Hon Kee is now being operated by the third generation. Although its name explicitly mentions “porridge”, porridge is no longer the only dish available. For example, chee cheong fun (猪肠粉) has also been added to the menu.
The signature and bestselling dish at Hon Kee is Fresh Raw Fish Porridge (驰名生鱼片粥, RM6.50). Instead of boiling fish chunks with porridge, raw carp fish (鲤鱼) is provided on a separate plate à la sashimi style! To enjoy this delicacy, gently dip a thin slice of raw fish in the bowl of hot porridge for several seconds. You know that the flesh is cooked when it turns from pink to white. The taste? I love the partially raw sensation without the fishy stench.
For this dish, plain porridge with chopped scallion (spring onion) is provided. The rice grains are mashed up to produce a homogeneous composition. This is the Cantonese-style porridge; this is my personal favorite!
If raw fish does not agree with your palate, try the Crispy Innards Porridge (猪杂粥, RM5.00) instead. The composition of this porridge is the same as the one before, but the bowl also contacts succulent pork innards such as tongue, liver, stomach and intestines. In particular, I love the delightful crisp of fried pork intestines. Exquisite!
Switching gear to something different, the Secret Recipe Sauce Rice Noodle (驰名山水猪肠粉, RM4.00) is also enjoyable. Here, sheets of steamed rice cakes are cut into strips, then drenched in signature sweet sauce and with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Kuala Lumpur is full of amazing eats that do not burn a huge hole in your pocket. You just need to know where to find one like Hon Kee Famous Porridge.
