SINGAPORE: I must admit I am jealous of those who live around Holland Village and Ghim Moh area. Not only do they have a hippy area with excellent restaurants at Holland Village, but they also have two renowned hawker centres. One of them is none other than Holland Drive Market and Food Centre. It is still a decent place even though it might not have as many great hawkers as Ghim Moh Road Market & Food Centre.
Here are all the best stalls we have tried at Holland Drive Market and Food Centre.
New Lucky Claypot Rice
A lot of people sing praises of New Lucky Claypot Rice. They are one of the two stalls that take up two store space, the other being Ru Ji. You should be able to guess its popularity. And just like all other good things, be prepared to wait if you want to have the claypot rice. There is a sign that says off-peak wait time is 20-30 minutes, and the peak period is 45-90 minutes!
We went there early on a weekday, about 10:55 am and true to its sign, we waited for 30 mins. Prices start at S$15 for two and go up to S$25 for four. The rice came with Chicken, Chinese Sausage, Liver Sausage and Salted Fish, all the ingredients you would expect from a good claypot rice. We poured in their soy sauce and oil, then gave the rice a mix to get the crispy burned bits of the rice. The aroma of the rice is legendary, and no wonder some say this might be the best claypot rice in Singapore.
Do note its opening time, 11 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm, closes every Wednesday.
Ru Ji Fishball Noodles
Ru Ji Fishball Noodles got a lot of attention a few years back because of the young age of the next generation taking over the business. Unlike today, it was unheard of back then. The star of this hawker stall is truly the fishball. I do like the noodles, but I find it just ok. However, it is a different story for the fishballs. Their uneven shapes showed that they were handmade. They are soft but less bouncy which means they are made from mostly fish, if not all fish. The bowl of savoury soup, accompanied by large slices of fish cake, is both satisfying and addictive. If I am to list out the top-five fishball noodles in Singapore, Ru Ji Fishball Noodles will be on the list.
Lao Chen Ji 老陈记
Lao Chen Ji 老陈记 is easily one of the best Kolo Mee in Singapore, and it is also one of a few stalls at this hawker centre with a long queue. Lao Chen Ji also sells Yong Tau Foo to compliment their amazing noodles. The small potion is S$3.5, and the large is S$4.5, and you also have the option to order a side of Fried Yong Tau Foo. The chewy noodles have strong shallot oil favour, topped with the usual minced pork and char siew.
Click for other Amazing Kolo Mee in Singapore.
Yit Lim Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle
Yi Lim Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice does not have a queue like other popular stalls, but it deserves the same spotlight. I was looking at the stall's name and the prices, and I couldn't help but notice the similarity with the other Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice stall in Pasar 16 @ Bedok. However, when I asked whether they were related, I got a firmed "No". This needs further investigation, which I will update once I find out more.
The soy chicken from Yi Lim Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice is surprisingly tender and moist. This is even so for the breast meat, which some people avoid due to its reputation as the driest part of a chicken. The skin is silky and shiny with an ideally thin layer of fats. The soy sauce is perfect for rice which makes you want to have more and more. Half a chicken will only set you back by S$7.5. I would recommend this if you are looking for a rice meal for two to share.
Cheng Heng Kway Chap and Braised Duck Rice
Cheng Heng Kway Chap is one of the two Kway Chap stalls in this hawker centre and arguably the one with a longer queue. Being listed on the Michelin Guide has helped increase its popularity, but what is more important is that they serve a splendid kway chap. Uniquely, their standard set comes with boiled salted vegetables, which is a first for me. The braised sauce has a darker hue which makes the dish very appealing. The kway (rice noodles) is so delicious with the rich soy taste coupled with the fragrant fried onion. You need to have two bowls to be completely satisfied. It is a bit expensive as it cost about S$11 for a serving of two with two bowls of kway. Overall, they are well-deserved to be on the Michelin Guide.
Traditional Carrot Cake
With a stall name that has the word "Traditional", I guess they have to be making their carrot cake in the traditional way. This might not be a famous fried carrot cake stall, but it is very popular with residents in the area. They made their soft carrot cake themselves. I just cannot resist a plate of Fried Carrot Cake when I see one, not to mention if they make everything themselves.
Click here to check out other Best Fried Carrot Cake we love.
Address: 44 Holland Drive, Singapore 270044