Restoran Tiara Puchong Yong Tau Foo

This is much closer to how I like my Yong Tau Foo. After eating some of the smoother, bouncier versions around, the Yong Tau Foo from the mixed rice stall at Restoran Tiara Puchong reminded me why texture matters so much to me with YTF.

The filling here has that rustic, rough texture I look for. Bite into it and it doesn't feel like the ingredients have been processed into a perfectly smooth paste. There is texture to the filling and, more importantly, plenty of flavour.

I particularly enjoyed the large stuffed tofu. There was a generous amount of filling packed into it, and the tofu had soaked up some of the juices while still holding everything together.

The stuffed brinjal worked well too, with the softness of the cooked brinjal contrasting nicely against the meatier texture of the filling.

What I enjoyed most, though, was simply the character of the YTF. It tastes full-flavoured and feels handmade rather than overly refined.

There are people who prefer their Yong Tau Foo filling smooth and bouncy. I'm firmly on the other side. Give me something rougher and more rustic, with some bite and plenty of flavour.

At RM2 a piece, this is also the sort of Yong Tau Foo where you can happily pick several pieces without the bill running away from you.

One thing to remember is that this comes from the mixed rice seller inside Restoran Tiara Puchong rather than a dedicated Yong Tau Foo restaurant. The stall operates from morning until lunch, so this is one to come for earlier in the day.