A must-try kopitiam in JB with 10 signature dishes you can’t miss

Malaysian-style makan places are swiftly becoming the next big thing in the F&B scene. Fortunately for Singaporeans, Hock Kee Kopitiam is just a stone’s throw away, situated at level 4 of City Square in JB— a mere 5-minute walk from the checkpoint.

This popular dining spot has earned its stripes as one of Malaysia’s leading coffee havens, serving up a plethora of authentic and tantalising Malaysian specialities. The Sutera, Toppen, and Molek outlets in Johor Bahru are Halal-certified.

In the upcoming months, Hock Kee Kopitiam is set to expand its wings with a new branch opening at Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC).

If you register as a member of Hock Kee Kopitiam, you get RM5 immediately and also unlock loads of benefits and exclusive offers. To sign up now for free, click here.

1. Hock Kee Signature Laksa

Filled with shredded chicken, tau pok, bean sprouts, half a boiled egg, and sheets of beancurd skin, the Hock Kee Signature Laksa (RM14.90++) may seem intimidating to patrons who can’t handle spice. However, the first spoonful is all it takes to get you hooked, delivering a rich, aromatic punch of rich coconut goodness without being overly spicy.

With a choice of 4 noodles— yellow mee, bee hoon, kuey teow and thick bee hoon— the gravy is thick and hits you with a robust, citrusy flavour of daun kesum (laksa leaves).

The noodles soak up the spiced broth perfectly, while the strands of tau geh add an addictive crunch to every bite. The chicken is tender, while the pieces of bean curd skin act like a sponge, absorbing all the creamy goodness— a must-order for laksa fans!

2. Satay Fried Kway Teow

As a fan of satay bee hoon in Singapore, I was sceptical yet intrigued when I spotted Satay Fried Kway Teow (RM16.90) on the menu. The flat rice noodles came with 2 large prawns, fishcake slices, egg and tau geh with a pool of peanut sauce by the side.

In my opinion, char kway teow without wok hei is an instant red flag. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case here. The Satay Fried Kway Teow possessed a decent amount of smoky wok flavour that put a smile on my face. The sheets of rice noodles weren’t soggy and had an addictive, chewy texture.

The prawns were fresh and naturally sweet while the egg was soft and creamy. The spiced and faintly-sweet peanut sauce fortunately didn’t overshadow the flavour of the noodles. What I initially thought would be a weird combination turned out to be a harmonious union.

3. Signature Lontong with Chicken Meat

The classic lontong that we all love just got an upgrade with the Signature Lontong with Chicken Meat (RM16.90), topped with pieces of lip-smacking ayam goreng berempah. If you love both dishes, this is an excellent 2-in-1 combo.

Cubes of compressed rice cake, tofu puffs, cabbage, carrots and long beans are drenched in a luxurious deep yellow coconut broth. It’s then crowned with a dollop of sambal and spicy grated coconut (serundeng).

The rice cakes and vegetables were pillowy soft, like clouds, while the pieces of fried chicken were crispy, boasting a rich depth of taste from the marination of various spices and herbs.

The garnish of serundeng added an extra toasty and nutty layer of flavour to the overall combination while the sweet sambal gave a subtle touch of heat.

4. Nasi Lemak Banjir

If nasi lemak and Hainanese curry rice had conceived a child, Nasi Lemak Banjir (RM27.90) would be it. It comprises coconut rice drenched in a pool of chicken curry gravy, served with signature sambal sotong, a curry chicken drumstick, achar, ikan bilis and peanuts.

The familiar aromatic notes of nasi lemak get slathered with a full-bodied curry, resulting in a unique amalgamation of flavours. The experience gets taken up a notch with tender, fresh squid that’s doused in umami-rich sambal. You can’t go wrong pairing it with classic curry chicken and tangy achar.

5. Steamed Chicken Rice

What sets the Steamed Chicken Rice (RM15.90) at Hock Kee Kopitiam apart from other run-of-the-mill establishments is the use of kampong chicken. It’s served with a light, soy-based seasoning, together with a bowl of chicken rice, clear soup, chilli and minced ginger.

The rice is fluffy and has the right texture, with dominant hints of ginger infused into each grain. The chicken skin is silky smooth with a leaner amount of fat compared to usual steamed chicken. Even after tackling the third piece, it didn’t feel it was cloying.

I overheard the table next to me asking for black chilli sauce. Curious about what it was, I decided to follow suit— and luckily, I did! The chilli was refreshing with just the right amount of heat, and the minced ginger added a bold burst of character.

10 best JB seafood restaurants worth braving the insane checkpoint jams for [Oct 2024 update]

6. Hock Kee Big Breakfast

Start your day right with Hock Kee Big Breakfast that features a lavish spread of scrambled eggs, ham, sausage, sauteed mushrooms, potato wedges, baked beans and salad. Customers have a choice to have it with either Toast (RM25.90) or Croissant (RM30.90).

The scrambled eggs are smooth, buttery and runny, perfect to enjoy with the Toast or stuffed into the Croissant. The mushrooms are earthy and delightfully yummy while the potato wedges are crispy and addictive.

7. Mee Siam with Fried Chicken Wing

For those seeking something light yet appetite-inducing, the Mee Siam with Fried Chicken Wing (RM15.90) is a superb option. Topped with a sunny-side-up, the mee siam is served with a crispy chicken wing, sambal, achar and calamansi.

The strands of thin vermicelli deliver a harmonious blend of spicy, sweet and sour flavours. Break open the golden orb of sunshine, and let the creamy yolk trickle down the bee hoon to make it extra decadent and creamy.

To give it more oomph, squeeze a few golden drops of calamansi. The chicken wing has golden-brown, crispy skin that gives way to tender, juicy flesh.

8. Sambal Egg Cucumber Toast

Don’t judge the simplicity of the Sambal Egg Cucumber Toast (RM6.50). Stuffed with sliced cucumbers, sambal and fluffy egg, this toasted sandwich combines diverse flavours and textures into a truly satisfying bite.

The sambal, generously spread on the crispy grilled toast, greets your taste buds with a sweet, fiery shrimpy punch that pairs flawlessly with the creamy egg and crunchy cucumber.

9. Hock Kee Homemade Thai Tofu

Sometimes, the most basic dishes catch us off guard. Take the Hock Kee Homemade Thai Tofu (RM12.90), for instance— it was so good that I ended up polishing off more than half.

The 8 slabs of house-made egg beancurd are flooded with Thai chilli sauce and generously crowned with onion slices, shreds of cucumber and spring onions.

The tofu was extra velvety and eggy, encased in a delicate, golden crust. I couldn’t get enough of the Thai chilli sauce, which instantly jolted my senses with its vinegary and sweet notes. The slivers of cucumber and onion on top added a crispy dimension that rounded off the dish splendidly.

10. Shredded Chicken Congee with Century Egg

What’s great to have on a cold, rainy day? A comforting bowl of Shredded Chicken Congee with Century Egg (RM14.90) for sure. The rendition at Hock Kee Kopitiam has double the crunch with slices of crispy you tiao and fried wanton skin, complemented by shredded chicken and century egg.

The congee is thick and brimming with flavour, providing the perfect canvas for each ingredient to shine.

*This post is brought to you in partnership with Hock Kee Kopitiam.

1 day JB itinerary: Where to go, what to do & where to eat [Nov 2024 update]