32 Melaka Nasi Lemak at 777 Food Centre in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Johor Bahru

 

  

32 Melaka Nasi Lemak stall at 777 Food Centre in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah always has a queue of customers waiting in line to buy their famous nasi lemak (or, is it their fried chicken?).

32 Melaka Nasi Lemak sells various accompanying side dishes with their nasi lemak such as their popular rendang chicken, but their main draw is their fried chicken.

There is something about the chicken, the batter and the way the boss, MR Goh fries his chicken. The huge chunks of chicken were so delicious. The batter was thin yet it was just nicely crispy, and the chicken flesh was still moist and juicy. Not as moist and juicy as boiled or steamed chicken, of course, but it did remind me of them. Interestingly, the chicken was not greasy or oily, even though this was fried chicken.

I couldn't resist indulging in these fried chicken claws. Crunchy and crispy fun at RM1 for 5 pieces :P There are also fried necks and bishop's noses for those who are so inclined :P

 

MR Goh is always so neatly dressed when frying his chicken.



32 Melaka Nasi Lemak stall takes extra effort to ensure the crispiness of their fried chicken. The fried chicken are displayed in a glass cabinet with sliding glass doors to prevent exposure to draft and chill. Even though there is always a queue and business is brisk, the staff will slide open the cabinet glass door, pick out the pieces of chicken ordered and then closes it after that. So, the chicken is always served hot, crispy outside and tender and moist inside.

 

I was so absorbed by the fried chicken that I didn't pay too much attention to the rice. Just recalled that it's cooked with turmeric and pandan leaves and it's flavours were slight and the grains were separate and discrete with just the right texture.

 

The little clump of stir fried cabbage typically served with Chinese style nasi lemak was good too. The sauce was savoury and the cabbage was tasty. I sometimes got cabbage that tasted a little bitter at Chinese nasi lemak stalls but not at 32 Melaka Nasi Lemak.

The sambal looked ordinary but it was nice as it had that anchovy aroma and savouriness which I liked.

Be sure to include 32 Melaka Nasi Lemak's fried chicken when you are having dinner at 777 Food Centre. As for me, I would also like to try their rendang chicken, next time.

Restaurant name: 32 Melaka Nasi Lemak
Adddress: Stall inside Restoran 777 Food Centre, Jalan Perkasa 4, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/6BfgX
GPS: 1.509549,103.650153
Hours: 6:00pm to midnight (closed on Weds)
Not certified Halal, no pork, no lard served

Date visited: 2 Jan 2013

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Ipoh Claypot Chicken Rice at Restoran 777 in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Johor Bahru 怡保砂煲鸡饭 CLOSED

The 怡保砂煲鸡饭 Ipoh claypot chicken rice stall which had been at Restoran 777 for the past 8 years, is run by the boss who does all the cooking and just one helper who delivers the food and collects the money.

BBQ Fishman 烧鱼堂 @ Restoran 777 Food Centre, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

BBQ Fishman 烧鱼堂 ikan bakar stingray at Restoran 777 food centre in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah (TUTA) is one of my favourites in Johor Bahru. The slab of fresh stingray cooked and served on a banana leaf was slightly charred on the outside and still juicy and tender inside. Yummy!

The bakar stingray come with a thick spread of sambal chili. Fortunately, the sambal chili was not stinging spicy - it was just a blend of moderate spicy, and slightly tangy and sweet with the fragrance of lemon grass and spices. The stingray was also garnished with generous toppings of lady's fingers and petai, my favourite stink beans :).

We also had squid baked in Portuguese style. The squid cut into rings were baked and served in aluminium foil that looked like a pillow case.

The squid rings were submerged in a little sloshy pool of sambal chili gravy. If you like your seafood/ fish/ stingray to be soft inside and out, ask for it to be cooked in the Portuguese style. The sambal chili gravy was spicy, sweet, and distinctly tangy.

We also indulged in a plate of seafood fried rice. It was good!

The savoury rice grains were discrete and was not oily at all. Complements the BBQ seafood very well and a good alternative to plain steamed white rice.

I requested for a bit of sambal chili to go with the fried rice and unexpectedly got this hot sambal chili served on a banana leaf :) WOW! delightful service :)

Ah Hua 亚华 is the boss of BBQ Fishman 烧鱼堂 which has been in business here in Restoran 777 Food Centre for eight years.

There are plenty of fresh seafood to choose from and the most popular are stingray, chincharu fish and squids.

Ah Hua layering the slab of stingray with a thick spread of self made sambal chili.

Garnishing the stingray with plenty of lady's fingers and petai beans.

Cover the seafood and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Steaming hot spicy ikan bakar ready for serving :)

Cooking BBQ seafood the Portuguese way - baked in a sealed aluminium foil pocket. 

Ah Hua 亚华 frying his popular seafood rice, sealing in the flavours with a tongue of fire. 

Ah Hua 亚华 makes a huge wok of sambal chili everyday.

Restoran 777 Food Centre offers typical Malaysian style open air al fresco dining under the moon and stars.

Dozens of food stalls ring a large airy centre court which is the dining area. Casual, cheerful and enjoyable on a cool night, and really inexpensive too. There's even free movies and wifi!

I've been thinking.... moon, stars, cool breeze, free movie, free wifi, delicious food at affordable prices, family, good friends - what more can a man/ lady ask for? :)

I will be spending a few more nights exploring the sights, sounds, aroma and tastes of Restoran 777 Food Centre.

Restaurant name: BBQ Fishman 烧鱼堂
Adddress: Stall inside Restoran 777 Food Centre, Jalan Perkasa 4, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/6BfgX
GPS: 1.509549,103.650153
Hours: 6:00pm to 1:00pm
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 29 August 2012