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Since trying pig intestine noodles for the first time at Danji Pudu, I’ve been hooked. The experience was nothing short of impressive. Soon after, I stumbled upon Shadam Heng Noodle, nestled at an intriguing spot next to a temple at Taman Rainbow. The stall is famed for its delectable pig intestine noodles and dumplings. Drawn to its reputation online, I decided to give it a try.
The stall was discreetly tucked away from the roadside, with just a few sunshades that blended in with the surroundings, resembling part of the temple. Fortunately, a signboard on the lamp post directed me to the eatery.
There were outdoor seats available, but given the hot weather that day, I chose to sit indoors. Just before entering the eatery, I was drawn to a small sign on the beam. It read, “Don’t leave until you finish your soup”. That immediately sparked my curiosity about their soup; the bold request must be a hint of its exceptional taste.
Upon entering the stall, I noticed trays of braised dishes arranged on the countertop. The sight of succulent intestines bathing in rich braised sauce immediately aroused my appetite.
Additionally, there were self-service options for chilli and pickled cucumbers available. One thoughtful gesture from the owner caught my attention— he offered phone holders to patrons, allowing us to watch shows on our devices while dining in.
What I tried at Shadam Heng Noodle
Without hesitation, I opted for the Braised Intestine Dumpling Noodle (RM12). The noodles seemed rather ordinary when my bowl arrived. Atop them lay braised pork intestine, accompanied by ABC soup containing two dumplings. Yes, it’s an ABC soup!
It’s uncommon to come across this soup outside because it’s typically a home-cooked dish, featuring a nourishing blend of potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, onions, and either pork bones or chicken.
The portion size of the noodles was generous. However, their texture was somewhat limp, missing the desired elasticity and springiness often found in well-prepared noodles. As for the sauce, it was reasonably decent; I found it savoury and well-balanced in flavour.
The slow-cooked intestine boasted a rich flavour enhanced by a harmonious blend of spices and seasoning. Its taste was delightful. However, as I almost wrapped up my meal, I noticed that the intestine had become somewhat dry, losing some of its initial tenderness.
I also treated myself to the Braised Pork Belly Dumpling Noodle (RM13). This time, I opted for less noodles. The dish featured 5-6 pieces of pork belly on top of a bed of noodles and was served with a bowl of ABC soup containing 2 dumplings.
I won’t delve too much into the noodles as they’re the same as the ones mentioned earlier. As for the pork belly, I found it to be slightly dry and not as tender as I had anticipated, which was a bit disappointing.
The soup was undoubtedly the star of the meal. It was simmered for a long period of time and infused with the essence of the ingredients, resulting in a rich flavour profile. It soothed the soul with every sip. There were chunks of carrots and onions blending seamlessly in the broth. It provided both satisfaction and comfort with its pleasing simplicity and wholesome flavour.
The dumplings were offered in 2 flavours: chives and sargassum. They were notably large. Starting with the chives dumpling, I noticed that it contained more minced meat than chives. The minced meat lacked a strong infusion of chive flavour, resulting in a somewhat overpowering taste that made it challenging to consume the entire dumpling. I prefer my dumplings to have a stronger taste of chives.
The sargassum dumplings suffered from a similar problem; the distribution of sargassum within the minced meat was inconsistent.
Final thoughts
Despite the raving reviews online, this meal didn’t quite impress. However, if I were to pick a standout dish, it would undoubtedly be the ABC soup. It lived up to their request for patrons to finish every drop. The staff even kindly allowed me to take a pack of soup to-go.
If you’re not driving in KL, fret not; Shadam Heng Noodle is just an 8-minute walk from Jalan Ipoh MRT. Do try their dishes and let me know if they blow you away (or not).
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