A Simple Lunch @ Teck Ghee Food Centre

 Singapore - Today, I made my way to Teck Ghee Market and Food Centre, one of the well-known food centres in Ang Mo Kio. Teck Ghee is one of the six primary neighbourhoods within the Ang Mo Kio new town. Its name translates to "Virtue and Righteousness" in Hokkien and was adopted by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in the 1970s when the former rural farmlands were transformed into a modern housing estate.

With plenty of food choices available, I decided to start with a plate of Mee Siam for $3 from 341 Cooked Food. The friendly lady owner was welcoming and clearly experienced. One thoughtful touch was that she squeezed the lime for customers, ensuring the right balance of flavour without diners having to do it themselves. I also noticed how meticulously she prepared each serving. The mee siam portions were pre-portioned beforehand, allowing for consistency, and when adding the gravy, she carefully scooped and drained it twice before serving.

The result was a delicious plate of mee siam with a well-balanced flavour profile. The gravy carried a pleasant blend of assam tanginess, gentle sweetness, and a moderate level of spiciness. No single flavour dominated, creating a harmonious and satisfying dish.

After finishing my mee siam, I headed over to the popular Belinda's Pancake stall. I was hoping to try her much-talked-about cone-shaped Min Jiang Kueh, but the owner informed me that it was only available on alternate days. She explained that selling puttu mayam was simpler and faster.

I ordered a serving of puttu mayam and observed the preparation process. The puttu mayam had already been pre-made, with the owner simply removing it from its packaging. Even the sugar came in a pre-packed plastic sachet. The only distinctive touch was the freshly heated grated coconut, kept warm in a steamer and served alongside the dish.

While the puttu mayam was pleasant enough, there was nothing particularly exceptional about it apart from the warm coconut. Nevertheless, it rounded off an enjoyable visit to this charming neighbourhood hawker centre.