Ma Bo Lor Mee – Popular & Affordable Lor Mee in Chinatown

Tze Yee Lee
Tze Yee Lee
October 20, 2018

Residing in Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, Ma Bo Lor Mee serves lor mee and laksa. It opened in May 2013, and is run by Li Xia and a partner. It all started when Li Xia’s partner whipped up some fried rice and lor mee for a gathering. Li Xia’s husband fell in love with the fried rice and lor mee instantly. “Since my partner’s cooking was so well-received, he suggested starting a lor mee business. My husband was worried that he wasn’t up for it, but he has confidence in me,” Li Xia shared. They currently have six outlets islandwide.

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Ma Bo Lor Mee’s Fried Fish Lor Mee ($3/$4) is a must-try. Flat yellow noodles, thick gooey gravy, five pieces of deep-fried battered fish, and half an egg — what more do you need?  “We’re using my partner’s grandmother’s lor mee recipe. The gravy is made with seven herbs and we prepare it the night before, so the flavours will be better infused into the gravy. We don’t use MSG at all. All the flavours come naturally from the ingredients,” Li Xia told us.

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The gravy was lovely. It wasn’t too starchy, or too thick. I loved how the fresh chilli and cilantro brought life to the dish. The ratio of gravy to noodles was perfect too. Don’t forget to spoon in some house-made chilli sauce and chopped garlic for more heat and flavour!

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Every day, the duo slices up fresh dory fish, and marinate them in their own marinade. The flesh of the fish, which was encased in a crisp golden brown jacket, was sweet and tender. The fish remained crispy even after sitting out for a while. What a sumptuous bowl!

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I also tried the Laksa ($2.50/$3.50) at Ma Bo Lor Mee. I was surprised to see fried fish in my laksa, but I’m not complaining of course. The consistency of the gravy was perfect, and I loved that the hae bi and coconut flavours were strong. I helped myself to more chilli as the heat was quite mild. The cockles were really fresh and slightly bigger than what I’m used to getting in my laksa.

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Overall, Ma Bo Lor Mee whips up pretty great lor mee and laksa. You will most likely witness a long queue, but good food is always worth queuing for, right?

Ma Bo Lor Mee

Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #02-04, Singapore 051531

Area: Chinatown

Opening Hours: 8.30am to 6.30pm daily

MissTamChiak.com made an anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

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