Meng Kee Chicken Noodles 明记鸡丝面 in Batu Pahat, Johor

The simplest way to know what are the good eats in an area is simply to ask the locals what they like to eat. So I asked the lottery ticket seller sitting outside the famous Tin Hau temple in Batu Pahat what is good to eat.

The friendly lottery ticket seller pointed first to the renowned Soon Lai kway chap just across the street from the Tin Hau temple.

He then pointed to Mee Kee 明记鸡丝面 coffee shop next door and told me that the chicken noodles and braised chicken feet are very good.

Since I have already eaten at Soon Lai kway chap recently, I decided to take a chance by stepping next door to Meng Kee to try the lottery ticket seller's recommended chicken noodles and braised chicken feet.

Mee Kee noodle shop is run by MR Teo who ran the chicken noodle stall in Singapore's Ngee Ann Polytechnic for many years before returning to Batu Pahat, his hometown.

The egg noodles were half submerged in a dark syrupy gravy and topped with pieces of braised chicken. The braised chicken was tender and naturally sweet.

The noodles were eggy, crunchy, tender and smooth, lubricated by the syrupy gravy with sweet and salty notes.

I simply love Meng Kee's signature braised chicken feet. Unlike chicken feet found elsewhere which were deep fried before braising, at Meng Kee, the chicken feet were braised without frying.

The tasty chicken feet were very smooth and tender. Meng Kee's delicious chicken feet were sweet and savoury from the braising sauce.

The lottery ticket seller at the temple was spot on about Meng Kee's chicken noodles and braised chicken feet.

Restaurant name: Meng Kee Chicken Noodles 明记鸡丝面
Address: Junction of Jalan Fatimah and Jalan Mohd Salleh (next to Tin Hao temple)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/0yCg9
GPS: 1.848847,102.927743
Hours: 07:00am to 2:00pm (closed on Thursday)
Non Halal

Date visited: 24 Jun 2012

The simplest way to know what are the good eats in an area is simply to ask the locals what they like to eat. So I asked the lottery ticket seller sitting outside the famous Tin Hau temple in Batu Pahat what is good to eat.

The friendly lottery ticket seller pointed first to the renowned Soon Lai kway chap just across the street from the Tin Hau temple.

He then pointed to Mee Kee 明记鸡丝面 coffee shop next door and told me that the chicken noodles and braised chicken feet are very good.

Since I have already eaten at Soon Lai kway chap recently, I decided to take a chance by stepping next door to Meng Kee to try the lottery ticket seller's recommended chicken noodles and braised chicken feet.

Mee Kee noodle shop is run by MR Teo who ran the chicken noodle stall in Singapore's Ngee Ann Polytechnic for many years before returning to Batu Pahat, his hometown.

The egg noodles were half submerged in a dark syrupy gravy and topped with pieces of braised chicken. The braised chicken was tender and naturally sweet.

The noodles were eggy, crunchy, tender and smooth, lubricated by the syrupy gravy with sweet and salty notes.

I simply love Meng Kee's signature braised chicken feet. Unlike chicken feet found elsewhere which were deep fried before braising, at Meng Kee, the chicken feet were braised without frying.

The tasty chicken feet were very smooth and tender. Meng Kee's delicious chicken feet were sweet and savoury from the braising sauce.

The lottery ticket seller at the temple was spot on about Meng Kee's chicken noodles and braised chicken feet.

Restaurant name: Meng Kee Chicken Noodles 明记鸡丝面
Address: Junction of Jalan Fatimah and Jalan Mohd Salleh (next to Tin Hao temple)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/0yCg9
GPS: 1.848847,102.927743
Hours: 07:00am to 2:00pm (closed on Thursday)
Non Halal

Date visited: 24 Jun 2012

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UTM Students' Favourite - Black Pepper Chicken Noodles @ Restoran Shang Hai 上海 in Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor

Our memories are often anchored to the sights, smells, tastes, feel and even the sounds of our food. This unphotogenic but delicious “black chicken mee” in Taman Universiti is in the fond memories of many Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) students.

Restoran Shang Hai 上海 was the “black chicken mee” stall in Ong Lai coffee shop before it moved into its own large corner shop. This “black chicken mee” story is yet another one of those inspiring stall-to-shop folklore of underdog success.

Restoran Shang Hai 上海 serves wanton noodles, chicken chops, and of course their signature “black chicken mee”.

The homemade egg noodles are doused with gooey black peppery sauce and topped with pieces of baked chicken marinated with black pepper.

The chicken is marinated in black pepper sauce and then baked. The chicken meat is juicy, firm and slightly chewy. It is coated with a caramelised layer of salty, sweet and subtly peppery sauce. Nice! No wonder this is so popular with UTM students.

The noodles are the same as any good wanton noodle - heavy with eggy flavour and feels smooth and slightly crunchy.

The big difference lies in the sauce – here the noodles are coated with the same slightly salty, sweet, fragrant black pepper sauce used to prepare the chicken.

I really enjoyed this unique “black chicken noodles”.

Restaurant name: Restoran Shang Hai 上海

Address: 58, Jalan Kebudayaan 18, Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor Bahru

Map: http://g.co/maps/hw84n

GPS: 1.539078,103.630876

Hours: 06:30am to 3:00pm

Date visited: 22 Mar 2012

Our memories are often anchored to the sights, smells, tastes, feel and even the sounds of our food. This unphotogenic but delicious “black chicken mee” in Taman Universiti is in the fond memories of many Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) students.

Restoran Shang Hai 上海 was the “black chicken mee” stall in Ong Lai coffee shop before it moved into its own large corner shop. This “black chicken mee” story is yet another one of those inspiring stall-to-shop folklore of underdog success.

Restoran Shang Hai 上海 serves wanton noodles, chicken chops, and of course their signature “black chicken mee”.

The homemade egg noodles are doused with gooey black peppery sauce and topped with pieces of baked chicken marinated with black pepper.

The chicken is marinated in black pepper sauce and then baked. The chicken meat is juicy, firm and slightly chewy. It is coated with a caramelised layer of salty, sweet and subtly peppery sauce. Nice! No wonder this is so popular with UTM students.

The noodles are the same as any good wanton noodle - heavy with eggy flavour and feels smooth and slightly crunchy.

The big difference lies in the sauce – here the noodles are coated with the same slightly salty, sweet, fragrant black pepper sauce used to prepare the chicken.

I really enjoyed this unique “black chicken noodles”.

Restaurant name: Restoran Shang Hai 上海

Address: 58, Jalan Kebudayaan 18, Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor Bahru

Map: http://g.co/maps/hw84n

GPS: 1.539078,103.630876

Hours: 06:30am to 3:00pm

Date visited: 22 Mar 2012

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Mee Pok Tah 面薄干 @ Restoran Kiang 亚坚 in Permas Jaya, Near JUSCO Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

 

 

 

I was looking for a quick lunch in Permas Jaya when I stumbled upon a busy coffee shop crowded with customers inside and on the scorching sidewalks, even though it was already well passed lunch time.

I took a quick peek inside, and immediately felt the passion and frantic energy coming from the cooking area. This kind of buzz when the golden lunch hour was already well passed can only mean one thing – this is a prime candidate for a good food find.

Next, I scanned what the congregation was eating and ordered the same thing – a mee pok tah 面薄干 with soup.



Noodles boiled and then rinsed in cool water

The index test to ensure the mee pok meets the crucial q-ness index.
Look at his focus and expression as he feels the noodles -
is he not like a doctor taking a pulse?

Tossing the noodles with the fragrant blended sauce

Delivered with pride and sincerity



The stall owner Ah Kiang and his helper were like tango dancers in well co-ordinated motion. Despite the large crowd, they were obviously happy and appreciative of the support of their customers.

The bowl of dry mee pok tah reflected the frantic energy from where it just arrived from. The sides of the bowl were speckled with random spots of sauce – giving it that cosy proletariat feel, which I like. The spicy, tangy sauce was a fragrant blend of lard, vinegar, soy sauce and prawny sambal chili. There was just enough sauce to coat the noodles.

The homemade noodles were firm and slightly chewy and springy (or al dente in spaghetti speak) - the mark of good mee pok 面薄 noodles.

 

The tasty soup was loaded with ingredients but it was a tad oily for me. The people around me obviously liked it very much as they were slurping it all up with gusto ☻

 

 

 

During our second visit, we indulged in a little extras.

 

Ah Kiang makes an excellent rendition of that traditional Teochew comfort food.

 

Ah Kiang's dad at the 15 Storey flats

 

Ah Kiang 亚坚 is actually one of the popular hawkers from the (now demolished) 15 Storey flats. Ah Kiang's stall moved to Permas Jaya after the flats were demolished but his loyal customers followed him there.

 

 

Ah Kiang when he was younger.

 

 

Look who visited Ah Kiang 亚坚. Ah Kiang is one of the JB hawkers featured on the coming NTV7 13 part TV series "Foodie Blogger 爱食客" hosted by popular artiste Coby Chong 庄可比. The premiere episode featuring Johor hawkers will be televised on NTV7 on 17 Mar 2013 at 6:00pm.

 



 

 

Restaurant name: Restoran Kiang 亚坚

Address: Jalan Permas Sepuluh, Bandar Baru, Permas Jaya, Masai, Johor Bahru (just beside Cosway redemption centre)

Map: http://g.co/maps/2qkf4

GPS: 1.495894,103.815487
Hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm daily

Non Halal

Date visited: 6 Mar 2012, 24 Dec 2012

 

 

 

I was looking for a quick lunch in Permas Jaya when I stumbled upon a busy coffee shop crowded with customers inside and on the scorching sidewalks, even though it was already well passed lunch time.

I took a quick peek inside, and immediately felt the passion and frantic energy coming from the cooking area. This kind of buzz when the golden lunch hour was already well passed can only mean one thing – this is a prime candidate for a good food find.

Next, I scanned what the congregation was eating and ordered the same thing – a mee pok tah 面薄干 with soup.



Noodles boiled and then rinsed in cool water

The index test to ensure the mee pok meets the crucial q-ness index.
Look at his focus and expression as he feels the noodles -
is he not like a doctor taking a pulse?

Tossing the noodles with the fragrant blended sauce

Delivered with pride and sincerity



The stall owner Ah Kiang and his helper were like tango dancers in well co-ordinated motion. Despite the large crowd, they were obviously happy and appreciative of the support of their customers.

The bowl of dry mee pok tah reflected the frantic energy from where it just arrived from. The sides of the bowl were speckled with random spots of sauce – giving it that cosy proletariat feel, which I like. The spicy, tangy sauce was a fragrant blend of lard, vinegar, soy sauce and prawny sambal chili. There was just enough sauce to coat the noodles.

The homemade noodles were firm and slightly chewy and springy (or al dente in spaghetti speak) - the mark of good mee pok 面薄 noodles.

 

The tasty soup was loaded with ingredients but it was a tad oily for me. The people around me obviously liked it very much as they were slurping it all up with gusto ☻

 

 

 

During our second visit, we indulged in a little extras.

 

Ah Kiang makes an excellent rendition of that traditional Teochew comfort food.

 

Ah Kiang's dad at the 15 Storey flats

 

Ah Kiang 亚坚 is actually one of the popular hawkers from the (now demolished) 15 Storey flats. Ah Kiang's stall moved to Permas Jaya after the flats were demolished but his loyal customers followed him there.

 

 

Ah Kiang when he was younger.

 

 

Look who visited Ah Kiang 亚坚. Ah Kiang is one of the JB hawkers featured on the coming NTV7 13 part TV series "Foodie Blogger 爱食客" hosted by popular artiste Coby Chong 庄可比. The premiere episode featuring Johor hawkers will be televised on NTV7 on 17 Mar 2013 at 6:00pm.

 



 

 

Restaurant name: Restoran Kiang 亚坚

Address: Jalan Permas Sepuluh, Bandar Baru, Permas Jaya, Masai, Johor Bahru (just beside Cosway redemption centre)

Map: http://g.co/maps/2qkf4

GPS: 1.495894,103.815487
Hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm daily

Non Halal

Date visited: 6 Mar 2012, 24 Dec 2012

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