GP Tan 阿坤三楼鱼汤 is one of those old timer makan (eating) institutions in Johor Bahru where locals go to for home cooked style Teochew dishes. GP Tan has a loyal following from long ago, well before the advent of social media. So, GP Tan have a steady clientele visiting in family groups though they are rarely mentioned online.
GP Tan is a typical shop lot restaurant in Malaysia. No frills, bare bones furnishing but it is bright, clean and sufficiently comfortable. The staff is efficient and earnest.
GP Tan began life at the old 3-storey flats at Stulang Laut and moved here in Taman Sentosa over 10 years ago.
The menu at GP Tan, hand written on a yellowing white board and fading photos taped on the board.
House made asam pedas for the asam fish head and other fish dishes.
During our visits so far, we abstained from the heavy duty dishes as we were quite full already. These are what we had so far (i.e. we shall be back for other dishes).
I like this fish fried in black bean paste and dried chili.
The tender pieces of sea bass were cut into small strips. They were stir fried in a savoury black bean paste and dried chili blended sauce which is mild enough to allow us to taste the fish's natural sweetness with a subtle earthiness characteristic of farmed sea bass.
GP Tan serves the classic Teochew stewed asam Ikan Terubok (RM26) on weekends, and occasionally on weekdays.
The Ikan Terubok 刺壳鱼 is stewed in a broth with pork fat, asam gelugo, preserved vegetable and dried chilies until the flesh and bones are soft. Ikan Terubok is a bony fish but this asam fish has the same texture as canned sardine - the bones "melt" in the mouth like wet biscuit.
GP Tan's Teochew asam fish has a mild well balanced savoury tangy spicy flavour. Personally, I prefer this dish done with more robust and spicier flavours (like here 👈 click).
Oyster omelette (RM10) - well, simply fresh oyster and chopped scallion wrapped with eggs and fried till slightly browned outside. Like home cooked.
Generic fried tofu cubes splashed with a watery mild savoury sauce, topped with crispy fried minced pork, fried garlic, and chopped scallion.
Fish ball soup.
The fish balls have a nice bouncy texture and gentle fresh fish flavour.
Nicely executed fresh "dragon" vegetable 青龍菜.
Tasty sweet potato leaves stir fried with garlic (RM8).
3-Star (out of 5). Wholesome, no gimmick home cooked style food that are comforting and loved by their loyal fans. GP Tan is a well established local people's favourite. The ingredients are fresh. The flavours are mild and well balanced. Prices are competitive though leaning towards slightly premium.
I need to be back to try GP Tan's popular San Lou bee hoon, fried fish head, curry fish head, asam stingray, Teochew fish soup and Marmite chicken.
Restaurant name: 阿坤三楼鱼汤 Kedai Makanan GP Tan
Address: 297 Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa, Johor Bahru
GPS: 1°29'39.9"N 103°46'57.5"E / 1.494403, 103.782648
Tel: 012-765 1934
Hours: 10:30am to 3:00pm | 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Date visited: 22 Sept 2016, 24 Sept 2016
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They used to have this dish i.e. chai po fish when they were located near Come & Eat restaurant. Somehow they never brought it along to its current location.
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