The perpetual, snaking queue outside Hougang Hainanese Curry Rice stall at Kovan Food Centre has long attracted my attention and while i saw it being featured on a TV programme; i knew it's time for me to check it out!
In the programme, it was said that the popular stall had over 40 different dishes; a feat considering how small the space was and how difficult it is to churn out so many kinds of food. The number fluctuates throughout the day and when i was there at 2pm on a Saturday; i think it was maybe about 20-odd dishes on display.
Mine; Joyce actually helped me to buy as she's buying for Jovyn too and my order was rather standard for Hainanese curry rice. There's braised pork, egg omelette, curry cabbage and sotong (squid).
Braised pork (kongba) wasn't overly sweet yet it retained a tenderness that would have met the approval of the elderly. There's a slight porky taste which honestly wasn't too much of a problem. Omelette had chye poh (preserved radish) which had that marvelous effect on taste and texture. Squid was surprisingly not fascinating enough for me to re-order in the future.
I am leaving the unassuming curry cabbage to the last for obvious reason; known generally as chap chye, i can never imagine this would be the star of my meal. The texture was at the optimal level of soft crunchiness and in spite of the obvious spiciness, there's a lingering trace of sweetness i find so endearing!
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Address
Kovan Food Centre, Singapore 530209
(Next to Kovan MRT Station)
Location Map
As above.
Pricing
Two Plates - S$9.00
Other Stalls within The Hawker Centre
The Butterfly Bun from Kim Soon
Char Siew, Roast Pork & Roast Duck from Bedok Cooked Food
Yi Shi Jia Wanton Mee (益食家云吞面)
Minced Meat Fishball Noodle from 發記肉脞魚圓面
Other Stalls within The Hawker Centre
The Butterfly Bun from Kim Soon
Char Siew, Roast Pork & Roast Duck from Bedok Cooked Food
Yi Shi Jia Wanton Mee (益食家云吞面)
Minced Meat Fishball Noodle from 發記肉脞魚圓面