Johor Tangkak Beef Noodles in Kluang, Johor

Before I made my recent trip to Kluang, I asked Johor Kaki Facebook page followers for recommendations on what to eat in Kluang.

A reader suggested that I try the Tangkak Beef noodle shop in Kluang as it is "better than the original in Tangkak". I was intrigued by this comment. I passed by the Tangkak Beef noodle shop in Kluang a few times before but never stopped to try it as I figured that it should be similar to the original in Tangkak itself (which I liked).

With this suggestion, I stopped at the Tangkak Beef noodle shop in Kluang during one of my trips to KL.

Besides the original shop in Tangkak which is still run by the founder, the Tangkak Beef brand has three other branches - a shop in KL (operated by the founder's daughter), Malacca (by eldest son) and here in Kluang (run by second son).

When I entered the noodle shop in Kluang, I found the busy shop very well kept and was thus surprised when the lady boss told me that they have been here for over ten years.



Back in Tangkak, the cooking is handled by the young boss and the founder, so I was a little surprised to see a team of young foreign workers manning the kitchen at the front. They were very friendly and cheerful - a happy team.



They handled the cooking expertly. The lady boss said that the workers have been with the shop for many years.

One of the factors of success at Tangkak Beef noodles is their supply chain and their intimate knowledge of beef. The lady boss handles the purchasing of cows directly from local farmers. She also manages this beef noodle shop while the boss (her husband) is the butcher at the local fresh meat market.

And now, the taste test.


Tangkak Beef Noodles RM7.50 for large size.

Don't you find this bowl of beef soup wholesome? Appearance wise, the dark tea coloured herbal broth looks quite similar to the original in Tangkak.



The soup is more beefy than herbal with a slight presence of oil.



Tangkak Beef serves only the soup version. We have a choice of yellow noodles, bee hoon, kway teow or lai fun - we opted for lai fun which is a thick rice noodle. Average, a little limp.



The pieces of tender beef were cut quite big. But, personally, I prefer it even chunkier and thicker - like the size of a man's thumb. With a bigger size, I can feel the oozing beefy juices even better when I bite into the chunk of soft spongy meat. 



Fresh, tangy spicy chili sauce is my usual dip.



Though I don't eat my beef with vinegar, I could see that it's a must have for many people.

If you are in Kluang, give the Tangkak Beef here a try.



Restaurant name: Tangkak Beef
Address: #5, Jalan Langsat, Kluang, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/JFkCn
GPS: 2.037137,103.319731
Hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 10 Sep 2013

Before I made my recent trip to Kluang, I asked Johor Kaki Facebook page followers for recommendations on what to eat in Kluang.

A reader suggested that I try the Tangkak Beef noodle shop in Kluang as it is "better than the original in Tangkak". I was intrigued by this comment. I passed by the Tangkak Beef noodle shop in Kluang a few times before but never stopped to try it as I figured that it should be similar to the original in Tangkak itself (which I liked).

With this suggestion, I stopped at the Tangkak Beef noodle shop in Kluang during one of my trips to KL.

Besides the original shop in Tangkak which is still run by the founder, the Tangkak Beef brand has three other branches - a shop in KL (operated by the founder's daughter), Malacca (by eldest son) and here in Kluang (run by second son).

When I entered the noodle shop in Kluang, I found the busy shop very well kept and was thus surprised when the lady boss told me that they have been here for over ten years.



Back in Tangkak, the cooking is handled by the young boss and the founder, so I was a little surprised to see a team of young foreign workers manning the kitchen at the front. They were very friendly and cheerful - a happy team.



They handled the cooking expertly. The lady boss said that the workers have been with the shop for many years.

One of the factors of success at Tangkak Beef noodles is their supply chain and their intimate knowledge of beef. The lady boss handles the purchasing of cows directly from local farmers. She also manages this beef noodle shop while the boss (her husband) is the butcher at the local fresh meat market.

And now, the taste test.


Tangkak Beef Noodles RM7.50 for large size.

Don't you find this bowl of beef soup wholesome? Appearance wise, the dark tea coloured herbal broth looks quite similar to the original in Tangkak.



The soup is more beefy than herbal with a slight presence of oil.



Tangkak Beef serves only the soup version. We have a choice of yellow noodles, bee hoon, kway teow or lai fun - we opted for lai fun which is a thick rice noodle. Average, a little limp.



The pieces of tender beef were cut quite big. But, personally, I prefer it even chunkier and thicker - like the size of a man's thumb. With a bigger size, I can feel the oozing beefy juices even better when I bite into the chunk of soft spongy meat. 



Fresh, tangy spicy chili sauce is my usual dip.



Though I don't eat my beef with vinegar, I could see that it's a must have for many people.

If you are in Kluang, give the Tangkak Beef here a try.



Restaurant name: Tangkak Beef
Address: #5, Jalan Langsat, Kluang, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/JFkCn
GPS: 2.037137,103.319731
Hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 10 Sep 2013

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Taroko Teppanyaki Grill near Sutera Mall in Johor Bahru

I always liked teppanyaki because I love to watch chefs in action. The sometimes random, sometimes rhythmic clanging, clinking and clapping of the teppanyaki trowels sound like music to my ears.

Today, I had the opportunity to watch the chefs in action when Thomas invited me to visit his newly opened Taroko Teppanyaki Grill. Thomas is an old hand in teppanyaki cooking. Actually, Thomas has many years of experience in operating teppanyaki grills as he used to run the popular teppanyaki stall in City Square Mall food court in downtown Johor Bahru.



I wasted no time in making my way to the front row seat to watch the action at the griddle. These inviting prawns were sizzling on the griddle, glowing like red hot charcoal.



Taroko Teppanyaki customers can choose to sit inside the aircon comfort of Bangkok Village Thai food restaurant which also belongs to the same boss i.e. Thomas. In fact, the Thai dishes like Tom Yam from Bangkok Village go along well with the teppanyaki dishes.



Our first order was Taroko Teppanyaki's popular Seafood Fried Rice. The chef mixing and tossing the rice and seafood in the hot griddle while we watched.



I like this Seafood Fried Rice (RM7.90). The savoury rice was fluffy, not overly greasy, and the shrimps and squid were nicely done too. There were fried eggs and also crunchy chopped long beans in the rice.



We also had this Mixed Seafood Set at RM35.90 which is a combination of large and thick USA scallops, prawns and cod fish fillet.



Close up of the succulent prawns in the Mixed Seafood Set.



We had a serving of Australian Wagyu beef which the chef expertly cuts up into bite sized cubes at dazzling speed on the griddle.



I like to sit at the al fresco area near the griddle because you never know when you will be entertained by spectacular fireworks. Here the chef doused the Wagyu beef with whisky and then torched it in a spectacular plume.



Our freshly cooked Australian Wagyu (200 grams) at RM88.90.



Wagyu beef comes with smokey fat which can be eaten guilt free as it is high in artery friendly omega oils - according to health experts, no kidding :)) 



Tender and juicy Wagyu beef, no marinade, great beefy flavour on it's own.

Taroko Teppanyaki Grill offers a wide range of teppanyaki dishes. Teppanyaki fans, check it out :)



Taroko Teppanyaki Grill is just beside Bangkok Village.

Restaurant name: Taroko Teppanyaki Grill
Address: 99, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama. Skudai
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/F3MvO
GPS: 1.515040,103.667732
Hours: 12:00noon to 11:00pm
No pork, no lard, no Halal Cert

Date visited: 29 May 2013

I always liked teppanyaki because I love to watch chefs in action. The sometimes random, sometimes rhythmic clanging, clinking and clapping of the teppanyaki trowels sound like music to my ears.

Today, I had the opportunity to watch the chefs in action when Thomas invited me to visit his newly opened Taroko Teppanyaki Grill. Thomas is an old hand in teppanyaki cooking. Actually, Thomas has many years of experience in operating teppanyaki grills as he used to run the popular teppanyaki stall in City Square Mall food court in downtown Johor Bahru.



I wasted no time in making my way to the front row seat to watch the action at the griddle. These inviting prawns were sizzling on the griddle, glowing like red hot charcoal.



Taroko Teppanyaki customers can choose to sit inside the aircon comfort of Bangkok Village Thai food restaurant which also belongs to the same boss i.e. Thomas. In fact, the Thai dishes like Tom Yam from Bangkok Village go along well with the teppanyaki dishes.



Our first order was Taroko Teppanyaki's popular Seafood Fried Rice. The chef mixing and tossing the rice and seafood in the hot griddle while we watched.



I like this Seafood Fried Rice (RM7.90). The savoury rice was fluffy, not overly greasy, and the shrimps and squid were nicely done too. There were fried eggs and also crunchy chopped long beans in the rice.



We also had this Mixed Seafood Set at RM35.90 which is a combination of large and thick USA scallops, prawns and cod fish fillet.



Close up of the succulent prawns in the Mixed Seafood Set.



We had a serving of Australian Wagyu beef which the chef expertly cuts up into bite sized cubes at dazzling speed on the griddle.



I like to sit at the al fresco area near the griddle because you never know when you will be entertained by spectacular fireworks. Here the chef doused the Wagyu beef with whisky and then torched it in a spectacular plume.



Our freshly cooked Australian Wagyu (200 grams) at RM88.90.



Wagyu beef comes with smokey fat which can be eaten guilt free as it is high in artery friendly omega oils - according to health experts, no kidding :)) 



Tender and juicy Wagyu beef, no marinade, great beefy flavour on it's own.

Taroko Teppanyaki Grill offers a wide range of teppanyaki dishes. Teppanyaki fans, check it out :)



Taroko Teppanyaki Grill is just beside Bangkok Village.

Restaurant name: Taroko Teppanyaki Grill
Address: 99, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama. Skudai
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/F3MvO
GPS: 1.515040,103.667732
Hours: 12:00noon to 11:00pm
No pork, no lard, no Halal Cert

Date visited: 29 May 2013

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Western Food and Pizzas at Menu Please Bistro near Plaza Pelangi in Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru

Jayson, the boss of newly opened Menu Please Bistro which offers casual Western dining in Taman Maju Jaya (near Plaza Pelangi), invited me to try his Western dishes and pizzas. 



The interior of Menu Please Bistro is simple and neat. Customers dine in air con comfort and with soft, easy listening tunes in the background.

Jayson is a SHATEC (Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre) graduate. Jayson had worked for 7 years in Singapore's Four Seasons Hotel and Marina Bay Sands before returning to Johor Bahru to open his own restaurant last year.


Braised Beef Cheek RM26.80.

When Jayson told me that Menu Please serves braised beef cheeks, I immediately jumped at it as this is one of my favourite beef dishes. Jayson shared that Menu Please's beef cheeks are braised in beef stock with ingredients such as carrots, potatoes and onions for hours until all the vegetables are dissolved. 



The hours of braising in slow fire turned the huge chunk of lean meat with layers of gelatin in between into a smooth, soft and gummy treat. The lean meat became like a savoury soft meat loaf while the gelatin turned to gummy jelly.  



All those hours of slow heat dissolved the sinews, gelatin, carrots, potatoes, and onions that blended into a marvellous savoury gravy. It was so beefy good, I felt really guilty about wasting any of it. Happily, Menu Please's beef cheeks come with a large stick of focaccia bread which was handy in wiping the plate squeaky clean of the savoury gravy.



Jayson told me that Menu Please's beef cheeks are loved by some customers while others are less excited about it. As for me, I am very pleased with Menu Please's braised beef cheeks and highly recommend it to beef lovers.


Sesame Duck Salad RM9.80.

Jayson let me try Menu Please's Sesame Duck Salad which he shared is popular among customers.



The salad is made with thin slices of smoked duck on a bed of fresh lettuce, onions, carrots, tomatoes and tangerines showered with sesame sauce.



The slices of smoked duck are eaten with Menu Please's house blended dip which was inspired by traditional "char siew" sauce.



Personally, as I like the smokey, creamy flavour of smoked duck, I prefer to eat it on its own with a squeeze of tangerine, without any dip.


Otiental Potato Cakes with Tamarind Dip RM8.80. 

I had Menu Please's Potato Cake with Tamarind Dip.



The cake was made with mashed potatoes and minced crab stick. The cakes were nicely fried with the skin outside crispy while the steaming hot inside was soft.





The potato cakes are eaten with the special dip that tasted salty and tangy as it was made with plum juice and tamarind.




Tomato Soup RM7.80.

I tried Menu Please's tomato soup. It was full bodied and had that nice sweet and slightly tangy tomato flavour.

As usual, I asked for permission to visit the kitchen :P



Chef Anthony stirring the pot of braised lamb shanks, another of Menu Please's signature dishes which I must come back for. 

Jayson was also eager for me to try Menu Please's handmade pizzas but there was simply no more room in my tummy.

So, my next trip to Menu Please Bistro is already planned. I can't wait to try their lamb shank and handmade pizzas next time.

One last word, beef lovers! Menu Please's beef cheek is a Must Try!





Restaurant name: Menu Please Bistro
Address: 25, Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru (near Plaza Pelangi)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/1vLa8
GPS: 1.480859,103.766314
Hours: Tues to Fri 12:00 noon to 3:00pm and 5:30pm to 12:00 midnight. Sat and Sun 12:00 noon to 12:00 mid night (Closed on Mondays)
No pork, no lard, no alcohol, no Halal cert

Date visited: 3 Apr 2013

Jayson, the boss of newly opened Menu Please Bistro which offers casual Western dining in Taman Maju Jaya (near Plaza Pelangi), invited me to try his Western dishes and pizzas. 



The interior of Menu Please Bistro is simple and neat. Customers dine in air con comfort and with soft, easy listening tunes in the background.

Jayson is a SHATEC (Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre) graduate. Jayson had worked for 7 years in Singapore's Four Seasons Hotel and Marina Bay Sands before returning to Johor Bahru to open his own restaurant last year.


Braised Beef Cheek RM26.80.

When Jayson told me that Menu Please serves braised beef cheeks, I immediately jumped at it as this is one of my favourite beef dishes. Jayson shared that Menu Please's beef cheeks are braised in beef stock with ingredients such as carrots, potatoes and onions for hours until all the vegetables are dissolved. 



The hours of braising in slow fire turned the huge chunk of lean meat with layers of gelatin in between into a smooth, soft and gummy treat. The lean meat became like a savoury soft meat loaf while the gelatin turned to gummy jelly.  



All those hours of slow heat dissolved the sinews, gelatin, carrots, potatoes, and onions that blended into a marvellous savoury gravy. It was so beefy good, I felt really guilty about wasting any of it. Happily, Menu Please's beef cheeks come with a large stick of focaccia bread which was handy in wiping the plate squeaky clean of the savoury gravy.



Jayson told me that Menu Please's beef cheeks are loved by some customers while others are less excited about it. As for me, I am very pleased with Menu Please's braised beef cheeks and highly recommend it to beef lovers.


Sesame Duck Salad RM9.80.

Jayson let me try Menu Please's Sesame Duck Salad which he shared is popular among customers.



The salad is made with thin slices of smoked duck on a bed of fresh lettuce, onions, carrots, tomatoes and tangerines showered with sesame sauce.



The slices of smoked duck are eaten with Menu Please's house blended dip which was inspired by traditional "char siew" sauce.



Personally, as I like the smokey, creamy flavour of smoked duck, I prefer to eat it on its own with a squeeze of tangerine, without any dip.


Otiental Potato Cakes with Tamarind Dip RM8.80. 

I had Menu Please's Potato Cake with Tamarind Dip.



The cake was made with mashed potatoes and minced crab stick. The cakes were nicely fried with the skin outside crispy while the steaming hot inside was soft.





The potato cakes are eaten with the special dip that tasted salty and tangy as it was made with plum juice and tamarind.




Tomato Soup RM7.80.

I tried Menu Please's tomato soup. It was full bodied and had that nice sweet and slightly tangy tomato flavour.

As usual, I asked for permission to visit the kitchen :P



Chef Anthony stirring the pot of braised lamb shanks, another of Menu Please's signature dishes which I must come back for. 

Jayson was also eager for me to try Menu Please's handmade pizzas but there was simply no more room in my tummy.

So, my next trip to Menu Please Bistro is already planned. I can't wait to try their lamb shank and handmade pizzas next time.

One last word, beef lovers! Menu Please's beef cheek is a Must Try!





Restaurant name: Menu Please Bistro
Address: 25, Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru (near Plaza Pelangi)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/1vLa8
GPS: 1.480859,103.766314
Hours: Tues to Fri 12:00 noon to 3:00pm and 5:30pm to 12:00 midnight. Sat and Sun 12:00 noon to 12:00 mid night (Closed on Mondays)
No pork, no lard, no alcohol, no Halal cert

Date visited: 3 Apr 2013

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Johor Beef Noodles Selection

 

Beef noodles have a special place in my heart as the comfort food that is a "luxury" and associated with celebration and achievement. When I was about 13 or 14 years old in early 1970s Singapore, I worked as a construction worker during my school holidays. I was paid a princely SGD2 a day. At the workshop in Victoria Street where we fabricated windows to be mounted in buildings, there was a back lane beef kway teow stall. I have forgotten most of the details like the name of the stall, how much the noodles cost, and how exactly it tasted except that it was the traditional Hainanese type with that gooey beef gravy. But, the thing that I remember vividly was the deep satisfaction and happiness I felt knowing that I could enjoy the good things in life through my own effort. This feeling about beef noodles stayed with me ever since.

I have eaten at many of the beef noodles shops and stalls in Johor and here are the ones that I enjoyed the most.

The beef kway teow at Grand Beef Noodles Restaurant is quite different from the usual Hainanese beef kway teow. The sauce mixed into the kway teow is more like that sauce used in Teochew kway teow. Yet, the beef are done so well that customers who were initially skeptical as they expected that characteristic gooey gravy, were soon converted to Grand Beef Noodle's style. 

Ah Yong Beef Noodles is located at the exact spot where Ah Deng, JB's most famous beef kway teow stall used to be. Ah Yong operated from Ah Deng's spot since the latter retired in mid-2012. Ah Yong actually had to wallow in quiet business for about a year as customers used to Ah Deng's were initially slow in accepting Ah Yong's noodles. Now, through hard work and perseverance, Ah Yong's business has picked up and he has built up a following of loyal fans for his traditional Hainanese beef noodles.

Many of Johor's best beef noodles are run by elderly hawkers in their 70s or even 80s. One by the one, old style beef noodle stalls are closing as their elderly owners retire. Fortunately, some of the best old style Hainanese beef kway teow stalls are today reincarnated in contemporary style bistros by third generation owners. Yean Kee in Kluang run by the grandson of the founder is a Must Try for beef noodle lovers when in Kluang.

Tangkak Kuang Fei beef noodles serves a famous savoury herbal broth with chunks of nicely cooked tender succulent beef cubes, tripe and tendons. Only one style is served, with soup. But, it is definitely worth the short detour off the NSE (North South Highway) to enjoy this marvellous beef kway teow soup.

Tangkak also has Restoran Do Do Do that beef lovers all over Malaysia and even Singapore raved about. Strictly speaking, Do Do Do is not just a beef noodle shop as it does beef in a variety of innovative ways. My favourite is their steamed calf slices. Thin, super tender and smooth calf slices with a very mild bovine flavour. 

There are also other very good beef noodle shops in Johor that I have enjoyed.

Click on the picture above for the list of these favourite beef noodle stalls in Johor. Try them, as they may also suit your taste buds.

 

Beef noodles have a special place in my heart as the comfort food that is a "luxury" and associated with celebration and achievement. When I was about 13 or 14 years old in early 1970s Singapore, I worked as a construction worker during my school holidays. I was paid a princely SGD2 a day. At the workshop in Victoria Street where we fabricated windows to be mounted in buildings, there was a back lane beef kway teow stall. I have forgotten most of the details like the name of the stall, how much the noodles cost, and how exactly it tasted except that it was the traditional Hainanese type with that gooey beef gravy. But, the thing that I remember vividly was the deep satisfaction and happiness I felt knowing that I could enjoy the good things in life through my own effort. This feeling about beef noodles stayed with me ever since.

I have eaten at many of the beef noodles shops and stalls in Johor and here are the ones that I enjoyed the most.

The beef kway teow at Grand Beef Noodles Restaurant is quite different from the usual Hainanese beef kway teow. The sauce mixed into the kway teow is more like that sauce used in Teochew kway teow. Yet, the beef are done so well that customers who were initially skeptical as they expected that characteristic gooey gravy, were soon converted to Grand Beef Noodle's style. 

Ah Yong Beef Noodles is located at the exact spot where Ah Deng, JB's most famous beef kway teow stall used to be. Ah Yong operated from Ah Deng's spot since the latter retired in mid-2012. Ah Yong actually had to wallow in quiet business for about a year as customers used to Ah Deng's were initially slow in accepting Ah Yong's noodles. Now, through hard work and perseverance, Ah Yong's business has picked up and he has built up a following of loyal fans for his traditional Hainanese beef noodles.

Many of Johor's best beef noodles are run by elderly hawkers in their 70s or even 80s. One by the one, old style beef noodle stalls are closing as their elderly owners retire. Fortunately, some of the best old style Hainanese beef kway teow stalls are today reincarnated in contemporary style bistros by third generation owners. Yean Kee in Kluang run by the grandson of the founder is a Must Try for beef noodle lovers when in Kluang.

Tangkak Kuang Fei beef noodles serves a famous savoury herbal broth with chunks of nicely cooked tender succulent beef cubes, tripe and tendons. Only one style is served, with soup. But, it is definitely worth the short detour off the NSE (North South Highway) to enjoy this marvellous beef kway teow soup.

Tangkak also has Restoran Do Do Do that beef lovers all over Malaysia and even Singapore raved about. Strictly speaking, Do Do Do is not just a beef noodle shop as it does beef in a variety of innovative ways. My favourite is their steamed calf slices. Thin, super tender and smooth calf slices with a very mild bovine flavour. 

There are also other very good beef noodle shops in Johor that I have enjoyed.

Click on the picture above for the list of these favourite beef noodle stalls in Johor. Try them, as they may also suit your taste buds.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Beef Noodles at Grand Beef Restaurant 牛肉王之家 in Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru

  

 

Grand Beef Restaurant was mentioned a few times by Johor Yummy friend Melvin Wu. Melvin once said that the beef noodles here is one of JB's "best kept secrets". Indeed, Grand Beef Restaurant is tucked in a quiet corner of Taman Melody, yet it is just a stone's throw from the bustling KSL City Mall and Taman Century.

Today, I "finally" found my way to Grand Beef Restaurant. "Finally" was Ben Ting's comment when I posted about my lunch at Grand Beef Restaurant on Johor Kaki Facebook page.

The understated Grand Beef Restaurant obviously has many supporters online and also at the restaurant as I saw during lunch.

If anyone wonders how come Grand Beef is located in this part of town, which seemed out of place for a restaurant, this shoplot used to be a spectacle factory. This gets even more intriguing. The boss MR Ong's family used to operate a spectacle frame manufacturing factory here. But, ten years ago, the family decided to switch business due to competition from low cost imports from China. As the family patriarch is passionate about cooking, MR Ong's father decided to open a restaurant. And, hence, Grand Beef Restaurant was born.

So, how was the food?

To start, it's a little different from the other Hainanese beef noodles that I have tried. I was looking forward to that gooey, beefy gravy made by boiling beef bones and cut offs into a jelly like syrupy gravy. This goo was "the thing" in Hainanese style beef noodles that got me hooked.

But at Grand Beef, there isn't this signature Hainanese beef gravy. Instead. the kway teow was garnished with a blend of dark and light soy sauce and shallot oil much like what we will find in Teochew kway teow soup stalls.

The boss MR Ong explained that they use the same sauce for both the beef noodles and pork noodles which Grand Beef Restaurant also serves. Many customers do not eat beef, so they decided that both the beef and pork noodles shall use the same sauce. At first, I wasn't excited about this compromise.

Any reservations that I initially felt was quickly forgotten once I tasted Grand Beef's beef. The pieces of beef, innards and tendons were so tender and tasty.

The savoury and subtle herbal flavours were mild and easy on the palate. It appealed to people who like their beef without the "beefy" taste, yet for those who like that bovine flavour, it is there when you pay attention to what your taste buds are feeling. MR Ong said that they used local cows 黄牛 to make their beef noodles. Overall, it's a very pleasant taste and flavour, and mouth feel.

 

Grand Beef's soup is another distinguishing feature which is unlike the beef soup I have tasted elsewhere. MR Ong said the soup is made by boiling chicken and beef bones. The soup was cloudy, not too oily and it was full bodied and soothingly smooth. I like its savoury umami flavour. It's like a beef version of good savoury prawn soup.

Grand Beef's beef noodles are quite different from other beef noodles that I have tried, and I like it. If I am in the area, I would be glad to pop by to have this beef noodles for lunch or mid afternoon tea.

Restaurant name:  Grand Beef Restaurant 牛肉王之家
Address: 89, Jalan Beringin, Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/h3ZxY
GPS: 1.490437,103.763058
Hours: 11:30am to 5:00pm (Closed on Mon. Closed at 3:00pm on Sundays)
Non Halal

Date visited: 3 Jan 2013

  

 

Grand Beef Restaurant was mentioned a few times by Johor Yummy friend Melvin Wu. Melvin once said that the beef noodles here is one of JB's "best kept secrets". Indeed, Grand Beef Restaurant is tucked in a quiet corner of Taman Melody, yet it is just a stone's throw from the bustling KSL City Mall and Taman Century.

Today, I "finally" found my way to Grand Beef Restaurant. "Finally" was Ben Ting's comment when I posted about my lunch at Grand Beef Restaurant on Johor Kaki Facebook page.

The understated Grand Beef Restaurant obviously has many supporters online and also at the restaurant as I saw during lunch.

If anyone wonders how come Grand Beef is located in this part of town, which seemed out of place for a restaurant, this shoplot used to be a spectacle factory. This gets even more intriguing. The boss MR Ong's family used to operate a spectacle frame manufacturing factory here. But, ten years ago, the family decided to switch business due to competition from low cost imports from China. As the family patriarch is passionate about cooking, MR Ong's father decided to open a restaurant. And, hence, Grand Beef Restaurant was born.

So, how was the food?

To start, it's a little different from the other Hainanese beef noodles that I have tried. I was looking forward to that gooey, beefy gravy made by boiling beef bones and cut offs into a jelly like syrupy gravy. This goo was "the thing" in Hainanese style beef noodles that got me hooked.

But at Grand Beef, there isn't this signature Hainanese beef gravy. Instead. the kway teow was garnished with a blend of dark and light soy sauce and shallot oil much like what we will find in Teochew kway teow soup stalls.

The boss MR Ong explained that they use the same sauce for both the beef noodles and pork noodles which Grand Beef Restaurant also serves. Many customers do not eat beef, so they decided that both the beef and pork noodles shall use the same sauce. At first, I wasn't excited about this compromise.

Any reservations that I initially felt was quickly forgotten once I tasted Grand Beef's beef. The pieces of beef, innards and tendons were so tender and tasty.

The savoury and subtle herbal flavours were mild and easy on the palate. It appealed to people who like their beef without the "beefy" taste, yet for those who like that bovine flavour, it is there when you pay attention to what your taste buds are feeling. MR Ong said that they used local cows 黄牛 to make their beef noodles. Overall, it's a very pleasant taste and flavour, and mouth feel.

 

Grand Beef's soup is another distinguishing feature which is unlike the beef soup I have tasted elsewhere. MR Ong said the soup is made by boiling chicken and beef bones. The soup was cloudy, not too oily and it was full bodied and soothingly smooth. I like its savoury umami flavour. It's like a beef version of good savoury prawn soup.

Grand Beef's beef noodles are quite different from other beef noodles that I have tried, and I like it. If I am in the area, I would be glad to pop by to have this beef noodles for lunch or mid afternoon tea.

Restaurant name:  Grand Beef Restaurant 牛肉王之家
Address: 89, Jalan Beringin, Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/h3ZxY
GPS: 1.490437,103.763058
Hours: 11:30am to 5:00pm (Closed on Mon. Closed at 3:00pm on Sundays)
Non Halal

Date visited: 3 Jan 2013

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