About two years ago, I was having some health issues and frequented a clinic near my home. As it turned out, that was one of the best decisions I could make – culinary-wise.
How so?
Well, after several visits to monitor my blood pressure and cholesterol level and to do some tests, my doctor casually asked if I like eating siew yuk and char siew.
I answered in the affirmative and he told me there was a shop about five minutes away – Uncle Chong Kopitiam – which serves mouth-watering siew yuk and char siew.
After getting my test results, I headed to Taman Industri Subang to find the kopitiam.
Now the first and most important detail about Uncle Chong’s – ample parking spots. Those living in Subang Jaya know how difficult that is, especially in Taipan.
The second detail is the variety of dishes it offers.
These include pork trotters in vinegar, claypot chicken, wan tan mee, char siew, siew yuk, and chicken rice, Ipoh curry mee, beef brisket noodles, several types of soups with rice, fruit rojak and roti bakar.
As it was my first time there, I followed my doctor’s advice and ordered the siew yuk and char siew rice.
I enjoyed the siew yuk more than the char siew, which is not to say the latter was bad … just that the siew yuk was awesome. It literally melted in my mouth.
A must-try at Uncle Chong is the Ipoh curry mee which I usually have with the siew yuk and char siew (chicken optional!). Oh, and it’s best paired with the wan tan mee noodles.
This is one of the most popular dishes and there have been times when it sells out before lunch!
“The curry mee is made fresh each day. It is difficult to judge the response. At times it finishes quickly while there are days we have to give away or throw away the curry. We don’t keep it overnight,” said K.T. Chong aka Uncle Chong.
My sister once visited the shop late in the evening and that was one of the rare days when there was some curry left.
After she and her friend ‘walloped’ the curry mee, Uncle Chong ‘tapau-ed’ the balance curry for her to bring back.
That night, my home minister and I had curry mee for dinner – complete with siew yuk and char siew which my sister bought.
I’ve introduced Uncle Chong to several friends and one of them swears by the beef brisket which she had with the wan tan mee noodles. Her daughter claims the ‘Milo ais’ tastes just like the one from the Milo trucks. So, that’s another plus point.
My sister said the claypot chicken rice is good and Uncle Chong is generous with the portions.
“We began on the side of the industrial area but moved here (Taman Industri Subang) three years ago. This place is better as it is closer to the main road and more visible,” said Chong.
“In the beginning, this place was prone to flooding. However, the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (before it became city council) has done a great job cleaning up the place so the flooding is no longer an issue.”
He admitted it was difficult when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in March but the situation now looks promising.
“We use Foodpanda and the response has been good. Not many people wanted to come to the shop when dine-in was allowed under the Conditional MCO (May 4).
“Things are better now. We follow strict SOPs (standard operating procedures) and record everyone’s temperature and attendance before they are allowed into the shop.”
If the craving for siew yuk and char siew hits you, head on down to Uncle Chong Kopitiam.
Uncle Chong Kopitiam PLT
Address: 17, Jalan TS 6/10a, Taman Industri Subang, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Hours: 6.30am – 5.30pm (closed alternate Sundays)
Contact number: +6012-5805721