Malaysia
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What’s a dish you love so much that you could have 3 bowls of it in a single sitting? For Robin, an ex-Din Tai Fung chef, it’s kolo mee, and that’s why he opened a kolo mee stall named Three Bowls at Whampoa Makan Place.
I myself rarely eat kolo mee. While I enjoy its springy texture, it’s so uncommon in Singapore that I can count with 1 hand the number of times I’ve had this dish. That’s why I decided to tag along when my colleague Dean shared that he would be visiting this stall.
Before our meal, we had a chat with Robin, who comes from Sabah. He shared that kolo mee was something he missed a lot after coming to Singapore, and he wanted to bring a taste of it to Singaporeans.
Later, he took his wife’s suggestion to open a kolo mee stall, and that’s how Three Bowls was born.
What to order at Three Bowls
At Three Bowls, you can enjoy your kolo mee with a variety of options, such as char siew, wantons and pork chop. Famished, we ordered the small Home Taste Kolo Mee (S$4.90 for Small, S$5.90 for Large) and the Pork Chop Kolo Mee (S$6.90). If you’re adventurous like us, you can also try the Knife-Cut Noodles (S$6.90).
Soon, 3 bowls arrived at our table (just like the stall name), and it was mealtime. We first had the Home Taste Kolo Mee, which was paired with dark soya sauce and came with the classic combination of char siew and minced meat.
Initially, the noodles were a little clumped together and difficult to toss, so we poured some soup to separate them. While the minced meat and char siew had a distinct meat flavour, the overall dish profile leaned towards the milder side. That was a pleasant surprise, since I thought the dark soya sauce would give it a bolder flavour.
Although some may prefer a stronger taste, this dish was great for me, because that’s exactly what makes kolo mee a comforting dish. No wonder Robin could have 3 bowls of kolo mee each meal!
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Next, we tucked into the Pork Chop Kolo Mee, which Robin recommended we have in the white version. This was a good choice, as I could taste the contrast in taste between the well-seasoned pork chop and the aromatic flavour of the springy egg noodles.
While I like how the pork chop was cut into shorter pieces and easy to bite, I think others would have preferred it to be more crispy. However, I still think it’s a dish done well.
Want a kick of spice to your dish? Have your dish with green chilli or Robin’s handmade chilli sauce. You could also try the Knife-Cut Noodles, which come with fishballs, Fuzhou meatballs and spicy handmade noodles.
My favourite part of the dish was the Fuzhou meatballs, which were springy and juicy. After taking a bite and watching the juice ooze out from the inside, I was tempted to take another bite! I also enjoyed the silkiness of the thick, jagged-edge noodles. It was easy to slurp and very filling.
Who is Three Bowls best for
If you’re a noodle over rice person and want a simple and comforting dish, Three Bowls is a great food spot for you. Their kolo mee was so delicious that I kept stuffing my mouth with noodles, and even as I finish this article (close to 4 hours after the meal), I’m still full. Can you imagine how good it was?
How to get to Three Bowls
The nearest MRT station to Three Bowls is Boon Keng (NE9). Head for Exit C and walk about 13 minutes to Whampoa Makan Place. Alternatively, go to Toa Payoh (NS19) and head for Exit A, which leads you to Toa Payoh Interchange. Take bus 145 to Opp Balestier Pt and walk for 4 minutes. The stall is located at #01-14.
Do we recommend Three Bowls?
Yes, we do! Whether you’re pining for a traditional taste of East Malaysia or just curious about what kolo mee tastes like, Three Bowls has something for you. Their Home Taste Kolo Mee caters to those seeking the classic version of kolo mee, while other versions like the Wanton Kolo Mee and Pork Chop Kolo Mee allow you to savour their egg noodles while matching local palates.
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