In Search Of Emperor Chickens @ Restoran Bamboo & Teck Sing (Johor Bahru)

Image · Posted by Sam Han on March 3, 2014 · 4 Comments 

Mark is a dear friend of 10 years. He works in the banking industry but he is very good in dancing so much so I asked him to teach my girls social dances when they were younger. Time passes flies and before a blink of the eye, it was almost a year since I last saw Mark. So much has happened in between… Mark had a mild stroke last year and is recovering well, gaining back 75% mobility of his left arm. I must make it a point to see him often.

And so I did. We met up last Saturday and together, we went in search for Herbal Chickens in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Our first destination was Restoran Bamboo, a pretty well known shophouse eatery for this delicacy.

药材皇帝鸡 Emperor Chicken is spring chicken steamed with Chinese herbs.

Some of the herbs used are Huai Shan 淮山 (Radix Dioscoreae Oppositae), Dang Shen 党参 (Codonopsis Pilosulae), Yu Zhu 玉竹 (Solomon’s Seal Rhizome), Long Yan Gan 龙眼干 (Dried Longan), Gou Qi Zi 枸杞子 (Wolfberries), Hong Zao 红枣 (Red Dates), Chuan Gong 川芎 (Szechwan Lovage Rhizome), Tang Gui 当归 (Angelica Sinensis), Bei Qi 北芪 (Astragalus Membranaceus).

Belly Pork with Yam.

Hotplate Otak.

Hotplate Otak with chunky pieces of fish.

Fish Otak Otak is a mixture of spicy paste, eggs and fish meat.

First meal of the day.

Restoran Bamboo in Sentosa, Johor Bahru.
They have another branch in Kingston Hotel.

Mark has eaten at both restorans before and said the prices and food were identical. We decided to eat at Restoran Bamboo for a more rustic feel. The food came quickly as dinner crowd had not yet invaded this place while Teck Sing was already filled. Was it the air conditioned environment that made Teck Sing more popular? Anyway, by the time we were about to leave, local families started to stream into Bamboo.

The first dish that came to our table was the Emperor Chicken as this delicacy is already cooked and kept warm in a steamer. Mark opened the package revealing a caramelised bird and fragrant herbal aroma. He said the first thing is to taste the gravy when eating this dish. I couldn’t agree more. The gravy was richer than those I had tasted in Singapore. The meat was tender except for one portion near the back which seemed burnt and thus very chewy and dry.

The next dish was Belly Pork with Yam. The yam was not “powdery” which would be the ideal texture and the belly pork wasn’t tender enough for my liking.

The Hotplate Otak recommended by the lady staff was the best out of the 3 dishes we had. I have not eaten otak otak this way before. The dish had chunky fish meat in the spicy egg custard embedded in the omelet. It’s like having two in one dish. I loved it!

Although Mark said the Emperor Chicken from Teck Sing tasted the same (to him), I had to try it for myself and so I told him I would be “dapau-ing” back to Singapore. I walked over to Teck Sing after dinner and bought it for the same price at MYR20 a bird.

It was late and after quite a few hours when I ate the chicken from Teck Sing (reheated in an microwave oven). The verdict? I find Teck Sing’s Emperor Chicken’s flesh smoother and the gravy richer and more aromatic. That’s the only dish I can compare for now. Will try the other foods next time.

Wondering where Mark’s bringing me for dessert? See you in my next post 😉

Kingston Hotel.
72, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bharu, 81300, Johor Bahru, Johor, 81300, Malaysia.
+60 7-557 5180

Restoran Teck Sing is just next door to Restoran Bamboo.

The place is always crowded.

Emperor Chicken from Restoran Teck Sing which I bought back to Singapore.

Restoran Bamboo
Address: No.1, Jalan Sutera Satu,
Taman Sentosa,
80150, Johor Bahru,
Johor, Malaysia.

Tel: (+607) 331 3180.

Restoran Teck Sing
Address: No.3 & 5, Jalan Sutera Satu,
Taman Sentosa,
80150, Johor Bahru,
Johor, Malaysia.

Tel: (+607) 334 7025.

Happy eating 🙂

If you like to try your hand at Emperor Chicken, click here for recipe by The Meat Men with video on cooking demonstration. The Meat Men’s Emperor Chicken seemed to have more gravy and that’s Singapore’s style. You may reduced the water measurement and seasoning accordingly if you like thicker viscosity.

Oh by the way, Shoon Fa BKT is just a few shop lot away. Click here to see my post.

Filed under Chicken, Restaurants & Food Reviews, Travels, Uncategorized · Tagged with Emperor Chicken, 药材皇帝鸡, Herbal Chicken, Johor Bahru, malaysia, Restoran Bamboo, Restoran Teck Sing, Taman Sentosa