KL style black Hokkien mee 福建炒麵 in JB? No kidding.
Ban Kee 万记 has been frying KL style Hokkien mee for many years and operating in different parts of JB before finally settling down here in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah (TUTA).
Ban Kee has a faithful following who trail them around JB to this shop in TUTA. Word of mouth and in these days of the internet, social media, brings in new fans to Ban Kee. Early birds mill around the shop before it opens for dinner at 6:00pm and more stream in to fill the seats quickly once the shop opens.
Ban Kee has always been a family business and now a new generation is taking charge of the wok.
This medium size plate for two persons costs RM8
So how authentic is Ban Kee's black Hokkien noodles compared to the KL version? Having lived in KL for several years and eaten at several Hokkien mee eateries in and around KL, I feel Ban Kee's version is less heavy on the lard and less salty than their KL counterparts. Ban Kee's also has more of that natural sweetness which Johoreans seemed to prefer. In other crucial aspects like the trademark fat, pale yellow noodles, Ban Kee's is very similar to their KL cousins.
Personally, I like Ban Kee's version with its lighter and fresher feel on the taste buds. I know die hard KL black Hokkien mee connoisseurs will disagree with me.
This is the place where I'll bring friends who crave the KL black Hokkien mee to get their fix without having to travel all the way to KL.
When you are at Ban Kee's, try also their delicious fried bee hoon with braised pork belly.
Restaurant name: Restoran Ban Kee 万记
Address: 108, Jalan Pahlawan 2, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Skudai
GPS: 1.522098,103.664171
Hours: Noon to 3:00pm and 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Non Halal
Date visited: 10 Feb 2012
Must try!! Wanna see what the different. But KL Style is more dry.
ReplyDeleteDon't remind me of KL style. I crave it.
Delete