Jin Hua Fish Soup – Cantonese Fish Soup at Maxwell Food Centre

Jin Hua is a long-time tenant in Maxwell Food Centre. They have been serving up hot bowls of fish soup for over 20 years. Their healthy and economical fish soup is undeniably popular with the CBD crowd.

Like many good hawker stalls, Jin Hua’s menu is concise, with fish soup taking centrestage. You can enjoy your soup with or without milk, and along with rice or noodles. There are also special menu items such as Big Prawn Noodles ($8) and Grouper Fish Head Noodles ($8/10). I ordered the Fried Fish Meat Noodles ($5) with milk, and the Grouper Fish Head Noodles ($8).

The Fried Fish Meat Noodles ($5) had plump chunks of fish that were encased in a pretty thin batter. I noticed immediately that the fish was much tastier than the usual fried fish. You get a little batter, a substantial amount of fish, and some soup which has been soaked up by the fish in every bite. Mhmm, shiok!

Our $5 bowl came with 5 chunks of fish.

The fish soup also comes with tofu, tomatoes and green vegetables.

The soup of the Fried Fish Meat Noodles was mild-tasting but comforting. It carried a light sweetness due to the incorporation of milk. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself addicted to the soup!

The Grouper Fish Head was naturally deeper in flavour as compared to the previous bowl. I enjoy eating fish head so it was a joy working my way through it, while savouring the gelatinous skin of the grouper. Do watch out for bones!

The soup was fishier, but you can really taste the goodness of the grouper. I appreciated the sharp punches of ginger which cut through the fishiness. While I didn’t add any milk to this bowl, the soup was still rather cloudy and thick.

The chef, Mr Hu, shared with me his preparation methods. He showed me the stock which is made from older chickens (老母鸡), yellow beans and fish bones. He explained that the Teochew style of fish soup focuses on freshness and a cleaner flavour profile, while his Cantonese ways create a tastier soup base, with ingredients such as dried shrimp paste.

I never knew the differences between the different styles of fish soup so I thoroughly enjoyed the “lecture”. Nothing quite like a meal that is both nutritious to the body and mind. After trying the fish soup, I understand why it is so highly recommended and popular!

MissTamChiak.com made an anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

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