I've noticed this shop (under a block of public flats) from the main road whenever we pass it enroute home or to other breakfast stops after church. So, one day I took note of the shop's name and googled it when I reached home. Turns out it's a fish ball noodle shop and since that's one of my favourite noodles to eat, we (more like I) decided to pay a visit to Hien Kee Fish Ball Noodle @ Jalan Loke Yew to see if it's any good since reviews mentioned that this is the popular Loke Yew flats fish ball noodle stall that have been around for many years.
From afar, the signboard looked new but the shop was the complete opposite. It was pretty old and run down. The place is rather tiny as there's only about 3 - 4 tables inside the shop (which the stall shares with the drinks shop) but they set up more tables outside along the pavement (and across the road under some trees). Besides limited tables, parking here is also very limited.
Even though there weren't that many tables (probably 10 or so in total), our food took a while to arrive as it's a small operation run by 3 people, a lady who does the cooking, an elderly lady who helps + sends out the food and a guy (in a wheelchair) that takes orders and collects money (from what I witnessed). The menu (written in Chinese) and prices are displayed inside the shop.
Luckily, they're a fish ball noodle specialist and I can pretty much guess what they offer (since I don't read Chinese). I ordered a bowl of
Fish Ball Noodle Soup @ RM8 for myself.
The bowl of noodles (I chose
kuey teow) came with fish balls, fish cake slices, fish wantans (only one piece) and beansprouts before finishing with a few lard crisps, fried shallots and a sprinkling of chopped Chinese celery (
daun sup). The latter is a bit of a deal-breaker for me as I prefer it with Chinese parsley (
yin sai), not
daun sup! >.<
Whenever I try new fish ball noodle stalls, I would always compare them to my curent no. 1 favourite in
Yin Kee (that one is
gold standard for me). The fish cake was alright, nothing outstanding, and just a few miserly thin slices were given.
The fish balls, on the other hand, won't be among my must-have anytime soon. Their texture was a little bouncy and much denser than my favourite ones from
Yin Kee. But I must give credit to the very likeable beansprouts as they were the fat and crunchy ones.
My husband had his
Fish Ball Noodle, Dry Style @ RM8 with a combo of mee + meehoon. Luckily there's a choice of dry noodles since my husband isn't into any type of soup noodles, more so if it's fish ball noodles.
As you can see, the bowl of (same) ingredients on its own looked even more scarce. Taking a sip of the soup, the flavour didn't impress although I expected it to be subtle tasting like all other fish ball noodle soups but even so, some would have more depth of flavour by whatever they use to boil the soup base, one of which is
toong choy or
dong cai (I think it's referred to as
Tianjin preserved vegetable). This one didn't seem to have that preserved vegetable in the mix.
One of my most favourite things to eat at a specialty fish ball noodle shop is their fish skin wantan (also known as
fei tip or flying saucer) but, as always, you usually get just one piece in each bowl of fish ball noodles. No matter, that's why it's always available as an add on or a side dish.
The
Fish Skin Wantans @ RM9 (for 10 pcs) were certainly decent tasting with the thickness of the fish skin just right. The minced pork filling however was lacking (or missing) that fragrant taste (of dried sole fish powder) which would have made the wantans a lot tastier. Some would even add this sole (also known as flat/flounder) fish powder into their soup to perk up the flavours even more.
My Personal Opinion
It's difficult for me to visit (and eat at) shops that specialise only in fish ball noodles since it isn't something my husband would choose to eat if he has a choice though he's still willing to accompany me to some of these places knowing how much I love to eat fish ball noodles.
Luckily, this turned out to be a fish noodle speciaist that I can safely skip since the noodles (as well as the environment) failed to live up to my standards. This is not to say it isn't decent, I'm sure it is to many (based on the fairly good reviews/ratings they've received), just that I've eaten better ones than this. I'm sure my husband would be happy to know that I have no plans to revisit....lol!
Hien Kee Fish Ball Noodle
24 Jalan Loke Yew
Pudu
55200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 017-252 5012
I am one who would only dine at clean and spacious environment otherwise I would be so tensed up while eating. This is what I really disliked about Hong Kong where they have many restaurants with good food but tables are often tiny like 2.5' X 2.5' to be shared by 4 who are strangers. Pengsan me!
ReplyDeleteNow this fish ball noodles shop has survived so long before you made a maiden visit. I welcome any soupy food with lots of beansprouts. I don't mind the dried ones too. Your reviews are not too pleased therefore I must only eat at Yin Kee!!
Yes, I get what you mean as I've been to Hong Kong. If you sit in those long communal-type tables, you may even be rubbing shoulders with the person next to you....that's how tight the space is...and too close for comfort...lol. What to do, land is an extremely precious commodity so they have to make the most out of what they have.
DeleteYou are a true blue fish ball noodle fan! Too bad this fish ball noodle soup fell short of your expectations. hah..hah..I had a laugh reading that your husband will be relieved not going back there. But it is very sweet of him to accommodate your love of fish ball noodles. Just like my partner going to Chillis just because I like the food. But he is also relieved that he does not have to go there anymore because of my meat based diet. So he does not have to eat the Sante Fe Chicken Salad and can save money. LOL!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I remember your partner's Sante Fe Chicken Salad...lol. Yeah, it's difficult for me to visit fish ball noodles specialists as there'll be nothing else for him to eat. That's why it's more ideal if I find a good fish ball noodle stall that's housed in a coffee shop with various other food stalls...but, more often than not, those would turn out not so great....haiz! >.<
DeleteI can differentiate daup sup and Chinese coriander, they look same to me, haha! Fish ball noodles tastes a bit too plain for my liking, so it doesn't make it to my favourite food to eat.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I couldn't differentiate them in the past either but now, by just looking at them, I can. You can smell the difference (but, no, that's too gross to do at the supermarket). You can, of course, taste the difference (but, by then, it's too late and you know you've got the wrong herb)...lol! If it's of any help (the easiest would be), Chinese coriander have shorter stems (so the overall shrub is shorter) and daun sup have much longer stems with obvious ridges in the stems.
DeleteI'll need to try this yin kee then one of these days!
ReplyDeleteYes, please do. Would love to hear what you think of Yin Kee's fish ball noodles compared to the many you have eaten. ;P
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