Food Review - Tiong Nam Fish Head Noodles

NameTiong Nam Fish Head Noodles/Bak Kut TehAddress & Location
Tiong Nam/PWTCFoodFish Head Noodles, Bak Kut Teh

Getting there

This place is stone’s throw away from PWTC, Legend Hotel and the Mall. It’s located at a prominent corner on Jalan Tiong Nam. As this place is located within the Tiong Nam enclave, it’s a little complicated to describe here because the entire area is riddled with multiple tiny lanes, in the same manner as what you would find if you traveled to a village (hence the nostalgic feel).

It can also be a little complicated to drive there despite having been there several times. Please refer to the map for the exact location.

Parking

Parking can be a hassle if you are competing wit the lunch crowd. If you get there before them, then there are lots of street-side parking spaces in the vicinity. There is also an open space parking lot conveniently located directly opposite the eatery.

Service

The service is quick and no fuss! The food comes rather quickly (unless you are caught in the lunch crowd which then changes things considerably – try to get there before 12.15pm)

Diners are given hot water in the standard plastic bowl to clean your cups and utensils.

Ambience

Tucked in a prominent corner within the Tiong Nam enclave, this is a typical traditional no-frills Chinese eatery – old, a little run down, but busy and gives you that nostalgic feel good buzz as it brings you back to the good old times you remember when you were growing up in more innocent times.

You will find the typical plastic/wooden round-top tables with multi-colored plastic chairs. It may not appeal to the younger Pappa Rich/Starbucks crowds but the jam packed crowds during lunch is testament to this place’s longevity!

Taste

The inclusion of seafood in the clay-pot fish head noodles is a big draw for the patrons! Although the taste is not as strong as the fish head noodles of Ho A One in Taman Desa (http://jmerb.blogspot.com/2009/05/food-review-ho-one-seafood-steamboat.html), you know that the food has all of its flavor from the seafood naturally. Despite my love for strongly flavored food, I still like the taste this place offers.

Vermicelli (the thin variety) is usually used for fish head noodles but here, they use the thicker variety of Vermicelli (Choe Mai Fun in Cantonese) instead. Hence, that itself provides a different dining experience altogether.

Unfortunately, not to say that it was bad but the Bak Kut Teh didn’t really leave an impression with me. I have had better and in many other places. So, there’s nothing really to shout about here.

Presentation

As this is a no-frills eatery, they have modest plastic bowls and dishes, except for the piping hot clay-pots where you food will be served. I have no complaints about the presentation and in fact find it rather endearing & charming.

Variety

The main crowd pullers are their signature dish – the clay-pot fish head noodles, and their clay-pot bak kut teh. Besides that, there isn’t really anything else that I have noticed diners ordering.

Value for Money

The food comes in generous portions. In fact, I have friends who tell me to order for less than the headcount (eg: 5 of you dine there but you only order for 4, or even 3!)

You will see large chunks of yam (yes, they use yam chunks in their clay-pot fish head noodles), fish-balls, tomato wedges, clams (La-la)

The food is most reasonably priced! Great value and a rare find in KL!

Overall

Good food, generous portions at great value! This place earns checks at all the right boxes! Try it out. You may be the next evangelist for this place. =)

Food Review - Lilian Bak Kut Teh

NameLilian Bak Kut Teh

Food
Bak Kut Teh
Location
Klang – Nearby the Klang Jusco
Getting There
This is a tricky one because I am not entirely familiar with Klang. The landmark to look out for is the Jusco that is visible from the Federal Highway if you are entering Klang from KL. Once on the road that leads to Jusco, just follow the road until you pass Jusco on your left (with the Fed Hwy directly behind). The road is an anti-clockwise semi circle that leads back to the Fed Hwy. The restaurant is at a row of shops at a left turning just before the Fed Hwy.

ParkingAmple parking on the street in front of the restaurant.
Service
Service is warm and friendly as it is a family run business where you will be served by “uncles” and “aunties”.

Taste
The rice was fluffy and nicely done, not clumpy. The BKT and the soup was very fragrant- which makes it hard to resist. I personally prefer the non-clay-pot version because the flavors are stronger as there are no vegetables or Tau Pok, etc to “water down” the flavors. However, it is still very good BKT.
Ambience & PresentationIt is quite an old place but it is very well ventilated, kept and clean. A point to note is the way Chinese Tea is served because it is very different from how KL/PJ does it. The hot water re-fill kettle is placed on top of a gas tank right next to the guests’ tables where guests are expected to self-serve. Guests are given the clay tea-pot, traditional tiny tea cups and a small pot complete with a quaint little strainer for guests to filter out the tea leaves from the beverage.

Variety
The BKT is available in the standard clay-pot or non-clay-pot varieties. We ordered the clay-pot version with the works (ie: Mushrooms, lettuce, Foo Juk, Tau Pok, different parts, etc).

Rice is a must to go with the fragrant BKT soup. The rice comes in a plastic plate but there are condiments that are a must for the rice – the fried shallots! For added oomph, some like to add the black soy sauce, chili padi and chopped garlic to the meal.
Value for Money
Under RM50 for 2 pots of BKT with rice, vege and Chinese Tea. Go try it!
Overall
Good BKT. It’s not the best but Klang is after all BKT paradise. So, you can’t really go wrong. Good food at good prices in a quaint little place that serves up a dose of nostalgia.

Food Review - OKR Bak Kut Teh

NameOKR Dry Bak Kut Teh (Dinner Only)
Address
Off Old Klang Road
FoodBak Kut Teh
Location
Old Klang Road (diagonal to the Post Office)
Getting there
If you are coming from KL/Mid Valley towards PJ on OKR, you need to look out for the Post Office next to the OKR Wet Market on your left. Right before the post office is a small lane to the left.

You can’t miss it once you turn in as it is right at the prominent corner and very well lit.

Parking
This can be a bit of a challenge, but if you are patient, and don’t mind doing a few 3-point turns, you will eventually find a spot at houses or the school near the stall.

ServiceThe Bak Kut Teh is prepared only after you order. So it may take about 10-15 minutes before it can be served. Ambience
This place is not a crowd magnet as it is not a place that would attract diners based on appearance or cleanliness but it’s not so bad that would turn you away either. However, this is not the place to bring your expat friends.

VarietyThis place is unique because it serves both the dry and soup variety.
Taste
I like both the soup and dry varieties served here. Altho the soup variety is served in a claypot, it is still the strong dark-colored herbal type, not the watered down type that is typically served in a claypot. The soup is to die for.

The dry type is also served in a claypot. It is prepared with okra, onions, dried red chilies, Chili Padi and fine cuttlefish strips. It is too savoury to have on its own but mixed with rice, it’s quite a treat. However, it can be a bit oily.
Presentation
Quite nicely done for a stall of this category as I would have half expected the food to be served in plastic bowls. Both the BKT and rice are served in clay ware.
Value for Money
It is good value as pork prices are quite high these days. They do not scrimp on the parts you request for unlike some other stalls. That is to say, if you request for Pai Guat, they give you Pai Guat.
Overall
Not something to have everyday, but you have to try this, because, let’s be honest, when was the last time you had dry BKT?

Food Review - Steamed Fish Head - OKR Ah Wang

Name
Ah Wang Bak Kut Teh

Address
4 ½ Mile, Jalan Klang Lama, KL (013-2282288)

Food
Steamed Fish Head/Bak Kut Teh (Dinner only)

Location
Jalan Klang Lama/ Old Klang Road (OKR)

Getting there
It is located on the Old Klang Road (OKR) between the Taman Desa & Kuchai Lama junctions. If you are coming from the city towards PJ, you need to look out for the Kuchai Lama traffic light junction. Make a U-Turn there to get to the other side (ie: heading back towards Mid Valley). The stall is located just before the new highway running perpendicular to OKR.

Parking
Parking can be a bit of a challenge as diners need to find a spot on OKR itself. However, the good thing is that the stall owners know this and have appointed a “traffic controller” (complete with reflective gear) to help diners find empty parking spots when you turn on the car indicators as you approach. I have never had any trouble finding a spot.

Service
Service is considered fast as there is ample staff (locals) to attend to your seating and orders. In my experience, the food comes out rather fast. You may need to wait for approx. 10-15 minutes for the food to arrive at your table.

As usual, these kinds of stalls provide the small plastic basin with hot water for the utensils. They normally would bring the chopsticks and Chinese soup spoons. You may request for forks and spoons.

Payment is also rather quick & hassle-free.

Ambience
This is a typical no-frills Malaysian dining where the plastic tables & chairs are right next to the road and under the sky. About half of them are covered in case there’s rain.

On the cleanliness scale, it’s considered clean for stalls of this category.

There are a couple of TVs there as well to kill time while you wait (or eat).

Taste
We have only tried 2 varieties so far (eventho’ we have been there enough times to try all varieties). We have always gravitated back to the Ginger variety. It comes with generous portions of finely chopped ginger, parsley and spring onions on top of the fish head steamed just right. The sauce (well I’m not sure if that’s the right word) ALWAYS tastes just right.

Presentation
“Simple and fit for purpose” would best describe it. It comes on a stainless steel plate resting on a chaffing dish that helps keep the fish dish hot to the end.

Variety
There are a few varieties for the steamed fish heads and they come in 3 sizes (L/M/S):
- Ginger (Giong Yung)
- Soy Sauce (Si Jub)
- Plain Steam (Ching Jing)
- Assam

We usually go for the Ginger variety (S) and rice.

Other items include:
- Bak Kut Teh (of course)
- Pork Leg Vinergar (Jue Geok Cho)
- Pig Trotters (Loe Jue Geok)
- Peppered Pork Tripe Soup (Wu Jiu Jue Toe Tong)

Value for Money
This place is high on value for money. 1 order of the fish head (Small) plus rice is enough for 2 of us. If you fancy, there are other side orders like tofu and vege dishes but we usually struggle to finish with just the fish and rice alone.

Overall
If you’re looking for a quick and simple healthy meal that not only tastes good but is virtually cholesterol & oil free, this is it. Try it and let me know if you agree.