Expertise halal Taiwan road meals like beef beancurd and scallion pancake

In my 24 years of being alive, I don’t assume I’ve had correct Taiwanese road meals, until you rely these shoddy shark fin soup stalls in pasar malams. It’s not like I’m in opposition to that concept, but it surely’s troublesome to discover a Muslim-friendly stall that serves them. That was till I patronised Alley Wei situated in Northpoint Metropolis, which serves halal Taiwanese road meals.

Located on the basement stage, Alley Wei actually performs on its Taiwanese affect with wood tables and stools which are far too slim for their very own good. The shortage of a backrest additionally meant that my online game binges and constant slouching through the years has lastly bitten again. However I’m all for it if this was how they’ve it again in Taiwan.

There was additionally a transparent window so that you can observe workers pounding away on the flour and dough earlier than slowly massaging them, forming the pores and skin of a dumpling like well-oiled machines. It makes for an ideal time killer whereas ready to your meal—till they stare again, after all.

What I attempted at Alley Wei

Surprisingly, Alley Wei had a comparatively clear menu regardless of being impressed by Taiwanese road meals. There wasn’t any fried mantou with slices of bak kwa in between, or youtiao topped with an obscene quantity of Nutella and marshmallows which, to be sincere, sounds fairly good. 

You might have your set of unsweetened Beancurd with choices like Beancurd with Peanut (S$3.20), Beancurd with Soymilk (S$2.80) and even savoury ones comparable to Beef Beancurd (S$6.80) which was what I acquired. I additionally had an order of Pan-Fried Dumplings (S$6.80) and Steamed Dumplings (S$4.80).

There have been extra acquainted noodle choices like Noodles with Rooster Soup (S$5.80) and Beef Noodles (S$8.80). I additionally had the Scallion Pancake (S$4.20) which got here in different flavours comparable to Rooster Pancake (S$4.30). In fact not forgetting, the Youtiao (S$1.80).

To scrub all of that down, I opted for the Soybean Milk (S$2.20), however you may additionally get Almond Soybean Milk (S$2.6) and Chin Chow Drink (S$2.60). Thoughts you that a few of the soybean milk drinks are served in a bowl, nevertheless, straws have been accessible.

I began off with one thing acquainted, the Beef Noodles. Admittedly, the clear broth already informed me that it’s going to be a bland expertise. And I used to be proper: it wasn’t the most flavorful beef noodles I’ve had, however a minimum of it wasn’t the worst.

It was a very light-tasting broth with solely hints of savouriness and sweetness. To its credit score, it wasn’t overly salty or oily, which considerably makes up for it. Equally, the opposite parts, just like the noodles, beef slices and radish have been all well-cooked. I significantly appreciated the addition of scallions which freshened up the complete bowl.

10 finest Muslim-friendly Japanese eating places in Singapore to suit any urge for food

Up subsequent was the Beef Beancurd and it was the one factor that I couldn’t wait to strive once I first came upon about Alley Wei. Seems, I ought to have waited. The already impartial tasting beancurd simply didn’t go nicely with the identical broth from the Beef Noodles.

And its gentle and jelly-like texture examined the resolve of my gag reflex to the utmost. It didn’t assist that my thoughts was fine-tuned in anticipating the style of candy syrup, which by no means got here.

My accomplice nevertheless, loved the attention-grabbing textural mixture of beef slices and beancurd, which left little question on who completed the bowl.

I needed to take a breather from the beancurd expertise and located the Soybean Milk to be refreshing and milky. Fortunately, it was barely candy so you possibly can totally recognize its creaminess. 

Persevering with the meal, I went for the Pan-Fried Dumplings and Steamed Dumplings. The previous was simply one of the best factor I ordered. It nonetheless had a decently crispy exterior with a gentle and chewy inside. The hen filling was actually flavorful with hints of soy sauce and once more, scallions. 

The Steamed Dumplings, nevertheless, have been a letdown. They used a special kind of hen meat which had a slimy texture, however maybe it’d’ve been due to the soup that accompanied it. 

One other letdown was their Scallion Pancake. My accomplice and I joked that it regarded like roti prata, which was truly form of true because it tasted comparable. It was overly doughy with no semblance of a powerful scallion style not like the Pan-Fried Dumplings and Beef Noodles.

Lastly was the Youtiao. Tastewise, it’s actually just like what you’d get wherever else, with its signature barely salty inside. Nonetheless, this rendition was a lot crispier and fewer oily as in comparison with different youtiao.

Last ideas 

I can’t say I loved every little thing that I had at Alley Wei, however I’m glad I skilled it within the first place. I’d positively advocate the Pan-Fried Dumplings and Soybean Milk for first-timers. 

Finally, what received me over wasn’t essentially the meals, however how comparatively reasonably priced and filling it was. Have I discussed that it’s GST-free?

Anticipated injury: S$2.20 – S$14.30 per pax

20 finest must-try Muslim-friendly eating places in Singapore