My Little Herbal Tea Yong Tau Foo

It had been a good while since I last ventured into My Little Herbal Cafe, back when their prices were much more modest. I remember enjoying their curry noodles when they were still priced at RM13.50, and naturally, I was curious to see how things had changed. Upon returning recently, I discovered not just a name change (they operate under a name called Triple Happiness which has several outlets in the Klang Valley) but a few noticeable shifts on the menu, including a price increase. The base price for their curry noodles starts at RM16.90, while the addition of siham (cockles) takes it up to RM21.90. Quite an increase.

Despite the changes, I’m glad to say that the quality of the curry noodles has been preserved. The broth remains thick and aromatic, with just the right blend of spices that offers warmth without overwhelming the palate. Paired with the springy texture of wantan mee, the dish had all the right elements of a satisfying bowl of curry noodles. The siham, while a tad small, were fresh.

But what truly set this visit apart wasn’t the noodles but their Yong Tau Foo. I saw them laid out at the counter inviting me to order them.

I decided I had to comply and tried a few pieces, and I’m so glad I did. The cafe makes their YTF Hakka style, with the added twist of mixing in bits of salted fish into the meat stuffing. The result? An incredible depth of umami that made each bite so much more than many of the YTF that is found in KL and PJ nowadays. The salted fish didn’t overpower but instead subtly infused the meat with a savoury richness that lingered long after each bite. The other essential part of what I like about their YTF was their meat still had a 'bitey' texture and not overly minced. It was a good balance of texture and flavour, just the way I like it.

At RM2.20 per piece, the YTF is slightly on the premium side, but given the quality and the satisfaction of that Hakka-style preparation, I’d say it’s worth every sen. Whether you’re a fan of curry noodles or not, the Yong Tau Foo alone made the visit to My Little Herbal Cafe special. Next time, I might just forgo the noodles altogether and make a meal out of these delectable morsels.