Image credit: @liyuan_meepok
If you’re up for hearty hawker fare with a bit of a twist, Li Yuan Mee Pok‘s Japanese fusion noods go beyond your regular bowl of BCM. The hawker brand, which first made news for its Japanese chef-owner Naoji Kuribara, has recently opened two new outlets in Commonwealth and Hougang.
Image credit: @chansyummyfoods
The Japanese hawker learned the ropes of making a good bowl of local bak chor mee from the original Ah Hoe Mee Pok a few years ago. After developing his signature Japanese-style mee pok dish, which features shoyu- and miso-infused sauce bases, he set up his first hawker stall in Blk 710 Clementi West.
Chef Naoji has since made a name for himself, churning out bowl after bowl of his unique Japan-meets-Singapore noodles, now available across five outlets islandwide.
Image credit: @oatlyyummy
If it’s your first visit to Li Yuan Mee Pok, order the Shoyu Japanese Fusion Mee Pok ($7/$8). The price may seem steep by hawker standards, but you get a decent portion of al dente egg noodles, pork balls, minced pork, two pieces of Japanese cha shu, a slice of abalone, plus a generous lashing of crispy lard, all swimming in a secret sauce that’s both savoury and sweet.
There’s also a Miso ($7/$8) alternative, which switches out the shoyu base for a creamier miso-spiked sauce. Both flavours are available in soup and dry versions.
For those who are out to splurge, opt for a $10 bowl of Crayfish Mee Pok, which sees the same fusion bak chor mee elevated by two pieces of poached crayfish instead of cha shu.
Purists will also be glad to spot familiar classics of Mushroom Minced Meat Noodles ($5/$6) and Teochew Dumplings Soup ($5) on the menu.
Check out Li Yuan Mee Pok on their Instagram page for more updates!
If you’re looking for more noodle options, check out our JOFA Meepok review for zhnged-up mee pok with scallops. Alternatively, visit Tangled at Chinatown for freshly made pastas at affordable prices.
Li Yuan Mee Pok at Commonwealth
Address: 115B Commonwealth Dr, 01-697, Singapore 149597
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 7:30pm
Li Yuan Mee Pok at HougangÂ
Address : 511 Hougang Ave 10, Singapore 530511
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am till 7:30pm
Featured image adapted from @oatlyyummy, @liyuan_meepok and merrychristmasmrlawrence