Restoran Wai Kei @ Old Klang Road, KL

*Throwback post

It's been a while since we last dined at Wai Kei.  This is our favorite Hakka eatery and have been patrons for over a decade.  The two women chefs are in their 70s, can you believe it?  At their age where they should be enjoying their sunset years, these two gutsy, strong and capable old ladies are still helming the kitchen.  

If you're looking for an authentic Hakka dining experience in town, Wai Kei should be on your list. Located along Old Klang Road KL, this eatery offers delicious traditional Hakka dishes that are simply irresistible.  The menu is pretty extensive and what they offer is always up to our expectations, thanks to the two grandmothers toiling in the hot kitchen.

The menu is a treasure trove of Hakka delicacies, ranging from juicy steamed farm chicken to Hakka Yong Tau Fu, black vinegar pork trotters, clay pot rice wine chicken, braised 3-layer pork with yam,  braised pork belly with preserved veggie (mui choy), braised Hakka pork, crispy fried fish to spinach soup with homemade fish paste. There are other toothsome dishes but these are always the few dishes that we order each time we dine at the restaurant.  

If you are a fan of steamed farm chicken, Wai Kei has one of the best in town. Their steamed farm chicken is incredibly juicy and tender, with a subtly sweet flavor that perfectly complements the bold spiciness of the homemade chili sauce and minced ginger sauce. The chicken itself is always steamed to perfection, with sublime texture in the meat to create a mouthwatering culinary experience that will make you craving for more.

Steamed farm chicken.

Super crispy fried threadfin fish (Ma Yau).

The delicious assorted 'yong liu' comprising stuffed tofu, brinjal, bitter gourd, puffed tofu, and foo pei are cooked the traditional Hakka style with fermented bean paste sauce.  

Hakka Yong Liu

Black vinegar pig's trotters with a good balance of fats and lean meat.   We could not finish this dish and asked the owner to doggy-bag it for us with additional broth (I love the black vinegar broth!) and he gladly obliged at no extra charge.

Red spinach in superior soup with homemade fish paste/fish balls.

The spinach soup with homemade fish paste is another must-order dish for us. The bouncy fish paste in this veggie dish is simply delightful, with a tender and chewy texture that is incredibly satisfying to bite into. The fish paste is made with fresh, high-quality fish that had been finely ground and mixed with just salt and pepper, giving it a delicious flavor that reminds me of my late grandma's homemade fish balls and fish cakes.

To cap off our meal, everyone had a large refreshing coconut to cool down our body on a hot and humid evening.

Overall, our dinner at Wai Kei has always been a delightful culinary experience that exceeds our expectations. The food is outstanding, the service is top-notch with amicable owners, and the ambiance is cozy and welcoming (not air conditioned though but good ventilation with many ceiling fans). If you're a fan of Hakka cuisine or just looking for delicious traditional Chinese dishes, Wai Kei is definitely worth a visit.

Restoran Wai Kei

2, Jln Klang Lama, 

58100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 

Mobile no: 013-391 8269