Communication student Jayne Ong dishes on a few favourites at NTU

FRIED BEEF KWAY TEOW ($5)

MIX ECONOMIC RICE @ QUAD CAFÉ

Go to this stall at NTU’s halal food court for more than your usual cai fan dishes – be spoilt for choice as you browse the zi char menu near the counter. Among the goodies available is the fried beef kway teow.

The portion is plentiful for one and heaped with tender beef slices. Unlike the typical fried kway teow, this dish is neither too oily nor dry and clumpy. I was impressed by the chewy texture of the kway teow, which goes really well with the crunchy vegetables and appetising slices of beef. The kway teow is also well seasoned with a slight wok hei taste to it. Healthy greens like beansprouts and spring onions add a touch of sweetness, making every bite refreshing.

RED SEAFOOD TOM YUM SOUP ($6)

THAI CUISINE @ PIONEER FOOD COURT

A long queue in Singapore often indicates that there is a good deal waiting at the end of the line, so don’t hesitate to join the snaking throng at Thai Cuisine for a satisfying bowl of red seafood tom yum soup.

As every dish at this stall is prepared on the spot, the soup is served piping hot with a strong aroma of lemongrass and chilli. The dish is as spicy as it looks and has a sweet aftertaste. If you can’t take food that is too spicy, you don’t have to give this a miss – just add to your order a 50-cent bowl of rice to balance out the spiciness. The soup is laden with seafood like prawns, squid and fish, so you get your money’s worth. This is definitely a go-to on rainy days when you want something to warm your belly.

PRAWN PASTE CHICKEN ($9.90)

HAPPY FOOD CHINESE CUISINE @ NORTH HILL FOOD COURT

True to its name, Happy Food Chinese Cuisine at North Hill serves happiness on plates. I would rank its prawn paste chicken wings first on the list of best-tasting chicken wings on campus.

The eight pieces of chicken wings are freshly fried, resulting in golden brown crispy skin and tender meat. While the prawn paste taste is somewhat underwhelming, I love that the skin remains crispy even until the end of the meal.

Simply dip the wings into chilli sauce for added kick. This dish is best shared with friends and you can order it with other staples such as fried noodles and rice dishes. Campus residents and families have been spotted ordering these delectable morsels by the bucket-loads.