Baba Ho Liao Restaurant: Peranakan eatery serving ayam pong teh, Nyonya laksa & chap chai
I always look forward to discovering recommendations for new makan places; it’s one of my favourite things to anticipate! Some say the most underrated restaurants often have their advertising done by word of mouth.
But when a reader recommended Baba Ho Liao Restaurant in TTDI, I was admittedly sceptical because Peranakan cuisine is something I’ve never tried before. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, there’s always a first for everything.
Despite navigating crowded streets with double-parked cars, my dining partner and I found parking in the late afternoon, after lunch hours. The simple shop had an aged sign out front, and we were the only customers. This made us wonder— would the restaurant live up to its reputation?
The decorations were charming and unique, giving a special Nyonya touch that stood out from typical restaurant designs.
While looking at the menu, my partner had a quick chat with the uncle at the cashier. He shared that this was a family-owned business which originally operated in Desa Park City for 3 years before moving to TTDI just as movement control order (MCO) began. Despite the challenges, they successfully weathered the storm and have been standing strong for 3 more years… and counting.
What I tried at Restoran Baba Ho Liao
My partner ordered the Ayam Pong Teh Rice (RM15.90), which arrived before my dish. The rice came with a fried egg, vegetables, and a generous helping of chicken meat soaked in broth.
The broth possessed a delightful fragrance, immediately stimulating my dining partner’s tongue to salivate. He took a hearty bite of the chicken, noticed how the meat effortlessly separated from the bone, and finished the rest in just 3 bites.
The chicken, steeped in the aromatic herbal broth, emitted a comforting homely aroma, according to him He particularly appreciated how the chicken easily tore under his fork and spoon while retaining its juiciness. This made it absorb the broth splendidly, elevating the taste with each flavourful bite.
I found 3 medium-sized chicken pieces with bones in the broth, impressing my dining partner. According to his modest opinion, chicken with bones undoubtedly contributes to the flavour.
Additionally, the fried egg was cooked to perfection. I took a bite myself and suffice to say, it passed. The outer edges of the egg were crunchy and pleasing to my palate.
After having more than a few mouthfuls, the Nyonya Laksa (RM14.90) arrived. I decided to go with bihun instead of thick yellow mee. I was pleasantly surprised by the richness of the laksa soup; I had grown accustomed to thin, tasteless versions of laksa that I usually avoided at other nondescript restaurants. My dining partner had a sip and sung praises of its flavour, prompting me to try it myself.
The dish featured generous servings of fishballs, fishcake, tofu, half-boiled egg, prawns, and taugeh. Initially, I thought the numerous elements would leave little room for bihun in the broth. To my surprise, there was a significant amount of noodles soaking up the flavourful broth beneath its various components.
The Nyonya Laksa presented a flavour that I rarely experience, yet the restaurant’s preparation maintained a harmonious blend of spiciness and savouriness, complemented by a generous serving of bihun. The broth possessed a noticeable spicy kick without being overpowering, achieving a well-balanced harmony with the sweet undertones.
The prawns, fishballs, and fishcake absorbed the broth very well, resulting in an explosion of flavour with each bite. Every component was perfectly cooked, and when combined with the broth, the flavours delivered a strong impact. I chose not to add any condiments to my dish, opting to relish its taste as intended by the chef.
Final thoughts
In my opinion, Baba Ho Liao Restaurant serves authentic Peranakan food at a suitable price in the area of TTDI. Lovers of Nyonya cuisine from far and wide should give this place a try and savour the harmonious Peranakan flavours.
Expected damage: RM16 – RM30 per pax
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