Hai Xian Zhu Zhou: Springy ke kou mian & robust broths — worth the long queues?

“You live in Bukit Panjang? So ulu, but got nice ke kou mian.”

As someone who’s lived my whole life in Bukit Panjang, I know this statement all too well. Hey, my neighbourhood may be an often ‘neglected’ one, but at least people know of Hai Xian Zhu Zhou; some even travel here specifically for its tasty ke kou mian.

The idea of this review came to me while I was previously working on a Bukit Panjang food guide. I was rather surprised to discover that the stall hadn’t been covered on our site, despite its popularity and how synonymous it has become with my area.

So, why not? I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write about the ke kou mian I grew up loving. Besides, I hadn’t had a fix in a while; naturally, my mind wandered into the territory of “standard drop or not?”

Hai Xian Zhu Zhou is situated in the coffeeshop at 163A Gangsa Rd, near Bukit Panjang Interchange. I can name several things that might boggle your mind if you’re a first-timer.

First, the name. On Google Maps, it’s Hai Xian Zhu Zhou, meaning ‘seafood porridge’ in Mandarin. Its front is labelled ‘porridge’ in big bold letters, too. However, the actual signboard reads ‘KKM’ and the business goes by ‘Uncle KKM’ on Facebook. I frankly cannot tell you what its actual name is.

Then there’s the queue; it winds past pillars and stretches through the whole coffeeshop, sometimes beyond. Long queues may not be uncommon elsewhere, but they certainly are in Bukit Panjang.

I waited for over an hour that day. Patience is a virtue that I was truly fighting to embrace.

What I tried at Hai Xian Zhu Zhou

Oh, one thing you should note is that the signboard does not sport price tags; the base price of a bowl of Koka Noodles is S$5, though you can fork out an additional S$0.50 to upsize yours and an additional S$0.50 to have it Spicy.

I started off with an upsized bowl of what has been my go-to order for the longest time: Spicy Koka Noodles (S$6).

Wow, the bowl was heavy; it was piping hot and packed with ingredients, sending a nod my way about the hearty meal I was in for. The curly Koka noodles were cloaked in a gao broth, coloured a fiery red that could scare some. Not for me, though; it only beckoned to be devoured.

You might very well be wondering — how is this any different from instant noodles one could easily whip up at home? My friend, Hai Xian Zhu Zhou’s broth is all the difference; you’ll know from the moment you take your first sip.

The broth is rich with umami goodness from its discernible pork base. The spice it packs has a pronounced chilli flavour that isn’t overpowering but rather addictive. I often find myself savouring each spoonful, letting the flavours linger on my palate and the spice tingle my tongue. 

The best part? You won’t be left feeling thirsty afterwards as it isn’t MSG-loaded. So, how do you like your packaged instant noodles now?

The Koka noodles have a delightful springiness and good bite, holding up well in the tasty broth without becoming overly soggy. Moreover, they bear a subtle egginess that lends a nice contrast to the robust spicy broth.

While I personally would prefer my noodles to have more of a QQ type of chew, I do maintain that these were thoroughly enjoyable and slurp-worthy, serving as the perfect complement to the soup.

The bowl was packed with lean meat and pork liver slices, handmade minced meatballs and xiao bai cai.

The firm liver slices were cooked well, rendering a pleasant gamey contrast while the xiao bai cai provided a refreshing crunch that juxtaposed the hearty broth and softer textures nicely. Of all, I enjoyed the meatballs — they were succulent and seasoned well, with nutty hints of sesame oil.

Submerged within the bowl was an egg, though it was slightly overcooked and hence grainy and rubbery. I’d have preferred it to be slightly underdone to add a layer of creamy richness to the broth.

Nevertheless, this dish maintains its position as a certified constant in my repertoire.

The second dish I ordered was the ‘signature’ Delicious Koka Noodle (S$5). I had intended to order the Mee Hoon Kueh (S$5) instead, only to be told that the dish was unavailable. 

Though I was a little dismayed, I was nonetheless equally thrilled that I’d get to sample the Koka noodles in their unadulterated glory. It was about time I got to anyway, considering how I’ve always gone straight for the Spicy option.

The signature broth had a thick consistency and a slightly cloudy appearance. When placed side-by-side with the Spicy variation, this appeared a lot tamer.

I didn’t expect to be blown away by the first sip of the broth like I was; I was pleasantly surprised by its depth of flavour. Like its Spicy counterpart, it had a pronounced umami that served as testament to the stall’s consistency.

Above all, I thoroughly enjoyed how the moreish savoury-sweetness of the pork bones was a lot more prominent here with the absence of chilli. Hai Xian Zhu Zhou has once again shown its upper hand as far as broth is concerned.

To add to my delight, golden-yellow yolk oozed out the moment I pulled the egg open with my chopsticks. Rich and creamy, it imparted a silky quality to the broth that made each spoonful even more luscious and addictive.

By the time I finally had my first taste of the Koka noodles in this dish, they had been stewing in the broth for quite some time. As a result, they emerged a little softer and thicker than the noodles I had tried in my first bowl. Regardless, the texture worked and the noodles effectively absorbed the robust flavours of the broth.

You know what? This could go head-to-head with the Spicy Koka Noodles in my books.

Final Thoughts

I’m confident that Hai Xian Zhu Zhou possibly serves up some of Singapore’s best ke kou mian. Their forte undeniably lies in their robust broths, although the springy noodles and generous flavourful ingredients had their parts in making each bowl a delight.

For first-timers, start with the Delicious Koka Noodles; I frankly didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did and foresee that it could very well become my new go-to. The Spicy Koka Noodles are delicious as well and will be just right for spice lovers.

Is their ke kou mian worth the travel and wait, though? I wouldn’t exaggerate and say that it’s worth going out of your way for, but it certainly makes for a satisfying lunch if you’re nearby. Just remember to bring lots of patience and a hand-held fan; you’ll sweat buckets while waiting.

Expected damage: S$5 – S$7 per pax

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