Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Fish Soup And Fish Porridge

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Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Fish Soup And Fish Porridge

Fish Soup And Fish Porridge
Fish Soup And Fish Porridge



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 Soup, Yu Tang,
Fish Porridge, Yu Zhou,
Fish Soup Noodles, Yu Pian Mi Fen, X.O. Fish Soup Bee Hoon


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $6 - $15








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Description:
The Fish Soup and Fish Porridge are Singaporean Chinese dishes that consists of sliced fish (either fresh or battered and fried) along with vegetables in a piping hot soup, served with a choice of white rice, cu bee hoon / thick rice vermicelli noodles, or a thin rice porridge. Also known as Yu Tang, Yu Zhou, Fish Soup Noodles, Yu Pian Mi Fen, or X.O. Fish Soup Bee Hoon, the Fish Soup and Fish Porridge dishes are usually priced around SGD $5 to $14 per serving. It's regarded as a semi-healthy, comforting soul food for Singaporeans, typically eaten for lunch or dinner.

The fish used in Fish Soup and Fish Porridge is a firm, white flesh fish, deboned and cut into thick slices. The most common type of fish used is batang / Spanish mackerel fish; other types of fish used include grouper fish, red snapper fish, white pomfret fish, toman / giant snakehead fish, or sea bass fish. The fish is either served fresh, or coated in a thin all-purpose flour batter and fried. It has a tender flaky chew, with pleasant meaty sweet savoury flavour. Some stalls may also add other ingredients, including minced pork, deshelled prawns / shrimp, squid, fish roe, fish milt, or pork lard croutons.

The vegetables used in Fish Soup and Fish Porridge typically include crisp iceburg lettuce, crunchy napa cabbage / Chinese cabbage, and juicy tomatoes, all with vegetal sweet flavour; plus soft wobbly silken tofu beancurd with mild grainy sweet flavour. Some stalls also add crunchy kiam chye / preserved mustard greens with vegetal salty flavour, tender bitter gourd with vegetal bitter flavour, chewy dried seaweed with vegetal salty sweet flavour, or crisp tang oh / garland chrysanthemum with vegetal herbal sweet flavour.

There are 2 variations of soup style for Fish Soup and Fish Porridge, with most stalls offering both. The more popular Chinese Teochew style is clear, made from a stock of water, fish bones, ginger, tee poh / dried sole fish, salt, white pepper, and fried shallots; it has a bright sweet savoury salty spice flavour. The Chinese Cantonese style is luxurious, made from a stock of water, fish bones, ginger, tee poh / dried sole fish, salt, white pepper, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and topped with fried eggs; it has a robust savoury salty sweet milky flavour. Some stalls may also add other ingredients, including spring onions, Shaoxing rice wine, goji berries / wolfberries, chicken stock, pork bones, kiam chye / preserved mustard greens, dried seaweed, ikan bilis / anchovies, or brandy liquor.

To accompany the Fish Soup and Fish Porridge, the staple is usually a warm bowl of white rice, fluffy and sticky in texture with mild grainy sweet flavour. There's also the Chinese Teochew style of thin rice porridge. Finally, there's the option of smooth chewy cu bee hoon / thick rice vermicelli noodles with mild grainy sweet flavour. While generally appearing to be a light, healthy, clean meal, Fish Soup and Fish Porridge usually carry a high salt content, and is best eaten in moderation.


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1. Angel Horse Teochew Fish Soup
@ Albert Centre Market And Food Centre, 270 Queen Street #01-95
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 11am – 8pm, Closed Mon

Taken in 2010


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Porridge (SGD $6) @ Angel Horse Teochew Fish Soup.

Curious name aside, this popular stall has been serving way before 2008, and still draws a perpetual queue of up to 30 minutes during lunch.

Regulars speak highly of the delicate soup, whose flavour is derived from stewing mackerel fish bones for hours, a light sweet savoury broth that is gentle yet tasty.

The rice porridge is soft with grainy sweet notes, while the medium slices of deboned mackerel fish are fresh and tender with natural sweet savoury flavour.

Garnishes of lettuce, garland chrysanthemum, seaweed, tomato, bitter gourd, and coriander, lend crisp juicy soft textures and vegetal earthy herbal bitter sweet notes combined.

Accompanied by a traditional fermented soy bean and chili dipping sauce, which lends a punchy grainy salty spicy kick.





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2. Arcade Fish Soup
@ Marina One The Heart, 5A Straits View #B2-40
Opening Hours: Mon - Thu 11am – 7:30pm, Fri 11am – 3pm, Closed Sat & Sun

@ Frasers Tower, 182 Cecil Street #02-15
Opening Hours: Mon - Thu 11am – 7:30pm, Fri 11am – 3pm, Closed Sat & Sun

Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup (SGD $8) @ Arcade Fish Soup.

Flavour packed fish soup since 1988, oft frequented by office workers in the Central Business District (CBD).

Large generous portions, with or without milk, served with a unique fried garlic garnish on the side that lends enticing savoury salty spice flavour.

The duo of fresh deboned mackerel fish, natural and fried, are chunky and tender, with lovely sweet savoury flavour.

The soup, filled with crunchy cabbage and juicy tomato, carries mild sweet salty savoury vegetal flavour. Warm and comforting, great paired with white rice, and a spicy chili dipping sauce.





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3. Bei Chuan Ting Yu Tang
@ The Marketplace At 58, 58 New Upper Changi Road #01-161
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 10am – 8pm, Closed Sun

Taken in 2019


Taken in 2019


Taken in 2019


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup (SGD $6.50) @ Bei Chuan Ting Yu Tang.

Those who love generous portions will take a shine to this.

While thinly sliced, there's a good helping of fresh deboned mackerel fish slices, both natural and fried, tender flaky with sweet savoury flavour.

The vegetables of cabbage, garland chrysanthemum, bitter gourd, tomato, and seaweed, lend soft juicy textures and vegetal sweet savoury bitter herbal earthy flavours combined.

The soup is lightly peppery spiced, and I prefer the option without milk. Paired with white rice on the side.





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4. First Street Teochew Fish Soup
@ 1014 Upper Serangoon Road
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 3pm

Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup (SGD $10.90) @ First Street Teochew Fish Soup.

With a history stretching back to 1988, and a consistent quality that led to backing by the BreadTalk Group, this stall is beloved for its fresh range of fish, including unique ones like pomfret.

Their fresh boneless red garoupa fish slices are thick and bouncy, meaty with clean sweet savoury flavour.

Garnishes of lettuce, garland chrysanthemum, ginger, and preserved mustard greens, lend a crisp crunch, with robust vegetal earthy bitter spice salty sweet flavour.

The soup tends towards the salty savoury side, so most folks add on the tender minced pork, to balance with its meaty sweet savoury notes. Nicely paired with white rice.

However, price point is premium, among the more expensive renditions.





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5. Han Kee Fish Soup
@ Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road #02-129
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 10am – 3pm, Closed Sat & Sun

Taken in 2012


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Porridge (SGD $7) @ Han Kee Fish Soup.

The queue at this renowned, long-serving stall can stretch 50-people deep during peak lunch hour, yet it moves along relatively fast. Orders are taken in advance while in the middle of the queue.

Known for their fresh, thick cut, generous portions of boneless mackerel fish fillets, the thickest I've ever seen. Yet, each piece is succulent and tender flaky, with lovely clean sweet savoury flavour.

The soft rice porridge lends a warming grainy sweet note, enhancing the already delicious broth, bright with sweet savoury flavour and a hint of salty notes, while crisp garland chrysanthemum lends a vegetal herbal sweet flavour.

The soup is among the clearest, with no option for added milk, just the way I like it. Between them and their closest competitor a few stalls away, I personally prefer the Han Kee rendition.





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6. Happiness Healthy Fish Meat Soup / Long Yuan Healthy Fish Meat Soup
@ West Coast Market Square, 726 Clementi West Street 2 #01-150
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 7pm

Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup (SGD $6.50) @ Happiness Healthy Fish Meat Soup / Long Yuan Healthy Fish Meat Soup.

They've refreshed their brand name across their outlets in 2022, though some of their stalls still carry the former name.

Auspicious name aside, there are 2 unique points to their rendition - the use of chewy white clams which lend a beautiful sweet savoury note to the soup; and the inclusion of a fried tofu bean curd skin roll stuffed with fish paste, bouncy and tender with sweet salty savoury flavour.

The broth is also garnished with tender bitter gourd and wispy egg floss, lending combined eggy savoury salty vegetal bitter sweet flavour.

The duo of deboned mackerel fish, both natural and fried, are tender with a slight springy spongy texture, and carry fresh sweet savoury flavour. Sliced medium thin, nicely chunky. Pair with white rice.





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7. Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon
@ 19A Dover Crescent #01-05
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30am – 2pm, 5pm – 11pm

Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup XO Noodles (SGD $8) @ Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon.

Run by a husband-and-wife duo since before 2010, it's said that they loved drinking, and thus decided to add XO (extra old) brandy into their dishes.

The stall sells a range of zi char dishes, but most come for their fish soup... though be prepared for their gruff, no nonsense, functional service (and don't be undecided).

The broth is rich and pearl opaque, with a depth of sweet savoury salty peppery spice boozy flavour, the undercurrent of XO brandy and Shaoxing rice wine being distinct. Pairs well with the long silky smooth rice vermicelli noodles with mild grainy sweet notes.

The crisp cabbage lends vegetal sweet flavour, while the large boneless fillets of toman / snakehead fish are chunky yet tender with sweet savoury peppery spice flavour. Shiok.





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8. Hong Kong Street Long Ji / Hong Kong Street Long Kee
@ 3014 Bedok Industrial Park E #01-2152
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 2pm, 4:30pm – 10:30pm

Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup XO Noodles (SGD $8) @ Hong Kong Street Long Ji / Hong Kong Street Long Kee.

This unassuming stall offers a range of zi char dishes, alongside a traditional fish soup. You have a choice of adding XO (extra old) brandy or not, the default is without alcohol.

If you opt for the non-alcoholic version, the broth remains decently rich, with primary notes of the white pepper, black pepper, ginger, and evaporated milk, being milky sweet savoury peppery spice in taste.

The long silky smooth rice vermicelli noodles carry mild grainy sweet notes, while the crunchy chye sim / chinese flowering cabbage lends vegetal sweet flavour.

The medium fillets of boneless toman / snakehead fish are chunky and soft, with meaty sweet salty savoury flavour. I like to add chopped red chili for a spicy kick.





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9. Hong Qin Fish And Duck Porridge
@ 302 Sims Avenue – Branch Closed

@ 134 Geylang East Avenue 1 #01-217
Opening Hours: Thu - Tue 5:30am – 3:30pm, Closed Wed

Taken in 2011


Taken in 2011


Taken in 2011


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup (SGD $7.50) @ Hong Qin Fish And Duck Porridge.

This stall, which uniquely sells 3 different meats (fish, duck, pork), has been run by Tay Kim Song and his wife since 1985, though his father founded the brand way before that.

The clear soup packs bold flavour, from boiling pork and fish bones over hours, beautifully sweet savoury in taste.

Garnishes include crisp lettuce, wispy seaweed, juicy tomato, and crisp coriander, with vegetal earthy herbal sweet flavour.

The generous portion of large, thick cut, boneless mackerel fish fillets, in the mixed duo of natural and fried slices, carry lovely meaty tender flaky texture with sweet savoury salty flavour.

Served with fluffy braised vegetable rice studded with cabbage and dried shrimp, lending grainy savoury earthy sweet flavour.

A personal favourite rendition, an occasional craving. Yum.





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10. Hua Ji XO Fish Head Bee Hoon
@ Old Airport Road Food Centre, 51 Old Airport Road #01-118
Opening Hours: Fri - Wed 12:30pm – 9pm, Closed Thu

Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup XO Noodles (SGD $6.50) @ Hua Ji XO Fish Head Bee Hoon.

Soup stock boiled with fish bones for hours, till the broth turns a creamy yellow white shade, laced with black pepper, white pepper, ginger, evaporated milk, and a dash of XO (extra old) brandy. Bright sweet salty savoury spice peppery boozy flavour.

Paired with smooth thick rice vermicelli noodles with grainy sweet flavour, and crisp cabbage with vegetal sweet notes.

The medium chunks of bone-in toman / snakehead fish fillets are flaky and tender, with sweet savoury salty flavour, pulling off the bone with a bite.





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11. Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon
@ Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street #01-77
Opening Hours: Fri - Wed 11:30am – 8:30pm, Closed Thu

Taken in 2012


Taken in 2012


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup (SGD $8.50) @ Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon.

For over 2 decades, this humble stall has been drawing queues - thanks to their meticulous pot-by-pot preparation and fresh fish filleted or fried just moments before.

I typically order without milk, but the broth is sufficiently robust on its own, carrying decent sweet savoury salty flavour, a taste that appeals across generations.

The garnishes of crisp cabbage, crunchy garland chrysanthemum, juicy tomato, and soft silken tofu bean curd, combine for pleasant vegetal sweet savoury flavour.

The thick and chunky tender fillets of boneless mackerel fish, both natural and fried, hold meaty sweet savoury flavour, yum. I like it paired with fluffy white rice, and its mild grainy sweet flavour.

Queue stretches up to 45 minutes during peak lunch hour.





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12. Leng Kee Fish Soup
@ Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre, 51 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-192
Opening Hours: Thu - Tue 9am – 6pm, Closed Wed

Taken in 2010


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Porridge (SGD $6) @ Leng Kee Fish Soup.

Now run by the 2nd-generation since its founding in 1997, this humble stall is loved by regulars for its hearty portions and comforting old-school taste.

The light broth is warm and comforting, with pleasant sweet savoury salty flavour, and on cold rainy days, simply divine.

The soft rice porridge is accompanied by juicy tomato, crisp lettuce, and fried shallots for aroma, lending grainy vegetal sweet savoury flavour.

The mackerel fish is sliced thin, but portion is plentiful, each deboned fresh fillet being meaty sweet savoury in taste.





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13. Mei Xiang Black & White Fish Soup
@ Berseh Food Centre, 166 Jalan Besar #02-44
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 11:30am – 2pm, Closed Sat & Sun

Taken in 2011


Taken in 2011


Taken in 2011


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup (SGD $6.50) @ Mei Xiang Black & White Fish Soup.

Serving for about 2 decades, the success of this stall, with perpetual long queues that form even before they open for the day, has resulted in a streamlining of their menu offerings and opening times.

These days, there is only 1 option on the menu (a mixed fish soup and rice set) with a few minor customisations (add-ons). Ordering is simply a matter of stating how many sets you want, dine-in or takeaway - great process efficiency for the kitchen.

The appeal lies in their secret broth, a delectable and robust stock, cloudy with hours of simmered fish bones and herbs. Full-bodied and warm, delicious savoury sweet salty flavours, excellent on cold rainy days.

The fresh mackerel fish, both natural and fried, are nicely deboned, small but tender flaky in texture, with meaty sweet savoury flavour.

There's crisp cabbage with vegetal sweet notes, and fluffy white rice with grainy sweet flavour to complete.

The intensity of non-stop serving has led them to open just 2.5 hours every weekday, usually selling out before that.





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14. Min Zhong Teochew Fish Soup
@ Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre, 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7 #01-42
Opening Hours: Sat - Thu 8am – 6pm, Closed Fri

Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup (SGD $7.50) @ Min Zhong Teochew Fish Soup.

This couple-run, under-the-radar stall has been quietly drawing queues, but has very little online or media presence.

Still, those who know will visit time and again, thanks to their generous portions, fresh ingredients, and great taste.

The boneless mackerel fish fillets are thick, chunky, and tender. Both natural and fried carry meaty sweet savoury flavour, nicely clean-tasting.

The robust broth, filled with crisp lettuce, soft bitter gourd, and wispy egg floss, has bold sweet salty savoury vegetal eggy flavour, with barely any bitter taste.

The fried fish roe is a popular add-on here. Pairs well with fluffy white rice and its grainy sweet flavour.





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15. Piao Ji Fish Porridge
@ Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road #02-100
Opening Hours: Tue - Wed 11am – 3:30pm, Fri - Sun 11am – 3:30pm, Closed Mon & Thu

Taken in 2020


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Porridge (SGD $7) @ Piao Ji Fish Porridge.

Like their closest competitor a few stalls away, this renowned decades-old stall attracts long queues during peak lunch periods.

Unlike their competitor however, their rendition features mackerel fish which is bone-in, requiring careful consumption. Fresh and thick sliced, the fish is tender with meaty sweet savoury flavour.

The soft rice porridge holds grainy sweet flavour, but their broth is more decadent with the addition of pork lard cubes, resulting in a savoury salty sweet flavour.

Between these 2 stalls, my preference is for their competitor's version; though this is certainly a note-worthy rendition.





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16. SuperFish
@ 214 Serangoon Avenue 4 #01-88
Opening Hours: Daily 9am – 8:30pm

Taken in 2021


Taken in 2021


Taken in 2021


Taken in 2021


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup (SGD $8) @ SuperFish.

A relatively new contender, this brand is unique as they use only sea bass fish in their dishes, offering it in both soup and claypot versions.

Portions are decent, and regulars tend to go for the flavoured versions, as their stand-alone soup is pretty non-descript. This being a chili and lime juice rendition that kicks with sharp spicy tangy zesty sour sweet flavour, yum.

The main flavour profile lies in the seasoned boneless fresh sea bass fish fillets, both natural and fried, tender chunky in texture, carrying meaty savoury sweet salty flavour.

Chunks of juicy tomato, tender bitter gourd slices, crisp lettuce, and soft tofu bean curd, combine for vegetal bitter sweet flavour. Paired with fluffy white rice with grainy sweet notes.

Service has been noted to be lukewarm and transactional, and prices are slightly higher than other brands, though they aren't the most expensive around.





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17. Xin Yuan Ji
@ 31 Tan Quee Lan Street #01-01
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30am – 11pm

Taken in 2017


Taken in 2017


Taken in 2017


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Taken in 2023


Fish Soup (SGD $10.80) @ Xin Yuan Ji.

Among the longest-serving, most well-known brands, they still attract long queues daily for their reasonably priced and tasty dishes. Queue moves relatively quick, averaging a 20-minute wait.

The fresh and boneless mackerel fish fillets, both natural and fried, are served in a generous portion. Large and chunky, yet tender flaky in texture, each fish slice has lovely meaty sweet savoury flavour.

The garnishes of crunchy cabbage and juicy tomato, lend lovely vegetal sweet flavour. Nice pairing with fluffy white rice, with grainy sweet notes.

The robust broth carries bold sweet savoury salty flavour, from stewing fosh bones for hours. I prefer the rendition without milk, where you can taste the depth of flavour in the soup.





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- Chop Joo Hiong Fish Soup – Permanently Closed
@ 237 Serangoon Avenue 3 #01-130

Taken in 2016


Taken in 2016






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- Ed's Fish Delights – Permanently Closed
@ Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria Street #03-30

Taken in 2011


Taken in 2011






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- Fish Supreme – Permanently Closed
@ Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard #B1-115

Taken in 2009






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- Hong Kong Street Chun Kee – Stall No Longer Sells This Consistently
@ 125 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-190

Taken in 2012






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- J Eating Place – Permanently Closed
@ 1 Lorong J Telok Kurau

Taken in 2009






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- Nam Kee Teochew Fish Porridge – Permanently Closed
@ 84 Marine Parade Central Market And Food Centre, 84 Marine Parade Central #01-171

Taken in 2009


Taken in 2009


Taken in 2009






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- No Milk Bistro – Permanently Closed
@ 18 Pahang Street

Taken in 2019


Taken in 2019






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- Stall 19 – Permanently Closed
@ Adam Road Food Centre, 2 Adam Road #01-19

Taken in 2011


Taken in 2011


Taken in 2011






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18. Soon Lee Fish Soup
@ Ayer Rajah Food Centre, 503 West Coast Drive #01-10
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 8pm

Taken in 2024


Taken in 2024


Taken in 2024


Taken in 2024


Taken in 2024


Taken in 2024


Taken in 2024


Fish Soup (SGD $8.50) @ Soon Lee Fish Soup.

Established in 1990, this hidden find is 'cheap and good', beloved by taxi drivers and labourers for their fresh ingredients and large hearty portions. No surprise they draw long queues during meal times.

The soup is clear and non-greasy, yet robust with a gentle sweet savoury flavour. Garnished with crisp lettuce and fried shallots which lend vegetal savoury sweet salty flavour.

The large boneless fillets of mackerel fish, both fresh and fried, are chunky tender flaky in texture, with lovely sweet savoury flavour, very clean-tasting and fresh. Really quite addictive.

They also offer optional add-ons, including bitter gourd, fish roe, and more. I like adding some of the chopped bird's eye chili / chili padi for added salty spicy kick.





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