Nam Seng: Old National Library Wanton Mee

Recently, misstamchiak posted on her instagram about this Nam Seng Wanton Mee which used to be from the hut under the big tree beside the old National Library at Stamford Road.

Well, the old National Library is no stranger to all Singaporeans since it was, if I am not mistaken, our very first public library that has been around since the 1960s. I have a direct bus from my place to Orchard Road which passes by Stamford Road so I have passed by the library with its iconic red bricks countless of times.

However, watching the library and the hut pass me by from inside the bus is all there is of the memories I have had of them. I have not stepped into the library or eaten at the hut before and I will never have the chance to since both have already been torn down for redevelopment in 2004.

As I am a ardent fan of old school Wanton Mee, I thought why not pay a visit to the stall at its current location at China Street? You know, for nostalgia's sake?

Upon reaching the shop, I see an old lady sitting right in front at the counter who shouts my order to the ladies behind her who promptly prepared my noodles while she collects the payment from me. Quite evidently, you can tell who's boss here.

Within a few minutes, I collected my noodles, thanked Po Po and proceeded to have my noodles but I realized that there are no seating arrangements inside the shop. Do not fret, however, because there are a row of tables by the side of the building where you can have your Wanton Mee alfresco-styled.


At first glance, the Wanton Mee looked very plain and unassuming but looks can be deceiving.

After some tossing, a concoction of soy sauce with oil and probably some secret seasonings which gave the mee kia its unique flavors was revealed underneath. The thicker than usual mee kia were springy without clumping together.

The mee kia actually reminded me of those from Ji Ji though I enjoyed Nam Seng's version more. The savory sauce coating the mee kia were simple yet very comforting.


As for the char siew, they were the lean and dry type but at least they were not paper thin. In fact, I think they were quite generous with the char siew. 

Served in the soup were four well-seasoned juicy wantons that is a mix of lean and fatty minced pork but they were a little puny though.

This is a rather satisfying plate of Wanton Mee and even though I find the $5 price tag slightly high, I guess people still find the old school taste worth it.

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