Bitter Gourd Fish Soup at Fan Ji: A Unique Flavor from Singapore

Discovering Bitter Gourd Fish Soup at Fan Ji

Have you ever tried fish soup with bitter gourd? It's a rather rare combination. Recently, I had the chance to taste this dish for the first time at Fan Ji Bittergourd Fish Soup located in Hong Lim Complex.

Perhaps due to the controversial nature of bitter gourd, many fish soup places shy away from serving it. To be honest, I wasn't a fan of bitter gourd when I was younger. However, as I've grown older, I've challenged myself to try foods I once disliked. So, I decided to give this soup a shot!

Location and Opening Hours

The restaurant is not far from Chinatown Point, easily accessible from the ground floor. At 11 AM, my boyfriend and I arrived and ordered right away. If you want to avoid the lines, it's best to come around this time, as the place gets crowded after 11:30 AM.

Must-Try Dishes

Fan Ji offers a variety of fish soups such as Sliced Fish Soup, Fried Fish Head, and Fish Bone Soup, with prices around S$6 for a small bowl, S$7 for a medium, and S$10 for a large. They also have Garoupa Fish Head Soup starting at S$10. To complete your meal, you can add rice, thick noodles, or vermicelli for an extra S$0.50.

We opted for the Small Bitter Gourd Fish Soup with Thick Noodles (S$6.50) and Small Fish Porridge (S$6.50). Even though we ordered the small portions, the food was quite generous! In fact, the bowl of noodles was so full that I was worried it might spill over.

Enjoying the Bitter Gourd Experience

As someone who isn't fond of bitter gourd, my boyfriend transferred all the bitter gourd to my bowl. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it! The bitter gourd was sliced thinly, which suited my taste perfectly.

When I tried a small piece of the bitter gourd, I didn't find the bitterness overwhelming like the thicker pieces I'd had before. The bitterness was quite mild, maybe even my younger self would have liked it.

Exploring the Soup's Flavor and Menu

When it came to the soup, I was a bit surprised because I thought with so much bitter gourd, the soup would be very bitter. But it wasn't; it had a gentle sweetness that even my boyfriend enjoyed!

We also savored the slices of fish. While some pieces weren't as tender as expected, they generally had a sweet, clean taste, not fishy like some other places. If you want to elevate the dish, try adding a bit of chili!

Who Should Visit Fan Ji?

If you're looking for a healthy fish soup that isn't overly bitter or want to see how bitter gourd can blend into fish soup, you should definitely check out Fan Ji!

Getting There

The nearest MRT station to the restaurant is Chinatown (NE4/DT19). Just follow Exit E and it's about a 5-minute walk to the restaurant.

Our Recommendation

Absolutely! Even if you're not a fan of bitter gourd, the bitterness is balanced by the sweetness and richness of the soup and fish, providing a delightful experience for any fish soup lover. If you're seeking something different from your usual fish soup, give this a try!

Article referenced and edited from: Seth Lui Food