Best Chinese Eats Under RM25 In Subang Jaya
A cosy little kopitiam located between two popular joints (Jing Zhou and Park Way), Ai Xin remains one of the livelier breakfast spots for SS19 residents. The shopkeepers here are so welcoming that you’d want to make a return visit too. The shop serves different kinds of noodles including pan mee that's worth ordering, but my must-have here is their Salted Chicken Rice set (RM7.50). I conclude that this is likely one of the best salt-baked chickens in town — not overly salty on the palate yet the meat is fragrant from the herbs it is cooked in. The set comes with rice and a small bowl of nutritious soup that perfectly neutralises the dish's saltiness.
Avg Price: RM10
Originating from Tuaran, Sabah Tuaran mee is traditionally handmade with egg, and the small town specialty is a rare find in KL. My first taste of the noodles was here in Subang Jaya, when I visited this spot on a Sunday morning to join a line of customers waiting for the same order. Think of Tuaran Mee (from RM5) as stir-fried wanton mee, sans sauce, and don’t let its looks fool you. The noodles are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a delectable eggy flavour — so good with the accompanying chilli sauce. This is really a unique taste of springy fried noodles — so springy that they have sprung straight onto this list! (Haha!) That said, the service often leaves more to be desired, but don’t let that stop you from trying something new.
Avg Price: RM5
Restoran Wong Soon Kee sits high on my list of go-to stalls for comfort food. These days, many stalls cook their dishes before transferring them to claypots for serving, but the noodle stall at Wong Soon Kee does it the old-fashioned way. That authenticity is what keeps loyal customers coming back. For its generous portion, a bowl of Claypot Yee Mee costs only RM6, and it comes with seafood, chicken slices, chopped spring onions and an egg. The kopitiam gets rather busy during breakfast and lunch, so be prepared to share your table with other patrons. Pro tip: Look out for the Wan Tan Mee stall — that's the one that serves this potent yee mee.
Avg Price: RM10
Many would take a drive down to Klang for good bak kut teh, but Yu Kee in SS14 does it for me. And trust me, it's bang for your buck. My first criteria for bak kut teh is a broth that passes the taste test and over here, it's aromatic with herbal flavours that aren't too strong. Order their Bak Kut Teh Mix (from RM11) which comes filled with tender pork ribs and innards, along with that heavenly broth. Do like the regulars and opt for you fan (oiled rice) over white rice, as it is more fragrant. Also be sure to order their Sour & Spicy Vegetable (RM5) and famous Dry Bak Kut Teh (from RM19), redolent with a hint of heat from the dried chillies.
Avg Price: RM20
Pan mee can be considered the poster-boy for Chinese noodles in Malaysia and so, it's not easy for one to stand out from the rest. However, the Pan Mee (from RM6) in Lian Heng differentiates itself with traditional shredded noodles that are reminiscent of mum's homemade mee hoon kueh. The soft, chewy noodles are bathed in a clear broth aromatic of anchovies. It is a honestly simple dish that has withstood the test of time, having fed SS19 folks for years. Avg Price: RM10
SS15 is known for many things, most of them unfortunately gripes like the beyond-impossible task of finding a parking spot and the dreaded single-lane traffic. But there are a few diamonds in the rough; Uncle Soon Fried Rice in Restaurant Foh Foh being one of them. This humble hawker stall is an immensely popular choice for Subang locals and students alike. Depending on your desired portion and whether you would like an egg on top (you have to), a plate of fried rice here will cost anywhere between RM6 to RM8. Jewelled with char siew bits, the dish is served with an appetising sambal belacan that completes the meal!
Avg Price: RM10
Curious for a taste of Sarawakian cuisine? Then head to Restoran Mei Sek in USJ 14 for delicious Kolo Mee (RM5.50) and Sarawak Laksa (RM7)! Both are delicious, but I usually opt for the laksa, which looks nearly identical to curry but is actually made with coconut milk and Sarawak-imported condiments. A squeeze of lime (provided on the side) definitely helps bring out the flavours of the broth. If you prefer your noodles on the spicier side, feel free to request for belacan or chilli for extra heat. Thanks to its authentic flavours, these dishes tend to run out by mid-day even though the hawker centre operates daily from 6.30am to 3pm. Be sure to get there before it’s too late!
Avg Price: RM10
A classic Chinese eat that has become synonymous with SS15 is the famous Pork Noodles (RM8) found in Ooi Noodle House. Some may shy away from its notorious 45-minute wait, but if you are willing to bear with the delay, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more rewarding satisfaction than this bowl of pork noodles. Topped with the mandatory runny egg, each bowl is individually prepared (hence the wait) and topped with a variety of minced pork, pork slices, pork liver, intestines, crispy lard and your choice of noodles. Yum! Avg Price: RM10
Hokkien mee has always reminded me of supper sessions with my family when I was younger and Sin Kong’s version always reminds me of those nights. The distinguishing characteristic of the Hokkien Mee (from RM7) here is the intense crustacean flavour coupled with the incredibly rich and fragrant taste of pork lard. You can also ask for additional pork lard — it's free of charge! While the restaurant is known for its Hokkien mee, it also boasts a variety of other food stalls hawking tempting local fare like prawn mee, loh mee and even tai chow dishes. Pro tip: The hawker restaurant is constantly packed as it’s located right in the middle of the bustling Taipan Business Centre, so plan your time wisely.
Avg Price: RM10
The top picks, popular finds and newly opened places in Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines, curated by Burpple editors!