Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Fish Ball Noodles

Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Fish Ball Noodles

Fish Ball Noodles

Nothing was sponsored, we visited as regular paying customers. Photos in this post were taken between 2000 and 2023 (across 23 years!), as such, the quality of photos varies drastically due to advances in camera technology. Mobile smartphones were in their infancy and had yet to become widespread.

Also Known As:
Fish Ball Noodles, Teochew Fishball Mee, Mee Pok Tar

Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $3 - $10

List in alphabetical order - click the links to jump to entry

1. 132 Traditional Teochew Noodles
2. Ah Ma Chi Mian
3. Ah Ter Teochew Fishball Noodles
4. AMK House Of Teochew Noodle
5. Chop Joo Hiong Noodles
6. Fa Ji Minced Meat Fishball Noodle
7. Finest SongKee's Cuisine
8. Fishball Story
9. Hock Seng Choon Fish Ball Kway Teow Mee
10. Hong Xing Handmade Fish Ball & Meat Ball Noodle
11. Hui Ji Fishball Noodles & Yong Tau Foo
12. Jalan Tua Kong Ah Lim Mee Pok Noodle
13. Lau Pa Sat Teochew Fishball Minced Meat Noodle
14. Li Xin Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle
15. Ming Fa
16. Orh-Kee Noodles
17. Original Botanical Garden Famous Fishball Noodle
18. Seng Huat Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle
19. Song Kee Fish Ball Noodle / Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle Soup
20. Xin Lu Teo Chew Fishball Noodle
21. Yong Kee Famous Fish Ball Noodle
~~Blue Star Fishball Minced Meat Noodle~~
~~Chia Keng Kway Teow Mee~~
~~Fu Cheng Teochew Fishball Noodle~~
~~Handmade Fishball Noodles~~
~~Heng Heng Fishball Noodle~~
~~Jia Jia Le~~
~~Million Fishball Noodle~~
~~Noodle Village~~
~~Yan Kee Noodle House~~

.....

Description:
The Fish Ball Noodles is a Singaporean Chinese dish that contains more than just fish balls and noodles, but also includes sliced fish cake, lettuce, bean sprouts, and fish dumplings, served in either a soup or dry manner; with the dry version being more common. Also known as Teochew Fishball Mee, or Mee Pok Tar, the Fish Ball Noodles dish is usually priced around SGD $3 to $10 per serving. It's a typical comfort dish that is popular, commonly eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The Fish Ball Noodles dry version is prepared Chinese Teochew style, with your choice of noodles tossed in a thin piquant gravy of vegetable oil or fried pork lard cracklings, light soy sauce, and sambal belachan / dried shrimp chili paste; black vinegar or fish sauce is sometimes added. The result is a decadent oily savoury salty spicy flavour profile to the gravy. The common choice of noodles is either al-dente chewy mee pok / wide flat egg noodles, which picks up the gravy beautifully; or springy bouncy mee kia / long thin egg noodles, which lends good body to mouthfeel.

The key ingredient in Fish Ball Noodles is the fish balls, made from a minced fish (either yellowtail amberjack fish, dorab wolf-herring fish, or Spanish mackerel fish) mixed with salt and either tapioca starch or corn starch, made into a ball-shaped surimi paste, then boiled. The same process is also adopted to make the fish cakes, except the surimi paste is oblong-shaped instead. The fish balls and fish cakes both have a springy bouncy chew to texture, with mild fishy sweet savoury salty flavour. Other common garnishing for a bowl of Fish Ball Noodles include crisp lettuce and crisp bean sprouts, both with vegetal sweet flavour. Other garnishing may also be added depending on the stall, the most common include fresh spring onions, minced pork, pork meat balls, her giao / fish dumplings, deshelled prawns / shrimp, or fried shallots.

The soup / broth that accompanies Fish Ball Noodles is typically made by slow stewing chicken bones and anchovies for hours, though some stalls also add dried sole fish. The warm soup / broth is traditionally served clear, though stalls nowadays usually add garnishes of minced pork, seaweed, or spring onions. While generally appearing to be a light, healthy, clean meal, Fish Ball Noodles usually carry a high salt content, and is best eaten in moderation.

.....

1. 132 Traditional Teochew Noodles
@ 59 Marine Terrace #01-105
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 7am – 3:15pm, Closed Mon

Taken in 2012

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $5.50) @ 132 Traditional Teochew Noodles.

Now into the 54th year since their founding in 1969, this renowned stall is helmed by the 2nd generation owners, a proud Chinese Teochew bastion where they insist on using the freshest ingredients.

That pride also translates into a respectable wait, as each bowl is prepared to order, taking around 5 minutes or so per bowl. Expect to queue for at least 20 minutes.

Portions are generous, and the mee pok / wide flat egg noodles are properly al-dente, with their secret chili lending a savoury salty spicy kick, and just enough oil to prevent sticking.

The freshness of the minced pork shines with meaty sweet savoury notes, while the crisp bean sprouts lend a hint of vegetal sweet flavour. The bouncy fish balls and springy fish cake carry mild savoury sweet flavour.

Completed with slippery her giao / fish dumpling, and a warm soup on the side.

.....

2. Ah Ma Chi Mian
@ Bukit Panjang Plaza, 1 Jelebu Road #01-58
Opening Hours: Daily 9am – 9pm

@ 684 Hougang Avenue 8 #01-967
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $5.80) @ Ah Ma Chi Mian.

This brand is among the most recent noodle contenders, having opened in March 2020.

Known for their hand made fish balls, springy with a light sweet salty savoury flavour. Served in a savoury salty soup with tender minced pork and crisp cabbage, lending meaty vegetal sweet savoury notes.

The mee pok / wide flat egg noodles are served on the side, having a gentle soft chew and a bright spicy savoury kick from the chili.

.....

3. Ah Ter Teochew Fishball Noodles
@ Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road #01-14
Opening Hours: Mon - Thu 7am – 8pm, Fri - Sun 7am – 3pm

Taken in 2021

Taken in 2021

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $5) @ Ah Ter Teochew Fishball Noodles.

Grew fond of their rendition when I worked nearby in the early 2000s. Established since 1958 and now in the hands of 3rd generation owner (Gilbert, voted most handsome hawker in 2005).

The chewy mee pok / wide flat egg noodles are served in a house special sauce made with 7 ingredients, including fresh fried pork lard, shallots, black vinegar, tomato ketchup, and chili. Results in a bold sweet spicy sour savoury salty flavour.

The hand made pacific saury fish balls and fish cakes are softly bouncy, with mild sweet savoury flavour. Bits of fresh cabbage with vegetal sweet notes, and tender minced pork with meaty savoury sweet flavour, round out the dish.

.....

4. AMK House Of Teochew Noodle
@ 965 Upper Serangoon Road
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours

Taken in 2011

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $4) @ AMK House Of Teochew Noodle.

This dinner / supper spot is often frequented thanks to its opening hours.

The noodles tend towards the softer side, but portions are generous. The fish balls are springy with mild savoury sweet salty flavour.

I especially love their soft soy braised shiitake mushrooms, juicy with robust vegetal salty earthy savoury flavour. They also stand apart for their use of chewy sliced mock abalone, lending a sweet savoury note.

.....

5. Chop Joo Hiong Noodles
@ Chop Joo Hiong Eating House, 237 Serangoon Avenue 3 #01-130
Opening Hours: Thu - Tue 6:30am – 3pm, Closed Wed

Taken in 2010

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $3.50) @ Chop Joo Hiong Noodles.

Memories of childhood here, with their rich tomato ketchup laced gravy, bold with vegetal sweet savoury flavour.

The mee pok / wide flat egg noodles have a more chewy texture than elsewhere, and crisp lettuce lends a bright vegetal sweet freshness.

The bouncy fish balls and springy fish cakes are decent, with sweet savoury flavour. I like the addition of a bit of minced pork, tender with meaty sweet savoury flavour.

.....

6. Fa Ji Minced Meat Fishball Noodle
@ Kovan 209 Market And Food Centre, 209 Hougang Street 21 #01-05
Opening Hours: Thu - Tue 8am – 7pm, Closed Wed

Taken in 2012

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $4) @ Fa Ji Minced Meat Fishball Noodle.

Several things stand out in their rendition.

The gravy, slick with pork lard, light soy sauce, black vinegar, and chili, coats the soft mee pok / wide flat egg noodles well, lending robust savoury salty spicy flavour.

The tender soy braised shiitake mushrooms, juicy and vegetal salty earthy savoury in taste.

The bouncy fish balls and springy fish cake have a light savoury sweet flavour with a hint of vegetal fishy notes, yum.

Bits of tender minced pork with meaty sweet savoury flavour, and crisp spring onions with vegetal herbal sweet notes, complete the dish.

.....

7. Finest SongKee's Cuisine
@ 532 Upper Serangoon Road
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 2pm, 6:30pm – 1am

Taken in 2013

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $6.50) @ Finest SongKee's Cuisine.

Helmed by the former-owner's cousin, Chua Chin Heng, this stall opened in September 2016, but is the spiritual successor of the famed brand.

Renowned for their hand made fish-based ingredients, formed and shaped using yellowtail amberjack fish, their springy fish balls and succulent her giao / fish dumplings carry mild meaty sweet salty savoury flavour.

There's fish paste stuffed dried beancurd skin, spongy and soft, picking up the flavours of the gravy. And tender minced pork, with meaty sweet savoury flavour.

Their chewy mee pok / wide flat egg noodles are tossed in a piquant gravy with spring onions and pork lard, bold with savoury salty spicy herbal flavour.

.....

8. Fishball Story
@ Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria Street #01-71
Opening Hours: Daily 7am – 10:30pm

Taken in 2014

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $5.90) @ Fishball Story.

This is a story of young hawkerpreneur Douglas Ng, whose love for his grandmother's hand made fish balls drove him to learn her recipe, and open his own stall in April 2014.

Propelled by publicity, passion, and some luck, he's since gained accolades, including a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

The Chinese Teochew fish balls and fish cakes are made with 100% yellowtail amberjack fish meat, no filler, flecked with parsley and chili. It's dense but bouncy, with lovely sweet spice salty savoury flavour.

The mee pok / wide flat egg noodles are springy, with the chili toned down, allowing the notes of garlic, shallots, and shrimp to permeate.

Add on crispy fish skin for more shiok-ness.

.....

9. Hock Seng Choon Fish Ball Kway Teow Mee
@ Bedok South Market & Food Centre, 16 Bedok South Road #01-50
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 12pm – 8:30pm, Closed Mon

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $4) @ Hock Seng Choon Fish Ball Kway Teow Mee.

Serving since January 1997, this stall is known for their unique rendition.

Their hand made fish balls and fish cake are irregular-shaped, tender and bouncy with mild sweet salty flavour. Bits of crisp lettuce lend a light vegetal sweet note.

Their signature kway teow is tossed in a rich sauce which includes pork lard and tomato ketchup, resulting in a lovely sweet sour savoury flavour.

.....

10. Hong Xing Handmade Fish Ball & Meat Ball Noodle
@ Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, 531A Upper Cross Street #02-30
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 7am – 2pm, Closed Sun

Taken in 2019

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $5) @ Hong Xing Handmade Fish Ball & Meat Ball Noodle.

No frills and straightforward, this decades-old stall draws queues for their hand made fish balls.

With a springy bounce to texture, their fish balls are mildly savoury sweet in flavour, while the soup has strong vegetal salty sweet notes from crunchy preserved radish and fresh crisp lettuce.

The mee pok / wide flat egg noodles tend towards being softer in texture, but pick up the slick gravy of pork lard and chili well, savoury salty spicy in taste.

.....

11. Hui Ji Fishball Noodles & Yong Tau Foo
@ Tiong Bahru Market & Hawker Centre, 30 Seng Poh Road #02-44
Opening Hours: Thu - Tue 5:30am – 2:30pm, Closed Wed

Taken in 2012

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $3.50) @ Hui Ji Fishball Noodles & Yong Tau Foo.

Old-school and no-frills, this under-the-radar stall has been quietly serving since the 1970s.

Regulars regard them well for their hearty portions at affordable prices, fresh ingredients, and their righteous gravy - a delicious and fragrant sweet savoury salty combination of pork lard, black vinegar, chili, and shallot oil.

The fish balls and fish cake are properly springy with mild sweet savoury flavour, while the sliced pork is tender with a light chew and meaty sweet flavour.

The succulent her giao / fish dumpling has a pleasing meaty fishy note. The mee pok / wide flat egg noodles have a soft chew, picking up the delicious gravy well.

Most folks also add-on their YTF for added oomph.

.....

12. Jalan Tua Kong Ah Lim Mee Pok Noodle
@ Simpang Bedok, 324 Bedok Road
Opening Hours: Daily 6am – 8pm

Taken in 2009

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $6.50) @ Jalan Tua Kong Ah Lim Mee Pok Noodle.

Convoluted history aside, this famed brand is amongst the pricier options, though you receive a generous portion and fresh ingredients, making it worthwhile. Expect queues during lunch.

The fish balls and fish cake have a light springy chew with mild sweet savoury salty flavour. The mee pok / wide flat egg noodles have a soft texture, and the gravy is decent with savoury spicy notes.

What I love is the generous tender minced pork and fresh pork slices, lending meaty sweet salty flavour. And the fresh deshelled prawns which are juicy and sweet savoury.

.....

13. Lau Pa Sat Teochew Fishball Minced Meat Noodle
@ Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre, 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7 #01-02
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 4pm

Taken in 2010

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $4) @ Lau Pa Sat Teochew Fishball Minced Meat Noodle.

The old-school gravy blends coats the chewy noodles well, lending enticing savoury sour spicy flavours.

A literal handful of bean sprouts and crisp spring onions lend vegetal sweet herbal notes, and a satisfying crunch.

The fish balls and fish cake are lightly bouncy with mild sweet savoury flavour, sized a tad larger than most.

.....

14. Li Xin Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle
@ Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre, 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7 #01-20
Opening Hours: Thu - Sun 7am – 1pm, Closed Mon - Wed

@ ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn #B4-03
Opening Hours: Daily 9am – 9pm

Multiple Other Branches Across Singapore

Taken in 2012

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $6) @ Li Xin Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle.

The original owner has been quietly selling since 1968, but thanks to his son, this brand can now be found across Singapore, and serves a reliable and consistent rendition.

Their gravy is a winning combination of fresh pork lard, black vinegar, tomato ketchup, and chili paste, resulting in addictive sweet salty sour savoury flavours, coating each noodle strand.

Their fish cake and fish balls are made with fresh yellowtail amberjack fish, no fillers, meaning a smaller size but more springy chew, with light sweet savoury flavour.

The succulent her giao / fish dumpling is slippery with sweet savoury notes, while the unique fish roll stuffed with carrot and cucumber has a visual appeal.

A garnish of crisp spring onions with vegetal sweet flavour completes this addictive dish.

.....

15. Ming Fa
@ 246B Upper Thomson Road
Opening Hours: Daily 9:30am – 4:30am

@ 279 Bukit Batok East Avenue 3 #01-337
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 10pm

@ Our Tampines Hub, 51 Tampines Avenue 4 #01-73
Opening Hours: Daily 7am – 10pm

Multiple Other Branches Across Singapore

Taken in 2015

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $6.50) @ Ming Fa.

Established in 1946 by Lim Chye Kang, this reputable brand is now in the hands of Jerome Lim, the 3rd generation owner.

They still use 100% yellowtail amberjack fish, sourced fresh daily, to make their signature fish balls and fish cake - large and bouncy soft with gentle sweet savoury flavour.

Each bowl is accompanied by fresh crisp lettuce with vegetal sweet flavour, over a base of chewy mee pok / wide flat egg noodles, slick with gravy that bursts with savoury salty spicy flavour.

Among the most generous-portioned renditions around.

.....

16. Orh-Kee Noodles
@ 70 Serangoon Garden Way
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours

@ 65 Killiney Road
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $5.50) @ Orh-Kee Noodles.

This brand offers traditional and modern renditions, and their dry mee sua with gravy is well loved.

Their fish balls, while smallish, are among the most bouncy, with an incredible springy chew to texture, and mild sweet savoury flavour.

The broth is light, with crisp lettuce and tender minced pork, resulting in a lovely meaty vegetal sweet savoury flavour.

I opted for mee pok / wide flat egg noodles, which had a soft chew, and picks up the gravy nicely. Has good savoury salty spice flavour.

.....

17. Original Botanical Garden Famous Fishball Noodle
@ Serangoon Garden Market & Food Centre, 49A Serangoon Garden Way #01-15
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 10pm

Taken in 2009

Taken in 2009

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $5) @ Original Botanical Garden Famous Fishball Noodle.

Love the rendition here, because of the generous ingredients and punchy gravy.

Their fish balls are lightly springy, with mild sweet savoury flavour, actually decent, nothing to shout about.

What stands out is the fish cake. The star ingredient, the fish cake is large and thick cut, with a succulent chew and medium savoury sweet salty flavour. I like to order additional slices.

The base mee pok / wide flat egg noodles is soft, picking up the savoury salty spice flavours of the gravy well. Completed with crisp lettuce for a refreshing burst of vegetal sweet flavour.

.....

18. Seng Huat Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle
@ 492 North Bridge Road
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours

Taken in 2010

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $4) @ Seng Huat Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle.

There are 2 strong points for their rendition of this dish.

The righteous gravy, with a good amount of black vinegar, tingles the palate and lends depth.

The extra large and springy juicy fish balls, mildly sweet savoury in taste, are so satisfying.

.....

19. Song Kee Fish Ball Noodle / Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle Soup
@ Toa Payoh Lorong 5 Food Centre, 75 Toa Payoh Lorong 5 #01-354
Opening Hours: Thu - Tue 10:30am – 10:30pm, Closed Wed

@ Cheng San Market & Cooked Food Centre, 527 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 #01-123
Opening Hours: Tue- Sun 4:30am – 1pm, Closed Mon

Taken in 2011

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Taken in 2022

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $4) @ Song Kee Fish Ball Noodle / Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle Soup.

There are a lot of other stalls bearing their name, but the originator is the hawker at Toa Payoh, with other related stalls run by family or relatives.

Hand made and rustic, their fish balls are lightly bouncy with mild salty sweet savoury flavour, and the fish paste stuffed beancurd skin is spongy soft with grainy sweet salty notes.

The noodles are softly springy, generously portioned, picking up the savoury spicy sour salty flavours of the gravy nicely.

The her giao / fish dumpling is chewy and slippery, with pleasant meaty fishy sweet flavour.

The originator usually goes full flavoured, while the related stalls have more balance overall.

.....

20. Xin Lu Teo Chew Fishball Noodle
@ Mei Ling Market & Food Centre, 159 Mei Ling Street #02-05
Opening Hours: Fri - Wed 5:45am – 3pm, Closed Thu

Taken in 2010

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $4) @ Xin Lu Teo Chew Fishball Noodle.

Serving for over 50 years, this humble stall is known for their old-school, full flavoured rendition.

Among the most intense in taste, their soup is generously garnished with preserved mustard greens, lending a robust vegetal salty savoury flavour.

Their fish balls are bouncy with light tension, nicely sweet savoury in flavour.

The mee pok / wide flat egg noodles are well tossed with a slight springy chew, and pick up the savoury salty sweet spicy flavours of the gravy well.

.....

21. Yong Kee Famous Fish Ball Noodle
@ ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre, 6 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-121
Opening Hours: Wed - Mon 9:30am – 2pm, Closed Tue

Taken in 2011

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Fish Ball Noodles (SGD $4) @ Yong Kee Famous Fish Ball Noodle.

Since before 1974, hawker Lin Yuliang has been selling this dish, at times hand-making up to 3,000 fish balls a day.

Firm with an al-dente chew, the mee pok / wide flat egg noodles picks up the rich gravy well, bursting with savoury salty spicy flavour.

The fish balls and fish cake are wonderfully springy with a juicy bite, and light sweet salty notes. Completed with crisp spring onions for vegetal sweet herbal flavour.

.....

- ~~Blue Star Fishball Minced Meat Noodle~~ – Quality Different From Before
~~@ Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market & Food Centre, 6 Tanjong Pagar Plaza #02-29~~