TGIF Treat at Liang Zai: Big Prawn, Bold Slurp

It’s Friday night and I gave myself the happiest kind of reward: noodles. I went back to Liang Zai Prawn Noodle for one of their signatures, the prawn and pork rib noodles, and honestly, it felt like catching up with an old friend. I’d been missing their flavors, so to celebrate TGIF, I made a beeline to the nearest branch for a proper dinner.

Right away I noticed a bigger crowd than the last time I visited. Tables were turning fast, conversations buzzing, and the self-service counter was a little parade of scallions, chili padi, and sauces. Maybe word is getting around about this place, or at least this branch is becoming a neighborhood favorite. Either way, I liked the energy; it set the mood before the first slurp.

I went for the dry version with soup on the side. The bowl looked like a mini still life: thick yellow noodles, a glossy dollop of chili, fist-size pork ribs, and those big prawns halved to show off their coral sweetness. A sprinkle of spring onions and fried shallots added that hawker-style perfume I love, savory, toasty, a little onion-sweet. Tossing everything together coated the noodles in a savory-sweet sauce that clung nicely without turning greasy. The texture sat right in my comfort zone, bouncy enough to be fun, soft enough for easy chopstick twirls.

The prawns were the star tonight. They tasted extra fresh, snappy bite, clean briny sweetness, and they carried the sauce like a charm. The pork ribs, however, were a bit tougher than I remember from my previous visit. Not a deal-breaker, but I did notice it. A few more minutes of gentle braising and they’d be dreamy fall-off-the-bone bites. Still, flavor-wise, the pork brought a meaty depth that played well with the chili and shallots.

On the side, the broth arrived in a small bowl, clear but full of prawn essence. I like sipping it between bites like a palate reset, warm, slightly sweet from the shells, and comforting in that old-school prawn-mee way. If you’re into customizing, a little chopped chili or a quick drizzle of soy gives the soup an extra nudge.

Ambiance deserves its own shout-out. Liang Zai leans modern without losing the hawker soul: stainless-steel chairs and shiny tabletops, brightly colored walls and signage, everything clean and organized with just enough bustle to feel alive. It’s the kind of space where you can settle in for a quick solo meal or bring a friend and share a few sides without shouting over each other.

Overall, this was a satisfying TGIF dinner. The freshness of the prawns really sang tonight, the noodles were slurp-worthy, and that familiar broth wrapped everything together. If the pork ribs return to that tender bite I remember, this bowl would be a straight ten for my palate. Crowd or not, I’m happy to see Liang Zai getting the love, it means more people are discovering what makes their bowls special. And me, I’ll definitely be back soon, probably for the same prawn and rib combo (I’m loyal like that), maybe with an extra spoon of chili for a little Friday-night kick.

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