Ipoh-style “Kai See Hor Fun” in Subang Jaya @ Kar Heong Restaurant
November 7, 2011 | 3,893 views
“Kai See Hor Fun” with Wanton @ RM6.50/USD2.20
If you’re cursing under your breath, I can understand that. If you’re sick of looking at chickens (real one okay … edible fowls), I buy that too. After the almost relentless onslaught of posts on chicken rice (Loke Yun Ampang and Kee Kee Bentong Chicken Rice), I would have balked at the sight of another. And another. AND another …..
Yet, I can’t help but pursue this medley of torment; if you insist on calling these ‘delicious’ posts that. Kar Heong Restaurant was started back in 2004 in Subang Jaya, then subsequently opened a branch at Kota Damansara in 2008.
If you go …. oh well, just another Nam Heong, New Ipoh Restaurant Chicken Rice or worse …. a Chicken Rice Shop-wannabe, think again. The “Kai See Hor Fun” (shredded chicken rice noodle soup) here can rival even some of the best in Ipoh. No joke.
The chili sauce plays an extremely vital role in either elevating that chicken rice experience to a whole different level, OR condemning the feast to a mere blah …..
Mixed roast chicken thigh and char siew with rice (RM8.00/USD2.70)
The truth is, this was NEVER in my list of To-Eat’s in Subang Jaya. Heck, after repeatedly passing by Kar Heong at SS14, sandwiched among the row of many bak kut teh restaurants, I still had no idea on what they sell.
I thought they serve Chinese ‘dai chow’ dishes, from the unflattering facade and old school charm. But worry not, the place has air-conditioning, but that’s not a blessing in disguise either.
So that they can justify charging you more than what the average hawker stall can.
Bean Sprouts (RM4.00/USD1.30) for a small portion
Then curiosity got the better of me. The crowd during dinner hours can only mean one thing; whatever it is that they’re famous for, it must be REALLY good.
So the reconnaissance pursuit was initiated. Googling out of my way for a general overview (and some rather concise details from several reviews), Kar Heong’s supposed to be good for their ….. gasp!
“NGA CHOY GAI”?!!!
*Nga choy gai (also known as bean sprouts chicken) is without a doubt; the most popular dish(es) from Ipoh. A combination of poached chicken, blanched bean sprouts, smooth flat rice noodles or hor fun in soup, or oiled rice, and a dipping of garlic/ginger chili sauce on the side.
Pork Meatballs @ RM4.00
Wait, are you kidding me? Bean sprouts chicken in Subang Jaya to appease an Ipoh boy after having like …. almost ALL of what Ipoh has to offer? (Go through this list and drool ….)
The proprietors of Kar Heong came from Tapah in Perak. A small town about half an hour’s away from Ipoh. The couple and the sister-in-law run this restaurant now, and the faint link to their Perak origin got my interest piqued.
Smooth kuey teow with a slight translucent appearance, cooked in a broth redolent with flavours from the chicken stock and bones, as well as the savoury and sweet tastes of the prawns. Quite a large serving too, and definitely paired well with the sides of bean sprouts.
To cut a long story short … (sorry, still in vacationing mode here in Ipoh), the “Kai See Hor Fun” here warrants a try. Even if you’re not a fan of soupy noodles like yours truly. 
The pork balls were bouncy with a toothsome bite, and bits of dried cuttlefish embedded within, almost the exact replica of Ipoh’s version served in most bean sprouts chicken outlets. Possibly from the same supplier, you wouldn’t know.
The roasted chicken and BBQ pork (char siew) were good, though did not register themselves as entirely memorable from that initial experience. Maybe a few more visits will do the trick.
RESTORAN KAR HEONG (non-Halal)
No 60, Jalan SS14/2, Subang Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel No : 012-605 6696, 012-693 5355, 016-211 4482
Closed on alternate Wednesdays.
Branch : No 23-1, Jalan PJU 5/10, Dataran Sunway,
Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
haha, so near to me and I haven’t ventured there before. maybe soon.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 10:56 am
Sure … sure… it took ME some time for the 1st visit anyway. And I was not expecting much from the experience initially.
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hows the mouthfeel combination of wantan with smooth kuay teow? the wantan skin and kuayteow do not have a big contrast in mouthfeel though. hehehe…
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 10:55 am
The wantan actually was okay, can’t really remember much since I was concentrating on the hor fun + chicken + prawn combination. But without the alkaline taste of badly processed wantan skin.
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Since the Ipoh boy has given this place the green light, I’ll visit!
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Haha ….. go go ….. not a bad choice actually. Certainly better than the New Ipoh Restaurant, Satellite and what-nots. Of course, the kai see hor fun excels compared to the other offeringns.
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How’s the noodles? Hor fun as smooth and slippery as Ipoh’s version? Hehe.. the meatballs look very promising though!
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 10:52 am
Yup, smooth and without the unpleasant processed taste from chemicals and all …
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Kar Heong means hometown, hopefully it will live up to its name.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Yup, homely alright. Slightly pricey but this being in Subang, air-conditioned and rather large portions, I don’t mind the price difference.
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yes yes yes!!! my favorite ngar choi gai in KL! 1 of the best lol
i always opt for the dry version, i hated the soup version very very much lol
but well, whenever i am at kl, i will pay them a visit, for their chicken!!!
i actually miss the chicken here more than the 2 femes one in IPOH.
damned, now i miss this again becoz of this damned post!! why did you do this to me?? lol
the chili is awesome….arrrhhhh!!!
remember the days, where i and 1 of my other friend, we went there, i opt for the dry koay teow, he opt for rice….and we order 1 whole chicken lol
everyone in the restaurant looked at us when the chicken is served…..muhahaha, and we finish it!!!! my fren even finished his rice, while i still left some hor fun
well, my post is messy, too excited lol
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Haha … samlee … I am not torturing you…. but timely for a revisit?
Yeah, the two famous names in Ipoh might not be the BEST, but still the craving comes when cannot find a particularly good one in KL.
Kar Heong is good, and they’re friendly people too. Plus, the place has air-conditioning!
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I’ve eaten here several times – OK la, i’d say the hor fun (I had the soupy version most times, hehe!) are quite smooth but not as smooth as the ones I get in Ipoh
The chicken…hmmm…. passable, better than most chicken rice stalls around here!
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Yup, certainly a place that I will come back again for the kai see hor fun when the craving comes ….. you know lah, Ipoh boy ma …
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prawn wanton there is really good as well.
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The best is the burning tongue chilli sauce..
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:07 am
Yup! Very spicy lah … but good for the meat balls and the chicken.
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GPS Coordinates:
E101* 35′ 26.9″
N3* 4′ 22.4″
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