NOTE: This is my year long collaboration with Malay Mail and I am charged to explore gastronomic around (within 600 m walk) fifty selected (Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (RapidKL) train stations (LRT & MRT).
Published article: Published 11th DECEMBER 2017
1. In Malay Mail e-Paper:
** The accompanying story below is not by me.
2. On www.theMalayMailOnline.com:
ORIGINAL submitted article: My long winded one!
A while back, I took on a quest to seek out the best hokkien mee in KL. Not to be confused with the Penang rendition of the same name, KL hokkien mee is a dark, oil slick dish flavoured with lard and a myriad of sauces perfumed with “wok hei”, the much-cherished smoky aroma achieved from cooking under high heat using the wok.
Some vendors retained the charcoal style of frying while others make do with gas powered strong fire. However, hardcore enthusiasts swear by charcoal for better taste and aroma while lavish addition of deep-fried pork skin cubes is naturally much appreciated.
For fans of this traditional favourite, here are five hokkien mee within Klang Valley that are an easy stroll from LRT and MRT stations.
Besides, the walk would do you good to work up an appetite as well as to ease digestion after your meal!
(1.) Tong Shin Hokkien Mee
The popular Bukit Bintang area has Tong Shin Hokkien Mee within easy access from both Bukit Bintang MRT and Monorail.
Business starts at 7:30 pm and only two men man this roadside stall so expect to wait. The hokkien mee aside, you can’t go wrong with their stir fried kuey teow topped with a fresh egg and braised loh mee .
All dishes are fried using charcoal and possess decent wok hei. The noodles are sufficiently braised and well infused with flavour so I never saw the need for the accompanying chilli though you are welcome to add copious amount of it to your noodles if that rocks your boat.
BELOW:Tong Shin Hokkien Mee.
2. Ah Wah Hokkien Mee
Ah Wah requires little introduction. This is reputed to be one of the best in PJ though I felt that its heydays are a thing of the past now.
The noodles are fried using charcoal and the cooking action can be pretty thrilling to watch with all the sparks flying as the cooks dishes out order after order.
Each portion comes with pork meat, pork lard, shrimps and cabbage. Tastewise I thought it was fair but I would prefer Uncle B Hokkien Mee at Restoran Sin Hup Seng, literally a short skip away.
BELOW: Ah Wah Hokkien Mee
3.Uncle B Hokkien Mee @ Restoran Sin Hup Seng
Uncle B’s rendition is likewise charcoal fried and possesses better umami flavour overall, in addition to having more ingredients and stronger aroma.
In an era where banana leaf restaurants started using fake leaves to serve banana leaf rice, it made me appreciate to see that my hokkien mee is lined with banana leaf, regardless if the banana leaf actually imparts any fragrance.
4. Ming Heang Hui @ PGRM
The hokkien mee at Ming Heang Hui coffeeshop is better known as the “hokkien mee near PGRM”. Almost daily this corner shoplot is packed with hungry patrons devouring its signature hokkien mee as well as the Hainanese fried noodle. The hokkien mee boasts of discernible, alluring wok hei in every bite. Served on plates lined with banana leaf, the noodles were thickly coated with sauce and imbued with flavour. We detected no kansui aftertaste. One of the staff told us that their hokkien mee are specially made to their specifications.
5. Hokkien Mee – Jalan Dua, Chan Sow Lin
The industrial area in Chan Sow Lin is better known for steamed fish though there is a number of good eats here. As an example, three sheltered hawker stalls at the corner of Jalan Dua enjoy brisk business daily. Quite noticeably, the first and third stalls are crowded.
The first stall is popular for their curry fish head and fried chicken. The third stall had served generations of customers delicious hokkien mee for over 40 years. The current cook is the second generation of this family business and is a man of little words as he fries each order at his own pace.
The noodles, though still possessing mild lingering taste of kansui, were lighter in color than your typical hokkien mee. The flavours were milder too, and thus the chilli came in useful here.
Somehow it tasted healthier as it was neither overly oily nor salty but still possessing moderate wok hei with plenty of fresh, crunchy pork lard. The portion is fair for the price.
BELOW: Quite a big portion.
Now it is your turn – do you have any favourite eats near one/any of the MRT/LRT stations in the Klang Valley to share with me? 🙂
DIRECTIONS:
- Tong Shin
LRT/MRT: Bukit Bintang
Walk: 500 metres
Hours: 6:30pm – 12:30am. Closes on Tuesdays.
Add: Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.
2. Uncle B Hokkien Mee @ Restoran Sin Hup Seng
LRT/MRT: Paramount
Walk: 100 metres
Hours: Daily: 6pm – 12am
Add: Jalan 21/1, Sea Park, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
3. Ah Wah Hokkien Mee @ Restaurant Millenium 86
LRT/MRT: Paramount
Walk: 450 metres
Hours: Daily: 7.30 am-1 pm
Add: 1, Jalan 20/22, Paramount Garden, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
4. Heang Hui Ming @ PGRM
LRT/MRT: Maluri
Walk: 350 metres
Hours: 6:00pm – 1:00am. Closes on second Mondays monthly.
Add: Look for Petronas and the coffeeshop is at the corner beside it.
Jalan Cheras, Taman Pertama,
55300 Kuala Lumpur.
5. Jalan Dua Hokkien Mee
LRT/MRT: Chan Sow Lin
Walk: 600 metres
Hours: 5pm-11pm; closes on Sundays
Add: Roadside stall @ Jln Dua Off Jln Chan Sow Lin
55200 Kuala Lumpur.
Last but not least….
My original article is usually longer/ ‘more complete’ since I wrote on and on without restriction.
Understandably, due to space constraints, the original was edited prior to publication. Thus I’ve shared my original article as above.
You may also find that my articles for this Prasarana x Malay Mail x Rebecca Saw series rather diplomatic/non- opinionated, but it is meant to be so as per the brief given.
Anyhow, if you think I’ve missed out on some eateries worth highlighting near any MRT/LRT stations, please let me know! I’ll be sure to go check it out.
Please do be in touch via FB message HERE.
Thank you and I look forward to your suggestions!
ah, so ah wah is the only one on this list where we can get our hokkien mee fix for lunch instead of just dinner! 🙂