Mifenmian, or Economic Bee Hoon, is probably one of the simplest dishes to be had on this island.
Like Economic Rice, it is the kind of dish that every working-class person knows.
And because each stall is different, and unique on its own, one can't really tell just what is what, and which is which, until you actually patronize the stall and eat the food there.
Good mifenmian has become increasingly difficult to find in the last couple of years. It is either that the noodles have not enough taste, too little salt, or if not, they go the opposite direction with too much salt, too much oil, and an overwhelming amount of soy sauce dunked in when they fry the noodle.
So, rare and unique it is when you find a stall that serves up good, dry, well-fried bee hoon, smooth kuay teow fried in a nice, warm brown, and ingredients that are cut neither too big nor too small.
We were at a coffee shop somewhere close to Upper Aljunied Lane this particular evening, my friend and I.
Now, what makes this place interesting is that, whilst I had heard of this place, and visited this place a couple of times ever since childhood, I had never not once eaten at the coffee shop here, nor gone to the row of shops at the main road.
I don't know if Mr. Radioman ever did.
I had no inkling what, or how the public housing estate close to Jalan Mulia and Jalan Gembira looked liked.
Until today.
And I was surprised.
What's the relevance, you might ask.
Actually, not so much now.
But still, it made for a significant feeling, sitting here at the coffee shop of Upper Aljunied Lane on 3rd of March, eating a meal that was not only affordable, not only tasty, but also, familiar with me since I were young.
Those who know me will know I am a fan of kuay teow.
No less, of course, Mr. Radioman, who used to buy mifenmian for the family from the coffee shop downstairs, and who knows I will actually make a small grumble when my packet of noodles reveals strands of mian mixed together with the kuay teow.
Eating this plate of kuay teow with fish filet and a piece of otah had me wondering what he would say had he known I were here in his former neighborhood, at the blocks close to his former zone.
But, hey, I wasn't emo.
Not at all.
On the contrary, I was glad, thankful, for this plate.
It was quietly comforting, assuring, as if telling me that life had been all right for Mr. Radioman, and it would be all right for me now.
The kuay teow was smooth, tasty, not overwhelming in oil. Also, easy to eat, the noodles picked up easily by my chopsticks. I liked the flavor, the taste, the way the noodles slid around my mouth and wrapped my tongue with its dark soy taste.
And accompanying it, were the crunch of the well-fried fish filet, coupled together with the spice of the soft, mushy, bright colored otah.