Old China Cafe at Balai Polis: Restaurant Review

Nyonya Favourites

One of KL’s most atmospheric restaurants, Old China Cafe oozes enough charm to bowl over multiple busloads of tourists curious to sample Nyonya favorites. Nevertheless, this destination deserves to draw Malaysians too; the food’s decent, featuring plenty of pork to help it stand out somewhat.

Pork

Pork pongteh (RM16). The essential meat-and-potatoes recipes; could be more aromatic, but still passably pleasurable, with a surprising home-cooked feel.

Siew yok devil’s curry (RM25), sufficient pork belly to feed four. Toned down slightly in spiciness.

Sambal and Rice

Sambal belacan, alongside rice beautifully colored with bunga telang. Hits the right notes.

Wine

Wine is available by both bottle and glass, not to be taken for granted at Nyonya eateries.

Extensive Menu

The menu’s extensive, also boasting the likes of pie tee, ju hu char, stuffed tauhu, pork lor bak, itik tim, kari kapitan, udang petai, chap chai, telur cincalok, sago gula melaka, bubur pulut hitam.

Bustling at Dinnertime

Be warned: this place gets packed for dinner. Folks might be turned away even on Monday night; these photos were snapped once the chaos subsided.

A Loving Grandfather

This entry is dedicated to the memory of my loving grandfather, a wonderful man who made many sacrifices for his family, who was adored by his friends, who treated us with gentleness, who was intelligent, kind, hardworking and curious about the world. He was a born-and-bred Malaccan who enjoyed Nyonya food from time to time; one of his favorites was Donald and Lily’s in our hometown. R.I.P. Francis Leong Tow Ngoh (Ah Kong), March 30, 1919 – July 25, 2013.