Best Wanton Mee in Singapore

What is wanton mee?

Wanton mee in Singapore is a quick, cheap hawker meal that locals love. Mee means noodles. Wantons are small dumplings, usually filled with minced pork and sometimes prawn. You will also see it spelled wantan mee or wonton noodles. The dish has Cantonese roots, from southern China.

A plate has thin, springy egg noodles with slices of char siu, a sweet barbecued pork. It also comes with leafy greens, often choy sum, and a few wantons. The wantons may be boiled in a small bowl of soup, or deep-fried until crisp.

Singapore-style wanton mee

Singapore wanton mee is usually eaten dry. The noodles are tossed in a sauce of soy sauce and oil, with chilli if you want it. A small bowl of soup with the boiled wantons comes on the side. Many stalls ask whether you want chilli. For the no-chilli version, some stalls use a sweeter sauce, often with tomato ketchup.

This style is different from the Hong Kong version, where the noodles and wantons sit in a clear broth. The Malaysian style often uses a darker soy sauce. Some stalls in Singapore also sell a soup version, so you can choose.

How to order wanton mee

1. Dry or soup. Dry is the most common choice. Say "soup" if you want everything in the broth.
2. Chilli or no chilli. The chilli is often quite spicy. Ask for a little if you are unsure.
3. Size. Many stalls sell small and large plates. A large plate has more noodles and toppings.
4. Extras. You can often add more wantons, fried wantons or extra char siu.

Some stalls also sell sui kow. These dumplings are bigger than wantons and often hold prawn and pork.

Rough prices

A plate at a hawker stall often costs around S$4 to S$7. Extra toppings cost more. Prices change, so check the menu board first.

Where to eat wanton mee in Singapore

• Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist is in the Marina Bay & CBD area. The CBD fills with office workers at weekday lunch, so go a little early or late.
• Eng's Wantan Noodle is in Katong & Joo Chiat, in the east. Pair your meal with a walk past the Koon Seng Road Shophouses. Our Katong & Joo Chiat guides have more ideas.

Both places serve Cantonese food. See more Cantonese restaurants, or browse Hawker Favourites for other local stalls.

Tips for eating wanton mee

• Mix well. Toss the dry noodles well, so the sauce and chilli coat every strand.
• Eat it quickly. Thin noodles can go soft and stick together if left too long.
• Sip the soup. The soup is light and balances the rich sauce and chilli.
• Check for pork and allergies. Char siu and wantons usually contain pork. Wantons may hold prawn, and the noodles contain wheat and egg. Ask the stall if you need to avoid any of these.
• Go early. Popular stalls can sell out, and some close on certain days. Check the listing before a special trip.
• Bring tissues. At busy food centres, locals save seats with a tissue packet. Read Hawker Centre Etiquette in Singapore: 9 Simple Rules before you go.

FAQs about wanton mee

Is wanton mee the same as wonton noodles?

Yes. They are the same dish with different spellings. In Singapore, it is usually served dry with chilli, with the wantons in a bowl of soup on the side.

Is wanton mee spicy?

It can be. The chilli at many stalls is strong. Ask for less chilli, or none, if you prefer mild food.

Does wanton mee contain pork?

Usually, yes. The char siu is pork, and most wantons are filled with pork. Ask the stall if you avoid pork.

How much does wanton mee cost in Singapore?

A hawker plate often costs around S$4 to S$7. Prices change, so treat this as a rough guide.

What other noodle dishes should I try?

Try Prawn Noodles for a rich prawn broth. Bak Chor Mee is noodles tossed with minced pork and vinegar. For more Cantonese food, see Dim Sum.