Soon Lok, Choy Hi, Pooi Kee and Brother Kuan Roast Duck at Puchong: Restaurant Review

Duck tales: Scouring Puchong for the tastiest of this neighborhood’s roasted poultry, starting with probably our top pick, Soon Lok.

1. Soon Lok

 The Duck

Soon Lok’s roast duck (RM42 for whole) proves that this popular restaurant is no quack; its meat is fleshy and flavorful, while its skin proves commandingly crisp, blessed with a luscious layer of fat to broaden both the waistlines & the smiles of satisfied patrons.

Meat staples

Everything else here is convincingly executed, from the staples of siew yok and char siew …

Fish

… to an assam shark’s head platter that should appease fish fans.

Noodles and Veg

Cabbage laced with dried shrimp for fiber, plus noodles for carbs.

Location Details:

 Soon Lok, 77, Jalan Kenari 20, Bandar Puchong Jaya

Find Soon Lok’s directory listing here.

2. Choy Hi

Next, only a minute’s drive from Soon Lok, here’s a look at Choy Hi, which is slightly less busy but still seems to have a faithful following.

The Duck

Pei Pa roast duck; probably a B-minus in our book. The meat could have been fresher, juicier and better-tasting. Not a total fail, but not a big hit either.

Chicken

Choy Hi also serves steamed chicken that may or may not be from Bentong; there’s a vagueness to how the food is explained.

Must-tries

What’s worthwhile here: Bean curd stuffed with fish paste, served steaming-hot …

… plus boneless chicken in a thick apricot sauce that’s addictive even if it might be artificial …

… and wild boar curry that’s lip-smacking in its creamy savoriness and the beloved three-egg steamed platter that’s crowd-pleasing in a can’t-fail fashion.

Claypot ‘water spinach’ & the bounciest of fish balls wrap up our look at Choy Hi, where the hits make the misses tolerable.

Location Details:

Choy Hi, 16, Jalan Kenari 18A, Bandar Puchong Jaya

Find Choy Hi’s directory listing here.

3. Pooi Kee

Next on our fowl itinerary: Pooi Kee, where charcoal-roasted duck rules the roost.

The Duck

Pooi Kee offers no fewer than three types of roast duck: one swimming in a light sauce, the second sprinkled with sesame seeds and another soaked in angelica herbs. Not bad at all; drumsticks cost RM12 per plate, while half a chicken sells for RM20.

Bentong-style claypot duck with ginger’s also worthwhile, though the cuts seem bonier here.

Veggies

Veggies galore, from sour to soupy, leafy to crunchy (the beansprouts are tasty).

Pork

Pooi Kee’s pork is OK but not the highlight of this outlet.

Location Details:

Pooi Kee, 56, Jalan Puteri 5/18, Bandar Puteri Puchong

Find Pooi Kee’s directory listing here.

4. Brother Kuan Roast Duck

Last but not least: Brother Kuan, where customers who come after 7pm might find themselves waiting at least five minutes for a table at this bustling venue.

The Duck

Our definitive duck hunt ends with Brother Kuan’s crispy duck in a mild, watery herbal sauce; good but not great, though in this case, good is good enough.

Fish, pork, veg and eggs

Brother Kuan’s a fair place for a no-frills meal, with fast, friendly service. Steamed fish, spinach, roast pork and omelets all hit appealing notes. Hurray for Puchong.

Location Details:

Brother Kuan, 2A, Jalan Persiaran Puteri 1, Bandar Puteri Puchong

Find Brother Kuan’s directory listing here.