Leong Kee, as it is known to the locals is a famous restaurant that is located in Hulu Bernam, Selangor just after the boundary from Tanjung Malim, Perak. Though it is across the Bernam River, to the locals, this is still considered part of Tanjung Malim though they differ administratively. Previously, they were based right beside the old market in Tanjung Malim and that is where I used to go as a little boy, come to think of it I've been their loyal customers for more than 30 years. Sometime in the early 1990's, they had to move to cater for KTM's double track project and were relocated in a different location just about a 100 meters from the present place. It is only now where they have a physical restaurant and yet the cooking is still done outside like the yesteryears. In recent years, he had changed the name to Leong Kee & Ming to allow his son to become a partner in the business. The reason food is so good here (besides his cooking) is because they are all cooked using charcoal stoves. He only prepares a handful of dishes but these are highly sought after. There have been numerous write ups about this place in a number of Chinese newspapers including online media and his customers go as far as Singapore. His prices have also just been raised minimally over the 30 plus years that I have been eating here but the food quality has been ever consistent. All his dishes are RM 10.00 flat. There are no various portion sizes and this applies to all his dishes, just one standard size. Since I was here with the family today, I would be able to show you most of his key dishes, just a few to number but all extremely good. Do note that on weekends, he gets a lot of outstation crowd and hence I can take a while before getting your meals. So it is best to come here when time isn't a constraint. On weekdays, it doesn't take that long.
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| Cutlery In Hot Water |
We prefer to sit outdoors usually. The service is generally good as he has his family to assist him. They attend to you swiftly but from around 9 pm onwards, the waiting time can be long for the dishes and so it is advisable to come here around 7+ or for supper at around 10+. He used to be open till 3 am those days but now, he keeps it till midnight. He too has aged and needs his time for rest.
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| Chili Paste With Belacan |
This is another amazing preparation that is found here. He makes them on his own and this is a must have with the Hokkien Char Mee. I could personally finish three servings of this for my portion of Hokkien Char Mee as it is so good. Another item that must not be missed here. I would rate this preparation at 10/10 .
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| Pepper Mee Hoon Soup @ RM 10.00 |
This Pepper Mee Hoon Soup is the second most sought after dish here. This Pepper Soup comes in two choices, with or without noodles. The noodles used is the usual Rice Vermicelli. This soup is filled with cabbage and pork slices and with a whole load of pepper that gets you sweating to all glory the moment you take the first sip. The Pepper he uses is not the common pepper but one that is purchased at those Chinese Medical Halls, and a very pricey one too. An excellent dish! Good also for a cold night and especially when one is having flu. One has got to try this at least once and you'd love it. Guaranteed satisfaction! I would again rate this dish at 10/10 . Even the ones available in Damansara Hokkien Mee or Sentul Ah Yap does not come anywhere close to this. Those are like child's play when compared to this one at Leong Kee.
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| Hokkien Mee @ RM 10.00 |
This Hokkien Char Mee is the third most famous dish here, also the best Hokkien Char Mee in town! Before I speak more about the dish, I would like to mention that he makes his own noodles and not one that is purchased from those factories. This is a tradition that he had learned from his late mother and now, even his son does it so well. The noodles itself are so soft, creamy and delicious. The preparation comes with generous amount of lard, pork slices, pork liver and some cabbage and together, they are just amazing. I have tried 8 of the top 10 Hokkien Char Mee places in Kuala Lumpur and for me, this tops them all! I would rate this at 10/10 again! Ask any TM person, even those who have left town for decades.... Where is the best Hokkien Mee and they would all unanimously mention Leong Kee. A taste that would forever linger in our mind.
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| Stir Fried Cabbage with Rice Wine & Dried Shrimps |
This is another excellent dish that you must have at this stall. The cabbage is still fresh and sweet and it takes a great skill to cook it that way. The mixture of Rice Wine and Dried Shrimps adds a twist of flavour to this dish. Another highly recommended dish at this stall. My rating for this shall be 10/10 as well.
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| Moonlight Char Kuey Teow @ RM 10.00 |
This is by far the most sought after dish here. Usually by around 10 pm, the Kuey Teow is sold out. It comes with a raw egg on the top and has to be mixed thoroughly. Something that you would not be able to find elsewhere except for Kim Lian Kee in Petaling Street. Both of them invented this Moonlight Char Kuey Teow dish at around the same time. An absolutely delicious dish. The dish itself comes with lots of cabbage and pork and once mixed with the egg, gives such a creamy taste. I have seen many people, including those that I have brought, been put off by the sight of the raw egg but once they tasted the dish, they were hooked on to it. Even today, I still have cousins of mine who tried this in their chidhood, keep mentioning about this dish to me and how good it was. And that's like after 20 plus years. This itself should be an indicator as to how good this dish is. Though Kim Lian Kee has the same, I have tasted both and for me, Leong Kee is the winner. That previous does not come anywhere close to this latter preparation. Again I would rate this 10/10 .
Overall, this is an excellent place to visit for dinner or supper. I have introduced this place to many of my friends from Kuala Lumpur and they did make day trips just to try this place out and the feedback have all been very positive. I am yet to meet someone who would say that the food here is bad or only average. One of the fantastic food places in Tanjung Malim that should be a 'Must Visit' for Chinese food fans. Besides the above, his other notable dishes are also his Loh Mee and Cantonese Style Fried Noodles (Hor Fun or Yin Yong as some may call, depending on the region). For directions, assuming you are coming using the North South Highway, after the Tanjung Malim exit, keep left and turn in to the very first exit on your left. Keep going straight and you would pass a Tamil School on your left. Shortly ahead, there would be some tractors/ old Range Rover's that are parked on your left (in a large open land). Do slow down here as this restaurant would be visible shortly on your right. Parking is usually taken up near the restaurant and most people would just park by the side of the road, which is quite safe. Alternatively, they are okay with customer's calling them and asking for directions. I have provided the mobile phone number below. Please do call them and they would gladly assist.
Address: Beside Jalan Kilang Papan off Jalan Besar Hulu Bernam,
35900 Hulu Bernam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Business Hours: 1700 - 0100 Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays.
Telephone: +6012 518 0165
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