砂煲鱼头汤 Chinese style fish head soup with yam in a clay pot is one of my favourite comfort dishes with plain white rice on days when I just want a quiet, simple one dish meal.
In Johor Bahru JB, I go to Onn Kee Jaya 安记砂煲鱼头汤 in Tampoi when I have a craving for fish head soup with yam - partly because I don't know where else to get this dish - can you help me out here?
Onn Kee Jaya is a bit under the radar but it is well known to locals. The kampung style shop has been around for decades.
Inside Onn Kee Jaya, the space is long and narrow with wooden boards on both sides. The menu is written on strips of yellow paper pinned on the wall. Don't worry if you are unfamiliar with the dishes as the friendly lady boss will help you with your orders.
The floor is bare grey cement. Foldable Formica round tables and stackable plastic chairs. The place is bright, has lots of fans and is air conditioned. We felt very comfortable here.
Readers reminded me that Onn Kee Jaya is not only about Chinese fish head soup with yam but they are also famous for their steamed fresh fish. I have tried Onn Kee Jaya's steamed fish before and they are indeed top notch. But, for today's lunch, I'll just settle for their fish head soup as I have a major feast ahead during dinner 😁
The RM40 clay pot of bubbling, steaming fish head soup can feed 2 persons very well.
The full bodied bone broth was mildly savoury balanced with layers of sweetness from the cabbages, enoki mushrooms, strips of yam, tomatoes and fresh fish head. The "dissolved" yam contributed to the broth's heavy body.
There were several good sized chunks of fresh grouper fish head in the broth. The meat was tender, juicy and sweet.
I enjoyed my fish head soup with yam as usual. I like digging out with my teeth and tongue those soft gelatin on the outside and inside the hard and sharp head bones. I also love the layers of sweetness from the soup and fish as well as the plain white rice.
ok.. we ventured to try Onn Kee Jaya's bak kut teh. This RM15 smallest serving come bubbling steam and was choked full of ingredients.
The short ribs, liver and intestines were tender and infused with the broth's flavours. The savoury herbal broth has a kam kam 橙橙 licorice-like aftertaste which appeals to it's fans but it's not really my cup of tea in bak kut teh.
3-Star (out of 5). Chinese fish head soup with yam 砂煲鱼头汤 is one of my comfort dishes. In JB, I come to Onn Kee Jaya when I crave for it. The fish is fresh, the broth is tasty, the place is comfortable and the price is right.
Restaurant name: Restoran Onn Kee Jaya 安记砂煲鱼头汤
Address: 76, Jalan Dato Mohammed Seth, Tampoi, Johor Bahru
Map: http://g.co/maps/9w3he
GPS: 1°29'52.3"N 103°42'06.6"E | 1.497854, 103.701839
Hours: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Weds off)
Non Halal
Date visited: 31 Jan 2012, 30 Sept 2016
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Don't think there's any better place to taste the fish soup. Have tried other outlets but pale in comparison.
ReplyDeleteThank you :-D I am always trying to look for better to share :-D
DeleteHi Tony,
ReplyDeleteYou should try their 咸鱼花腩煲, best in JB and Singapore!
OKOk i shall be back! Thank you for recommending. 😁
DeleteWent for dinner last night. Tq for the recommendation Tony. My wife who does not really like yam finish off the soup. The signature toofoo is very delicious
ReplyDeleteLOL glad both of you liked the fish soup. Shall try their tofu next time :-D
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