Mai Zhi Su 麥之素

Because my hubby is a vegetarian, and because we stayed in Bishan for a few years, we frequented this joint. And still do. I found this place pretty much by entering 'vegetarian' and checking 'ang mo kio' in HungryGoWhere. Given how rare it is to find vegetarian places serving dinner (most vegetarian hawker stalls operate morning only), you can see why we always return here.

But that's not the main reason. Bishan area actually had a decent number of vegetarian places back then. But what brought us back is the quality of the food here. I love their rendition of sharks fin soup. Starchy soup with glass noodles and mock chicken etc, a dash of vinegar and pepper, and it's almost the real stuff minus the guilt of harming sharks. What's there not to love? 

Their nonya cod fish is also yummy. I know, it's funny when they 'speciate' the fish. Mock fish is mock fish, cod some more? But ignoring that, this is a nice spicy and sour dish. The mock fish used here is tender, not the usual tough ones. The gravy goes really well with rice. And ladies fingers (okra) with chilli gravy is really the best combination.

The hubby's fave - sambal kang kong. I prefer theirs to Zi Zai's, cause unlike the latter's, Mai Zhi Su's version doesn't come flooded in oil. 

We've also discovered and fell in love with their steamed tofu. Whole block of silky tofu covered in crunchy fried preserved turnip (cai po), flooded in a nice gravy, with broccoli on the side. Another dish that goes well with rice. I have yet to take a picture for this.

They also serve a good variety of one dish meals such as chicken rice, duck rice, macaroni soup, Ipoh hor fun etc. All reasonably priced and in the comfort of an air-conditioned setting.