Taste of Foochow @ Jalan Gajah, Pudu
March 15, 2010 | 8,201 viewsTo seek for some of the best in traditional Chinese cuisine in Kuala Lumpur may take some considerable effort, especially if one’s right in the midst of the Eating Hub of Malaysia, with an amalgam of influences all over the world. You get everything from Western to Eastern fares, from street foods to posh (read : over-priced) dining options.
So where does classic Foochow cuisine stand against these myriad of dining pleasures, with the looming element of commercialization threatening the very essence of good food (read : priceless finds, not pricey finds), constantly seeing us going back to the same old, same old restaurants in the malls, for the sake of convenience.
A bowl of blood-red Red Wine Meesuah with Chicken (RM6-RM7/USD1.70-USD2) – Not as strong as I expected, especially in comparison to some of Sitiawan’s best.
To find this place, named Taste of Foochow in an almost none-too-strategic location (right smack in the heart of Pudu, with the dreadful morning jams no thanks to the jostling crowd at Pasar Pudu) of Jalan Gajah. But at least this is something different from the average Pan Mee, Hokkien Mee, and beef noodles we used to have in Kuala Lumpur.
This reminded me of a scene from God Of Cookery. Anyone remembers the BOUNCING mantis prawns-beef balls combination? Tickled mah funny bones back then.
Specializing in Foochow cuisine, Taste of Foochow was previously known as Hup Yick on Jalan Yew. They moved here about 3 years ago, with a stark RED signboard, a strong contrast juxtaposed against the stretch of old shoplots surrounding the area.
Mee Suah is my preferred choice when it comes to noodles, for I find them comforting, and a most nostalgic experience dating back to those days when I was down with chicken pox!
Almost everyone whom had eaten here before had tried their Red Wine Meesuah, or Foochow Fishball Meesuah. Yup, if you’re lost on what to order (not that the menu’s THAT extensive anyway, it’s on the board hung up high on the wall), go for one of each, with a side of Yanpi dumplings (fried or boiled), or the special Foochow pancakes (only on weekend mornings, it seems) which was filled with delightful chopped chives, minced pork and prawns.
Looks like Dorayaki eh? That cartoon character Doraemon’s favourite snack.
Tastewise, I’ll give a thumb’s up to the Foochow Fishball Meesua, for the tasty/flavourful broth, paired with different fishballs served. The one you can’t find in other fish ball noodle stalls is the one filled with minced pork, and that was the one that tasted the best. The usual variety (made from wolf herring fish, aka Saito Yue) was underwhelming, bordering on being too chewy, and slightly artificial. There’s also another fried version, with chopped carrots and chives as well.
Nothing comes free, I tell you …….
The Red Wine Chicken Meesuah was slightly disappointing, for I’ve had better versions in Sitiawan, the Foochow food hub of Perak. Not to say that the bowl of reddish noodle soup was not good at all. In fact, comparing Taste of Foochow’s version to the various imitators out there (and there ARE a lot, trust me), this one tasted above average, with tender pieces of chicken (thankfully, for I read TNG’s comment on Jasmine’s post about how she had tough chicken!) cooked in a thick, hearty broth with a faint hint of red rice wine.
Yeah, the red hue actually comes from the red yeast rice (with many nutritional benefits, really), and not the red wine we all used to “Yam Seng, Yam Seng!” during Chinese wedding dinners.
All in all, the lunch at Taste of Foochow was satisfactory, for I’d rather pay for a simpler meal here than the RM20 per person deals at chain restaurants, serving mediocre/half-hearted fares. The noodles are priced from RM4.50 – RM7, while the pancake is priced at RM1.20 each. The dumplings are about RM0.80-RM1.20 each.(Sorry about the random figures, for I missed the shot with the price list)
TASTE OF FOOCHOW
No 14, Jalan Gajah (Off Jalan Yew),
Pudu 55100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Telephone : 603-9281 8788, 6012-284 0388/6019-310 9778 (Melvin Wong)
Fax : 603-9141 1988
They distribute Foochow fishballs, Yanpi dumplings, and other frozen products as well.
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to Taste of Foochow Restaurant.
Read more about this from the other reviews : Epicurious Girl, A Whiff of Lemongrass, and masak-masak.
Wow….the bowl of noodle is so red…. :p
[Reply]
Sorry loh that our KL foochow food not as good as Perak. 😛 😛
Haha.. Sorry just kidding. 🙂
Thanks for highlighting this place. Have to try it out soon! 🙂
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Haha, there’s no need to apologize, really. 🙂
[Reply]
Impressive dishes. I would love to try out the Red Wine Mee Suah with Chicken. It’s almost a rare find in Penang nowadays.
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Talk about it. I can’t find one in Ipoh either. Or wait, maybe I don’t eat out that much.
[Reply]
Taste of Foochow @ Jalan Gajah, Pudu, Kuala Lumpur | Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog…
Foochow cuisine Pudu, Taste of Foochow has been around for some years now, moving here from previous location of Jalan Yew, Pudu….
I’ve tried the Red Wine Mee Suah before, but that’s home made… 🙂
And I love that very much.
[Reply]
All the foods here are quite good and fresh is the important part.
[Reply]
yea, me and cumi use to go to Hup Yick on Jalan Yew a lot. Eventhough I have not tried the sitiawan one, I can tell it should be better because Hup Yick’s red meesuah at best was not THE greatest.. so yea, i can believe what you are saying. eh, so take me to the sitiawan one la.. sometime.. you ar.. never ajak one la.. ever! 😛
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Wah .. Jalan Yew-Jalan Pudu is a HORROR lah … The horrid jams.
Hehehe … ajak what? okay okay ….. you drag me to somewhere nice in KL lah instead.
[Reply]
u can also tapau the fishballs, awesome for steamboats!
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Yeah, I saw a whole freezer-fridge of packed fishballs, dumplings, etc.
Those would be something perfect for steamboat.
Anyway, can call them to book in advance, if ever you need a whole lot of supplies.
[Reply]
i suka mee suah!!!!!
[Reply]
i’ve only ever had that red wine mee sua once, but i’m afraid i might have visited one of those wrong places, since the chicken tasted stinky and the broth had an unappetisingly weird flavour. i’ve been meaning to try it again somewhere else, but it’s hard to find! 😀
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Stinky chicken and weird flavour? Erm, the red soup actually tasted slightly of rice wine, and a rather wholesome, thicker than average broth. Seriously, if you close your eyes, you can’t even imagine the blood-red colour.
So far in KL, this is the only one that I know of. But of course, you can try asking the other bloggers for second opinions.
[Reply]
i have read quite a few reviews about this place, but have yet to visit. i remember having wine meesuah once (grandma’s homemade). the best i have ever had in my life
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
You lucky devil you. -_-
I never had homemade versions, though Sitiawan’s mee suah comes real close to the real thing, I suppose.
[Reply]
Nice to live and work nearby. The only resto I patronise in Pudu is probably Red Chilli!
[Reply]
First dish is very unique. Never seen before. Would love to try it.
[Reply]
i dun even know there is the existence of this place. hmmm, will give a try on the pancake
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
I would suggest you to go early, maybe 11am-ish, to avoid cold pancakes, or worse, SOLD out pancakes.
[Reply]
Didn’t find it worth the hassle of fighting traffic to return. But that was a year ago.. I think.
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Horrendous right? Almost choking when passing by the Pasar Pudu (Cz overshot, and went off the wrong track … hehehe).
[Reply]
wow wine mee suah?? yumyumyum… i want!!! wait, mantis prawns-beef balls??? omg… i will fly back home right now just for it if i have the money… =p
[Reply]
My first and last bowl of red wine mee suah many many years back was BAD but i don’t mind to give it another try. Great discovery!! Aiyah…so sad that we couldn’t meet last Saturday.
[Reply]
I’ve never heard of red wine mee suah! *embarrassed* So would one get high after eating that bowl of noodles? The pancakes looked absolutely tempting…
[Reply]
I never have any red wine food & wonder taste they taste “alcoholy”?
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Not really, for the red wine is actually made from fermented Red Rice.
Of course, you’ll taste the faint hint of alcohol, but nothing too intoxicating, really.
[Reply]
The only item that I have yet to try is the Foochow pancake…must get hold of them when I can 🙂
[Reply]
must go setiawan to try… i still feel the taste of the red wine lees here is too subtle.
[Reply]
Those balls sure look bouncy! Hehe.
[Reply]
Whoa ..very surprised indeed to find this Red Wine noodle in KL. Bet the owner frm S’wan or the wine frm S’wan. Best fochow food is always in S’wan or East M’sia. The quality of red wine is also depend on weather as I heard. Some would like it sweet sourish & the meat soak in red wine is super tender & flavourful.
Everyone can cook out such dish , even my wife. Only u need to buy good red wine bottle in S’wan. Locals will know where to get the best red wine. Its about RM12.00 a bottle & can turn up more then 20 bowls. As said..it depend on season.
[Reply]
Red wind mee sua – I had a good one at paya terbubong kopitiam@ penang before but it has closed down. now I really can’t find any good one…*sigh*
[Reply]
Today i just go there they got the new dish very tasteful
it look HO FUN but it make of with egg
they call it Foochow Red Wine Eggy Noodle
MUST TRY IT OUT
I LOVE IT
[Reply]
i have so many funny bones in myself that is why i would love to be a comedian “,~
[Reply]
May i know how you find the way in to jalan Gajah? Me and my bf tried to find this shop but we failed to look for this place. Kindly advise. Thx
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
This is very near to the roundabout near to Pudu wet market. Sorry, I am not so familiar with the roads in KL too. But I relied on GPS that time. But around that area, you can find Jalan Beruang, Kancil, Gajah, etc.
[Reply]