There is something about this fish soup stall. Even if you go during an ‘off-peak’ time at 11am, there would already be a long queue sometimes forming a L-shape around the corner of the coffeeshop.
First Street Teochew Fish Soup is a family stall hugely popular for their deliciously sweet fish soup.
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It was founded by the father William Lim during the 1980s, but now largely run by his two sons Desmond and Aaron Lim.
The sons have also been described as “hot hawker”, “eye candy”, though both brothers have different styles (and reported to be “taken”). Okay, that’s beside the point.
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As the focus of Teochew fish soup is on the freshness and flavours of the fish, they are dedicated and hardworking, getting their fish fresh and preparing for the soup as early as 3 to 4am every day (except Monday which is their off-day).
It is a tough commitment to keep up with, but it greatly pays off as the stall is packings with customers throughout their opening hours.
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My advice is to go as early as possible, say early morning, to avoid waiting too long. I queued for about 50 to 55 minutes (and this is despite the COVID-19 scare).
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The varieties of fish soup offered include Batang Sliced Fish Soup ($6, $8, $10), Red Garoupa ($9, $11), Pomfret ($11, $15), and Mixed Soup with Seafood ($5, $7, $10).
Do not overlook on the additional ingredients you can add on, such as minced meat ($0.50), bitter gourd ($0.50), fish cake ($0.50) to even fish maw ($1.50) and fish row ($1.50).
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When I had the first sip of the Batang (Spanish Mackeral) Fish Soup, there was a beautiful clear sweetness to it, with hints of ginger in a light but flavourful soup.
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Comparing to some of the other usual Teochew fish soup which is typically more bland-tasting, the soup is on the slightly saltier side, but that is what some people would love about the broth.
There was something warm and comforting about it, and I have the feeling this would not work as much if you tabao back home.
As for the fish slices, they were succulent and fresh, with none of that fishy aftertaste. Lovely.
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I also had the Pomfret Sliced Fish Soup ($11) which was a generous portion of its price, though be careful as this would inevitably have more bones on the sides.
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Would recommend adding the minced pork for just 50 cents, which gives an overall boost to the flavours.
One of the best Teochew sliced fish soups you can find in Singapore.
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First Street Teochew Fish Soup
1014 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534752
Tel: +65 8161 9552
Opening Hours: 8:15am – 3pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Other Related Entries
Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon (Whampoa Food Centre)
Han Kee (Amoy Street Food Centre)
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