Duck tales: Scouring Puchong for the tastiest of this neighborhood's roasted poultry, starting with probably our top pick, Soon Lok.
Soon Lok's roast duck (RM42 for whole) proves that this popular restaurant is no quack; its meat is fleshy & flavorful, while its skin proves commandingly crisp, blessed with a luscious layer of fat to broaden both the waistlines & the smiles of satisfied patrons.
Everything else here is convincingly executed, from the staples of siew yok & char siew ...
... to an assam shark's head platter that should appease fish fans.
Cabbage laced with dried shrimp for fiber, plus noodles for carbs.
Next, only a minute's drive from Soon Lok, here's a look at Choy Hi, which is slightly less busy but still seems to have a faithful following.
Pei Pa roast duck; probably a B-minus in our book. The meat could have been fresher, juicier & better-tasting. Not a total fail, but not a big hit either.
Choy Hi also serves steamed chicken that may or may not be from Bentong; there's a vagueness to how the food is explained here.
What's worthwhile here: Bean curd stuffed with fish paste, served steaming-hot ...
... plus boneless chicken in a thick apricot sauce that's addictive even if it might be artificial ...
... & wild boar curry that's lip-smacking in its creamy savoriness & the beloved three-egg steamed platter that's crowd-pleasing in a can't-fail fashion.
Claypot 'water spinach' & the bounciest of fish balls wrap up our look at Choy Hi, where the hits make the misses tolerable.
Next on our fowl itinerary: Pooi Kee, where charcoal-roasted duck rules the roost.
Pooi Kee offers no fewer than three types of roast duck: one swimming in a light sauce, the second sprinkled with sesame seeds & another soaked in angelica herbs.
Not bad at all; drumsticks cost RM12 per plate, while half a chicken sells for RM20.
Bentong-style claypot duck with ginger's also worthwhile, though the cuts seem bonier here.
Veggies galore, from sour to soupy, leafy to crunchy (the beansprouts are tasty).
Pooi Kee's pork is OK but not the highlight of this outlet.
Last but not least: Brother Kuan, where customers who come after 7pm might find themselves waiting at least five minutes for a table at this bustling venue.
Our definitive duck hunt ends with Brother Kuan's crispy duck in a mild, watery herbal sauce; good but not great, though in this case, good is good enough.
Brother Kuan's a fair place for a no-frills meal, with fast, friendly service. Steamed fish, spinach, roast pork & omelets all hit appealing notes. Hurray for Puchong.
Soon Lok, 77, Jalan Kenari 20, Bandar Puchong Jaya
Choy Hi, 16, Jalan Kenari 18A, Bandar Puchong Jaya
Pooi Kee, 56, Jalan Puteri 5/18, Bandar Puteri Puchong
Brother Kuan, 2A, Jalan Persiaran Puteri 1, Bandar Puteri Puchong
The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets. Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).
