KOON KEE: IGNORE THE ATMOSPHERE AND GO STRAIGHT FOR THE NOODLES AT THIS KUALA LUMPUR CHINATOWN SPOT
The Cost -$2 per person
The Atmosphere – A small eatery located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, Koon Kee (also called Kedai Koon Kee or Koon Kee Wan Tan Mee) is not the type of place most people choose to eat at based on looks alone. The not-super-clean street food space resembles an industrial cafeteria with tiled walls and five metal tables that are right next to the kitchen, allowing you to see how the cooks prepare your food. It is not easiest the place to find, but it is located right around the corner from Madam Tang’s famous mochi stand and we have provided some pictures to help. Koon Kee is only open until the early afternoon and does not take reservations, but it surprisingly does take credit cards.
Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is nothing special when it comes to the clothing, accessories, and electronics stalls that line the pedestrian zone located in the center of the neighborhood. However, the food is another story. With a large Chinese population living in the city, the Chinatown area serves up some of the city’s best food and is not to be missed. Koon Kee, which is well-known for its noodles, is one of the places that came recommended to us by in the know locals, so we decided to check it out.
The Order – BBQ Pork & Dumplings Noodle and a Shrimp Dumplings Noodle.
The Fantastic – The BBQ Pork & Dumplings Noodle is what you came for and why you decide to ignore Koon Kee’s run-down, not well-kept space. The wonton noodles are served on a plate and are coated in a tasty soy sauce and topped with pieces of char siu, Cantonese barbequed pork, and a green, leafy vegetable similar to bok choy. The thin egg noodles, which are considered “dry” because they are not in a soup, are quite tasty on their own, but when you add in the sweet, delicious char siu, you have a real winner. In addition to the plate of noodles, you are also served a side of wonton soup which was an added bonus. The large portion of this dish was sizeable and is more than enough food to feed a single person. At a price of less than $3, this dish is an incredible value.
The Great – The small order of the Shrimp Dumplings Noodle was also tasty and was a good-sized portion; it also came with a bowl of wonton soup, though it was smaller. Without the char siu on top, the dish wasn’t quite as good, but the noodles are a standalone pleaser and this version is a great option for vegetarians or those that don’t eat pork. The shrimp wontons were in the soup and were solid, but the noodles are the featured item of the dish.
The Verdict – A meal at Koon Kee gives almost any meal in Kuala Lumpur a run for its money, and at a price of around $2 per person, the value is off the charts. If you eat pork, the BBQ pork (char siu) is not to be missed. Try not to judge the book by its cover when you first walk in and you will greatly enjoy your meal.