Introduction
Nestled along the bustling street of Balestier in Singapore, Xin Mei Xiang Zheng Zong Lor Mee’s outlet at #01-01, 586 Balestier Road brings the cherished heritage of lor mee into a comfortable, air-conditioned setting. While the original hawker-stall version at Old Airport Road Food Centre has no queue lately, this Balestier branch is pretty crowded during lunch hours and it gives diners a more relaxed way to enjoy the warm dish – without the hot and humid weather.
History & Concept
- The original Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee stall began as a street hawker operation and later settled at Old Airport Road in the 1970s.
- The Balestier outlet was opened in August 2021 as the first full-fledged outlet outside the hawker centre.
- The branch is co-owned by popular food personality Ryan Tan (of Food King fame and currently owner of Youtube channel, Overkill Singapore), adding another layer of perhaps quality control, marketing and management.
- It retains the signature thick, starchy gravy and generous toppings, but now in a more comfortable environment with longer operating hours compared to the original.
Signature Lor Mee
At the heart of the menu is the signature lor mee: your choice of noodles (flat yellow, round yellow, bee hoon or kway teow) bathed in a rich brown gravy that has been simmered to coat the flat yellow noodles (our favourite choice of noodles for lor mee).
Common toppings include:
- Braised pork belly
- Flaked fried fish (batang fish)
- Braised egg
- Bean sprouts & coriander
Condiments like minced garlic, fresh cut chilli or sambal, and black vinegar are available to personalise the flavour.
Specialty Variants
At the Balestier branch you’ll also find richer variants and sides:
- “4 Treasure Crispy Lor Mee” – a premium bowl with extra toppings.
- Chicken cutlet lor mee, crispy fish lor mee, and other add-ons like 5-spice prawn roll or Hakka style pork belly.
Ambience & Experience
The Balestier location offers key upgrades compared to the original hawker-centre stall:
- Fully air-conditioned dining space, making it much more comfortable for those who shy away from hawker heat.
- Self-service ordering with buzzer system: you order at counter, get a buzzer and wait at table. A departure from hawker-centre standing queues.
- It is open longer hours (e.g., 9 am to 9 pm) and serves lunch and dinner, unlike the Old Airport Road branch which closes earlier.
- Located in Eastpac Building on Balestier Road, with nearby bus stops and parking along Jalan Dusun if driving.
Tip: Even with these upgrades, this outlet sees queues, particularly at peak lunch/dinner. Arrive early or choose off-peak hours for shorter wait.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking to try the original Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee, the Balestier branch is highly recommended over the original Old Airport Road branch, which we felt had issues with consistency in the quality. You get the same deeply satisfying sauce, well-prepared toppings and noodle variations but in a more comfortable setting with modern service.
The portion of noodles for the standard option is quite small for an adult. Hence if you are still feeling hungry, there is the famous Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah across the road but would recommend to call in advance to order the Tau Sar Piah.
My suggestion: go for the signature lor mee with batang fish, add some garlic, chilli & vinegar to taste and pick your preferred noodle type. Arrive before peak dining hours to avoid the longest queues, and savour the bowl.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee (Old Airport Road Lor Mee) – Balestier
586 Balestier Rd, #01-01, Singapore 329898
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8txCAATyRw8pHeu28
