We tried KL’s best-rated pan mee
KL offers an abundance of pan mee options. Whether you’re in the mood for a spicy chilli pan mee or a comforting bowl of pan mee soup, the city never fails to deliver. However, we don’t want to waste our quota on a less-than-satisfactory dish when we’re craving it. That’s why I’m here to sample one of the best-rated pan mee stalls at Restoran Deli Lotus to see if it meets my expectations.
To justify, this restaurant at Maluri maintains a glowing 4.2-stars rating on Google, based on 340 reviews (at time of writing). As indicated on the signboard, Restoran Deli Lotus has a history spanning over 3 decades, since its establishment in 1988. I believe there must be a reason for its longevity.
Apparently, the majority of the patrons here are regulars, drawn to the eatery by sentimental attachments as it holds memories for them. The eatery’s Chinese name, pronounced as ‘Lian Hua Ji’, is a combination of the names of its two owners, Lian Jie and Hua Gu.
What I tried at Restoran Deli Lotus
There are 3 noodle options to choose from: pan mee, you mian (thin noodles), and mee hoon kuey. I’ve noticed netizens singing praises of the Dry Pan Mee (RM11) on social media, and its appearance did impress me upon first sight. I didn’t expect the portion to be this generous!
On top of the bed of noodles was a bountiful serving of shredded black fungus, mushroom slices, and an overflowing blob of minced meat. It was adorned with a few pieces of vegetables on the side and garnished with some fried anchovies.
The amount of minced meat was so substantial that a casual scoop almost filled the entire spoon. The meat was finely minced and fried, with no noticeable grainy texture. It paired exceptionally well with the sauce and the pan mee.
As a carb lover, the noodles were what I looked forward to the most. Pan mee usually tends to clump together easily, but the ones here were distinct, allowing me to eat them strip by strip. I was also amazed by their chewy texture, which made for a perfect experience.
I noticed that the sauce had a prominent garlic flavour, accompanied by a hint of aroma from the fried shallots. The only downside of the dish was the fried anchovies, which tasted somewhat stale.
One of the most frequently mentioned reviews about this restaurant highlights its rich and flavourful anchovy broth. I might have had a preconceived notion before sampling it, but the soup didn’t turn out as I had anticipated. It had a sour flavour profile that I couldn’t quite place, accompanied by a hint of mushroom. There was also a subtle peppery taste in the soup.
Though the portion was large enough, I still decided to share another bowl of Soup You Mian (RM11) with my dining partner to have a taste of a different version. This dish came with the same condiments as the Dry Pan Mee, but it was served with sliced pork instead of minced meat.
I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I found these noodles to be chewier than the Dry Pan Mee. Though it took some time to adapt to the flavour profile of the soup, it was still a comforting and easy-to-eat dish— something I would consider having if I were unwell. The soup here tasted the same as the one that came with the Dry Pan Mee, but less peppery.
Final thoughts
To be honest, I had mixed feelings about this meal. While the noodles impressed me, the soup left me somewhat at a loss with its unexpected sour flavour profile. Although I’m not typically a fan of garlic, I still enjoyed the Dry Pan Mee for its finely-minced meat. And despite not being particularly fond of the soup, I found it to be comforting. Despite its weaknesses, it was complemented well by its strengths.
Overall, it wasn’t quite what I had expected from a top-rated pan mee, based on my preferences. I would recommend considering all aspects of feedback before trying it to avoid any potential disappointment.
For those who have tried it, please share your thoughts and let us know if you think it lived up to its ratings!
Expected damage: RM11 – RM14 per pax
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