Tucked away within the bustling heart of PJ Old Town, exists a humble yet legendary establishment that has defied the odds of time. For over six decades now, Kie Kee Chicken Rice & Porridge has attracted patrons from all walks of life. This unassuming stall now has a steady stream of regulars that claim this is the best chicken rice in town. So, what is the secret behind its enduring popularity?
Some joke that it must be impeccable feng shui blessing its strategic location. Others attribute it to the delectable offerings you’ll find at this eatery. Join me as I spill the deets on this timeless stall. Is it really worth the hype?
Kie Kee Chicken Rice & Porridge
Established in 1963, this unpretentious stall has been satisfying chicken rice cravings for years now.
While they are known for their chicken rice, they actually have quite a few other options on their menu, just like most chicken rice eateries.
Aside from their signature braised soy sauce chicken, they also have roasted chicken, steamed chicken, siu yuk, char siu, bean sprouts—all the classics. What’s different about Kie Kee is that they also serve a well-loved pork curry and chicken porridge, as well as dishes like potato curry, luncheon meat with egg and rice, and a variety of Nyonya kuih-muih such as angku, kuih tai tai, onde-onde, and more.
Don’t come here expecting five-star service and a fancy dining environment. This stall is tucked within Taman Selera next to the Old Town wet market, and has a food court concept and layout. While service is fast and accurate, this is the kind of place you go to, simply for the food. You order, you eat, you leave. While they won’t shoo you away after your meal, the long lines are enough to have you devouring your meal in record time so that others can eat too.
Yes, long lines. At Kie Kee, unless you go in the mornings when it’s less crowded, you will find yourself at the back of a long lunch queue, with regulars and curious patrons eagerly awaiting their turn. It starts to get crowded around 11am and is usually sold out by around 2pm, or at the very least you may not get the portions you prefer.
When ordering your rice, you can pick your chicken parts and combinations. Whether you want char siu and chicken, or char siu and siu yuk, they have multiple options for you to pick from. You can also opt for their a la carte meat options. Get a whole braised soy sauce chicken for RM75 or a double portion of siu yuk at RM49.
MFT’s Review
Enough with the spiel, what do I actually think about the food at this stall?
I have been frequenting this chicken rice shop for seven years now, and in my opinion, seven years too late. Ever since I was introduced to this spot, it has become my go-to for a satisfying plate of chicken rice.
My personal order is the siu yuk and roasted chicken, which comes with a plate of fragrant, steaming rice, a bowl of soup, and chilli. It used to be RM10 a few years back, but has since increased in price by a few ringgit, which is fine by me. The portions are on the smaller side, so keep this in mind if you’re a big eater.
While I have tried many other chicken rice spots in my time, I consistently enjoy the flavours I get from Kie Kee.
The rice itself has a lovely savoury taste, and is never hard or under-flavoured. My favourite part of course is the meat. The siu yuk is crispy, fatty, and juicy. The chicken is tender with a subtle five spice marinade-taste that I personally love. Their chilli also has the perfect amount of spice and sweetness.
I can’t give you my two cents on their popular pork curry or shredded chicken porridge, but every mouthful of their chicken rice is an explosion of comforting flavours that hit the spot every single time. It may not be the best chicken rice in the country, but it does not fail to satisfy my cravings and that’s all I’m looking for. Honestly, I would give it a 9/10.
Attracting optimal qi?
So, is it really impeccable feng shui that keeps this place running or is it actually their chicken rice that just keeps people coming back for more? Maybe a little bit of both, but I’m leaning towards the latter. Kie Kee Chicken Rice & Porridge is, to me, an intersection of tradition, taste, and timeless comfort.
Chicken rice in KL not meeting your expectations? Come to PJ.
Kie Kee Chicken Rice & Porridge
Address: 23, Jln Othman, Pjs 4, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Operating Hours: 9:00am – 3:00pm, Closed on Tuesdays
Contact: 010-2048088
Food Status: Non-Halal
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