Nyonya Fish Head Restoran Bai Her Taman Molek Johor 百合小菜馆

I am a big curry fish head fan and my lunch today is at Restoran Bai Her 百合小菜馆 in Taman Molek for their signature Nyonya Fish Head :-D



Locating Bai Her restaurant is easy in the commercial hub of Taman Molek - Bai Her is near the end of Jalan Molek 2/1. Inside the small shop lot restaurant, the furnishings are simple, neatly arranged and everything is clean and tidy. Bai Her has been here for 14 years now, serving mostly office workers during the day and Taman Molek residents at night.



While waiting for our food, I can't help but noticed this neat and tidy, comprehensive caddy of fresh condiments.



We were a party of two, so we could just have one main course today. Of course, we opted for Bai Her's signature Nyonya Fish Head 娘惹咖哩鱼头.

We could have grouper 石斑魚 or red snapper fish 紅雞魚. All were very fresh. They are sold according to weight.



We opted for a grouper fish head (RM32).



The curry is thick, heavy bodied and slightly grainy. When the bowl of fish head arrived at the table, we could smell the spice aroma, especially the serai (lemongrass). In the thick spicy sauce, there were lady fingers and pineapple cubes. The curry is made with evaporated milk (not coconut milk.) The curry has sour, sweet, hot and spicy flavours, all in fine delicate balance and all mild tasting - so, it's very easy on the palate and is likeable. It really opens the appetite or 開胃 as the Chinese say.



The mildly flavoured Nyonya style spicy sauce did not overpower the grouper fish's delicate flavours, thus allowing us to taste it's natural sweetness. The grouper fish flesh was tender and moist but lean slightly on firmness. Next time, I shall try it with red snapper.



For greens, we opted for a plate of "Green Dragon vegetable 青龍菜" simply stir fried with garlic (RM7). I like 青龍菜's crunchy fibrous texture with it's fresh green taste balanced by mild garlicky savouriness.



After our lunch, I took a peek at the kitchen. Head Chef Ah Seng and his crew are a busy but cheerful bunch :-D

Bai Her's interpretation of the iconic curry fish head has many fans already - it is unique and is likeable. I believe most curry fish head lovers who haven't tried Bai Her's Nyonya fish head, will like it too.

I will be back to try Bai Her's other dishes such as their kampung chicken and Dong Po Rou 東坡肉 (braised pork belly).

Restaurant name: Restoran Bai Her 百合小菜馆
Address: 8 Jalan Molek 2/1 Taman Molek, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
GPS: 1.527557, 103.792340
Tel: 019-753 7326
Hours: 11:30am to 2:30pm | 5:30pm to 10:30pm (Closed on Thurs)

Non Halal

Date visited: 5 Jan 2015

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