Being a Wanton Mee fan, I won’t mind seeing more hawker stalls doing well enough to set up their own eateries.
Drama aside, ENG’s Wantan Noodle, Eng’s Char Siew Wantan Mee, Wanton Fu, Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist, Wanton Seng’s Noodle Bar and Wong Kee Wanton Noodles are just some examples of Wanton Noodle specialty shops in Singapore. More to come.
Laifabar is one of the few that didn’t have beginnings as a hawker stall, so it may need some work on the awareness component.
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Its name “Laifabar” is actually a play on the Mandarin words which means ”let’s prosper”.
It is located within The Scarlet Hotel, not far away from both Maxwell Food Centre and The Coconut Club.
Maybe people would just walk past without noticing, or could be ‘intimidating’ to walk into a hotel bar without knowing what to expect and what prices to pay.
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There are differing views on its $5.50 Wanton Noodles.
While it is pricier than the average hawker stall, it is considered inexpensive and humbly-priced for a sit-down restaurant with service near the CBD.
Other than Wanton Noodles, on the menu are Crispy Pork Noodles ($6.5p0), Char Siew Noodles ($6.50), Char Siew & Crispy Pork Noodles ($7.50), Dumpling Noodles ($7.50), and Shrimp Wanton Noodle Soup ($6.50).
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The Wanton Noodles did arrive in a small bowl, without soup – to me, that was the big-something-missing. I personally won’t mind paying a small top-up for the soup with sprinkling of spring onions.
The noodles were cooked to the softer and soggier side, with bu jian tian char siew and tiny wantons that complete the bowl.
This was definitely better than the average Wanton Noodles, but there were components that could be fine-tuned so that it could attract return customers.
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The complex chilli sauce was its strength, reminding me Soon Kee Wanton Mee at Pek Kio food centre, but going lesser on the fiery kick. I can imagine people coming here just for the chilli sauce.
On the other hand, noodles could have better springiness; while wantons were more skin than on actual fillings, which was a pity on the overall package.
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During a return visit, I topped up with a Dumpling Soup ($7.50), but was slightly surprised it was served in a small soup bowl.
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The shui jiao were great as they were plump, packed with shrimp and water chestnut, but there was not enough soup to go around.
In additional, some drizzles of sesame oil would have been great otherwise, but due to the small bowl, the soup became rather oily overall.
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You can pair the noodles with sides such as Prawn Fritters ($2.50), Satay ($14 for 10 sticks of chicken, $16 for pork belly), Chicken Wings ($8 for 6), Pot Stickers ($7), Fried Dumpling ($8), Fried Wanton ($7) and Ngoh Hiang ($7).
This has a potential to be a great-tasting bowl, but so hope they can work on the weaker areas, because choices are aplenty in this vicinity.
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Laifabar
33 Erskine Road, The Scarlet Hotel, Singapore 069333
Tel: +65 8439 2104
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 4:30pm (Sun – Thurs), 10:30am – 8:30pm (Fri – Sat)
Other Related Entries
ENG’s Wantan Noodle (Tanjong Katong Road)
Eng’s Char Siew Wantan Mee (Tanjong Katong Road)
Wanton Fu (Jalan Besar)
Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist 基记面家 (Kreta Ayer)
Wong Kee Wanton Noodles (Funan)
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