While many former restaurant chefs have gotten a lot of buzz for opening their own hawker stalls this year, many others have also struck out on their own before this current trend. One such place is a hidden gem called Shi Xiang Ge at Bishan, which was opened by a former Crystal Jade chef a few years back.
While Shi Xiang Ge has a pretty loyal following, especially made up of Bishan residents, they’ve been rather under the radar compared to some of the new openings.
You can be sure that you’re getting the most authentic Shanxi cuisine and la mian you can find around Singapore — the chef was not just a chef but a La Mian Director at the esteemed Chinese restaurant. So yeah, expect restaurant-quality handmade noodles at hawker prices.
With the chef’s years of experience at Crystal Jade specialising in Beef La Mian, it’s no surprise that the Beef La Mian (S$6) is one of the most popular items on their menu. Probably worth a trip down if you’re looking for a comforting bowl of soupy goodness when it rains.
But if you’re someone who prefers their noodles with a bit more of a spicy kick, then it’s a no-brainer to get a bowl of their Hot and Spicy Intestine Shaved Noodles ($7), another one of Shi Xiang Ge’s crowd-pleasers.
While intestines are a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it ingredient, they are particularly known for their plump, fatty intestines that carry little of that pungency — so even intestine haters can give it a try.
Plus the robust mala kick will probably make you forget all of that as your revel in masochistic tongue-numbing pleasure. The knife-shaved noodles are also a good alternative to Shi Xiang Ge’s signature La Mian if you prefer your noodles with a bit more chew.
For those that don’t really enjoy shelling out big bucks for the homely dumplings you can get at some of the popular Chinese restaurants in Singapore, Shi Xiang Ge is also particularly popular for its affordable dumplings.
You really can’t go wrong with the Poached Sze Chuan Dumpling in Spicy Sauce (S$6), a timeless classic that will fill your mouth with both juicy meat fillings and a gratifying medley of vinegar and spice from the sauce.
Shi Xiang Ge
???? Blk 514 Bishan Street 13, Level 2 Bishan Bus Interchange, Singapore 570514
???? 10:30am–9:30pm (Daily)
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The guy who will go on a 30 minute monologue about artisan coffee when you ask if they want Starbucks.