Cantonese cuisine has always been a traditional staple in the culinary scene of Singapore. From steamed dim sum dumplings to beef brisket noodles, Hong Kong’s native cuisine has perfected the art of comfort foods. Many locals associate the dialect’s fare with the nostalgic feelings that come along with home-cooked foods, and part of this reason is how simple and unpretentious these dishes are.
The latest venture by locally owned family business Joyden evokes these senses, dishing out time-honoured recipes spanning over generations. Quiet and unassuming, the 108-seater Ho Fook Hei Soy Sauce Chicken sits in the nook of Great World City offering Cantonese classics with personal touches that keeps diners coming back for more.
The foundation on which most Chinese meals are built upon are the carbs, and Ho Fook Hei pays some extra TLC on their Hong Kong-style egg noodles. The al dente bite to the noodles is what sets it apart from other stores and offers a springy, satisfying chew. In the Specialty Rose Wine Soy Sauce Chicken Noodles ($8.80), a generous helping of poached chicken with glistening skins lay atop a bed of egg noodles, tossed in a secret blend of braising liquid. Concocted with over a dozen Chinese herbs and spices, said liquid is kept and topped up every day. Each day adds a new dimension to the flavourful gravy, creating what is known as the restaurant’s specialty “liquid gold”.
Honey-Glazed Black Barbeque Pork Belly ($13) makes a great side dish that’s a premium version of the hawker favourite, and an excellent pairing to the plain egg noodles ($3.80). Otherwise, go for the selection of silky congees that range from the Lean Pork and Century Egg Congee ($8.80), to an all-encompassing Mixed Seafood Congee ($9.80). Befitting also are the fish on the menu—Seabass, Threadfin and Cod, all served with their very own sauces that enhance the freshness of these fish.
For dessert, pick from two Cantonese desserts that cover contemporary and traditional tastes: Refreshing Sago and Pomelo in Fresh Mango Puree ($4.50) or the soothing Warm Red Bean Soup with Aged Mandarin Peel and Lotus Seed ($4.50). Beverages go beyond your regular canned drinks with the Ho Fook Hei specials Homemade Chilled Dried Longan Drink with Luo Han Guo ($3.50) that has a tangy yet salty undertone; and the Signature Homemade Red Apple and Hawthorne Drink ($3.50).
