The wonderful thing about the Malaysian food scene is that the best finds are sometimes in the most unexpected places. Not every great restaurant has to be in the city, you know? One spot that proves this in spades is none other than Kepong Ulu Fried Pan Mee.
A hidden pan mee shop
Located on the fringes of the FRIM forest, Kepong Ulu is a quiet neighbourhood distant from city centre chaos. Yet, from time to time, people flock here in droves. No one can really resist a good bowl of noodles, after all.
Kepong Ulu Fried Pan Mee has been operating for over 40 years now. Many locals likely grew up eating brunch at this establishment. Likewise, the auntie manning the stall has retained her cooking skills even with age.
Home and shop combined
Like in the old days, her home and her business are both in the same place. Kepong Ulu Fried Pan Mee is located within a neighbourhood house. Its surrounding compound acts as the dining area, while cooking is done in a designated area in the back.
It is not a large home, and the compound fits about ten tables. Hence, if you come during the lunch crowd, chances are you will have to wait outside. Also, do not expect modern comforts like air-conditioners here!
That said, once you get yourself a table, you will probably feel right at home. This restaurant is literally a home, and the homely vibes are just natural. You would half-expect your own grandparents to come tottering out the door!
Fried pan mee?
People don’t come here for the vibes, though; they come here for the noodles. And noodles, this place has in abundance. The staple which most customers order here has to be the Fried Pan Mee, priced at RM8.50 for a small plate.
Traditionally, pan mee is boiled before being served in a soup or dry. Here, the pan mee looks similar to Hokkien mee and is likewise cooked in a wok. The ingredients are also somewhat similar, with meat, vegetables and noodles being tossed together.
How does it taste?
That said, fried pan mee is very much its own thing here. For one, the noodles are made daily by hand, and you can see this in how springy and bouncy the noodles are. You also have the option for thick or thin noodles, if you so wish.
In terms of taste, the noodles have a rich, savoury and distant smoky taste to them. What gives the pan mee an additional star is the crunchy pork lard that is sprinkled onto the noodles. If you require further flavours, the homemade chilli sauce is always worth a try.
Other treats
There are more noodles on this eatery’s menu, though. The Loh Mee is also worth savouring, for the price of RM8.50 per small bowl. This noodle has a strong eggy aroma and is best consumed with a douse of vinegar.
As for refreshments, the eatery has a range of RM2.50 tong sui desserts that you can enjoy every day. The available selection changes from day to day, so you can have red bean one day and barley the next. For a caffeine kick, the RM3 iced coffee does the job.
Worth your time?
In any case, having a meal here is a must for the noodle lover in you. Not always do you get to taste fried pan mee, especially one cooked and served in such a quaint setting.
Kepong Ulu Fried Pan Mee
Address: 405A, Jalan 14/39, Kepong Ulu FRIM, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 7 am – 12.30 pm daily | Closed on Tuesdays
Contact: 016-2330855
Halal Status: Non-halal
You should also check out: Taman Connaught folks, go try this Aunty’s popular chilli pan mee with a kasturi lime twist
