I'd been telling my parents that we should try the famous Sembawang White Beehoon stall for many years but they never felt inclined to make the long drive to the northernmost part of Singapore from our home in the east. 

They finally yielded a few months ago because I was going to relocate to America.  

White Restaurant at Jalan Tampang

Located in a corner coffeeshop at Jalan Tampang in Sembawang, White Restaurant serves the original White Beehoon that inspired many other versions around the island. 

We were seated shortly after 11 am though the restaurant's opening time is 11.30 am. Just as well because the restaurant filled up quickly and a long line had formed by about 11.20 am. 

Was the White Beehoon worth the journey?

The smooth strands of beehoon (rice vermicelli) had absorbed the flavours of the umami-rich stock that they were cooked in. White Restaurant was fairly generous with their ingredients. We had six juicy prawns, and quite a few slices of squid in our medium-sized plate of White Beehoon (S$9) that was half-filled with an addictively tasty sauce. 

Chockful of flavour, the signature White Beehoon at White Restaurant was a lot more satisfying than all the other plates of bland White Bee Hoon that we'd eaten at various other places. 

Unfortunately, the side dishes of Sambal Kang Kong (Spicy Water Convulvus) and Salted Egg Yolk Sotong (Deep-fried Squid in Salted Egg Yolk Batter) paled in comparison to the signature dish.  The vegetables were overcooked, the sambal was a little too sweet for our taste and the squid seemed to lack flavour aside from the salted egg yolk coating.

We wished we'd given the side dishes a miss and ordered a larger plate of White Beehoon. Ah well, we can do that the next time we visit White Restaurant, I guess.

Singapore is an island city spanning about 719 square kilometres (278 square miles). Hence, a journey by car for over 15 - 20 minutes is a very long distance to travel as far as most Singaporeans are concerned. Since many locals don't drive, the journey by public transportation (whilst fairly efficient) is often viewed to be too tedious hence

Where We ate: White Restaurant in Jalan Tampang

White Restaurant in Sembawang
22 Jalan Tampang, Singapore 758966
Phone: +65 6257 2002
Website: whiterestaurant.com.sg

Opening Hours:
Thursday to Tuesday: 11.30am to 10.30pm
Closed on Wednesday

NB: Located opposite Sembawang Shopping Centre

Where to find White Restaurant's Outlets?

SunPlaza
30 Sembawang Drive, #03-12 Sunplaza,
Singapore 757713
Phone: +65 6483 2002

Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am to 2.30pm & 5pm to 9.30pm
Sat, Sun & Public Holiday: 11am - 9.30pm

The Punggol Settlement
3 Punggol Point Road, Singapore 828694
Phone: +65 6702 2002

Open Daily: 11.30am to 2.00pm &  5pm to 10pm

Toa Payoh
600@Toa Payoh Lor 4, #01-10 Singapore 319515
Phone: +65 6255 2002

Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am to 2.30pm & 5pm to 9.30pm
Sat, Sun & Public Holiday: 11am - 9.30pm