Hong Ngek Restaurant Lunch

In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Hong Ngek Restaurant is a heritage spot that has been part of the city’s dining landscape for generations. Established in the 1940s, this unassuming restaurant tucked along Jalan Tun H.S. Lee is a time capsule of classic Heng Hwa style Hokkien cuisine. For lunch, we opted for their stir-fried yee mee with Hakka braised pork and took the proprietor’s suggestion to try their stuffed 'Meen Kan'. This is a stuffed bean curd puff with a yong tau foo-like twist.

The yee mee was cooked to an al dente texture. The noodles had a pleasant bite and just the right amount of chew. The taste, however, strayed away from the range I am accustomed to. Think of it a stir fried noodle in a braised pork sauce to get an idea of the taste.

The stuffed 'Meen Kan' was intriguing, though the sweetness of the sauce enveloping it wasn’t to my preference, as I tend to favour savoury notes in such dishes. That said, the bean puff itself was well-prepared and balanced with a mild, soft texture. Think sweet and sour sauce but without the sourness. For those who enjoy a sweetness in their dishes, this dish might be an interesting choice.

Restoran Hong Ngek remains true to its roots, and there’s something nostalgic about its simple, hearty dishes. Our two dishes together with a cup of tea came up to RM27.70.

For anyone looking to experience a slice of KL’s dining history, Hong Ngek Restaurant is a place worth visiting.