From father to son, this USJ 6 kopitiam stall has specialised in fish head noodles for 23 years

For over 23 years now, Mr. Mak Fish Head Noodle has been delighting its loyal customers with one of the most comforting bowls of fish head noodles you can find in Subang Jaya. It is located inside the bustling Taiping Lang Kopitiam in USJ 6. Despite having moved locations several times within the area, this stall has managed to maintain a steadfast following. The secret to its long-standing success? Freshness, affordability, and an unyielding dedication to quality.

Only fresh fish at Mr. Mak Fish Head Noodle

After 20 years of operation, Mr. Mak Fish Head Noodle is now run by the second generation of the family. While the father originally founded and operated the stall, his son has since taken over the reins. Despite this leadership change, the commitment to maintaining the quality and consistency that has made the stall a favourite among locals, remains unwavering.

What sets Mr. Mak Fish Head Noodle apart is their meticulous preparation of fresh fish. The Uncle that is now in charge, is deeply dedicated to every step of this process. He ensures only the freshest fish make it to your bowl. Customers can be assured that frozen fish is never used, delivering a flavour that has earned the stall a loyal following.

The owner selects a variety of fish, such as red snapper, grouper, stingray, and red fish, personally choosing, slicing, and deboning the fish himself. Known for his skillful technique of deboning the fish by hand, he carefully feels the flesh to remove every pin bone. This labour-intensive task ensures that every piece of fish is flawlessly prepared. This simple step significantly contributes to his father’s signature dishes and keeps customers coming back for more.

The deep-fried fish slices are crisp and golden on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. Somehow, they retain their crunch even after soaking in the flavourful broth. Alternatively, patrons can request the fish fillets to be served on the side, maintaining their crispy texture throughout the meal.

Specialty dishes & kaw broths

Image Credit: @eatwithandrewchan on Instagram (left), @tabby_1201 (right)

The highlight of Mr. Mak Fish Head Noodle is, of course, the fish head noodles. The stall offers two main varieties: the Fish Head Noodle and Fish Meat Noodle. Both are available in small and big portions. Prices range from RM11 for a small bowl of Fish Head Noodle, to RM15 for a big bowl of Fish Meat Noodle. Each bowl is a hearty and satisfying experience, filled with a flavourful broth and a generous serving of fried fish.

The broths served at this stall, whether it’s the milky fish broth, the tangy Tom Yum broth, or the clear broth, are all prepared with care and attention. The broth base is boiled for 2-3 hours to extract maximum flavour, resulting in a thicker consistency that is packed with umami. The milky fish broth, is delicately laced with evaporated milk and ginger slices. This particular broth is especially beloved for its smoothness and kaw, satisfying flavour. The ginger slices help eliminate any fishy odors.

One of the distinctive aspects of Mr. Mak’s Fish Head Noodle is the noodles. Customers can choose between thick mee hoon and thin mee hoon. The thin noodles, in particular, are noteworthy for their delicate, slurp-worthy texture, adding a delightful springiness with each bite. These noodles resemble the Shirataki noodles commonly used in Japanese cuisine. They are specially designed not to absorb the broth too quickly. This allows them to retain a slight crunchiness even as they soak in the soup. This unique texture and thickness adds another layer of enjoyment to the dish.

Calling all seafood & noodle lovers

Image Credit: @fooddetective.my on Instagram (left), @saladbowl629 (right)

While the fish head noodles are the star of the menu, Mr. Mak’s stall offers a variety of other dishes that are equally enticing. Customers can opt for seafood noodles, fried fish tom yum noodles, seafood tom yum noodles, or even just the crispy fish fillets. Each dish showcases the same commitment to fresh, quality ingredients and expert preparation. Yes, the fish is fried to order for maximum freshness. In addition to the noodles and fish, each bowl is completed with vegetables, soft beancurd, and tomatoes, rounding out the dish with a little more texture.

Situated right opposite the USJ 7 LRT station, Mr. Mak Fish Head Noodle is easy to get to. This makes it the perfect stop for anyone craving a warm, satisfying meal—so there’s no excuse not to visit.

With over two decades of tradition behind it, Mr. Mak Fish Head Noodle remains a beloved go-to stall in Subang Jaya, offering delicious, fresh fish noodles at affordable prices. If you haven’t visited yet, it’s time to track down this hidden gem and savour a bowl of Uncle’s popular fish head noodles.