Chinese chef Li Huaizhi has been running his own kopitiam stall at Holland Drive called Supreme Ramen Xiao Long Bao for the past two years. His Shanghai-style xiao long baos are very popular — the Liaoning native, 51, used to be a dim sum chef at Crystal Jade and Tung Lok for a few years before he started his hawker business. When we first interviewed him in 2018, he told us he had been making xiao long baos and noodles “for more than 20 years”.

Sadly, we can’t sit down at the kopitiam and hoover up his heavenly xiao long baos during circuit breaker now. So imagine our delight when we discover that the good chef (pictured) is now selling his xiao long baos, pork dumplings and wontons in frozen packs. And it’s very reasonably priced too; a pack of 20 frozen xiao long baos cost $12, while the dumplings and wontons each cost $12 for 30 pieces. But you will of course have to steam the XLBs and cook the dumplings and wontons yourself. As a price comparison, the cooked, ready-to-eat XLBs cost more at six for $4.50, so you save about a dollar if you steam your own.

The good chef has also previously admitted in our interview that he’s “not great at marketing”. The frozen items are subtly advertised via an adorable handwritten sign at the stall. We called the listed mobile number to preorder the goodies, and chef Li’s genial wife cheerfully took our order. You can only do self pick-up, though. The couple does not offer delivery service.

The stall’s xiao long baos are similar to Crystal Jade’s famous ones, though they cost a fraction of restaurant pricing. The XLB skin is silky, and cradles a lump of juicy oyster sauce-marinated pork and broth that bursts satisfyingly in your mouth. You can also tapow the steamed XLB ($4.50 for six pieces), but it will dry up on your way home and won’t taste as good.

You can pan-fry the dumplings at home to make guo tie, or order the ready-cooked ones ($4 for eight pieces).

This Sichuan-style sour, sweet and spicy dish ($4) is loaded with plump pork wontons and house-made noodles machine-cut into strands.

To order, call or WhatsApp 9237-3067. Self pick-up at #01-359, Blk 46, Holland Dr, S270046. Open daily 9am to 1.30pm; 4.30pm-8.30pm.

PHOTOS: 8DAYS.SG/ SUM WEI QIANG

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