoon turned out to be the worst decision. The texture and taste of the bee hoon were all off, it was incredibly bland and lacked any flavor. In hindsight, I couldn't help but think that I should have opted for the bee hoon from the Bee Hoon Stall just a few shops down instead.

With Bee Hoon

Unfortunately, this stall is getting my ultimatum. It will be my first and last time patronizing it.

Rating: 2.5 / 5

Feng Wei Ngoh Hiang
Location: Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre, 469 Bukit Batok West Ave 9, #01-11, Singapore 650469

Jue Yan Lor Mee

The latest buzz in Bukit Batok West revolves around the newly opened Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre. With its spacious and well-ventilated layout, the place is bustling with activity. Could it be the novelty drawing the crowd?

I’ve heard good things about the Lor Mee here, and it’s one dish I can’t wait to try when I visit.

No doubt, Lor Mee remains a traditional dish, but over the years, we’ve seen it evolve with various creative pairings, Chicken Cutlet, Cod Fish, Fried Yam, and even all-Fish options. These variations align with modern food trends, giving consumers like us more choices to enjoy while keeping the essence of this classic dish alive.

Stall of Jue Yan Lor Mee

We opted for the signature bowl of Lor Mee, which came with fish, braised pork, and egg, a comforting combination. The condiments, including garlic, vinegar, and Chinese parsley, were self-service, allowing diners to customize their bowl to their liking.

The braised sauce had just the right consistency, not overly gooey, making each bite delightful. The mix of fish chunks and shredded meat added both texture and flavor, making the dish all the more appetizing.

Signature Lor Mee - $5.50

If you're in Bukit Batok West and craving a decent bowl of Lor Mee, this is definitely one to check out!

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Jue Yan Lor Mee
Location: Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre, 469 Bukit Batok West Ave 9, #01-03, Singapore 650469

Born Hokkien Prawn Mee

A new contender has emerged in Bukit Batok's vibrant Hokkien Mee scene with the arrival of Born Hokkien Prawn Mee. This addition will surely stir up competition among local favourites, adding even more excitement to the district's culinary offerings.

Born Hokkien Prawn Mee

The portions at Born Hokkien Prawn Mee are available in Small ($6), Medium ($8), and Large ($10). For those looking to enhance their meal, additional toppings such as Sotong, Prawns, or Pork Belly can be added for just $2 each.

Buzzer

Previously, we tried the takeaway version of Born Hokkien Prawn Mee, but this time, we decided to visit and enjoy it freshly served on the spot. The Hokkien Mee has garnered positive reviews, and I must say it does have its unique appeal compared to other options in Bukit Batok. Its style leans towards a more traditional flavor, with a robust prawn stock that stands out.

Hokkien Prawn Mee - $6

Not only does it boast a traditional flavor, but it also comes in a generous portion. Each serving includes three prawns, squid, pork belly, and delightful fried pork lard cubes that add an extra burst of flavor and texture.

Pork Lard

With the variety of Hokkien Mee styles available in the Bukit Batok area, it’s clear that each plate offers its own unique take on this beloved dish. If you’re craving a Hokkien Prawn Mee that leans towards a traditional vibe, Born Hokkien Prawn Mee is sure to hit the spot.

Ingredients of HKM

Other Hokkien Mee in Bukit Batok that worth your calories:

1. Mian Wang 1971 面王一九七一
2. The Neighbourwok
3. 777 Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee

Rating: 4 / 5

Born Hokkien Prawn Mee
Location: 324 Bukit Batok Street 33, #01-31, Singapore 650324