Goodies & Co. Review: Wanton Mee With Char Siew, Sio Bak & Wantons At Only $3.50 At Boon Keng - EatBook.sg - Local Singapore Food Guide And Review Site
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Goodies & Co. Review: Wanton Mee With Char Siew, Sio Bak & Wantons At Only $3.50 At Boon Keng

16th August 2019

Goodies & Co. churns out value-for-money wanton mee

Goodies & Co. - Flatlay

Whether itโ€™s cai png or economical bee hoon, budget-friendly dishes are our go-to meals when we splurge away our latest paycheck. And if you live in the North-East, you can now add Goodies & Co. to your list of affordable food options.

Nestled within a quiet row of shophouses near Boon Keng MRT, this modest stall wows with their value-for-money selection, quality taste, and generous portions.

Food at Goodies & Co.

Goodies & Co. - Wanton Mee Closeup'

Crammed with slices of char siew, sio bak, as well as fried wontons, the Signature Wanton Noodle ($3.50) was a feast for the eyes. Offering both carbs and proteins, this hearty dish lured us into an irretrievable food coma.

Goodies & Co. - Char Siew Closeup

Draped in a delicious gravy, the tender char siew was a standout. While the first bite brought a honeyed edge, the multiple layers of flavour in the meat slowly revealed themselves, finishing off with a nuance of porky savouriness.

Goodies & Co. - Noodle Closeup

The house-made sauce masked the noodlesโ€™ alkaline aftertaste with its marriage of luscious and salty flavours. Couple that with the springy mee kia, I had a moreish treat that begged to be messily slurped down.

Goodies & Co. - Sio Bak Dipping Shot

The char siew was a hard act to follow, but the sio bak put up a worthy fight. An aromatic blend of five-spice powder and black pepper came through with every bite, before ending with a burst of saltiness. Dunk it in their chilli sauce and relish how the garlicky and citrusy nuances lend heft to it.

However, the lean sio bak lacked the oomph factorโ€”there was no luxurious fattiness and shatteringly crisp skinโ€”that all roast pork enthusiasts clamour for.

Goodies & Co. - Fried Wonton Closeup

A lacklustre crunchy crust also proved to be the undoing of an otherwise stellar fried wonton. The slightly soft wonton skin offered a disappointing foil to the succulent minced meat filling. Pretty average, especially when compared to the silky dumplings found in the soup.

Goodies & Co. - Bak Chor Mee

Similar to their wonton mee, the Bak Chor Mee ($3.50) was chock-full of ingredients. Besides a bountiful mound of mee pok, this filling bowl also featured minced meat, fishballs, fishcakes, and blanched pork slices.

Goodies & Co. - Shrimp Closeup

Pork liver, however, was a notable absentee from this band of sides. In its place were succulent shrimps, which jazzed up the bouncy mee pok with their textural contrast.

Goodies & Co. - Bak Chor Mee Closeup

While the mee pok is sufficiently flavourful, you can up the ante by adding a dollop of sambal chilli. Redolent of hae bee hiam, this chilli paste bolstered the noodles with a potent kick of umami. It also carried a gentle fieriness, making the relish suitable for those with a low spice tolerance.

Goodies & Co. - Curry Chicken Noodle

The spice-averse can breathe a sigh of relief with the Curry Chicken Noodles ($4) here as well. Contrary to its menacing shade of orange, the broth packed a palatable spiciness. I guzzled it all down like a drink, relishing the cascade of savoury notes washing over my palate.

Goodies & Co. - Broth Closeup

What made this robust broth so addictive was how it got almost every aspect down pat. Some curries are smooth but bland; others are rich but thick and jelak; theirs hit that sweet spot between taste and consistency. That being said, I would have preferred if the curry had been more lemak.

Goodies & Co. - Poached Chicken Closeup

Equally well-executed were the various toppings. The poached chicken took centre stage, shining with its fork-tender meat. As this protein glided off my teeth, I detected faint tinges of ginger, cutting across the savoury curry with its earthy undertones.ย 

Goodies & Co. - Curry Chicken Noodle

With the toppings, Goodies & Co. once again displayed their generous hand. Not only was the chicken substantial, but their tau pok were served in thick wedges as well.

My only quibble was with the potatoes. A tad undercooked, they lacked the pleasant sweetness thatโ€™s characteristic of it.

Ambience at Goodies & Co.

Goodies & Co. - Storefront

Whether itโ€™s the menu written on a chalkboard or photos of their dishes haphazardly displayed, Goodies & Co. ought to quickly relax anybody with its homely ambience. Along with their well-positioned ceiling fans and warmly-lit interior, this snug coffee shop is ideal for a chill chit-chat over a meal.

Goodies & Co. - Ambience

Unfortunately, seats are limited, so I defโ€™ recommend dropping by early.

The verdict

Goodies & Co. - Verdict

We often associate low prices with a dip in quality, but the converse is usually true when itย  comes to hawker food. Goodies & Co. offers a fitting example. Dishing up hearty and quality meals at bargain prices, the store is truly a hidden gem in Boon Keng.

If youโ€™re searching for more food around Goodies & Co., Geylang Bahru Food Centre is literally right around the corner. From traditional soon kueh to warm bowls of hot pot, thereโ€™s something for everyone here.ย 

10 Geylang Bahru Food Centre Stalls To Try After Their Revamp

Address: 989 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328147
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am to 10:30pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am to 10pm
Goodies & Co. is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Cindy Yong.
This is an independent review by Eatbook.sg.

  • 7.5/10
    - 7.5/10
7.5/10

Summary

Pros
โ€” Generous portions
โ€” Affordable prices
โ€” Convenient location

Cons
โ€” Stuffy setting
โ€” Limited seats available

Recommended Dishes: Signature Wanton Noodle ($3.50), Bak Chor Mee ($3.50)

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am to 10:30pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am to 10pm

Address: 989 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328147

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