The name Wen Kang Ji may be familiar to some of you, considering the popularity of their wanton noodles in Golden Mile Food Centre. But, have you gone to their newest outlet in Jurong East, which has an updated menu?
Tucked away under Block 326 Jurong East Street 31, Wen Kang Ji was a long trip for me. Having travelled the long distance, my anticipation built up, excited to try out the exclusive menu only found at the Jurong East outlet.
The place gave off a more deluxe feel than the average shophouse, having cushioned seats with marble tabletops. Despite the warm humidity, the shop was cooling, thanks to fans inside. As it was not very crowded, I was able to enjoy the peaceful ambience of the Jurong East block, with barely any noise around. What a much needed break from the bustle of Singapore’s city life!
Another important note is that the store’s Google address is slightly off in terms of opening hours. Having sat down and ordered at 2pm, I was surprised when the shopkeeper had to turn away 2 groups due to 2.30pm being their ‘rest time’. Apparently, Wen Kang Ji now operates on a split shift basis, so do take note if you’re intending to drop by.
The menu had quite a few things in store. Though some were unavailable, I had already decided on what to get on my long journey here. However, I was taken aback by the price change of the Nasi Lemak Sushi (S$3 for 1), which was a drastic price change from the S$3 for 3 pieces I saw online. I felt all the more to see what the hype is!
What I tried at Wen Kang Ji
I was curious about the prawn noodles, considering that a wanton mee store chose to sell another Singaporean speciality. With that plan in mind, I placed an order for the Prawn Noodle with Pig Tail (S$6 for Regular, S$8 for Medium, S$10 for Jumbo).
My first sip of the broth was filled with incredible flavour. The aromatic scent of the broth couldn’t be ignored, especially in my hungry state. You could tell that they had sauteed many prawn shells to acquire that delectable prawn sweetness!
With each spoonful, I enjoyed the bite from the taugey. The dish also came with 3 prawns and 3 sections of pig tail. The prawns were of an average size, but tasted fresh, while the tenderness of the pig tail allowed me to bite with ease.
I asked for a combination of yellow noodle and kway teow, and thankfully, they were cooked just right— not too soft that it was mushy but with enough bite to it. Wen Kang Ji offered way more noodle options than the average 3, even going far to offer mee pok noodles.
Of course, I had to try out what Wen Kang Ji was famous for, Wanton Mee (S$6.80 for Regular, S$8.80 for Jumbo). I loved how their noodles were not completely dry and had a good amount of sauce, and felt that as a result, the noodles were more flavourful. Their char siew had a good distribution of fat and meat, and was definitely one of the better char siews I’ve had. The taste was similar to a soft bak kwa.
The noodles were on the al dente side, which I could appreciate, as each mouthful had a good texture. The chilli had an intense flavour, packing quite a hard punch that I personally could not handle. Those who can though, be sure to mix to get a well-rounded spicy Wanton Mee!
This was the one dish I was the most eager for, as this is the first for me! Nasi Lemak Sushi— I genuinely thought it was a genius way to market a local favourite. Curiosity filled my gut as it arrived.
Presentation wise, I liked the colour contrast involved. The greenery of the coriander and the yellow hue of the rice made for an impactful look, wouldn’t you agree? I liked that the rice was a bigger portion than an average sushi portion as well, making the price tag of S$3 per piece more worth it.
The minced chicken meat had a light crust, giving a pleasant bite when combined with the springy meat — and I loved how they added little chunks of onion for an extra touch of flavour.
The chicken was of a substantial size, matching well with its rice companion. The rice had hints of turmeric as well, giving that signature colour and added taste.
The only issue I had would be with the rice. It was hard and dry, which made it difficult to consume. It felt like it had been sitting out for a good while before being served, thus giving it such a stiff bite. However, I understood that the sushi would have to be shaped beforehand, so I felt that it was reasonable. In all honesty, I expected a tad more, especially for S$3 a piece.
Final thoughts
Wen Kang Ji had the majority of their food down, especially in terms of taste that I believe Singaporeans would love. However, for some of us, Jurong East is rather far and would take a tedious journey to get here. Unfortunately for me, this meal wasn’t worth the journey to the West, and I would only dine here if I happen to be nearby and in need of some local grub.
Their customer service is commendable, as despite dining during their split shift timing, the staff were still friendly and assisted us during our meal.
Expected damage: S$6 – S$24 per pax
Other articles you might like:
Where to eat: 11 best dry wanton mee in SG that will leave you ‘wanton’ more
Price: $
Our Rating: 3 / 5
Wen Kang Ji
Block 326 Jurong East Street 31, #01-118, Singapore 600326
Wen Kang Ji
Block 326 Jurong East Street 31, #01-118, Singapore 600326
