Five highlights from expanded Malaysia Boleh! food court at Jurong Point

A selection of dishes: (clockwise, from bottom left) Damansara chilli pan mee, kway chap from Kway Teow Kia, Skudai duck rice, Kuantan nasi lemak and Morgan mee rebus. ST PHOTO: WONG AH YOKE

The Malaysia Boleh! Food Court has more than doubled its space on level 3 of Jurong Point. It opened the new extension two weeks ago, adding another 8,000 sq ft to its original 7,000 sq ft space. The adjoining shoplot was formerly occupied by a footwear retailer.

Taking up the new space are 15 stalls featuring food from popular operators in Malaysia - bringing the total number of stalls there to 32. The original 17 stalls were known for hawker fare such as char kway teow and chendol.

The new items come from different Malaysian states such as Pahang, Penang and Johor, which the Malaysia Boleh! founders spent five months to source. The food court is operated by the Fei Siong Group.

The Malaysian stall-holders trained the cooks based here, and help to ensure that the flavours stay authentic.

These are my five top favourites among the newcomers.

Seafood Restoran Gohtong Jaya

Hor fun with egg from Seafood Restoran Gohtong Jaya. ST PHOTO: WONG AH YOKE

This may well be the first zichar stall in a shopping mall food court. The man behind the wok used to work at one of the eateries lining the mountain road leading to Genting Highlands, and the dishes boast an inimitable Malaysian flavour, which is generally stronger than what you find in Singapore. Even a common dish such as Superior Stock Spinach ($12 to $24), cooked with egg, salted egg and century egg, tastes more complex and delicious. Don't miss the Hor Fun With Egg ($6 to $20), which boasts good wok hei (wok breath) and the lovely aroma of lard.

Penang Carrot Cake

Penang carrot cake, which costs $3 or $4 per plate. ST PHOTO: WONG AH YOKE

This is the best carrot cake I've eaten in a long time, yet it is a really simple dish. It's just pieces of rice cake, which are cut into triangular wedges, fried with egg. But the cake is so smooth and soft, and so fresh that you can taste the rice fragrance in it. The secret ingredient here - again - is lard, which makes the dish really aromatic. There are small bits of crispy deep-fried lard snuggled among the fried egg as well. A plate costs $3 or $4.

Damansara Chilli Pan Mee

The Damansara chilli pan mee is topped with minced pork, stewed Chinese mushrooms, fried ikan bilis, spinach and an egg. ST PHOTO: WONG AH YOKE

This is the Malaysian version of ban mian (freshly made wheat noodles), which is served dry with a delicious chilli sauce that is more aromatic than hot. The noodles are not very thick and have a slightly springy texture. They are topped with minced pork, stewed Chinese mushrooms, fried ikan bilis, spinach and a barely cooked egg. At $4 a bowl, these noodles are really addictive.

Morgan Mee Rebus

The Morgan mee rebus comes with freshly fried beancurd cubes, sliced green chilli, a hard-boiled egg, fried shallots and a bit of sambal. ST PHOTO: WONG AH YOKE

I am not usually fond of mee rebus but the version here ($3) is good. It is not as sweet as most versions I've eaten in Singapore, and comes with freshly fried beancurd cubes, sliced green chilli, a hard-boiled egg, fried shallots and a bit of sambal, which gives it an interesting edge. I also like the lontong ($3.50), which has a curry gravy with just the right amount of coconut milk. The gravy is nice and spicy as is, but those who can take more heat can stir in the dollop of sambal added on top.

Kuantan Nasi Lemak

The Kuantan nasi lemak is served with a fried chicken wing, sambal, egg, ikan bilis, peanuts and cucumber. ST PHOTO: WONG AH YOKE

The rice in this nasi lemak ($3.50) is a bit wet, but it is so aromatic that I easily forgive the fact that it is not fluffy. On the rice is a fried chicken wing that is meaty and cooked just right, with a nice whiff of aromatic spices. A spicy sambal, half a hard-boiled egg, fried ikan bilis and peanuts, and slices of cucumber complete the dish. You can order extra chicken wings at $1.50 each.

Where: Malaysia Boleh! Food court, 03-28 Jurong Point, 1 Jurong West Central 2

MRT: Boon Lay

Open: 10am to 10pm daily

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