Restoran Chua Kee

Restoran Chua Kee
67 Jalan Kacang Panjang
Gelang Patah
Johor Bahru
Johor 81550
Malaysia

Daily 11:30am - 11pm, Closed Alternate Wed

https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Restaurant_Review-g298278-d6681955-Reviews-Restoran_Chua_Kee-Johor_Bahru_Johor_Bahru_District_Johor.html

Black Pepper Crab (MYR RM132 / SGD $43)

Popular Legacy Zi Char Eatery With Great Food

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 4
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 7
Value for Money: 9
Spent about MYR RM40 / SGD $13 per person.


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Located in the heartland area of Gelang Patah in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, Restoran Chua Kee is among the oldest, most established Chinese seafood zi char eateries here. This family-friendly place is known for their huge variety of dishes, many of which feature fresh seafood, and their affordable pricing, such that even locals dine here. Little wonder they usually attract a crowd of Singaporeans on the weekends!

Ambience at Restoran Chua Kee is casual heartland style. Functional plastic and metal furniture are closely packed within the brightly lit, open space, which is kept cool by powerful ceiling fans. The sheltered area is limited, so some tables are exposed to the elements. Dining here at night is best, because it's cooler in temperature. Real heartland vibe.

Service at Restoran Chua Kee is friendly, with staff quickly greeting and seating guests. They're able to offer recommendations if asked, and display good product knowledge, being able to describe dishes. I note they clear away empty / dirty tables quickly, good efficiency due to the high turnover of diners. However, they are also rather brusque during peak periods.

Food at Restoran Chua Kee is typical Chinese Zi Char, with a focus on fresh seafood. The menu is extensive, well worth repeat visits. Generally, taste of most dishes is average to very good, and orders are fulfilled fast. Signature dishes are outstanding. Portions are communal sized, and it's recommended to visit with at least 4 people or more. Prices are reasonable by local standards, budget about MYR RM40 / SGD $13 per person for a meal here.


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Restoran Chua Kee Facade

Restoran Chua Kee Address & Contact

Location Map

Seating

A delicious Seafood Kway Teow (MYR RM20 / SGD $6.40), packed with smoky wok hei / breath of the wok flavour. The wide, flat kway teow noodles pick up the rich, savoury sweet, eggy gravy so well. A variety of fresh seafood feature, including clams, prawns, squid, along with fish cake, sliced pork loin, choy sum / Chinese flowering cabbage, and shiitake mushrooms. Tasty and so comforting. Good!

Seafood Kway Teow (MYR RM20 / SGD $6.40)

Seafood Kway Teow

Seafood Kway Teow

Seafood Kway Teow

The Hokkien Mee (MYR RM5 / SGD $1.70) here tries to emulate the signature Kuala Lumpur style, but falls short. An average rendition, it lacks the deep and robust flavour, as well as the thick, dark gravy. Skip this.

Hokkien Mee (MYR RM5 / SGD $1.70)

Hokkien Mee

Personally loved the Clam Soup (MYR RM18 / SGD $5.80), though it seems to lack hua diao jiu / Chinese rice wine. The flavourful soup / broth features a stock of fish bones, wolfberries / goji berries, coconut milk, ginger, and spring onions, and there is a generous portion of fresh, plump clams within. The sweet savoury milky taste is absolutely delicious and warming, helping to open the palate. Highly recommended!

Clam Soup (MYR RM18 / SGD $5.80)

Clam Soup

Clam Soup

The Stir-Fried Assorted Vegetables (MYR RM15 / SGD $4.80), or 4 Heavenly Kings dish, is nicely savoury spicy. The vegetables of yardlong beans, eggplant / aubergine, okra / lady's finger, and petai / bitter beans / stink beans are tender and fresh, and I like that the anchovies lend a salty crunch. Worth ordering!

Stir-Fried Assorted Vegetables (MYR RM15 / SGD $4.80)

Stir-Fried Assorted Vegetables

The Butter Pork Cubes (MYR RM18 / SGD $5.80) have a nice sweet sour flavour, but I wasn't pleased with the small size of individual cubes, which means it lacks that nice chewy texture of pork. The curry leaves lend a hit of spice, but I felt it could be better with more chili padi for heat.

Butter Pork Cubes (MYR RM18 / SGD $5.80)

Butter Pork Cubes

The Oyster Omelette (MYR RM15 / SGD $4.80) was the worst dish we had here. The eggs are slightly overfried, lacking the soft fluffy texture, and the oysters are small. Somewhat bland as well, I ended up dipping it in all kinds of sauces to enhance the flavour. Skip this.

Oyster Omelette (MYR RM15 / SGD $4.80)

Oyster Omelette

Love the Honey Chicken Wings (MYR RM16 / SGD $5.20), which have a crisp skin outside, and juicy, tender chicken meat inside. Coated in caramelised honey, the sweet savoury salty flavours work together well. Good!

Honey Chicken Wings (MYR RM16 / SGD $5.20)

Honey Chicken Wings

The Black Pepper Crab (MYR RM132 / SGD $43 for 2 Crabs) was absolutely delicious. Large, fresh, meaty crab with sweet flesh. The sauce / gravy is slightly different here, rather than a dry spice rub coating of black pepper, it's more like a wet black pepper gravy. Love that chef also helped to crack open most of the shell, making it easy to peel. Big, bold flavour, finished all too quickly. Highly recommended!

Black Pepper Crab (MYR RM132 / SGD $43 for 2 Crabs)

Black Pepper Crab

Black Pepper Crab

The smoky aroma of the Stir-Fried String Beans (MYR RM18 / SGD $5.80) was the first sign that this dish is good. When bit, the juicy tender string bean vegetables have a bright, refreshing burst of sweet vegetal flavour, and the texture is bouncy instead of limp, another good sign. The robust gravy of braised minced pork lends a salty savoury flavour, completing this dish. Good!

Stir-Fried String Beans (MYR RM18 / SGD $5.80)

The Salted Egg Squid (MYR RM18 / SGD $5.80) features a dry style salted egg gravy, almost like a batter, which sticks tightly and coats the fresh, bouncy squid rings nicely. Flavours of sweet savoury salty, with a slight hint of spicy from the curry leaves, though I find it overall rather muted in taste. Each piece crunches beautifully, then you get the tender squid within. Decent.

Salted Egg Squid (MYR RM18 / SGD $5.80)

Salted Egg Squid

Loved the Teochew Steamed Catfish In Sour Plum Broth (MYR RM55 / SGD $17.80), which has a small but whole catfish, with tender, creamy fish flesh that comes off the bone easily. The soup / broth is light yet tasty, nicely salty savoury sweet sour, with a slight tangy taste. Addictive enough to make you want to drink more, yet it's not overwhelming. While the fish is fresh, the quality is only decent, but the real star here is that delicious, yummy soup / broth, which makes this whole dish outstanding. Highly recommended!

Teochew Steamed Catfish In Sour Plum Broth (MYR RM55 / SGD $17.80)

Teochew Steamed Catfish In Sour Plum Broth

Loved the smoky aroma of the Stir-Fried White Bee Hoon Noodles (MYR RM8 / SGD $2.60), which is nicely stir-fried with various vegetables and seafood. The savoury peppery flavour is intoxicating and addictive, and each bite makes you want to take another. Possibly the best noodle dish I've had here. Highly recommended!

Stir-Fried White Bee Hoon Noodles (MYR RM8 / SGD $2.60)

Stir-Fried White Bee Hoon Noodles

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