Men Kochu

Crisply pan-fried xiangsu roubing (savoury minced meat pancake) is one of the standout items to try on a visit to Men Kochu. With a crackly golden exterior and a chewy dough filled with seasoned meat and scallions, it releases deep savoury flavour with every bite. While delicious on its own thanks to its punchy seasoning, dipping it in a splash of table black vinegar and chilli oil highlights its toasted aroma and brings out another dimension.

Ordering it as a set meal brings steaming, mild congee, side dishes, and almond jelly for dessert. The robust character of the meat pancake balances comfortably against the soothing warmth of the rice porridge, making for an easy, grounding midday meal. Diners can also swap the set congee for egg-and-tomato soup or crab-and-corn soup if preferred.

The kitchen also offers an array of plump steamed buns and mantou. Options range from juicy pork baozi that soak the dough with savoury broth to vegetarian-style bao stuffed with shrimp, chives, and egg, as well as lightly sweet milk-flavoured mantou and jujube mantou. A glass of house-made soy milk makes a natural partner for the dim sum; blended to order, it has a rich body with a clean finish, and can be requested with or without added sugar.

Noodle choices include hand-rolled zhajiangmian to toss with sauce and toppings, thick noodles coated in tomato-and-egg gravy, and Shenyang-style cold noodles. Seating is arranged mostly along counters in an unpretentious room with ticket machine ordering. It works well for a quick solo meal or for picking up dim sum and Chinese bento boxes to go.