Tong Xin Ju Review: Fourth-Generation Hawker Serving Handmade Dumplings At Maxwell Food Centre

The food served by Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum reminds me of that tender care my mother showed towards her food. The stall has a long 70-year history, dishing out plate after plate of affordable noodles and dumplings to hungry Singaporeans throughout the years. It was previously at Commonwealth Food Centre, but has relocated to Maxwell Food Centre in 2012.

Sebastian and his team have managed to keep their rates low, and the numerous media clippings at their storefront are a testament to the quality of the food they serve daily. Food at Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum After hearing much about their huge noodle portions, my dining companion and I ordered their Hor Fun ($3/4/6) .

Both of us went for the $4 option, instead of the cheapest option as we didn’t think the $3 option could sustain us. The huge plate of hor fun was topped with heaps of prawns, sliced pork, squid, cabbage, and smooth eggs, as well known as “wat tan” in Cantonese, in copious amounts of light-coloured gravy.

The smooth consistency of the gravy made the pork slightly softer, and this made it easier to chew. Its freshness was evident, as it was full of taste, and slightly chewy yet not too rubbery.

Sebastian was generous with the gravy, and slurping it up with the noodles was such a joy. On second thought, the $3 option might have been just right for the both of us.

For $4, it sure was a steal and we were already full from this dish alone. As a whole, this created just the right amount of savoury notes in my mouth, but was not mind-blowing.

Being lovers of fried food, we opted for their Fried Dumplings ($4 for 8 pieces ) , in addition known as guo tei. At $0.50 per dumpling, it sure was a steal, considering that dumplings sold in most food stalls nowadays are factory made.

Possessing a beautiful golden hue, the dumplings are plump, showing the sheer amount of meat and components they were stuffed with. The insides were bursting with juices, and it was extremely satisfying.

From left to right, they are the vinegar with ginger, their special chilli sauce and the classic sliced chilli with soya sauce. When this special sauce was paired with the delightful dumplings, the resulting flavour was refreshing, savoury, and so delish. Ambience at Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum Situated at the popular Maxwell Food Centre in the CBD, this stall can get pretty crowded especially during lunch hour.

If you’re working in the CBD and on a budget, check out more cheap eats in Maxwell Food Centre . 10 Maxwell Food Centre Grub At $4.50 Or Less For Interns Working In The CBD Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-92, Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184 Opening hours: Tue 11am to 8pm, Thurs-Sun 11am to 8pm Tel: 9662 3501 Website Photos taken by Clarisse Gan.