Rainbow Rice House
Zi Char holds a special place in the culinary heart of Singapore, where stir-frying meets the comfort of home-style dishes. This particular afternoon, we dived into Rainbow Rice House, a spot that has been on the tongues of many food enthusiasts lately, especially for their fried Hokkien Mee.
Upon my visit, the lunchtime buzz was unmistakable, with a throng of patrons from nearby offices. The mixed rice counter caught my eye first, boasting an array of dishes behind glass that beckoned to be paired with fluffy rice. However, we zeroed in on their much-touted Hokkien Mee, along with a selection of Zi Char staples.
The anticipation was high, but regrettably, the Hokkien Mee didn't quite ascend to the culinary heights I had envisioned. Prior glimpses of their noodle artistry on few food blogs painted a different picture to what landed on our table. The separation of broth and noodle was a telltale sign of a union not fully embraced - the noodles had yet to absorb the savoury essence of the broth fully. It is a pivotal moment in Chinese cuisine, known as 收汁 or 收干, where the sauce is thickened and melded with the noodles to heighten the dish's flavour profile. Alas, this critical step seemed to be given a miss, leaving the dish lacking in depth and integration of flavours.
But not all was lost. The kitchen redeemed itself with its deep-fried offerings. The Ngoh Hiang was particularly memorable, its crisp exterior giving way to a flavourful medley within. The oyster omelette was another hit, a harmonious blend of texture and taste that had us nodding in approval.
We did not stop there. The prawn paste chicken, salted egg prawn and Pork trotter Bee Hoon also graced our table. Each had its merit, adding to the narrative that Rainbow Rice House is more than a one-hit wonder.
In sum, this is a Zi Char place that sits comfortably above average but does not quite match the fanfare it has received online based on this visit. It is a reminder that sometimes, the essence of a dish is not just in its ingredients or the name it carries, but in the care taken at every step of its creation. I hope the Hokkien Mee dish was an one-off experience that day and the Rainbow Rice House finds its pot of gold in the consistency of its dishes.
Rainbow Rice House
43 North Canal Road
Singapore 059299
Opening Hours:
7:00am - 9:30pm
Closed on Sundays
