Roast Duck King

Ten years ago, I had my first taste of Duck King in Petaling Jaya and I vowed to return for more. But before I could do so, the restaurant was relocated. For many years, I have been searching for the same royal crisp and tenderness but to little avail until I learnt about Lot 10 Hutong's duck stall. So this is where Duck King has been!

Roast Duck King at Lot 10 Hutong

Elated, I rode on the MRT and let its exit lead me right to Lot 10 Hutong's entrance. And there it is! 

I just could not wait to sink my teeth into some duck meat (talk about being carnivorous!) It was during that overdue visit too that I found my Cantonese pride gleaming as shinily as the ducks' roasted skin. The owner, Jimmy Liew, cooks his ducks with a recipe handed down by his grandmother who hailed from Guangdong.

Mr Jimmy Liew inherited the unique recipe from his grandmother

To get the best meat quality, Liew gets his supply of poultry from selected farms and will only accept birds of a certain weight. His grandmother taught him to combine red wine and other potent herbs to produce that one-of-a-kind taste. He also inherited the skill of roasting with air filled in the duck for that ultimate crisp.

Liew ensures every duck sold is of quality down to the littlest detail

Half roasted duck RM46.00

Its signature dish, the roasted duck, arrived in an appetizing colour and half immersed in clear pinkish gravy. For ducks, the breast is most sought after because of its meatiness. The skin crackles softly before the teeth reach tender meat. The gamy meat is replete with flavour from herbs and spices. Liew attested to that by revealing that the ducks are marinated overnight before roasting.

That piece of bliss eaten with fragrant rice and chili sauce

Their selection of pork- the char siew and siew yuk is commendable. The char siew is made of melt-in-your mouth material! Prepared in thick and dark sweet sauce, the belly is worth ignoring all the sins. 

The siew yuk is marinated till pinkish and has a neat layer of fat between the leans. Capped with a crust of crispy skin, this dish makes an indelible impression.

BBQ 2 combo RM28.00
BBQ 3 combo RM36.00

I am happy with my lunchie

Just look at the ruby colour of that meat

The combos also come with noodles and rice. The noodle is delightfully al-dente. Doused in dark seasoning, this is easily my choice of lunch at any day.

BBQ 2 combo noodle RM17.00

Seek pleasure also in their braised chicken duck wing and braised toufu. Take away and keep it overnight for the flavours to seep in even more. And of course, it makes a great supper choice.

Signature stew braised duck wing RM7.50

Enjoyment continues with the signature stew braise duck wing

Their poached chicken or pak zham gai deserves a thumbs up! You can tell that this dish has some techniques sprinkled into it to have the meat come out smooth and springy. Have it with the ginger blend and remember to savour the savoury gravy that inherits the sweetness of the chicken meat.

Drumstick 1/4 special poached chicken RM29.00

Duck King stall at Lot 10 Hutong

Roast Duck King

Lot 10 Hutong
Lot 10 Shopping Centre,
Food Court Lower Ground Floor,
Jalan Bukit Bintang,
50250 Kuala Lumpur.

Opens 10am-10pm

www.facebook.com/lot10hutong 

The Time I Went Overseas Just For My Michelin-Starred Chicken Rice

So that day, I joined the likes of the rich and famous, crossing international borders for lunch. I had my passport stamped just for a meal! So there I was, like a celebrity 😎, taking the causeway bus travelling to Singapore for...chicken rice! Yes you heard it right, Hong Kong soya sauce chicken rice! The much talked about Michelin-starred meal remained indelible in my mind, screaming, until I tried it. So, in true Singaporean kiasu-ism, I die die must try!

I braved immigration and crossed the border for this plate of chicken

The stall is situated in Singapore's tourist area, Chinatown. To get there, I took the MRT to Chinatown and followed exit A. From there, it was nearly impossible to miss a the block of concrete that says Chinatown Food Complex.

Chinatown Food Complex at Smith Street

Thinking I can outsmart the public, I arrived a little after lunch hour thinking that I can avoid the queue as the internet cites that the stall closes at 7pm. But to my dismay! There were no more chicken and the workers were already scouring pots by 3pm.

The flagship stall where the chicken rice was bestowed the 

And then I spotted...

Hawker Chan has opened a restaurant and I still had a chance to try the chicken rice!

Hawker Chan has opened a stall

Although I favour trying the dish at the original hawker stall, I cannot be more grateful that Hawker Chan has opened a branch! I believe this has helped avoid many disappointments. Forget that 'original is better' principle. I came from overseas and I will not let that go to waste! Besides, just in case you need assurance, they sell the same good stuff that won Hawker Chan the award. 

As expected, there was a queue

As expected, there was a queue but it was forgivable. Hawker Chan must have received lots of recommendation to make it a national attraction. Their restaurant is not fancy or pompous but is appealingly designed. It is, after all, Singapore's pride and an impression to be taken home by many tourists.

There is even an automated payment machine!

In the Hawker Chan Restaurant

Chan Hon Meng, the man behind Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice hails from Ipoh. (biasa lah...Malaysia will claim our part of fame after those who left the country become successful)

His chicken rice is the cheapest Michelin-starred meal in the WORLD! Therefore, believe it or not, its cheapness is another selling point that differentiates Hawker Chan from other lavish fine-dine Michelin-starred restaurants.

Look at the beautiful roasted chickens lined up behind

The Michelin starred dish!
Hong Kong Style Soya Sauce Chicken SGD 12 (half chicken) SGD 23 (whole chicken)
SGD 3.80 per plate with rice
SGD 4.50 per plate with noodles or hor fun

The star of my overseas trip finally arrived on my table with me smiling in glee! The anticipation was worth it when I sunk my teeth into the beautifully braised chicken. You do not have to fight for the leg because the chicken breast meat is unbelievably just as tender. The chicken is marinated thoroughly and is more than skin deep. Skin is gelatin-like but not fat. The sauce is brimming with herbal goodness which we could guess is the winning ingredient. There is indeed great master work in that plate of chicken. Best eaten there and then. 

3 combination platter - from left, siew yuk, char siew and pork ribs SGD 10
SGD 4 per plate for 1 pork type and rice
SGD 4.80 per plate for 1 pork type and noodles or hor fun

I would visit Hawker Chan again for its chicken but maybe not for its porky selections. Siew yuk could be crispier and the char siew lacked fat. Apart from that, it is a little on the sugary side. The pork ribs also did not make an impression. Oh by the way, I know an excellent Char Siew place in Malaysia. Wait for my next review.

Plain noodle and Hor Fun SGD 1.50 each

The plain noodles are wan tan noodles which are fairly springy. Hor fun is smooth but not the finest I have had. At the side, is the shrimp chilli paste which makes the noodles even more flavourful.

The overseas customer!

After lunch, I fashionably braved the immigration queue and went back to Johor Baru with great admiration for Hawker Chan. His hardwork paid off and he deserved it, making hawker food proud. How I wish Malaysian hawker food too is visible in the Michelin food guide because I know, Malaysia has better and a lot of potential unearthed. 

I will be back in Singapore for another Michelin-starred dish- Tai Hwa Pork Noodle!

Hawker Chan's Stall
Blk 335, Smith Street #02-126, Chinatown Food Complex, Singapore 050335
Opening Hours: 10:30am to 7:00pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Fri)

8:30am to 7:00pm (Sat – Sun) 

Closed Wed

Chinatown MRT (Exit A)

Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle 

香港油雞飯麵
78 Smith Street Singapore 059872
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm

Chinatown MRT (Exit A)

Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle – Tai Seng
18 Tai Seng Street #01-02 Singapore 539775
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 9:00pm