Hokkien Noodle at Kimly Coffeeshop: Delicious Chai Tow Kway in Pasir Ris

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Pasir Ris, again?! Well, I’m only here for the sole purpose of debunking the myth that Pasir Ris, as compared to her thriving neighbours (Tampines, Bedok, etc.), has no food. Today’s journey led me to Hokkien Noodle located at Kimly Coffeeshop— an obscure 24-hour coffee shop at Pasir Ris Drive 6.

With a name as straightforward as “Hokkien Noodle”, this stall actually serves quality Chai Tow Kway. I know because I’ve been frequenting this joint for years, particularly for supper. 

What I tried at Hokkien Noodle

For the unbeknownst, Chai Tow Kway, colloquially known as Carrot Cake, is a popular breakfast dish. With plenty of stalls around the island that close by early afternoon, this stall definitely hits the spot especially when it’s near where I live and is open till the wee hours of the morning. 

Here, a plate of Carrot Cake (White/Black) costs S$4/S$5/$6, and a plate of Hokkien Mee costs S$5.50/S$8/S$10. For the sake of fairness, I decided to get a plate of S$4 Black and White Carrot Cake each, and a S$5.50 plate of Hokkien Mee. 

Personally, I’m a fan of the often overlooked, White Carrot Cake. And let me share with you, the one sold here is to-die-for. 

Think chonky radish cake chunks stir-fried with egg mixed with a generous amount of chilli. That’s what you’ll get. Besides, it also comes with a side of additional sambal. Score! 

The White Carrot Cake here is undeniably my favourite! I especially like the fact that the S$3 portion is enough for two people to enjoy. Besides, I can only eat so much of it in one sitting. 

Personally, I avoid ordering the Black Carrot Cake because most places rarely do it the way I like— dry and crispy. I mean, the best part of Black Carrot Cake is the charred bits as is. I noticed the one here is doused in too much soy sauce and subtly cringed. 

I took a spoonful of the Black Carrot Cake and unlike its white counterpart, it didn’t sit well with me. However, if you’re a fan of a slightly wet version paired with the smoky aftertaste, you might want to give the black version a try. Besides, nothing can go wrong with their exceptional sambal chilli! 

Of course, I wasn’t going to leave without ordering a plate of the stall’s namesake. The Hokkien Mee here is the wet version, and comes with the usual sotong, two big prawns, a combination of yellow mee and mee hoon, a piece of lime, and a dollop of crimson red chilli.

Usually, not a fan of sotong, the one here isn’t as chewy as most that I’ve tried. It also had a faint briny aftertaste which I had to wash down with a sip of my drink. However, when I had another bite of it with the sambal chilli, it tasted better.

The noodles here deserve a special mention— it’s springy and not too mushy, making each bite enjoyable. Dip the noodles in the rich broth multiple times to get a burst of umami-ness in your mouth. 

Personally, I’ve tasted better Hokkien Mee out there, but the one here screams comfort food. Besides, this is the only stall in Pasir Ris that’s churning out carrot cake and Hokkien Mee 24 hours, so they do deserve credit for that. 

Final thoughts

I may be a little biased because I’ve been visiting this stall for years, but their White Carrot Cake is truly delicious! It’s crispy, eggy, and well-balanced. The kind of dish I can see myself eating at any time of the day. And it’s not oily either! 

While I don’t condone anyone eating Carrot Cake and Hokkien Mee daily, you should give this stall a shot at least once if you ever find yourself in the area. 

Expected damage: S$3 to S$4.50 per pax

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