Meng Kitchen - Handmade Hokkien Mee Made Fresh Daily

Nestled in the heart of Taman Sri Tebrau, Meng Kitchen (铭厨房) has quickly become one of Johor Bahru’s most talked-about Chinese zi char restaurants. Since opening its doors in 2018, this family-run establishment has been drawing crowds of locals and Singaporeans alike with its signature dishes and authentic home-style cooking.

The driving force behind Meng Kitchen is Lee Chee Meng, whose culinary journey began at an early age helping his parents in their family restaurant in Ulu Tiram, Johor. By 16, he was already working full-time in the kitchen, honing his skills and learning the intricacies of Chinese cuisine.

Lee’s passion for cooking took him to Kulai, where he worked as a Chinese Cuisine Chef, before venturing to Singapore in 2006. There, he spent over a decade perfecting his craft and building his culinary repertoire. Armed with years of experience and a collection of cherished recipes, Lee returned to his hometown in 2018 to establish Meng Kitchen with his wife, Suki Chin.

The restaurant offers both air-conditioned indoor seating for those seeking comfort from the tropical heat and outdoor seating for diners who prefer an alfresco experience. To make ordering easier for first-time visitors, the restaurant thoughtfully lists its ten signature dishes on the menu, taking the guesswork out of what to order. The service is notably fast, even during peak hours.

Meng Kitchen’s crown jewel is undoubtedly their Fried Bee Hoon with Cheese Big Prawn. This indulgent creation features fine rice noodles wok-fried with cheese, fresh milk, butter, and local wild river prawns, then braised to perfection. The result is a smooth, creamy cheese and milk gravy that harmonizes beautifully with the fresh sweetness of the prawns.

The restaurant’s Crispy Roasted Chicken is another daily bestseller. Each chicken, weighing approximately 1.7-1.8kg, is carefully selected, dried, marinated with secret recipes, then deep-fried to achieve a perfectly crispy exterior while maintaining juicy, flavorful meat inside.

Food enthusiasts particularly rave about the KL Handmade Hokkien Mee. The noodles are handmade fresh every morning at the restaurant and wok-fried to order with dark soy sauce and pork lard oil, creating a glossy, charcoal-tinted dish bursting with wok hei. It’s sweet, savory, and smoky all at once.

Other popular offerings include the BBQ Pork Ribs, Yam Ring, Siam Grilled Tilapia (served with homemade Thai sour-sweet and mildly spicy sauce), and the signature tofu.

Address: 27-29, Jalan Keris 1, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Operating Hours: Daily: 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM

Contact: Facebook: 铭厨房 Meng Kitchen