NiuNiu Tea & DuDu Rice Review: Legit Lu Rou Fan And Handmade Tteokbokki From $3.30 In Whampoa

NiuNiu Tea & DuDu Rice has lu rou fan and more in Whampoa

When I think of Korean and Taiwanese fare, comfort food comes to mind. It’s hard to come by a hawker stall that does both, so when we heard about NiuNiu Tea & DuDu Rice in Whampoa Makan Place, we jumped at the chance to check them out.

Food at NiuNiu Rice & Dudu Tea

NiuNiu Rice & Dudu Tea is run by Ryan, who has Taiwanese parents and a Chinese-Korean wife, which explains the stall’s menu. Everything is priced under $5, but that doesn’t mean portions are lacking either.

Our Braised Pork Rice ($4.70) was a sizeable serving of pearl rice, topped with one whole braised egg, house-made kimchi, and the most important element: the braised meat.

This was one homely bowl of lu rou fan that reminded me of the lor bak my dad would make on the weekends. The pork belly was soft and tender, with chunks of lean meat in between to combat the richness.

The braising sauce was excellently done, though on the sweeter and heavier side—perhaps because we got the last bowl for the day and the zhup had already been reducing for hours.

The acidity from the pile of tangy kimchi and pickled veggies helped to cut through any potential jelakness, striking a balance between meaty, savoury, and sweet. If there’s anything to fault, I’d only wished the kimchi was a tad more fermented.

There’s also the quintessential Taiwanese Mee Sua ($4.70) with shredded chicken and oyster.

This flavourful bowl of noods had the iconic Taiwanese mee sua taste, thanks to the bonito-infused stock. The strands of vermicelli were completely soaked in the thick broth, acting as the vehicle for the flavours and ingredients.

The oysters were plump and sweet with a pleasantly briny aftertaste that lingered, complementing the thin shreds of chicken breast.

Though not the best I’ve had, it’s nonetheless a decent rendition of oyster mee sua at a fraction of the cost charged by most Taiwanese cafes.

Just when we thought things couldn’t get any better, the QQ Cheesy Tteokbokki ($3.30) proved us otherwise.

The handmade rice cakes were tender and cooked perfectly, retaining a bite despite sitting in the sauce for a period of time.

Paired with an addictive sauce that was creamy, spicy and garlicky all at once, this side dish was a unanimous favourite at the table.

Ambience at NiuNiu Rice & Dudu Tea

The stall stands out for its cute signboard and detailed menu. There was a line when we visited on a weekday during lunchtime, around 1:30pm. By the time it was our turn to order, some of the items were already sold out. It might be wise to check their Instagram page for updates before heading down.

They’re located in Whampoa Makan Place, also known as Whampoa Food Centre, which is a short bus ride from Novena or Boon Keng MRT Station.

There are lots of food options in the food centre, including famous hawker stalls that have many years of history. Snag a table that faces the outdoor area for more breeze, but make sure you watch out for the birds looming around.

The verdict

Even if you don’t reside in the area, NiuNiu Rice & Dudu Tea is worth the travel if you’re a fan of Korean and Taiwanese street food. On top of the generous portions, everything on the menu is under $5, so you won’t break the bank either!

For more food in Whampoa Makan Place, read our Huat Heng Fried Oyster review for crispy orh luak. There’s also our Balestier Road Hoover Rojak review for Michelin-approved rojak with over 60 years of history!

Address: Blk 90 Whampoa Drive, #01-82, Singapore 320090
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 12pm to 8:30pm
Tel: 9087 9402
Website
NiuNiu Rice & Dudu Tea is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Tan Zi Hui.
This was an independent review by Eatbook.sg.