Ever since I started sharing the food I eat on a regular basis, I realized something about myself, I’ve become way more open to different types of food. It’s not just “chicken rice again” or “same noodle again”, I’m now the kind of person who will look at a menu and actually consider the items that I used to ignore. Chinese food, Indian cuisine, Malay food, Vietnamese, Thai, even random snacks and desserts that I never thought I’d enjoy, somehow my food choices quietly expanded just because I kept paying attention to what I’m eating. And honestly, that feels like a positive change, because it also makes me more conscious about nutrition and balance, like… am I giving my body something decent today, or am I just feeding my cravings LOL.
So tonight’s dinner was one of those “let’s try something different” moments.
I was at the hawker center in Geylang Bahru, and I love the energy there. Even when there’s a crowd, it doesn’t feel annoying, it feels alive. The clanking of cutlery, the people moving around with trays, the bright stall lights showing off photos of dishes, it’s like the whole place is powered by appetite. I was originally going to order something safe and generic from a Chinese soup stall, but then I saw it on the menu board.
I paused for a second because… what a name. It’s kind of awkward, because it sounds like if you drink it you’ll suddenly come out looking like you did a full aesthetic makeover. Like hello, surgeons get paid highly for that kind of “beauty” right, not from a bowl of soup. But after I thought about it, I’m pretty sure the “beauty” here means you’ll feel good from the inside, more like nourishment, warmth, comfort, something that makes your body say thank you.
So I ordered it, and I paired it with a bowl of plain rice, because I’m that person who needs rice to feel like it’s a proper meal.
When the soup arrived, I immediately understood why people order it. The bowl looked generous and hearty, and it wasn’t trying to be fancy. The broth was clear, lightly golden, with tiny droplets of oil floating on top, which is always a good sign because it means flavor, but not the kind that feels heavy. There were little red goji berries swimming around, and big soft-looking translucent chunks that reminded me of snow fungus or collagen-rich ingredients. The highlight though, was the big piece of meat, it was like a serious pork cut with bone, the kind that looks intimidating at first, but also exciting because you know it’s going to be tender.
First sip, and the soup tasted clean and calming. Not salty in an aggressive way, more like slow-cooked sweetness that comes naturally from the ingredients. It felt like the kind of soup that’s meant to be sipped slowly, not rushed. When I scooped up one of the jelly-like pieces, it had that soft, slippery texture that people either love or hate, but for me it’s the whole point. It makes the soup feel “rich” without needing cream or anything heavy.
The meat was surprisingly enjoyable too. It wasn’t dry, and it didn’t have that porky smell that sometimes makes people hesitate. It felt soft, and it matched the broth really well, especially when you alternate between a spoon of soup and a bite of rice. Simple combination, but it works.
Overall, I really enjoyed this dinner. The name is still funny to me, but the soup itself is legit, comforting, nourishing, and it honestly made me feel like I chose something good for myself tonight. I finished the whole thing, every drop, every bite, no leftovers. And yes, I would definitely come back again, because now I’m curious what else I’ve been missing on that menu.
