food
Much-loved Hainanese classics from pre-Merdeka days
The classic and much loved Hainanese Chicken Chop. – The Malaysian Insider pic, August 30, 2015. We love celebrating Merdeka the way we know best, with our bellies! Checking out eateries that have been serving delicious, comfort food since pre-Merdeka days is a great way to evoke warm memories and a sense of nostalgia.
We checked out the charming Coliseum Cafe last week, and today, invite you to make a trip to Yut Kee, one of the most well-known, family-run Hainanese cafes in KL.
Talk about Yut Kee and everyone has their favourites there – Hailam Mee, Hainanese Chicken Chop, Roti Babi, Belacan Fried Rice, Assam Prawns, and of course Roti Kaya and the best local coffee in town.
Each time I go to Yut Kee, I start out by putting in an order for a freshly baked marble cake before I even sit down. It’s food that can take you from breakfast to lunch to tea.
Yut Kee, a family-run Hainanese cafe in KL maintains an old world charm. – The Malaysian Insider pic, August 30, 2015. Run by father and son Jack and Mervyn Lee, this Hainanese café was started by Jack’s dad in 1928, at its original location in Jalan Dang Wangi, Kuala Lumpur. The cafe was full of old-world charm, and regulars used to have their favourite tables in the shop.
Favourite tables may not be a possibility now where Yut Kee has relocated, behind the old premises, but the shop has still managed to retain much of its vintage charm.
Old pictures of Jack’s father and his three wives, and some old furnishings from the original shop add an air of familiarity to this “new” Yut Kee.
The food is still as good. And it comes as fast as you order it. We had the yummy Hailam Mee (RM7), thick noodles hugged by a sauce with squid and sliced fish cake and served with sambal.
Roti Babi has a pork filling, dipped in egg and deep fried. – The Malaysian Insider pic, August 30, 2015. The Roti Babi (RM9), bread with pork filling dipped in egg, deep fried and served with Worcestershire sauce, is eggy, piquant and delightful. The Chicken Chop (RM9.50) is drenched in a tasty, homemade sauce and served with potatoes, peas and carrots.
The menu is written on a white board in the restaurant. You can also have Fish & Chips (RM10), Pork Chop (RM11.50), Beef Rendang Rice (RM8), Sweet Sour Pork (RM16), Curry Mee (RM7) and Roast Pork Special (RM26).
Nothing like the Hailam Fried Noodles. – The Malaysian Insider pic, August 30, 2015. Yut Kee is crowded every day but a system has been devised where you can put your name down at the counter, take a seat outside and you will be called when a table is ready. I finished my meal with the kopi-o (RM1.80), picked up my still warm marble cake (RM16) and headed out.
I would have loved to taken back a Kaya Roll (RM10) but there was none left!
Yut Kee Restaurant | Add: 1, Jalan Kamunting, 50300 Kuala Lumpur | Tel: 03-2698 8108 | Opening hours: 8am - 5pm, closed on Mondays | GPS Coordinates: GPS 3.9.33, 101.41.54 l Non- Halal
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