Hong Guo

Its speciality (Cross Bridge Vermicelli) attracted me to the restaurant and the price ($6.80 to $10.80 for the different range of vermicelli) pulled me in. However, after finishing the meal, it does seems that it is not that cheap after all.

For 4 of us, we paid $31.99 after 10% credit card discount and there was only a 10% service charge levied (no GST). But this was without drinks. If we had order drinks, it could probably set us back by another $15. Furthermore, although it seems that the vermicelli was quite worth (with around 10 to 15 dishes by the side, to add into the soup with the vermicelli), it is actually not filling. Most of the dishes are garnishing or to add flavor to the soup. The number of meat dish depends on which price range you ordered, around 1 to 4 dishes. And even each meat dish has only pathetic 2 to 3 thin slices of pork/ham/fish and the egg dish is 2 eggs, but is quail eggs. I would rather they give me a choice of “add $X for a plate of XX” etc.

Although the legend is that the soup would still be hot with the oil covering over it, the restaurant maintain the temperature of the soup quite well: not too hot (to burn my tongue) or too cold (and not be able to able to “cook” my quail eggs).

It’s probably a good choice if you prefer a light dinner with dessert to follow. Else, you will sure be grumbling away that you are still hungry.

And maybe to add a bit of fun to your dinner, they will serve you a tray with the soup, vermicelli and side dishes all in separate dishes/bowl on the tray. You are supposed to pour the dry vermicelli (probably already cooked) and all the side dishes into the soup.

They also have other rice and noodles dishes.