Eng’s Char Siew Wantan Mee: ‘QQ’ wanton noodles

Eng’s Char Siew Wantan Mee has all the hallmarks of a traditional Singaporean hawker stall: Tasty food and proud, hardworking owners who know that their stuff is good.

Here’s the evidence: They sell only wanton mee and nothing else, and they won’t open a minute longer for you. And of course, there is a long waiting time. We recorded a good 45 minutes from the moment we ordered until our dish arrived.

Was the wait worth it? Yes! Eng’s unique rendition of this simple but familiar noodle dish is innovative and, in its own way, very delicious.

One of the best parts is its thicker yet “QQ” (springy) noodles. It is the perfect canvas for the other key ingredient: Eng’s fiery, red-hot chilli sauce.

So red that it almost blends in with the red plastic plate, the chilli is so fiery that it set off a stinging sensation in our mouths. It is also strangely addictive. We subdued the sting with ice-cold drinks, and went back for more. If spice isn’t your thing, you can request a mildly sweet, soya-sauce-based sauce instead.

The dumplings are meaty and compact. We enjoyed five pieces in our dish. Unfortunately, the paper-thin char siew slices are dry and seemed more like an afterthought.

This is definitely the place to go if you want some wanton noodles with a spicy kick. Just be prepared for the wait!