While chit chatting with my colleagues around the cubicles the other day (yes I have a day job like most people), the topic of old school eateries was brought up, and Esther mentioned that one of her favorite places she used to frequent while in previous job was Hock Seng Hin in Pudu.
Well, since Jean and I have not heard about this place before, we decided to give it a try a couple weekends ago to see what this old joint has to offer. After all, none of the decades old restaurants in the older part of KL has ever disappointed me.
We parked our car at the back road of the restaurant, and actually went in via the back door. However, all the tables were already taken by 11:30am on the Sunday that we went. A small queue has already formed right outside as well..
old school stew fish with rice on the side
It would be just over half an hour before we got a table, and another over half hour for our food to be served. The old family that runs the place is however, very friendly, and insists on moving at a pace that was perhaps “fast” when the shop first opened several decades ago.
Like everyone else, we ordered the stewed fish head (which may run out if you are there after 12:30pm or so) that came served in a pretty large plate. The fish head is chopped into smallish pieces with plenty of ginger, cilipadi, and a healthy dosage of fermented tofu all mixed in. The sauce was an explosion of umami and very very appetizing, with the fish head tasted fresh and very smooth.
However, the dish also requires quite a bit of patience as the fish head (I believe Asian carp) is filled with quite a lot tiny bones.
vegetable side dishes to go with the main dish
We also ordered a couple dishes of vegetables to complete the meal. A simple fried choy sum, and a pork ribs with bitter gourd as well. Both were the sort of dish that reminds you of grandma – warm, homey, and with great wok hei.
Ultimately, this is a place only for those who really treasure the taste of yesteryear. The food is great and reasonably priced (RM 60 total), the service is pretty good, but the wait time can be quite an exercise in patience.
Address:
Restaurant Hock Seng Hin
231, Jln Pudu,
Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
GPS: 3.13756, 101.71063
Tel: 013-583 3194
Very reasonable priced indeed.
I would have prefer bigger pieces for the fish head though. =.=”
Choi Yen: haha ya, visually it looks terrible, but tastes great!
Of course taste good! These old school Sifu uncle can cook tasty dish with eyes closed
kekeke: what about with mouth closed?
have to hawk tuah their special sauce abit