Singapore, July 12, 2012

Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh
Chui Huay Lim Club

Now you can not only enjoy Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh on Monday, you can also tuck into several good hawker dishes at the famous pork rib soup chain's latest outlet.

The new outlet at Chui Huay Lim Club, a short walking distance from Newton food centre and Newton MRT station, opens daily from morning till night.

Two other Ng Ah Sio outlets - at Rangoon Road and Tanjong Pagar - do not open on Monday.

The pork rib soup at the new outlet, which opened on July 9, is very good too. The popular braised duck, pig intestines and pork trotters are available here too.

Although the Bak Kut Teh menu items cost more here, you get to enjoy air-con comfort and better parking at the club.

But don't miss some hawker favourites that have been added to the menu here. Most of them are priced at $7.80 while the Chicken Rice and Chicken Curry (served with rice) cost $8.80.

Although it's a small selection compared with its predecessor Chui Huay Lim Bistro's menu, most of the items are worth trying.

The new eatery also offers the most popular dish at the defunct bistro - Chicken Rice. Although it's prepared by the Jumbo Seafood group, which owns Ng Ah Sio, it was quite a good Chicken Rice.

Previously, the dish was a signature of Chef Han, formerly of Meritus Mandarin, who has now moved on to Pappa Mia group.

Tasting notes:

Chicken Rice: The rice was delicious on its own, with the flavours of garlic and ginger, plus a glistening touch of oil to create the traditional taste. The chicken was tender, and delicious with two dips - the normal chicken rice chilli sauce and a ginger-spring onion sauce.

Nasi Lemak: The tasty rice was coconutty and perfumed with pandan leaves and juice, hence the light greenish tinge. Good enough to give some popular Nasi Lemak stalls a run for their money. The sambal was traditional, but wasn't fiery, so that kids could also enjoy it. The accompaniments were deep fried chicken, crispy ikan bilis, fried egg (sunnyside up), otah and cucumber.

Mee Rebus: The yellow noodles were drenched in a tasty sauce enhanced by baby shrimps and green chillies. It was served with egg, prawns and bean sprouts. One of the better Mee Rebus noodles I've had.

Mee Siam: The fine Beehoon noodles absorbed the very good sauce nicely without turning soggy. It was a delicious Mee Siam sauce with sharp but not overpowering tastes of tamarind, chillies, shallots and tau cheo. Served with prawns and egg. Baby shrimps added to the wow factor.

Chicken Curry: Served with rice, it was a thick curry loaded with spices and coconut milk. But it was more appetising than heavy when eaten with rice. Not too hot, but no harm if slightly more chillies are added.

Laksa: Leaning towards the Nonya style with more coconut milk, it was definitely lemak (heavy with coconut). But you can balance the taste with a dollop of chilli sambal. There were only a few cockles on top, and it could also do with more Laksa leaves. It had prawns and fishcakes in it.

Those who don't want pork rib soup can have several good streetfood choices here.

The eatery also serves homemade barley and luohanguo drinks, as well as Italian coffee, and Chinese kungfu teas.

Rating for Bak Kut Teh: 8/10

Rating for hawker dishes: 7 to 8/10

Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh
Chui Huay Lim Club
190 Keng Lee Road
Singapore 308409
Tel: 62569672
Open daily: 10am to 10pm