Thursday, March 15, 2007

Tanjong Rhu Pao: Its Small, Its Expensive, But I still need to buy it!

With liverpool, iwatch_ueat and introducing Leon our latest makankaki


There is only one Pau in Singapore that has the audacity to call a small pau a Big Pau and charge you dollar for it. Yet there is a perpetual queue outside the stall around the clock. I have looked high and low for a cheaper alternative to this Pau but none have come close. It remains in a league of its own and as long as they remain there, suckers like me will continue to keep our mouths shut and obediently fork out our dollars for the tasty morsals.



There is just something inexplicable about the taste of the pau. The combination of the soft sweet skin and the juicy savoury meat just makes the tastebuds resonate with excitement with each bite and since you can finish one in 2 mouthfuls, one pau is never enough. Its heads and shoulders above all the rest. 4.6/5



Many people also like the Char Siew Paus here. I guess you can really call the Big Pau Big when compared to the Char Siew Pau which is only about one third of the size. Each costs 50 cents and you can finish it in one mouthful. Those with really big mouths can probably down 2 at one go. Fortunately, there are bigger alternatives to the Char Siew Pau such that one does not have to submit to its tyranny. 4/5

They also have the Yuan Yang Pau here which contains lotus paste, red bean paste and salted egg. This particular one did not have a salted egg which is too good, but it might have been a one off. Quite nice but again alternatives can be found elsewhere. $1 4/5

Conclusion

What to do? Like a good Singaporean, I complain and complain but in the end still Kwai Kwai submit to the inevitable fate of paying premium for the Pau. Why can't someone else offer something just as good but double the size half the price?

Tanjong Rhu Pau
Blk 7, Jalan Batu #01-113
63483817
12.30pm - 8pm
Closed on Sundays

16 comments:

liverpool1965 said...

This ranks as the second best find since I have gone out with ieat on his expeditions. Love the da pao (nicely seasoned and juicy) and the ying yang pao..IMHO the char siew pao at clementi ave 2, the corner stall at the kopi tiam right at the other end of Botak Jones taste better... : )

Tak said...

Yes the big pao is one the best i have tried also. The char siew pao is good but they are bigger ones which are just as good

tigerfish said...

Yes, yes, near where I stay. My mom will usually call up first, make sure there is still "stock", place an order, then go "pay and pick up"...:D

mama bok said...

I still loveeeeeee.. my teck kee tanglin pau .. ;) and miss them aplenty.. :(

Sammy said...

I love teck kee too! theyre the first good paus I've eaten since I was a kid. Nowadays tho, I prefer Tiong Bahru Pau

Chocolate Reindeer said...

I've enjoyed reading your posts. I do hope to join your makan sessions sometime!

EastCoastLife said...

chay! For cheap and good paus, I go to Toa Payoh Lor 1 market la!

Jeanette said...

I think Teck Kee's lotus paste pau is still the best! The paste is thick and rich with lotus paste, and not mixed with other cheapskate ingredients (some cheapo paus mix green bean into their lotus paste as lotus seeds are considered more expensive)... Do you have any good recommendations for good lotus paste paus AND yuan yang paus? Thanks! :D

Holy Drummer said...

I grew up eating this pau at my grandpa's place in jalan batu.

Oh the nostalgia...

Anonymous said...

Tanjong Rhu pau is fine for me. Today, I tried the char siew pau at Handmade Pau at Blk 43, Jalan Tiga, off Old Airport Rd. It is similar to Tangjong Rhu pau at 50 cts each and about the same size. tast is just as good. Give it a try.

Jess said...

yesterday drove all the way to Tanjang Rhu to try out the pao. Bought 20 charsiew and 10 da bao....delivered to parents and parents-in-law...

All like it but don't think it's the best though...

BTW tey are 2 other branches at Geylang and Thomson too...thx!

ieat said...

Let me know where is the best and I will go take pictures of it!

Sammy said...

Hey Leslis, I think ultimately Teck Kee is the best. I practically grew up eating the char siew pau! But only get from the branch opposite newton circus. The other branches r not so good.

Anonymous said...

Hey Leslie, what happened to the Victor's kitchen entry?

ieat said...

Thanks for the feedback. Fixed it. You can find it under Pao and Dim Sum

Anonymous said...

thanks!!!

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