PETALING JAYA, March 6 — Since last week, everyone has been talking about the opening of KBN King's Seremban Beef Noodles at Damansara Uptown.
On various Facebook posts and group chats, there was a palpable buzz and this got me incredibly curious.
From what I understand, the restaurant traces its lineage to the famous beef noodles stall at the Seremban market started by Goh Hian Hai back in 1960. Today the stall at the market is run by Goh's daughter.
In an article by The Star, it is mentioned that they also opened King's Beef Noodles and Queen Beef Noodles in town. King's was in hiatus while Queen Beef Noodles is still open in Seremban.
This particular eatery in Damansara Uptown is run by Goh's son, Goh Kuang Soong and his grandson, Goh Too Chieh.
According to Too Chieh's wife, Audrey, they decided to set up shop in the Klang Valley to make it easier for their fans to get their fix for the Seremban beef noodles.
All the items are carefully selected to ensure the taste is the same as the original. For instance, Audrey explained, the lai fun noodles took some time to source as the white smooth strands are made purely from rice flour.
Even before the restaurant opened its doors at 11am, there were a few eager beavers waiting to grab a table. By 11.10am, the whole place was filled up. Those who came later had to share tables.
Currently the eatery is still at its soft launch stage hence a little patience is required since they only started on March 1.
What I noticed was they are quick to rectify things for you once you point it out to them, which I appreciated.
You place your order by scanning the QR code that leads you to the menu. Just select the items and pay directly using e-wallet or you also have the option to pay cash at the counter. There's also a printed menu.
There are two sets to select from which are served with their signature ice lemon tea. Pick from sliced beef and stomach noodles for RM22.90 with the drink. If you prefer one with tendons, beef and stomach, it's RM26.90. Select a dry or soup version.
I was most curious about their special sliced beef noodle (RM19.90) that is served dry. This uses their homemade beef jerky, which isn't found in the Klang Valley versions of this dry beef noodles.
They also offer beef jerky or what is known as special sliced beef on their menu without noodles for RM29.90.
You also have various noodle variations, some with beef balls, sliced beef, stomach and honeycomb tripe or what they call money belly in the menu. Prices start from RM15.90 for the beef ball noodles to RM29.90 for the money belly noodles.
The items can also be ordered as sides which makes it good for sharing among a large group of people.
The special sliced beef noodle came with a thick, dark gooey sauce with slices of the beef jerky, peanuts and ham choy. Mix it all thoroughly and slurp down those deliciously good strands. Even though it's labelled as jerky, the texture isn't hard.
When eaten on its own, you won't be able to stop at one as each slice has a slight sweet moreish taste. Apparently I was told by Audrey, they make it using a secret ingredient.
I was glad I had ordered a separate plate of the beef jerky as it was definitely the star of the show.
For the soup version, I decided to try the set with sliced beef, tendon and stomach. You get a clear beef broth with a light but distinct beef flavour. Each of the toppings were prepared well, with a slightly firmer bite.
The set came with their signature ice lemon tea, which was refreshing and not too sweet with a frothy layer on top that helped clear your palate after the meal.
Their homemade chilli sauce is also different with a more mellow taste and a mild spiciness. I also ordered the beef balls (five pieces for RM7.90) to try out and they're pretty good with a nice bite to them.
So is it worth the hype? I reckon so even though I'm not a Seremban native as that beef jerky is rather amazing when paired with that gooey, flavourful thick sauce and the smooth lai fun noodles. It's definitely a bowl of noodles that ranks high in the slurp worthy category.
Take note that the eatery is also pork and lard free.
Restoran KBN King's Seremban Beef Noodles, 31, Jalan SS21/56b (Same row as The Ship), Damansara Utama (Uptown), Petaling Jaya. Open: 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm (last call is 8pm). Closed on Wednesday.
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