Ong Lai (Goh Kee) Restaurant, Off Jalan Raja Laut

*hands in air* Don't shoot or at least don't frown. Yes it is another super late-ious post. Meant for before CNY break but well, better late than never.

It is quite hidden but once discovered, fuyoh (read: wow), you will find it warm, bright, homey and loud. After all it is a backlane Chinese eatery. Most KL-ites are familiar with this place. I only got acquainted with it in recent years since this area was rarely my destination after the sun goes down. Crowds of family, colleague, friend and business associate are attracted by the restaurant’s specialties such as Stir-fried Bitter Gourd with Chicken, Oyster Omelette and Steamed Fish Head. Almost every table orders these by default.

Except mine. Not a fan of gourds and cooked oysters.

Don’t fret, here’s how the hugely popular Steamed Fish Head looked like.See, huge block of head right? Chunks of meat.Different from most places, Chinese cabbage was laid atop the big head lending a distinct sweet taste to the fish.Not spicy, no thick gravy. Just ‘ch’ng-ch’ng-tei’ (clear and simple).One size serves all.When we had this, unwittingly we ordered Pineapple Sweet Sour Ribs too.Good but a bit of a struggle to finish. Did I mention the size of that fish dish?

Bill (forgot to ask for individual prices of the 2 dishes):RM1.00 shown is for one serving of rice. I skipped my share of carbo.

Fresh juice drinks are ordered at the same time but paid separately which was immediately when served. The ‘ket-chai-suin-mui’ (lime juice with sour plum) is good but quite pricey – RM2.50.

Nowadays yours truly is usually there for this:- Fish Head Vermicelli.

Don’t look like much but the taste will more than make up for it. Thick sweet fragrant with no fishy smell. It will take some waiting time as it is cooked pot by pot but well worth it.

Caution: Not suitable for children or lazy eaters as small bones are aplenty.

This minimum order of RM25.00 serves 2 but would do very nicely for 3 persons and (IMO) may even stretch to 4 if another meat dish is desired.

Location:-

It is bustling right behind this new hotel.

Note: Think it will be closed from 4th to 10th of February 2008 for Chinese New Year celebration. Okay okay, just keep this information for next year, k? *ducks almost silently away*

Update: Just went again. This time Phitoy insisted on the Bitter Gourd which I agreed on the condition it's with Pork Ribs instead of Chicken. Overdosed on chooks during CNY.