After a successful opening of their first store at Rangoon Road and at pop-up events, fans of Tie Fun Wan would be thrilled to hear their latest opening at Kovan, within the premises of JForte Sportainment Centre.
They are known to serve fusion Rice Rowls and have a few notable rice dishes such as 72-Hours Slow Cooked Beef Rice Bowl ($15.50), Mala Pork Collar Rice Bowl ($11.50) and Meat Ball Pao Fan ($10.50).
All served in a “metal rice bowl” like the name suggests.
(Fun fact: In Mandarin, the terminology also has a secondary meaning of a stable job in bigger organization, eg, government sector.)
Their signature bowl goes to the Lu Rou Fan aka Braised Pork Rice Bowl ($9.90) that came with traditionally prepared key ingredients such as braised pork belly slices, peanuts and beancurd skin.
Contrary to Taiwanese-style Lu Rou Fan, Tie Fun Fan’s rendition of braised pork rice originate from Teochew Lor Bak recipe, with more distinctive flavours characterized from soy sauce gravy and usage of spices such as cinnamon, star anise and five spices powder.
Braised and simmered over time, this resulted in a pot of braised pork infused with rich savoury flavours with hint of spices aroma.
They then further improve their recipe by the addition of sous vide egg, bonito flakes and chopped scallions to balance out the flavour.
While the flavours didn’t stand out initially, it slowly grew onto me at subsequent mouthful with varying bite texture from the ingredients that were well-complemented.
Took me back to reminisce about the old school lor bak which my grandma used to prepare when I was kid.
New at this outlet is a range of deep-fried menu which offers local-inspired delights such as Crispy Nang Yu Pork Collar ($4) and Chilli Crab Fries ($9.80) and Har Cheong Chicken Wings ($4).
Being a Mala fan, I was particularly drawn to the Mala Minced Pork Fries ($9.80) which has spicy mala minced pork topped onto crispy fries, served with a dollop of sour cream.
The fries are doubled-fried which would still retain its crispy texture even after soaking up the spicy gravy, like having Mala “Bolognese” fries.
So spicy shiok with a hint of numbness.
The Har Cheong Chicken Wings also left an impression which juicy whole chicken wings infused with prawn paste flavours.
I took a liking to the accompany chili sauce which packs a punch in terms of spiciness and has a slight tanginess to it.
They do not use thick flour batter for their wings, like those old school type which I had in school cafeteria.
Even though I would personally prefer wings coated with some batter for the crunchy exterior.
Tie Fun Wan
50 Hougang Ave 1 #01-00, JForte Sportainment Centre, Singapore 538885
Opening Hours: 12pm – 8pm (Mon, Wed, Thu), 12pm – 9pm (Fri, Sat), 12pm – 6pm (Sun), Closed Tues
89 Rangoon Rd, #01-03 Urban Lofts, Singapore 218375
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Wed – Mon), Closed Tues
Other Related Entries
Eat 3 Bowls (Crawford Lane)
Monki Café (Holland Drive)
Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號 (Paya Lebar Quarter)
Monga (ION Orchard)
Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks (Paya Lebar Quarter)
* Written by Lewis Tan @juicyfingers, a self-proclaimed coffee addict. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.