Cheng Delicacies: Its what's not on the Board that matters!
With iwatch_ueat, smart and damien
Chicken Chop Curry Rice $4.80
I don't quite agree with the signboard which says that this restaurant serves "Traditional" Hainanese cuisine. To me it was more like Singapore dishes with a Hainanese twist cooked by a typical Hainanese lady. In addition, the dishes have been modified to suit the new generation of Singaporeans.
Take for instance the signature Chicken Chop, curry rice. First it is Chicken Chop and not pork because of the health concerns and the chicken skin has also been taken off, again because of health concerns. So this can't really be called "Traditional" anymore can it?
But anyway, this dish is by far the most popular there with almost every table ordering the one dish meal. The batter is really nice and crispy and it is served piping hot. However, without the skin, the chicken tends to be a little dry. The curry was very good and aromatic and reminded me a little of Japanese Curry. 4/5
Hokkien Mee $12
The real gems of the restaurant though are what is not found on the board. The lady boss/chef has been a passionate cook all her life. So when Mr Cheng retired from his job in an MNC, he decided to open a restaurant to showcase his wife's cooking. They have regulars who come here for the "off the board" menu regularly.
One of the "off the board" gems is the Hokkien Mee which was very very shiok. Mrs Cheng tells me that they do it the traditional way without the use of thickeners. So the noodles are braised in the stock until the gravy thickens. It is a bit more laborious, but the result is a very fragrant and tongue tantalizing dish. It was so good that smart and I finished our plate of Hokkien Mee while waiting for Damien to arrive. Cannot Tahan (resistance was futile). The only problem that day was that they did not have the crispy pork lard, or else it would have been even more outstanding. Still, it was easily the best KL Hokkien Mee this side of the causeway. 4.5/5
The other "off the board" delicacy was this white braised pork. It might not look that appetizing but it was heavenly. The pork was braised till it was sublimely smooth and tender and served with an invigorating garlic and vinegar sauce. Simple but very very satisfying. 4.5/5
Conclusion
Funny that the best KL style Hokkien Mee is found in a "Traditional" Hainanese restaurant! We are told that there are still other "off the board" delicacies that are still waiting to be discovered. If you are a regular there, won't you let us know what they are?
Cheng Delicacies
27 Yong Siak Street
97489135/62237883
Open daily for lunch and dinner
18 comments:
Love the KL mee n curry chicken chop n the pork belly.Did tried the mee goreng, pretty good too.
have been wondering what happened to the good doctor when i noticed the drop in the number of postings. was he tired of good food or writing about it? glad to know that you are up and about after your operation.
Oh God! that Curry Katsudon looks fantastic! Drooool.....
I also thought it was Japanese Curry Rice because of the generous portion of the gravy...and best KL hokkien mee? this i've got to try! Great!
The hokkien mee looks good, but $12? Was this a super large portion? *_*
Should be interesting to see how it compares to the Big Eater Seafood version, which has the same 4.5 rating but with thick round noodles.
Have eaten there many times with friends. The food is so so only.
Halo, when you mention "have eaten there many times", which one are you referring to, ie Cheng's or Big Eater. Need to enlighten me because you said the food is so so only. Thanks.
Wah I'm so amazed with your food pictures la... Everything just looks so extremely beautiful ... u would think its fake....
salute!
"Have eaten there many times with friends. The food is so so only."
*Shrugs*
So So nia? Leave this kind of comments to yourself huh. Acting like you eaten the whole of sg, rofl.
Looks like you're back in action heh.....
hi to all the "anonymous", dun even know if it's 2 or 3 different "anonymous" writer, so pls do give yourself a pen name!!
u sure won't miss the option "other" which is just beside "anonymous" option..
btw, to e first anonymous: since e food there is "so-so" only, y do u still eat there "many times" wif ur friends huh?
Camemberu, Both are good but they add different ingredients. Big Eaters more dark sauce n plenty of la pork. Cheng's is lighter n not much the 'gan swee' that turn u off.Best is try it yourself.
I tried looking up the location on street directory. It seems like there's no 27 at Yong Siak Street, most of them are 70 somethings? 27 on the map is nearer to the Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre... can someone confirm? Thanks!
i love the place. its so cosy and nice and feels so family! i have tried other off the menu dishes like kong ba rice which is really good. still, my favourites has got to be the curry chicken chop rice. =)
hi ifatfat,
tried to find for u too but guess it's e same: http://sg.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_9218/travel_site_12067/
anyway, y not call them directly? ;)
their number is listed at e end of e post n u'll get immediate answer too! =)
easier to go in by Kim Tian Road, turn left at the first turn you see...http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_10074/travel_site_12042/5/
I just tried today and the hokkien mee was a BIG disappointment, maybe the standard has dropped. Other food was not good either and quite expensive considering the quality is bad.
ifatfat, I read this post previously, missed ur query. Had u found the place? If u enter by Kim Tian Rd from Jln Bukit Merah, at the junction on the extreme right you will be able to see the eating place with the lunch crowd (will not miss). Go around yong siak st till u see the crowded eating house again and u are there. With apology to liverpool. U may be disappointed with the food though.
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