Here’s what we think about the silky ‘smooth’ chicken leg in Kepong that has everyone divided

Kepong may not get as much love as Pudu or Cheras, but its food scene is bursting with potential. Amongst its gems is a popular chicken rice shop: Xi Yue Happiness Asia Chicken, celebrated for its signature silky ‘smooth’ chicken leg.

Hang on a second though—this spot isn’t without its controversy. With a slew of mixed reviews flying around, diners are clearly split. Some rave about the mouthwatering quality while others claim it’s all hype and overpriced.

The queues stretch long, the wait times can test even the most patient foodies. So, is this Kepong treasure truly worth your time? Here’s our honest take.

Promises of ‘smooth’ happy chicken in Kepong

Image Credit: MFT (left), G.K.Teoh on Google Review (right)

Sometimes, less really is more. This chicken rice shop keeps it simple with a limited menu that lets them focus on perfecting a handful of dishes.

With their star dish, the Smooth Whole Leg Chicken (RM16), and a selection of enticing sides, you know they’re aiming for quality over quantity.

For a few extra Ringgit, choose from add-ons like soup of the day, chicken giblet, fragrant rice, and a golden egg, or opt for side dishes like braised tofu, lady fingers, stir-fried veggies, or even stir-fried squid.

Admittedly, the prices here are a tad bit steep, especially when compared to most chicken rice shops. However, their smooth chicken is deboned and the decent portion is drizzled generously with their special soy sauce.

Essential condiments

They don’t skimp on the condiments here foodies—a crucial aspect to the dish in our opinion.

They offer a ginger scallion sauce, as well as a chilli sauce. Both, the perfect partners for dipping your chicken in. They also have pickled cucumber which comes with unlimited refills, a welcomed luxury.

So, let’s address these mixed reviews once and for all.

MFT’s review

Personally, we think that The Smooth Whole Leg Chicken at Xi Yue Happiness Asia Chicken truly lives up to its name.

The chicken boasted an extremely silky and tender texture, enhanced by a luscious drizzle of their signature savoury-sweet soy sauce. Crispy garlic bits were sprinkled on top, making the dish more fragrant and adding a delightful crunch.

Each bite of chicken was juicy, savoury, and flavourful, with a subtle sesame oil taste that was comforting. It didn’t go unnoticed that it had been deboned, a major plus in our books by the way.

For those who prefer a bit more bite to their meat, the smooth chicken breast is available for RM12, along with options for a half or whole chicken.

The fragrant rice complemented the dish beautifully, featuring a unique brownish hue unlike most places. It was fluffy, aromatic, and perfect for soaking up the soy sauce.

Do not sleep on their golden egg; a beautiful boiled egg with a jammy golden centre, it was sweet, creamy, and fresh.

The pickled cucumber added a refreshing coolness and crunch to the meal, though some may find it a touch too sour.

Tying the dish together were the two sauces. The chilli sauce had a fiery kick with a thicker consistency that we enjoyed, while the ginger scallion sauce was zesty and unctuous, a delightful condiment that we couldn’t get enough of. We recommend dipping your piece of chicken into both sauces, then spooning some soy sauce over it for the ultimate burst of flavour.

While we didn’t sample the soup of the day (RM5) ourselves, numerous reviews rave about its nourishing sweetness and rich, creamy texture, with some even claiming it outshines the chicken. With hearty flavours and thoughtfully added ingredients, it’s certainly something to consider on your visit.

The happiest chicken in Kepong

Image Credit: Low Wei Yang on Google Review (left), Suzanne Tham (right)

Despite the mixed reviews surrounding Xi Yue Happiness Asia Chicken, we genuinely enjoyed our meal.

While RM16 for a plate of chicken leg is a little steep, the exceptional quality, unique flavour, and silky texture of the chicken certainly justify the price. It may not be a perfect fit for everyone’s budget, but if you’re in the mood to indulge in some truly smooth and delicious chicken in KL, this is the place to go.

With over 1,250 Google reviews, it’s clear that many diners share our sentiment or have at least been tempted to try this dish in Kepong, making it hard for us to completely agree with the negative feedback. Would we take a number and wait in line for this? You bet.

Overall, Xi Yue Happiness Asia Chicken offers a delightful dining experience that’s well worth a try for chicken rice lovers.

Psst, they have a second outlet in Cheras.