[Review] Hubei Specialty Fast Casual Restaurant Cai Lin Ji (蔡林记) Opens Second Outlet at Guoco Tower, Draws CBD Crowd

Cai Lin Ji (蔡林记), a popular eatery from China with a century-old legacy, has recently opened its second outlet in Singapore in the CBD at Guoco Tower. The fast casual establishment, known for its award-winning hot dry noodles (热干面) and unique Hubei street food, initially made its mark in Singapore with its Jurong Point outlet in August 2023.

Now, with the opening of its second location in a more centralised location, the outlet is drawing in the crowd in the CBD with its wallet-friendly prices and delectable food and drink offerings:

One of the highlights of the new outlet opening is the introduction of new menu items such as the Green Brick Tea (青砖茶), originating from Chibi, Hubei, said to boast over a millennium of history and reputed health benefits, as well as traditional dishes such as the Steamed Pork with Rice Flour ( 粉蒸肉) and Mala Pot (麻辣锅 ) with Rice, providing a taste of Hubei’s culinary heritage.

We were invited for a dinner tasting and these were the items we sampled:

There are more and more China origin fast casual chains sprouting up across Singapore and Cai Lin Ji is likely to continue opening more outlets, given its popularity. The draw to these restaurants is largely their reasonable price point, fast, no-frill service, much like what drew people to American fast food outlets in the 90s and up till recently until the food quality started to decline.

With over 10 noodle varieties and 20 unique street food items, including their famed hot dry noodles, Cai Lin Ji is a strong contender for lunch or dinner office crowd looking for an affordable, fast and sumptuous meal. This is the first time I tried Hubei cuisine and I found the items very palatable for Singaporeans’ taste buds. The signature Zha Jiang Hot Dry Noodles is an assured best seller, as Zha Jiang Mian is something we are familiar with.

I would particularly recommend the Pearl Meatballs and Steamed Pork with Rice Flours. Both of these items are new to me, but I love the home-cook flavours they presented and their simplicity.

Established in 1928, Cai Lin Ji brings a wealth of culinary expertise, boasting over 300 stores across prominent locations in Hubei province, China. Its commitment to quality is evident in its daily preparations, with hot dry noodles alone reaching over 30,000 servings each morning.

Let’s see how many more outlets Cai Lin Ji will open in Singapore after this second one. They have recently launched a membership program to reward their regular customers. You can sign up for free and enjoy the following benefits:

• 1 x Fresh Mung Bean Soup at $1
• 1 x 10% off welcome voucher
• 1 x Osmanthus Paste Rice Wine at $2
• 1 x 10% off Birthday Voucher
• Earn 1 point for ever $1 spent

Cai Lin Ji @ Guoco Tower

1 Wallich St
B2-26 Guoco Tower
Singapore 078881

Opening Hours: 10am to 9.30pm daily