We were quite surprised when a new place popped up near our hood, along the row of shophouse that my colleagues and I walk past quite often, even more so when it's the super hyped up Kin Kin Chilli Ban Mian. We'd previously thought that it was just gonna be another one of those usual noodle places we see, just in an air-conditioned place.
So with the crazy crowds during its first two weeks, we'd decided to drop by when one of our colleagues told us there was no queue at all! Yes indeed, when we went at about 1.30pm, there was plenty of space to accommodate us when we'd asked for 8pax seating.
There was a whole row of menu in front, with mee hoon kueh, you mian, etc, but we were told that only their signature was available. So the only choice we had to make was...dry or soup?
Dry Ban Mian ($5)
The way to eating this: pop the half boiled egg and mix with their signature chilli so that the noodles are evenly coated. I loved how the chilli wasn't overwhelming and had the aroma of the roasted chilli, with not too much chilli oil. It was one that grew on slowly rather than a searing spice that burns.
The minced meat had also been braised to add the savoury flavour to an otherwise plain dish. Great if you can take spicy food, else it'd have been just a plain noodle dish.
It took about 15mins wait for the noodles to be served and while mine had a perfectly poached eggs, it was inconsistent for the other bowls that came after.
Ban Mian Soup ($5)
It hit the parts on the taste and was an above-average bowl of noodles, but to queue or specially travel here for that? I'd highly doubt so. Plus, the portion was too small and all of us ended up going for second round lunch at the prata stall next to it. $5 has certainly been a hefty price tag and inflation from its original RM4.60 in KL.
Overhyped and overpriced, go without the expectations of a golden bowl of noodles and it'd make for a more pleasant experience.
So with the crazy crowds during its first two weeks, we'd decided to drop by when one of our colleagues told us there was no queue at all! Yes indeed, when we went at about 1.30pm, there was plenty of space to accommodate us when we'd asked for 8pax seating.
There was a whole row of menu in front, with mee hoon kueh, you mian, etc, but we were told that only their signature was available. So the only choice we had to make was...dry or soup?
Dry Ban Mian ($5)
The way to eating this: pop the half boiled egg and mix with their signature chilli so that the noodles are evenly coated. I loved how the chilli wasn't overwhelming and had the aroma of the roasted chilli, with not too much chilli oil. It was one that grew on slowly rather than a searing spice that burns.
The minced meat had also been braised to add the savoury flavour to an otherwise plain dish. Great if you can take spicy food, else it'd have been just a plain noodle dish.
It took about 15mins wait for the noodles to be served and while mine had a perfectly poached eggs, it was inconsistent for the other bowls that came after.
Ban Mian Soup ($5)
The soup version was pretty much the same, more savoury though it probably wasn't the best kind to mix in with their chilli that was the essence of dining here.
Overall Verdict: 7.0/10
Overhyped and overpriced, go without the expectations of a golden bowl of noodles and it'd make for a more pleasant experience.
Kin Kin Chilli Pan Mee
534 MacPherson Road
Singapore 368220
