Kolo Mee

According to Wikipedia, Kuching 'Kolo mee' or 'koh-loh mein' hails from Kuching, Sarawak and are egg noodles, flash-boiled, and typically served with crushed garlic and shallot, minced pork or beef, white vinegar, either vegetable oil, pork oil or peanut oil, and sliced barbecue pork known as char siu (sliced barbecue pork).

Sarawak Kuching Laksa, Kolo Mee
Sing Li Coffeshop
177 Macpherson Road

Having made its way down to Singapore, I am sure that there have been modifications to adapt to the local palate.  But according to this post, this may be the one that is the closest to the 'original'. But I really wouldn't know, now would I? ^^ I just enjoy the taste.

koklo mee

Anyways, it seems that there have been 'updates' made to this dish since this post in 2007 even the ingredients look a little different today. Located at the Sing Li Coffeshop located along Macpherson Road this stall sells some pretty yummy (but sometimes oily) kolo mee.  It also sells Sarawak laksa, a spicy coconut prawn paste-based concoction served with rice vermicelli, omelette, chicken strips, prawns, sliced deep fried tofu, and occasionally clams; but only on Mondays (I think). Usually during lunch time at about 12pm, there is a long queue in line already, so if you want to try it being earlier than that to ensure you a seat.
Side-view of the coffeeshop. The stall is right at the back of the coffeeshop itself and easily missed.
I like the slightly curly (frizzy) noodles that do not seem to be commonly sold in regular noodle stalls. The noodles are excellently cooked (not too hard, or soft, and has a nice chewy texture). Together with the minced meat sauce (which may be a little too oily for some people) made the combination one of the nicest mees I’ve had. The fried dumplings are crisply thin, and the filling just nice (though some may find that the stuff is too little, but I think it is alright considering the other meats in the bowl). The best part ? A bowl of kolo mee here is affordable at S$3.50 for a big portion (topped with minced meat) and S$3 for the small portion (without the minced meat). Both big and small portions (to me at least) are pretty filling and satisfying.

Kolo Mee
S$3.50 Big portion, with added chilli and pork lard
the thiny cripsy fried wontons on top of the kolo mee
The thinly crispy fried wontons
The other kolo mee I had was at Marina square's Jia Xiang Sarawak Kolo Mee outlet some years back and that cost about S$6 at that time. I thought that the price was reasonable for its location (e.g. shopping mall) and that it was ok, though the portion given wasn’t much (I got hungry soon after eating it). But having discovered the one at Sing Li Coffeshop, I’d say this is my favorite one yet.
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4 comments :

  1. Fried wonton strips with mayo drizzled on it? That's original.

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  2. I have tried this noodle from this shop a few times 2 years back, the noodle taste a bit like that of maggi boiled. I find the noodle to be a bit too light ( when u chew on it, it feels a bit 'airy')

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  3. @Nate @ House of Annie: Fried wontons eaten with mayo is pretty common, but I guess coming in thin 'strips' instead of the usual "meatily"stuffed wontons, and being served on noodles is not that common. In fact, I haven't come across any other than this one... yet

    @Anonymous: Food tastes are subjective. And though the kolo mee may similar to instant noodles, they definitely do not taste like instant noodles (to me at least). Since you find the noodles a bit light and 'airy', what is the noodles that you prefer best?

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