Project-κ 20 : Pork Belly Noodles (Chu Lam Fun)

Seremban beef noodle is no stranger to anyone now. Come Seremban, the few first things that a local will recommend would be the beef noodle itself, located at Seremban Wet Market. Recently, there's this restaurant made a few adjustment to the famous beef noodle by catering it to the non-beef eater, like me! What they are selling is somewhat similar to Sin Yee Kee's signature dish, only that they replace beef slices with pork belly slices! And beef balls, with pork balls....

The reason why I choose to blog about this place is not because it is exceptionally tasty (it's not bad I would say)...... but I find it to be kinda special... I mean, why in the world it takes people SO LONG to come out with a pork version beef noodle???!!! Padahal, it's just replacing those miserable slices of red meat! >.<

Anyway....... The place is located at Jalan Rahang Kecil, opposite Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Seremban. Right after the traffic lights (if you are coming from Bukit Blossom or Taman SEA) at the flyover, take an immediate left and it's there! The restaurant reads, "Restaurant Hing Hoi", with a big, bright yellow signage.

There are quite a few other dishes being sold there like Fish & Chips, Fried Chicken rice, Chicken Chop, Century egg porridge; but the only things worth mentioning are its Pork Belly Noodles (Chu Lam Fun) and Paper wrapped chickens (Chi Bao Gai).

Priced at RM4.50 per bowl, its Chu Lam Fun is not bad, really. Just like the beef noodle, it has the usual fried preserved vegetables (char choy), sesame seeds, peanuts and thick gravy! Tastewise, I can't compare to the beef noodle because I don't take beef (remember?). Though not very generous with the pork, the tenderness and flavourful slices made up for it. By looking at the picture, it doesn't look appetising right? Yeah I know.... the cook could have spend some time on presentation! LOL! But it tastes better than it look. You should try it... just for the sake of the owner coming up with this idea! Hahaha.....

Paper wrapped chicken (Chi Bao Gai) is sold at RM3 each! I find it rather pricey. But its their signature dish! The chicken is wrapped in a piece of paper (yes! literally!) and deep fried! So, you've got to tear the paper before eating the chicken. The chicken is less oily if cooked this way. The juiciness of the chicken is retained but the only messy part is tearing off the oily piece of paper.... Of course, this is a favourite among lots of children! :)
I didn't order it this time because I don't feel like eating oily stuff then.....

The place was kinda crowded initially when it opens. But yesterday when I went there, it looks rather quiet. I am not sure why..... maybe it's because of the service... I was shocked when a customer shouted at the waiter for showing attitude when he was short changed. I don't know who is right or who is wrong.... but it wasn't a pleasant sight.... lots of tension I tell ya!
Sometimes, good food but bad service would make a horrible experience.

But for me..... it's OK lar~~~

Project-κ 18: Laksa @ Restoran Asia

It's rather chilly these few days with the rain, isn't it? Well, I can't think of any better days to eat a fiery, hot and spicy bowl of laksa other than today! Went for food blogging out of the blues and decided to introduce Restoran Asia in Rahang, Seremban, which is no stranger to any Seremban-ians at all! LOL!

To make things clearer, there is actually another restaurant with the same name located at Senawang. I'm not sure which is the main shop and which is the branch, but I think both serve equally good laksa! 

The one in Rahang is located right opposite the post office. If you are coming from Bukit Blossom, the shop is the 3rd before the traffic lights. You got to keep your eyes wide open as its sign board is kinda faded, so it ain't attention grabbing at all. Moreover it is sort of being blocked by a stall by the road side. 

A typical bowl of laksa is served with half an egg, tofu puffs, fish cakes, and si ham (cockles). Of course, if you prefer, you can opt out the cockles if you don't like them. I know I don't! LOL! Below is the 'normal' bowl of laksa minus the cockles..... They'll give you few pieces of pork to compensate for the lost cockles. :P

I, on the other hand, ordered one with curry chicken in it! 2 pieces were given and it tasted pretty good. But somehow I think it's pretty expensive as my bowl of small laksa with curry chicken costs RM4, which is the same price with a big portion of laksa.

What I like about Restoran Asia's laksa is the hot soup itself! It's rather thick and creamy minus the oily and greasy feeling!! There wasn't much oil in it and I like how the consistency of the soup - some sort like a gravy instead! Taste wise it's HOT!! But not as much as to being unbearable! A very satisfying taste for a chill windy day!

And together with the noodles, oh......before that, of course, like most noodle stalls, you can choose your favourite noodles be it beehoon, yellow mee or kwey teow and can be mixed too......you'll be given a small plate of extra chilli to add to the spiciness and 'omph' you require! I like the chilli too.... it's pretty good and tasty. My aunt once bought their home-made chilli by bottles! Haha... XD

Price are RM3.20 for small; RM3.70 for medium and RM4 for a large portion. Additional of 80 cents will be charged for chicken curry. 

The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch right till 2 or 3pm. Notice how blur the writing on the sign board is? So, open your eyes wide guys! :D

Restoran Asia

Jalan Semarak 2,

Rahang, Seremban.

Project-κ 14: Prawn Noodles @ Sam Kok Tei

Another must-try when you go to Sam Kok Tei (triangle square) at Jalan Yam Tuan in the evening, is the prawn noodle sold near the main junction, right opposite Domino's pizza and almost next to the silky, smooth Tau Foo Fa at the bus stop.

Sold at RM 4.00 per bowl, this, I swear, is probably the best prawn noodle in......*let's be modest*.....Seremban, will do. LOL! Famous blogger VKeong recommended his best prawn noodle in the Klang valley but I would say, our local prawn noodle beats his F-L-A-T!!!

One can choose from the different types of noodles available and each is served with fishballs, fu chok, kangkung, beansprouts and of course, the superb, spicy-sweet, lip-smacking, big-sized prawns!

The prawns are worth your every penny and highly recommended by me! Try it! It is so good that I ate the whole thing including its head AND shell! LOL! Also, do sample their homemade chilli paste for the ultimate taste of the noodle. I scooped spoonful after spoonful of it onto every bite of my noodles. It's soooooooooooo good! Yes, it's spicy, but there's a hint of sweetness in it too. I think it's the same marinate that they use for their fabulous prawns.

The stall is managed by an old couple. They told me that they had been in this business for more than 30 years already! Due to their old age, they confessed that they can't cope with too many customers at once. So, please be patient if you were to wait long after ordering. Haha....

Closed on every Wednesday and Thursday

Opens at 6pm - finish (usually 11pm)

Note: Also closed for the whole stretch of Chinese New Year (15 days)

Project-κ 10: Soong Kee Ipoh Kueh Teoh @ Wai Kwai Choi Food Court

Great news! You don't need to go to Ipoh for their famous Sah Hor Fun (kway teow) because.......we have it here! In Seremban!

Located at Jalan Tuanku Munawir, very near to Pasar Besar Seremban, right next to Seremban Seafood Village, the stall that sells this delicacy is inside a very humble and run-down food court called Kedai Makanan & Minuman Wai Kwai Choi. It is very easily missed as it is partially blocked by a big tree! So keep your eyes wide open if you are to search for this place.

Don't be surprised to see that it is quite empty once you step foot into the foodcourt. That is because, the rest of the stalls only open in the evening. Soong Kee Ipoh Kueh Teoh is the one and only that opens in the morning. I forgot to ask for the opening hours but I heard that you have to come early as this place sells out fast. Once my aunt invited me to join her for breakfast here at 5.30am! That's crazy..... LOL! Anyway, I was there around 8am that day. Maybe it is a weekday, as there was quite a lot of noodles left. Not sure bout the weekends, though. :)

The stall is managed by 2 ladies: one older cook and the other, a younger looking waitress? Boss? I don't know....but she's the one in charge of the account. :P

The sah hor fun was very very smooth! It's like silk gliding down your throat. Very flavourful indeed! And the char siew (BBQ pork) meat is 'thin' and was given in a generous amount.

Besides hor fun, there was wan tan mee, both ordinary and green (made with vegetable extract) type of noodles to choose from. Dumplings (sui gao) were sold too. At RM1.00 each, it is perfect to go with your plate of hor fun or wan tan mee.

Each plate of Ipoh Sar Hor Fun is sold at RM4.00 for small and RM4.50 for large portion.

Project-κ 6: Sin Yee Kee Beef Noodle @ Pasar Besar Seremban

Sin Yee Kee beef noodle......This place needs no introduction. It has been running for more than 60 years already!!! Any Serembanian will know this place by heart. Too bad I don't eat beef due to religious reasons, if not, I'll definitely write a personal account on it! But not to worry......many other food bloggers had had review on Sin Yee Kee beef noodle, including The Star, Precious pea and feedmelah.com. You don't need another one to describe how good it is, do you?

Photo from: http://feedmelah.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/img_1312.jpg

But honestly, it IS good! Very very good. I had had the chance to taste it when I was very young, when I didn't have to oblige all things religious. Back then, 15 years ago, my dad and grandpa used to be their number 1 fan and still is till today! I can still remember the taste of the beef noodle. It gives such an impact that till date, it's still fresh in my mind. I can literally taste it!

The gravy was simply haven, laden with peanuts and sesame seeds. The beef slices were perfect to the taste and texture. You'll love it once you sample it. Trust me. ;)

Is it really that good??? I am not exaggerating. You've got to try it yourself to know it! 60 years of history can't go wrong, can it?

Sin Yee Kee beef noodle has 2 other more modern, cleaner and comfortable shops somewhere in Seremban town and Kemayan Square respectively. Check out this blogger's post for the shops review: http://xes.cx/?p=1713

There are no pork served. But I am not sure if it's halal or not. By the way, a bowl of dry beef noodle costs RM4.00, RM5.00 and RM6.00 for small, medium and large portion respectively. There are other types of noodles as well, with or without soup.

The stall number is 748. Please take note that stall 791 and 794 are their store rooms. ENJOY!!! :)

Project-κ 5: Rojak @ Pasar Besar Seremban

I was quite full when I finished both Tow Kee Hakka and Hioong Kee cuttlefish noodles. But since Mr. Hioong Kee sort of like hinted to me and strongly recommended for this to be my next stop, I happily obliged. Talk about killing 3 birds with one stone! LOL! I headed over to the Rojak stall in the same foodcourt of Seremban market, behind Hioong Kee cuttlefish noodle.

If you go Google-ing on food in Seremban, I think this rojak stall was patroned and recommended by other food bloggers too. It is stall 785, hidden at a corner and was managed by a middle aged woman.

The rojak served here is kind of special, to be honest! It is not your usual mamak rojak. I don't know if it was a special recipe of the owner or can it be called Chinese rojak cause it is truly different! Haha.... Instead of the spicy-sweet peanut sauce which is commonly found in mamak stalls, the gravy of the rojak here is sweet-sour with tad hint of spicyness and peanut in it. I have never tasted such rojak before. And it is very good!

There was shreded sar kot (turnips), cucumber, spiced potato cubes, taugeh (beansprouts), tofu (beancurd) and crsipy fried kueh. RM3.00 per plate, you can either choose your rojak with or without noodles in it. Seen here is rojak without noodles. Note: There weren't any eggs served.

The rojak stall opens everyday except Tuesday from 9.30 am till everything is being sold off, so closing time is not fixed.

Project-κ 4: Hioong Kee Cuttlefish Noodle @ Pasar Besar Seremban

Right after Tow Kee Hakka Noodle, with my stomach half satiated, I went over for a plate of another famous food in Pasar Besar Seremban, cuttlefish noodle! Seremban has a lot of places selling this kind of noodle, which again, seldom found in other states. Hioong Kee Cuttlefish Noodle is of course, one of the famous one that sells this delicacy in the foodcourt of our Seremban market. It is at stall 753, behind Tow Kee, north-west if you use the stairs from the fruit stalls as a reference. Directions can be complicated here. Sorry I don't have a map. Hopefully the stall number helps.

It is RM3.30 per plate of cuttlefish noodle. I don't think it comes in large or small portion, just one standard size. Hence, the single pricing for his noodles.

A good plate of cuttlefish noodle requires noodles that are fried just right, not too raw and not too burnt; thick pork slices that are flavourful without the fat layer; fresh vegetables and flavourful gravy or thick soup to top it off! Hioong Kee's cuttlefish noodle fulfilled the criterias and was quite good.

The noodles weren't burnt and not as hard as wires. In fact, it is just nice. The pork was of course, very flavoursome and the cuttlefish is soft! This is amazing, cause some stalls, their cuttlefish as so tough and hard, it feels as though you are eating cartilage or something. :P And I love the soup as well....not too runny, not too thick. Flavour was good....it's just hard to describe it. It has a tad salt taste in it but at the same time, gives you a warm pleasant feeling to your palate. It's like creamy soup minus the cream. Haha....

The owner of the stall, Hioong Kee came over when his sister saw us taking photos of his stall and noodles. He even pulled a chair and chat with us when we finished his noodles. I think he thought that we were reporters. Hahaha....but I told him that I'm just going to publish it in my blog, hoping to introduce to others good food in Seremban. He even wants to treat us a drink but I politely said no. LOL! Mr. Hioong Kee told us that he managed his business for 15 years already, clearly stating the date of his first opening was 1st May 1995. One thing noteable of his business is that he is really particular of the quality of his food. He said that if the beehoon that he got that day were not good, he won't cook them and insist on getting a better one! And he cleans his vegetables and cuttlefish thoroughly. Which is true because I saw him doing it and the vege in the noodles were sand-free. ^^, Good man, this Mr. Hioong Kee. He even introduce us other makan place for my next entry.

Hioong Kee Cuttlefish Noodle opens everyday except Tuesday, from 5.30am to slightly off 1.00pm. Contact number of the owner of the stall is 016-9107357.

Project-κ 3: Tow Kee Hakka Noodle @ Pasar Besar Seremban

Now, people may say that the Hakka clan of the Chinese race may be the most simple type of community there is. Just look at their dishes! It's just so....... unglamarous. Considering myself as a Hakka too, I totally agree with that statement! Nevertheless, our dishes taste awesome despite being simple.

Now, today's highlight is Hakka noodle, which I think is not very well known, unless you are staying in Negeri Sembilan or Selangor. Malaysians from the north and south, apparently have neither seen nor heard this type of noodle before! Or so, I was told by my friends.

So, I went to hunt for a bowl of Hakka noodle as soon as I headed back from uni. Where to, if not the all-famous Tow Kee Hakka Noodle at Pasar Besar Seremban?! This stall apparently has been there for generations. I remember that my grandpa used to patron this lil' stall when he was still around......that was 10 years ago....Probably my grandpa's grandpa too was regular customers! LOL! Who knows?

Anyway, Tow Kee is at stall 810, somewhere near the part of the market which sells fruits and tofu. Go up using the stairs from the area that sells meat and chicken, if you are coming from the main entrance (middle) of the market. If not, there are other side entrances which will eventually lead you to the food court where Tow Kee is. Please note that Tow Kee has a store room at stall 806 (direct view from the stairs mentioned just now), which always looked half-open. So, look carefully before saying that it is closed for the day! Cause I almost made that mistake! Haha....

Pricing for the Hakka noodles is RM3.80 for a big bowl, RM3.50 for medium and RM3.00 for a small one.

Taste wise? Well, I have been eating Hakka noodles all this while and honestly, everywhere tastes just the same. But somehow, Tow Kee's had a more distinct taste to it! The noodles were more flavourful. At first impression, Hakka noodles might not tweak your appetite at all! It looks dry and like all Hakka dishes, simple! Just minced pork and onion leaves on top of the white noodles. That's it! But once you take a bite, you finally know why this stall lasted for generations and still selling like hot cakes!

The noodles were coated with a little oil, which makes it smooth. Its texture was springy and was so flavourful that you don't need the pickled chillies condiment at all! Or else, you'll just overpower the original taste of the noodle itself. One word: Y-u-m-m-y!

Tow Kee Hakka Noodles opens everyday from 6.30am to 1pm.


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