A few weeks ago, my family and I crossed the causeway to Johor Bahru and we decided to go to Shoon Huat Bak Kut Teh at Taman Sentosa for brunch.
It was our second visit to Shoon Huat and just like our previous visit, we had to brace ourselves to walk through an invisible wall of smoke and heat into the shop.
This was due to the cooking being done right at the entrance and the columns of smoke from the charcoal fire has engulfed the interior of the shop. Instead of dispelling the heat, the couple of ceiling fans seemed to make matters worst by distributing the heat all around.
In a nutshell, the place was anything but comfortable to dine at.
Since the environment is so unforgiving, why then would it still attract such a loyal following? During both our visits, the shop is packed with customers and we had to stand around for at least fifteen minutes before we could get a table.
Not only is Shoon Huat a popular hangout among the locals, even Singaporeans who have heard about it by word of mouth has come in search just to have a taste of it.
I guess this fact alone speaks volumes about its food, isn't it?
It was our second visit to Shoon Huat and just like our previous visit, we had to brace ourselves to walk through an invisible wall of smoke and heat into the shop.
This was due to the cooking being done right at the entrance and the columns of smoke from the charcoal fire has engulfed the interior of the shop. Instead of dispelling the heat, the couple of ceiling fans seemed to make matters worst by distributing the heat all around.
In a nutshell, the place was anything but comfortable to dine at.
Since the environment is so unforgiving, why then would it still attract such a loyal following? During both our visits, the shop is packed with customers and we had to stand around for at least fifteen minutes before we could get a table.
Not only is Shoon Huat a popular hangout among the locals, even Singaporeans who have heard about it by word of mouth has come in search just to have a taste of it.
I guess this fact alone speaks volumes about its food, isn't it?
paint after years of abuse by the grime and smoke
Gas stoves for cooking Ginger Wine Chicken, Sesame Oil Chicken and Pig's Trotters
while Bak Kut Teh are cooked over charcoal stoves at the other side
while Bak Kut Teh are cooked over charcoal stoves at the other side
Bak Kut Teh still bubbling in the claypot
Shoon Huat Bak Kut Teh is not the peppery kind that Singaporeans are familiar with. Instead, the soup is a clear broth with just a slight herbal taste that does not rob the light sweetness of the ingredients in it.
Shoon Huat Bak Kut Teh is not the peppery kind that Singaporeans are familiar with. Instead, the soup is a clear broth with just a slight herbal taste that does not rob the light sweetness of the ingredients in it.
For an additional charge, you can choose from several toppings to add to your soup such as Tau Kee, pig's stomach, Pacific Clams, Enoki Mushroom, fish maw, etc
The best part is that they allow free top-ups of the soup so customers could drink to their heart's content!
Pig's Trotters RM10
Pig's trotters are a must-have whenever we eat Bak Kut Teh therefore, we ordered a small claypot to share. While the taste is satisfactory, the pieces were rather small and some were without skin.
Ginger Wine Chicken RM9
This Ginger Wine Chicken is another to-die-for dish that you must try! The meat is tender while the savory sauce goes great on rice. If you have to make a choice between the pig's trotters and the Ginger Wine Chicken, this is a clear winner.
Salted Vegetable RM3
The Salted Vegetable and Tau Pok (pictured below) were pretty average.
Tau Pok RM3
Remember to ask for the chopped garlic (it wasn't given to us, we had to ask for it)
Aiyu Jelly RM2.50
This is not the best tasting Aiyu Jelly but having to eat piping hot Bak Kut Teh under such hot and stuffy conditions, this Aiyu Jelly is no doubt a life-saver. I had two bowls of it, fyi.
Clear pricing on the wall
To get to Shoon Huat, you have to hail a cab along Jalan Wong Ah Fook outside City Square. The cab fare is about RM5 - 7.
Shoon Huat is located right opposite this sign
The first line in red reads "Xin Jia Po Dian Xiao Er Herbal Roast Duck (Consultant)".
or look out for this sexy duck hanging a bit further down also on the opposite side
Shoon Huat has expanded its premises by knocking down a wall at the back
of the shop which leads to an air-conditioned room.
I think we should all aim for a table in that room during our next visit!
I think we should all aim for a table in that room during our next visit!
RESTORAN SHOON HUAT 顺发肉骨茶
11 Jalan Sutera 1, Taman Sentosa
Johor Bahru
Opening Hours
Monday - Sunday: 8am - 5pm
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/YMh1W
GPS Coordinates: 1.492659,103.767623
11 Jalan Sutera 1, Taman Sentosa
Johor Bahru
Opening Hours
Monday - Sunday: 8am - 5pm
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/YMh1W
GPS Coordinates: 1.492659,103.767623
Follow/Like
twitter: dead_cockroach
instagram: thedeadcockroach
FB Page: the dead cockroach
