Image Credit: Qhidir Miqbad & Mohamad Rashidi Abdul Rashid (Google Reviews)
It’s hard to decide on what to eat when there are so many delicious options, especially living in Malaysia where it’s basically a melting pot of different cultural culinary creations. This Johor kopitiam stall, however, is for those who are tired of decision fatigue, because it sells nasi ayam kicap, and nasi ayam kicap only!
It’s such a hit among locals, that the nasi ayam kicap is usually sold out by 2 or 3pm. In fact, this dish is so delicious that even Singaporeans cross the border just to get a taste, often declaring it “damn good” and “worth the wait.”
From fast pace to living the simple life
Image Credit: Google Reviews, Screenshot from GrabFood Youtube ‘Untold Stories of Johor Bahru: Nasi Ayam Kee Chup.’
The mastermind of this viral stall is Palie, who once helmed an F&B business in Kuala Lumpur. That restaurant boasts such a huge menu list, with a staggering 174 items. He returned to his hometown in Johor Bahru with the intention of raising his kids over there.
Opening this new chapter in his life, him and his wife came up with the idea to open up a restaurant that only sells one menu item, and a few beverages to carry out a more simple lifestyle, reflecting a more humble way of life.
For him, having only 1 item on the menu not only makes life easy for him, but also for the customers. This way, customers won’t have to scratch their heads deciding what to eat for lunch!
Thus, Nasi Ayam Keechup was born in November 2019. Now, it boasts an impressive 4.5-star rating, gaining a huge virality among food reviewers all over social media platforms.
Combining generational recipe with consistent quality
Image Credit: Google Reviews
The Nasi Ayam Kicap is born from the combination of recipes from Palie’s late mother and mother-in-law. The process begins with boiling the chicken, which not only cooks the meat but also creates a rich stock. This rich stock is then used to make the soup and flavour the rice. The chicken rice itself is infused with ginger, lemongrass, garlic, and shallots.
What sets their rice apart is the unique combination of 2 to 3 different types, including Siamese and local varieties, making the texture soft. This aromatic rice perfectly complements the soy sauce chicken, as the chicken’s flavours seep into the rice, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
As for the chicken, it is drizzled with a caramel-like soy sauce just before being removed from the deep fryer. This sauce, a blend of three different types of soy sauce, creates a thick, rich coating that makes the chicken irresistibly mouthwatering, leaving customers drooling in anticipation.
Image Credit: Google Reviews
The dish is paired with the standard nasi ayam condiments, chilli sauce and diluted soy sauce. Customers say the chilli sauce leans towards a sweet and tangy flavour, complimenting the savoury dark soy chicken.
A plate of this nasi ayam kicap costs RM12, a fair price for a decent portion and quality plate of chicken rice.
Bringing an old Chinese Johor kopitiam feel into the neighbourhood
Image Credit: Google Reviews
At first glance, you might mistake this stall for an old Chinese Johor kopitiam run by warm-hearted uncles and aunties. The concept is decidedly old school, with classic radios and vintage posters plastered on the walls, evoking a strong sense of 80s nostalgia.
Adding to the rustic vibe, you’ll be serenaded by old-school Malay music from the 1960s playing from a retro radio. This nostalgic ambiance seems to be Palie’s way of uniting Malaysians of different races, as evidenced by the signboard written in three languages: Chinese, Tamil, and Jawi.
Image Credit: Google Reviews
Given its popularity, this Johor kopitiam is usually packed during lunch hours and often sells out by 2 to 3pm. So, if you’re planning to drop by, it’s better to come early. Expect long queues, sometimes extending beyond the entrance.
However, don’t be deterred, as the line moves quickly due to efficient service stations where staff work on different tasks, speeding up the process.
You have the option to dine indoors or outdoors, and the staff will check table availability for you. The casual and welcoming ambiance, combined with the efficient service, ensures a pleasant dining experience despite the crowd.
Nasi Ayam Keechup
Address: 24A, Jalan Dato Dalam, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Operation hours: 11am – 4pm daily, except for Tuesday
Food status: Muslim-Owned
Contact: 019-669 2133
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