Long queues form for Kin Kin chilli ban mian from Kuala Lumpur

Diners have been turning up in droves for the famous Kin Kin Chilli Pan Mian at 534 Macpherson Road, since its Singapore branch opened two weeks ago.

The Kuala Lumpur brand - called Restoran Kin Kin with three outlets in Malaysia - is known for its signature dry ban mian or handmade noodles.

The noodles served here are made in Singapore, and come topped with crispy ikan bilis, fried shallots, meatballs, minced meat and a poached egg.

It is best to add the special dry chilli flakes to the noodles, and mix all the ingredients together.

The signature dry ban mian costs $5 a bowl.

Kin Kin also has a soup version, and other options include the addition of clams ($8) or prawns ($8) to the thin noodles.

At lunch on March 25, 2014, there was a constant queue of at least 20 diners waiting in the heat, outside the 62-seat, air-conditioned eatery.

Including the time taken for food to reach the table, most diners waited for at least two hours to slurp up the ban mian.

By 3pm, the eatery had run out of its handmade fish balls, and were also trying to restock noodles to meet the demand.

Student Ryan Wong, 23, who had waited 2.5 hours for his dry ban mian, was not impressed.

He said: "I waited very long, too long for a $5 dish. The chilli is good, I don't think I have tasted something like this in Singapore yet. But the portion is too small and I had to share three bowls of noodles with my friend.

"I don't think I'll be back, not in the near future at least."

Kin Kin Chilli Pan Mee at 534 Macpherson Road, opens from 11am to 9pm daily.

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