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Judging by the number of restaurants that I’ve been to over the past week, I think I’ve been eating (out) too much. This time around, it involves a steamboat place in Cheras called Restoran Choong Huat. It was a Sunday, the last day of Chinese New Year, Chap Goh Mei. The five of us in the car were somewhat worried that the restaurant would either be closed or packed with people due to the occasion.

When we arrived at 9.00pm, we found the place alive with people. My first impression was that we were never going to get a place. The restaurant that we were going to occupies 4 shop lots (it was 3 lots some months back). In addition to the space the shop lots provides, the tables also spills out onto the road directly in front of the shops. So don’t expect to park your car in front of the restaurant. While WL and I parked the car, the others got down to see if they can’t find us a table. Parking in Taman Yulek (Taman Yulik, Taman Cheras… I really don’t know what its called nowadays) is difficult as it is a high restaurants density area. Imagine if each restaurant had 30 tables and each table came with 2 cars. Be warned that that is the type of congestion you’ll have to deal with if you decide to head to that area for dinner on a peak period.

By the time we joined the others, they had managed to get us a seat at table #75. Since some of us had already eaten (basically, it was WL and myself who were hungry), we decided to order portions for three persons. For the stock, we have three choices, plain stock (cheng tong), tomyam, and herbal stock (yok cha). The one thing I like about the restaurant is its herbal stock which (usually) has a strong flavour to it. Unlike some places which claims to serve herbal stock but winds up serving plain water in place of soup, you can actually taste and smell the herbs. Yes, it might just be flavouring, but at least it is there to begin with. As usual, we went with the tomyam and herbal stock, half and half.

As far as steamboats go, the ingredients that they provide per portion is the standard fair. Some fresh meats and seafood, meatballs, fishballs, sotongballs, big balls, small balls (you get the picture with the balls…), fish paste noodles, tofu, vegetables, yee mee noodles and mee hoon, and the other stuff that any self respecting steamboat restaurant should serve.

The last couple of times that we were there, the service had been prompt and excellent. However, this time around (probably due to the large turnout), it was sloppy. The staff seemed to drag their feet as they went about their chores. It got to a point where they were serving the ingredients before the soup! What are we supposed to do? Grill it over the fire? They also messed up our noodles when we asked them to change the mee hoon to yee mee.

As a result of the mess up in servings, we discovered a little trick that can use if you want to have some extra noodles (and eggs) with your meal. Take out one or two noodles and/or eggs off the plate they serve you. Head over to the main counter and point out to them that they underserved you by a portion or two, showing them the plate as proof. The cashier will most likely tell you to head into the kitchen and help yourself. I know I did. While my claims were honest, that doesn’t mean you can’t apply the same trick if you’re feeling hungry and don’t want to pay for the extra noodles. I think that they usually have customers that don’t finish their noodles, such that they don’t really care if you flick an extra or two. This is true especially when they are into a busy streak.

Anyway, the selection that they serve for three persons is actually enough to feed everyone at the table. If it isn’t enough, you can always order some extras, or just add on an additional serving. There’s really nothing else to say. The highlight for me, is the soup, and the yee mee noodles. YUM! They also serve some killer tasty thai style and garlic chili sauce, or so WL tells me. I’m not really a chili dip fan so, I’ll take her word for it.

After filling our tummies, we paid for the food at the main counter. A few of us thought they were going to charge a premium since it was Chap Goh Mei and all. However, as it turned out, they charged us the normal price of RM13.00 per person (serving). The tea was RM5.00 per pot and RM1.00 for ice. Softdrinks go for RM1.70 per can, so I would avoid those if I were you. Towels are RM0.30 per piece but you can return them and get a refund (we did). All in, inclusive of 5% govt tax, we paid RM48.90 for the dinner/supper for five.

The place is a little packed at times and the service might be a little sloppy. But its still a nice place to have (steamboat) dinner and chit chat. There are also stalls outside the restaurant that serves ikan bakar, barbequed chicken wings, and satay if you fancy it. I’m happy with just the steamboat. Overall, I definitely recommend the place.

Restoran Choong Huat
No. 22-23, Block P/E Taman Cheras,
56100, Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: +603-9131 1975