While lunching at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre a couple of months back, a stall named Li Ji Cooked Food caught my attention.
The stall has yet to open for the day but a queue has already formed in front of it. Interestingly, the people in the line are mainly the retirees.
If a stall has the unwavering support of so many elderlies, then there must be something worth checking out here.
So, here I am, in the queue today, to find out what these people are standing in line for. I learned from the auntie behind me that it is a economical rice (chap chye png) stall serving Cantonese-style dishes.
Although stalls offering Teochew muey are a dime a dozen, it did not strike me till now that there are actually dialect-specified economical rice stalls around (in this case, a Cantonese one).
The queue stretched all the way to Chang Ji Gourmet on the opposite side. Despite the long line, it cleared quite fast due to the efficiency of the staff inside.
Compared to a regular economical rice stall, options here are rather limited as the stall is not that big to begin with.
I picked the dishes which visually appealed to me the most - braised mushrooms, steamed egg custard and pork with salted fish for $3.50. But wait, there is even complimentary soup of the day - snow fungus soup!
My bowl of soup come with snow fungus, carrots and even longans.
The Cantonese loved their soups and what better way to capture their hearts with one?
The umami flavor of Chinese mushrooms are irresistible to me.
Although the ones here are on the smaller side, they are like a breath of fresh air, compared to Mum's that come with dried oysters, fatt choy and red dates.
I think the mushrooms here are braised simply in oyster sauce. Without the interference from other ingredients, the natural flavor of the mushroom is allowed to shine through.
Less is more, I believe.
The steamed triple-egg custard is so light and cottony soft, it glides down my throat without much effort.
I like how the steamed egg is subtly flavored by the salted egg and its own eggy fragrance while the century egg provided some texture.
This is rather well executed and I strongly recommend getting this if it is available.
Just like the previous dish, the taste profile of this pork with salted fish came mainly from the salted fish. However, it is well balanced without being too salty.
I could not tell which cut of pork is being used here as they are in rather small pieces and therefore, unrecognisable.
This dish is appetizing and pairs so good with rice.
I realized that they use the salt quite sparingly in their dishes (at least the ones I ordered). Despite being light on the palate, that does not make them any less scrumptious.
And judging by the daily queue, it is evident that Li Ji is doing something right.
This stall is definitely worth a visit!
LI JI COOKED FOOD 利記熟食
Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre
Blk 335 Smith Street
Blk 335 Smith Street
#02-139
Singapore 058956
Singapore 058956
Business Hours
Sun - Fri: 11.30am - 2pm
Closed: Sat
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/nPQj41kK9tjVvXZi9