Lately, I have noticed that my cravings have been leaning towards two things: noodles or anything with soup lol. Ever since I have been cycling more often, my appetite seems to have shifted towards meals that feel lighter, more comforting, and more hydrating. Maybe it is because cycling makes me sweat more and naturally pushes me to want more liquids after that. I also find myself drinking more water, craving refreshing drinks, and even reaching for juicy fruits more often these days. If that is one of the healthy side effects of cycling, then I am definitely not complaining.
Last weekend, I went to Little Guilin for a ride, and after spending some time there, I stopped by a nearby hawker food centre to eat. At that point, I already knew I wanted something soupy. It just felt like the right kind of meal for the day. As I looked around the stalls, I came across Fu Xiao Fish Soup, and it immediately felt like the kind of place that would satisfy exactly what I was craving.
After looking at the menu, I decided to order the Fried Fish Head Soup. On top of that, I added fried fish eggs as an extra topping, which honestly made me even more excited for the meal. The fish head soup itself cost SGD 6.80, while the additional fried fish eggs were another SGD 2.00. So yes, the total price did feel a little bit on the expensive side for a hawker meal, at least at first glance.
But once the bowl arrived, I could immediately tell that it was worth it.
The serving portion was actually quite huge, much more generous than I expected. The bowl looked packed, with plenty of ingredients sitting in the broth, and it gave off that kind of hearty, satisfying appearance that instantly makes you feel like you made the right choice. It was the sort of meal that looked both comforting and filling before I even took the first bite.
The broth was one of the first things I appreciated. It had a fresh taste and a subtle flavour that felt clean and soothing rather than overly rich or heavy. Sometimes fish soup can be too strong, but this one had a lighter touch that made it very easy to enjoy. It was savory, comforting, and exactly the kind of broth I had been craving lately. I could imagine myself happily finishing every last sip, especially after a day outdoors.
The fried fish head was also surprisingly enjoyable. There was actually quite a good amount of meat on it, which made the dish feel even more worth ordering. Sometimes with fish head dishes, you have to work a bit for the meat, but in this case, there was enough substance to make the effort feel rewarding. More importantly, the fish tasted fresh, and that freshness really carried through the whole bowl.
Still, my favorite part had to be the fried fish eggs.
That topping really stood out to me. They were fried very nicely, with a satisfying texture and a rich flavor that made them feel extra indulgent without being overwhelming. What I liked most was that the fishiness had already been properly cleaned away, so what remained was just the enjoyable richness of the fish eggs themselves. It felt like one of those toppings that can completely change a dish from nice to memorable.
By the end of the meal, I felt very satisfied. It was filling without feeling too heavy, and it matched my recent craving for lighter, soup-based dishes so well. Meals like this remind me why hawker centres can still be such exciting places to eat. Sometimes, all it takes is one good bowl from a stall you have never tried before to make you want to come back again.
I will definitely return to Fu Xiao Fish Soup to try the sliced fish version next time. And if the fried fish eggs are available again, I will probably add them on too without hesitation.
