Jinjang’s Restoran Mee Bebola Ikan Pak Cik Tong is not just another fishball noodle place, expect fresh seafood and broth spiked with dried scallops

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — When Mee Bebola Ikan Pak Cik Tong went viral in March, I was keen on the provenance of their local seafood, sourced from their own farm. 

Their openness in sharing this was also a plus point, exposing many to what forms the backbone of their noodle bowls: their signature broth, which uses yam bean, dried flounder, fish bones, chicken bones, and dried scallops. 

It’s not your larger 50-cent dried scallops but tiny baby ones. 

Noodles tossed in a special dried shrimp sauce have a stronger flavour. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi 

While they aren’t premium grade and don’t provide a deeper flavour, the smaller scallops spike the broth with a lighter umami flavour. 

The dried scallops are also removed from the soup pot, shredded and used to top the noodles. 

Fresh Live Seafood Party Noodles (RM18.90) is a good starting point for first-timers, as the bowl is piled with fresh prawns, fish slices, fishballs, white clams and dried squid strips.

Once tossed with the dark sauce (left) this coats the noodles for a bouncy, savoury bite. Homemade Ikan Parang fish balls are wobbly, soft bites (right) made with wolf herring fish. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi

The clear broth has a sweetness that isn’t artificially enhanced, perfectly complementing the light flavours from the seafood. 

You can also order extras of the “live” seafood, such as white clams and prawns. Cooked crabs are also available. 

Palates that prefer heavier flavours can consider their tangy asam broth or dry noodles tossed in a special dried shrimp sauce. 

Snack away on Fried White Pomfret in mini size for maximum crunch of the fine bones. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi

The thick, black sauce when mixed with the noodles gives each strand a savoury flavour. 

Homemade Ikan Parang Fish Ball  Noodles (RM10.50), which uses wolf herring fish has a softer, wobbly bite due to less flour used. 

There are also Signature Fish Balls. 

Small ‘ikan bulus’ or whiting fish can also be ordered as a side dish. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi

Gym-goers or those cutting carbohydrates can consider their Protein Brunch (RM16.90), which includes eggs, fish balls, prawns, fish slices, brown squid, scallops and vegetables served with a clear soup. 

The fun part is their side orders and I often see big groups indulging in their Sashimi imported Japanese oysters (RM18.90 per piece) — snapping photos and slurping the huge molluscs for social media 

My side orders are more modest, befitting my wallet and veer towards the deep-fried fish for RM14.90 like the white pomfret or ikan bulus. 

Dine in a retro setting harking back to the 1980s with posters of idols from that era and their famous tunes playing as you tuck into the noodles. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi 

Both fish are deep-fried to a golden crunchiness, perfect for leisurely snacking from tail to head, inclusive of their fine bones. 

Dip it in the homemade chilli sauce that doesn’t tone down the heat or just crunch down on the fish as is. 

Whichever way you choose is supremely satisfying, leaving you planning the next visit. 

Slightly away from the shops, this building nearer to the post office has ample parking at the side road leading to this building. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi

Those who love retro Chinese tunes will also tap their feet or sing along to classic songs from the 1980s, under photographs of their idols like Teresa Teng, Andy Lau and Alan Tam, which decorate the walls. 

The space also does double duty: during the day, it is Restoran Mee Bebola Pak Cik Tong but when the sun goes down, it becomes Jinjang Roadside Lalapot where hotpot is reimagined with clams. 

Fans will be happy to hear they’re spreadiing their wings with a new offshoot in Jalan Ipoh with a largely similar menu.

For those who live in Puchong, their outlet will open anytime soon and is expected to be along Persiaran Bandar Metro Puchong. 

Restoran Mee Bebola Ikan Pak Cik Tong

Unit G-A1, Ground Floor, 

Lot 81338 No. R1, Jalan Kepong, 

Jinjang Utama, Kuala Lumpur.

Open daily: 9am to 4pm. 

Tel: 011-37666620

Fourth Mile, 643, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Taman Rainbow, Kuala Lumpur

Open daily: 7am to 4pm

Tel: 012- 2906677

Facebook: @sevenumamihouse

Instagram:@uncle_tong_seafood

* This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal.

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