I swung by Woodleigh Mall initially to grab the butter baked rice cake from Swee Heng, and while looking for something to dabao back for dinner, I spotted Qin Ji Rougamo.
Where You Can Find Qin Ji Rougamo
Qin Ji Rougamo has several outlets in Singapore, including the one at Woodleigh Mall. You can also find them at:
- Sengkang Grand Mall
- Paya Lebar Square
- Changi City Point
- Clementi Mall
- Guoco Tower (Tanjong Pagar)
- One Raffles Place
- Jurong Point
- Alexandra Retail Centre
What’s Qin Ji Rougamo All About
As you can tell from the name, Qin Ji Rougamo specialises in rougamo (肉夹馍). Rougamo, also known as roujiamo, are basically Chinese hamburgers – a type of Shaanxi street food that’s been around for a long time. Besides their signature buns, they also serve noodle dishes and sides from Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces.
Drinks Worth Ordering
Soya Bean Milk ($2.90)
Make sure to stir with the straw before drinking, as the sugar syrup tends to settle at the bottom. I asked for it less sweet, and it was indeed less sweet.
This isn’t the most gau (thick) soya bean milk I’ve had, but it tasted genuinely fresh. Not those ready-to-drink varieties you get from the supermarket.
Grass Jelly Milk Tea ($3.50)
Surprisingly nice combination that I didn’t expect to work so well. The grass jelly and milk tea complement each other beautifully. The drink isn’t too sweet, with a fragrant milk tea flavour coming through.
I’m normally not big on grass jelly, but I really liked the version here. It’s incredibly soft – you can basically suck it up with the straw. Much more enjoyable than those firmer versions.
Pork vs Chicken Rougamo
Qin Ji Pork Rougamo ($5.80)
This is what they’re known for, and I can see why. The bun has quite an interesting texture – flaky on the outside but somewhat thick on the inside. When you bite into it, you first get this light crispiness, then a firm, substantial bite.
The whole bun comes stuffed with meat and green peppers. The pork is done pulled pork style and well-seasoned throughout. It’s hearty without being overwhelming.
Chicken Rougamo ($5.80)
Between the two, I’d actually prefer this chicken version over the pork. The chicken meat comes in chopped pieces rather than shredded, making it more tender and moist.
What I appreciate is that the buns don’t feel oily at all, even after bringing them home for dinner
Additional Item We Tried
Crispy Pork ($5.80)
This wasn’t crispy anymore by the time I brought it home, but it was still very tasty. The meat proved quite tender actually, with loads of flavour packed in.
This dish reminded me of the tangsuyuk from Paik’s Noodles, except it doesn’t come with sauce. Almost the same portion size but only a quarter of the price. That’s value right there.
Why the Noodles Steal the Show
Cold Noodles Skin ($6.50)
The noodles in this dish are like hor fun or thick kway teow. You get crunch from shredded cucumber and bean sprouts, plus pieces of tau pok scattered throughout.
They pack three types of sauce separately in small plastic containers. I assume it’s garlic sauce, vinegary sesame sauce, and chilli oil. Pour all of them into the noodles, give it a thorough mix, and you’ve got something special.
The result is spicy and tangy, very refreshing and appetising.
Braised Beef Rice Noodle ($9.80)
One sip of that dark-coloured broth and you know you’re in for something good. Very flavoursome from the get-go. The beef pieces were incredibly tender – effortless to chew, the way proper braised beef should be.
I spotted these little round things in the bowl that I initially thought were peanuts. Turns out they’re fried chickpeas, and they’re brilliantly crunchy. Adds such good texture contrast to the tender beef and soft noodles.
There’s preserved vegetable in this too, which adds serious depth to the flavour profile. I’m glad they use thick beehoon – it’s my favourite type of noodle.
In this one bowl, there’s so much going on with different textures and flavours. After several mouthfuls, you can feel that numbing Sichuan spice creeping up. So shiok, honestly.
Set Meals for Better Value
The prices I’ve mentioned are à la carte if you order them separately. For better value, I’d suggest going for their sets:
Set B ($12.80) – Qin Ji Pork Rougamo, Cold Noodles Skin, Soya Bean Milk
Set C ($15.80) – Chicken Rougamo, Braised Beef Rice Noodle, Grass Jelly Milk Tea
Since the pork, chicken, and beef rougamo all cost the same, you can mix and match freely.
For takeaway, there’s an additional charge of $0.20 per set or per dish, depending on what you get. Fair enough for the packaging costs.
Final Verdict
$35 for all of this food feels very affordable, and very satisfying too. Everything’s heavily seasoned but not in an overwhelming way. I thought I’d feel thirsty after the meal with all that flavour, but I was perfectly fine.
Personally, I prefer the noodles to the buns, but that’s just my preference. The authentic Chinese flavours shine through in both categories. The portions are ample, the quality consistent, and the prices reasonable.
Will I be back to Qin Ji Rougamo again? Definitely. There are other noodle dishes and rougamo variations I want to try. If you’re looking for honest, authentic Chinese street food without the premium pricing, this place delivers exactly what it promises.