Singaporeโs first Michelin-starred hawker, Ipoh-born chef Chan Hon Meng aka Hawker Chan, has decided to return to his roots - bringing his famous soya-sauced chicken rice back to his hometown.
Well, many Ipoh foodies expressed their consternation when Hawker Chan announced last year of his intention to open a branch in Ipoh, a largely Cantonese city known throughout Malaysia and Singapore for the excellence of its Cantonese cuisine. Itโs like carrying coals to Newcastle, they said - Ipoh is where one can find dozens of good chicken noodles/chicken rice restaurants. Personally, Iโd had char-siew and dim sum in Ipoh that tasted as good as those from the best spots in Hong Kong. Foodies from Penang and Kuala Lumpur would drive all the way to Ipoh for its Cantonese food!
Surprise, surprise, when I was there yesterday, it was Day Four after Hawker Chanโs official opening, and his new Ipoh branch was inundated by eager customers half an hour before its 10.30am opening time! And everyone seemed Ipohian except me!
Prices are cheap, as befits a brand which touts itself as the worldโs cheapest Michelin-starred eatery. A standard chicken rice set will cost one back only MYR6.80 = US$1.68 or ยฃ1.27!
I opted for a set with chicken drumstick (which also included soy-braised soybeans), plus additional char-siew (the caramelly BBQ pork, Cantonese-style), siew yoke (roast pork with crackling skin), and a plate of choy sum - leafy greens dressed in soysauce and topped with crisp-fried garlic.
Personally, the dish was a bit too sweet for my taste - the soy-based sauce used for braising the chicken is very caramelly. The same sauce is spooned over the steamed white rice as they plate oneโs order. The vegetables are bland-ish, and overly-greasy - I have the same problem in Hawker Chanโs Singapore branch on Smith Street as well.
The crowds are still pouring in non-stop as I finished my meal there - Iโm guessing more out of curiousity than anything else. Food from other eateries around that neighbourhood alone would taste as good, if not better than Hawker Chanโs - I can think of Ipoh chicken noodle/chicken rice stalwarts like Onn Kee, Lou Wong and Pak Kong, all within 5 minutesโ stroll away.
In the meantime, Ipohiansโ fascination with having an outpost of a Michelin-starred eatery opening in their town continues.
Address
Hawker Chan
26, Jalan Theatre, Taman Jubilee. 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10.30am-8pm daily, except Tuesday (closed).