Melo Villareal
Tauge Ayam Lunch at Restoran Onn Kee in Ipoh, Malaysia
There are just some dishes in Malaysia which certainly satisfied my hunger pangs! During our recent visit to Ipoh courtesy of Tourism Malaysia and Cebu Pacific, we were treated to a hefty lunch at the Restoran Onn Kee, and let me tell you about my superb dining experience.
Surprisingly, Ipoh has become a one-stop foodie destination in Malaysia and is dubbed as the cultural capital of Perak. You can find there the famous Tauge Ayam – their version of Hainanese Chicken! And its flavor is to die for, and we mean it!
Restaurants that serve this popular dish include Lou Wong and Restoran Onn Kee which are both very popular in Ipoh.
We headed for lunch at Restoran Onn Kee but it was jampacked when we arrived. Fortunately, our guide already pre-arranged our lunch at Restoran Onn Kee, because otherwise, we will be forced to wait just like the other hungry patrons. Locals say, the huge crowd usually builds up especially at night.
When it comes to the restaurant’s interior, there is nothing grand about Onn Kee. It boasts a very minimal decoration, has great ventilation – and as a matter of fact – it can be compared to hole in the wall restaurants in Manila’s Binondo district. Other than that, the restaurant also included a series of photos of famous customers who dined at the restaurant which reminds me of Mamonluk in Manila.
Upon settling down at our respective tables, we started ordering our food. We ordered their signature bean sprout chicken or Tauge Ayam in the local language.
Tauge Ayam is basically a plate of steamed chicken with a plate of steamed big fat bean sprout which they call tauge. Our cooked steamed chicken is being chopped right in front of us. Right from the aroma, tenderness, down to its unique flavor, it was indeed one of the best dishes at the table. It felt like the usual Hainanese chicken we love in Hong Kong and Singapore.
On the other hand, I find the fat bean sprout really good and tasty although a little bit salty for me. Tauge in Ipoh was a little bit sweet and crunchy, something that is inimitable compared to the steamed bean sprouts I tasted outside Ipoh.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! We also ordered Ipoh hor fun or flat rice noodle soup, meatball and fishball soup, and Char Siew. Their Kuey Teow tastes bland but it blends well with the saltiness of the tauge and chicken.
The chicken broth on the flat noodles are a bit overwhelming for me since we already have the chicken as our main dish but overall, I still like the fact that I was able to finally try it since I missed it when I visited Ipoh a few years ago.
Around the vicinity of the restaurant, we also visited shops that sell local products and souvenirs. Just like Macau and Hong Kong, Egg Tart is also famous in Ipoh. And Yes! Egg Tarts in Ipoh are good too!!
Overall, everyone agreed that among the dishes served during lunch was their famous Char Siew which is basically barbecued pork in Cantonese cuisine.
I’m hoping to taste more and discover up and coming restaurants in Ipoh. Till next 🙂
Restoran Onn Kee Bean Sprout Chicken Rice
51, Jalan Yau Tet Sin,
30300 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia.
Tel: 05 253 1652
Hours 1:30pm-3am
*Ipoh, Malaysia Hotel Rates may change without prior notice, Please visit Agoda for updated hotel rates, availability, and current hotel promos.
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Also read:
- Best Hotels In Ipoh, Malaysia
- Mongkok Foodie Guide
- Hong Kong Food Trip: “Eatsperience” Hong Kong Like A Local
- Must-Try Food In Catanduanes
