KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — Discovering new places often happen unexpectedly. Take, for instance, this well-hidden restaurant in an area known as Kampung Desa Aman. Honestly, I wouldn’t have found this spot in Sungai Buloh until I made an impromptu visit to Sierramas when I had to run a simple errand.

Luckily, the Internet saved my growling stomach and handy instructions posted by netizens pointed my way to this place. Just locate the hidden road just off the roundabout and it would lead you to this part of Sungai Buloh with houses and factory lots.

Once you drive down that entrance to the village, it’s simple to find the family-run Restoran Soon Hock housed in a standalone building. Parking is also a breeze during the daytime, since they have their own covered parking lot just across the road.

Chinese style chicken curry in bread is a popular family treat here (left). The simple fried paku pakis with wok hei (right)

Previously known as Restaurant Ah Soon, it’s come a long way from a roadside zinc roof eatery in the village. Currently, the 30-year-old eatery is run by the second generation.

During the daytime, this Chinese restaurant also doubles up as an economy rice joint that draws day-to-day diners from around the area who are looking for a quick mid-day meal. Most patrons drive from afar for their cooked dishes, like their signature kah heong or home-style steamed tilapia.

Here the tilapia fish cut butterfly style is steamed in a deep round shaped tray with an abundance of ingredients like bean curd, dried lily bulbs, tofu puffs, bean curd skin, wood ear fungus and sliced shiitake mushrooms.

On top of the fish, you have a layer of chopped garlic and green chillies. All these ingredients when steamed together create an appetising light sauce that pairs well with a bowl of rice and the smooth perfectly cooked fish.

The comfortable restaurant is accessible via the roundabout at Sierramas

For a simple meal, we recommend just the steamed fish accompanied with their paku pakis. Here the tender fern tops are stir fried with a mild sambal belacan. If you prefer something a little different, they also prepare kai lan fried with mui choy or preserved mustard greens and pork mince, which has heartier flavours.

Large families who dine here during the weekend can try their other signature item, which is their curry chicken encased in a loaf of bread with a golden brown skin. The mildly spicy curry with chopped chicken is wrapped in an aluminium foil parcel and enclosed in bread dough that is baked.

The bread is cut into pieces and dipped into the curry. If you prefer, the curry also pairs well with a plate of rice. Other recommended dishes include their homemade bean curd with a smooth texture and rich egg taste, which is topped with minced meat. It’s a simple to execute dish but incredibly satisfying.

Most patrons have raved on social media about their meat dishes, like their signature crispy pork belly paired with fried cuttlefish or even their fried meat rolls coated in a glistening brown sauce.

Homemade bean curd topped with a choice of pork or chicken mince (left). If you prefer your dishes to be less sweet tasting, avoid this sticky pork rolls (right)

Crispy pork slices with crunchy fried cuttlefish tossed in a sweet sticky sauce

Personally, the two dishes just didn’t impress as the flavours felt a little too sweet to be appealing. We reckon both dishes needed some form of spiciness to balance out the underlying sweetness from the sauce.

Our advice to you, is to avoid these two dishes should you have a cleaner palate.

The restaurant also serves soy bean pudding from an outside supplier known as Auntie Bean. Try to order this if they have stock as the smooth chilled pudding makes a nice cool end to a meal here.

Just further down from Restoran Soon Hock, there lies a road that leads to hidden treats. I spied a signboard for herbal roast duck. Maybe another food adventure beckons?

Restoran Soon Hock

170, Jalan D/A6, Kampung Desa Aman, Sungai Buloh, Selangor.

Tel:03-61488973.

Open: 10am to 10pm. Closed on Mondays