(Note: The following photos were taken with a camera phone, so they're a little fuzzy. Sorry.....)
Choong Kee is one of the quintessential Malaysian (food) success stories - starting from a coffeeshop stall in Damansara Jaya, they grew in popularity** till they were able to move into a shop lot of their own just a few doors away.
(** Unhindered by the general grumpiness/ Jekyll & Hyde syndrome that the boss lady seems to have an acute case of)
Of course, their new location is much nicer (and cleaner) than the original,... but it is still very basic, with no decor/ added bells & whistles to improve the "ambience".
As it remains wildly popular with people in the area, it is not unusual to find it completely packed (especially during peak hours), so be prepared to wait around for a table:
There really are only 2 food options here:
- Big claypot of claypot chicken rice, RM 13
- Small claypot of claypot chicken rice, RM 7
(The big claypot can feed 2 to 3 people, or 1... it all depends on your general gluttony level)
Oh, and the following additions are available:
- add egg +RM 0.5 per egg,
- add Salted fish +RM1 (Big)/ +RM0.5 (Small),
- add Chinese sausage +RM1 (Big)/ RM 0.5 (Small),
- add Chicken, Salted fish and Chinese sausage +RM7 (Big)/ +RM9 (small)
Once you do get a table, send a representative to line up at the main stall and tell the boss lady your order (Nicely! or she will scold you!***). Then, just patiently wait (about 20-ish minutes for them to prepare your food:
(*** This is one of her "quirks".... Don't say I didn't warn you. :P)
While I can't say I'm an expert on it, I have always enjoyed the consistency of the cooked juuuuust right rice (al dente - moist yet still with some bite) with that slight smokey flavor (apparently from the charcoal fire they use), mixed in with tender chunks of chicken and that sweet/salty black sauce:
(My plate of rice)
Also popular there, are the various Steamed Soups (RM 5/ bowl):
I believe they have up to 8 types (subject to availability) but my favourite is the Salted Veg/Tomato/Tofu with pork ribs soup, while my parents favor the Peppercorn with Pork Stomach soup which packs more of a punch.
(They also serve a couple of simple vegetables, usually lightly blanched then fried with garlic and oyster sauce, if you are looking for something healthy to accompany your meal)
There are quite a number of people who say that this is the best claypot chicken rice in PJ, but I guess it's subjective? - all I know is that I like it enough to go "fight" the crowds and risk getting shouted at by the boss lady.
(... but not too often, lest I gain too much weight)
:)
So, it's: Yummy (some say the best) claypot chicken rice in the PJ area, reasonable price and convenient location BUT limited menu, slightly cramped "ambience", and beware the wrath of the moody boss lady!.....
Summary Information:
Restoren Choong Kee Kampar Claypot Rice @ Damansara Jaya
Opening Hours: 12noon to 2.30pm, 5pm to 9pm (Closed on Wednesday
Phone: 017-871 7739 (Irene)
Address: No. 80, Jalan SS22/25, Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya.
NON HALAL
Restoren Choong Kee Kampar Claypot Rice @ Damansara Jaya
Opening Hours: 12noon to 2.30pm, 5pm to 9pm (Closed on Wednesday
Phone: 017-871 7739 (Irene)
Address: No. 80, Jalan SS22/25, Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya.
NON HALAL
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OTHER REVIEWS:
- Feed Me Lah
- Malaysia Food Cuisine Blog
- Patchay.com
- Simple Life 简单的生活
- foodbin
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Chinese, Restoren Choong Kee Kampar Claypot Rice, Local Food, Damansara Jaya, PJ, Petaling Jaya, Charcoal Claypot Chicken Rice, Coffeeshop, KL, Kuala Lumpur
Posts
Nice! Eh, so when are u taking me there? :P
ReplyDeleteeek! sure i'll kena marah by the boss lady cos i'm very bad at ordering at chinese outlets (can't speak mandarin/ cantonese/ hokkien). and my order will be complicated: one small claypot chicken rice, add three eggs, small salted fish, and big chinese sausage :D
ReplyDeleteAiyo... So stressful la, nanti kena marah buta saje... :p
ReplyDeleteBut I wanna go lor, you order for me can ah? That just shows how chivalrous I am.
LOL.
Moody boss? Haha, then this has better be a place worth visiting.
ReplyDeleteA name with KAMPAR attached to it has to be authentic right?
shouldn't be that hard to find since I'm quite familar with DJ area :)
ReplyDeletewhat a coincidence that I have been craving for claypot chicken rice lately and your post is up!!
to PureGlutton:
ReplyDeleteMaybe next weekend? Are you free? :)
to Sean:
If you don't mind the noise and crowd, maybe we can go there for dinner together?
:)
(But not if you want such a complicated order - I m oso scared to be yelled at! LOL)
to Paranoid Android:
Haha.. Yeah it's a bit stressful but funny hor? My friend just pointed out tt day: The best simple/ hawker food is usually prepared by cranky uncles/ aunties! :)
(CIS. I'll try my best to "protect" you when we go there for dinner :P)
to J2Kfm:
Worth it! Just have to be a biiiiit careful :)
to thule aka leo:
Haha.. I guess great minds think alike? :)
McC's favourite Claypot chicken rice store. The aunty always gives the fler VIP treatment
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we go to kampar to eat instead? :) JT
ReplyDeleteto qwazymonkey:
ReplyDeleteFuyohhh.
Now I know who to call when I want to go there for dinner! ;)
to anonymous JT:
Know any good places in Kampar? :)
Hmmm...Looks like this is her final stop lor. She started at a stall in section 17, then moved to the Koon Kee in DJ and finally opened up her own Restaurant a little further up the road.
ReplyDeleteA heart warming meal after a busy day at work. Here's a tip, get her name card and pre-order the food. I normally call before I leave work and collect the goodies on the way home ;)
to UnkaLeong:
ReplyDeleteOooh. Didnt know she started from Section 17! :)
(Only started eating fromt the Koon Kee outlet days... but even that was quite a long time ago, horr?)
Yes, I know the origin of this shop in Kampar. lets go and try 2gether. There are many more diff food in kampar. JT
ReplyDelete