As someone who enjoys a good bowl of prawn noodles, Zhup Zhup has always been on my food list. After hearing so many positive reviews and seeing its Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, I finally decided to give it a try. I can honestly say that it was quite a different experience from the usual prawn noodle stalls, especially with its signature claypot presentation.
The first thing that caught my attention at Zhup Zhup was the bubbling hot claypot when it arrived at my table. Instead of serving the soup in a regular bowl, Zhup Zhup presents it in a claypot, which helps retain the heat throughout the meal. I really appreciated this thoughtful touch because prawn noodle soup is best enjoyed piping hot. The broth stayed hot from the first sip to the very last spoonful, allowing me to savour its rich, robust flavours without it turning lukewarm. It may seem like a small detail, but it made a noticeable difference and enhanced the overall dining experience.
The soup was incredibly rich, full-bodied and packed with deep prawn flavour. It wasn’t just sweet from the prawns but also had plenty of savoury umami notes that made it very addictive. Knowing that the broth is prepared using 18kg of prawn heads and 30kg of pork bones, simmered for more than 20 hours every day, really explains the depth of flavour in every mouthful. You can genuinely taste the amount of effort that goes into making this soup.
Shortly after we were seated, we were pleasantly surprised to receive a complimentary serving of their signature prawn crackers while waiting for our food. They were light, crispy, and packed with a savoury prawn flavour, making them a delightful snack to whet our appetite.
My Order List at Zhup Zhup
During our visit, we ordered three different bowls to experience what Zhup Zhup had to offer: the Prawn & Co. Noodle, the Supreme Prawn Noodle, the Big Prawn & Tobiko Prawn Ball and their Tasting Platter. Each bowl featured the restaurant’s signature rich prawn broth but came with its own combination of premium ingredients. This gave us the opportunity to compare the different toppings while enjoying the same flavourful broth that Zhup Zhup is well known for.
One Prawn & Co Prawn Noodle (全虾面）
One thing that surprised me was how the noodles were served at Zhup Zhup. When I ordered the Prawn & Co. Prawn Noodle Soup at $15, I had expected the noodles to be cooked and served together with the broth in the signature claypot. Instead, the piping hot prawn broth arrived in the claypot, while the noodles were served separately in a bowl with soup.
Although it wasn’t what I initially expected, I could understand that serving them separately helps prevent the noodles from becoming overcooked and allows them to retain their ideal texture.
The prawns were fresh, sweet, and perfectly cooked with a firm, bouncy bite. Paired with the rich, flavourful broth, every mouthful was incredibly satisfying. The soup had a deep umami flavour with a natural sweetness from the prawns, making it the star of the meal and something I found myself finishing right down to the last spoonful.
Big Prawn & Tobiko Prawn Ball
We also ordered the Big Prawn & Tobiko Prawn Ball Noodle (Dry) at $20 to try something different. The noodles were tossed evenly in a savoury sauce that coated every strand well, making each bite flavourful without being overly heavy.
Zhup Zhup served its signature prawn broth separately in a bubbling claypot, allowing us to enjoy the best of both worlds. The highlight of this bowl was definitely the tobiko prawn balls. They were springy, juicy, and packed with prawn flavour, while the tobiko added a delightful burst of texture with every bite.
Supreme Prawn Noodle
We also ordered the Supreme Prawn Noodle at $26, which is perfect for those who enjoy a more indulgent bowl of prawn noodle soup. Besides Zhup Zhup’s signature rich prawn stock, Supreme Prawn Noodle came generously loaded with premium ingredients, including fresh prawns, pork ribs, clams, sliced pork, and tobiko prawn balls. As the ingredients continued to simmer in the bubbling claypot, the clams and seafood gradually released their natural sweetness into the broth, elevating its flavour to another level. The result was an even richer and more complex soup, packed with deep umami notes while retaining a pleasant natural sweetness.
Tasting Platter
Besides the prawn noodles, we also ordered the Signature Ngoh Hiang Platter as a side to share.
The platter came with a good selection of classic items, making it a convenient choice as I didn’t have to spend time deciding what to order individually. It allowed me to sample a variety of fried delights in one plate, making it a great side dish to share.
Not forgetting the refreshing beverages, we paired our meal with the Lychee Oolong and Calamansi Sour Plum drinks. Both were excellent choices to complement the rich and flavourful prawn broth. The Lychee Oolong offered a fragrant tea aroma with a subtle sweetness from the lychee, making it light and refreshing.
Meanwhile, the Calamansi Sour Plum struck a delightful balance between sweet, tangy, and slightly salty flavours, making it especially refreshing and perfect for cleansing the palate after every hearty mouthful of prawn noodles.
One thing many people talk about is the price. Yes, Zhup Zhup is definitely more expensive than a typical neighbourhood prawn noodle stall. If you’re a fan of prawn noodles and don’t mind spending a little more for a premium version, I would definitely recommend giving Zhup Zhup a try. It offers a unique take on a local favourite, and for me, the unforgettable broth alone made the visit worthwhile. It’s one of those places that every prawn noodle lover should experience at least once.
Searching for the best Michelin Guide restaurants in Singapore? Explore my other Michelin Guide reviews for more hidden gems, Bib Gourmand favourites, and award-winning eateries worth adding to your food list.
Location:
458 MacPherson Rd, Singapore 368176
You can find directions on HERE
Operating Hours:
Mon Closed
Tue to Sun 11:00AM - 9:00PM
