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 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 十五楼. 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 was televised on NTV7 on 17 Mar 2013 at 6:00pm.

 

->> The closest thing to Singapore style mee pok tah in JB.

Restaurant name: Restoran Kiang 亚坚

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

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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