友明海鲜楼 Restoran Yuw Meng

Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Highly Recommended)

Address: 44, Jalan Seruling 2, Taman Sri Kulai Baru 2, 81000 Kulai, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EaaKmyMmVCWNf5Rb6
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)

Stir Fried Royale Chives with Beansprout (Small) = RM14.00
Signature Pork Ribs (Small) RM11.00 each. Minimum Order of 2 = RM22.00
Claypot Silver Needle Noodle (Small) =  RM26.00

No Service Charges

Do take note that this Place only accepts Cash or Wireless Payment.
Debit / Credit Card Payments are Not Available.

Click here for the Full Menu and Receipt 
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I only got to know of this place because it is Extremely Highly Regarded in Most Facebook Groups about Malaysia. Especially when anyone asks for a Recommendation about Good Foods in Johor Kulai, this place will usually come up in one way or another. So of course I have to check it out for myself!

The Actual Eatery is actually a Tze Char Place that is housed in a Large Kopitiam . Not Airconditioned of course but was Airy and Comfortable. Not Crowded on a Friday Evening at 5.20pm when I was there but it definitely was Popular with more Customers streaming in as time went on. And even more impressively, all of them seems to be Locals too.

The Staffs were Polite, Friendly and mostly keep to themselves. Very Classic Chinese Tze Char Eatery Vibe all round. All the Dishes I ordered are considered as their Signatures. It took 6 Mins for both the Claypot Loh Shu Fan and Royal Chives and 8 Mins for the Pork Ribs.

Stir Fried Royale Chives with Beansprout (Small) = RM14.00

Served with a Delicious Aroma of Fried Veggie 油香味, it was immediately very appetizing. The Actual Amount of Veggies though looks small when plated on the Big Plate they used.

The Chives had a Decent Veggie Crunch with a Saltish Hit. Salty and Noticeably Oily but also Very Savoury. Freshly Fried, this has a Classic Tze Char sort of Savoury Fried Veggies taste that will probably appeal to most people.

Signature Pork Ribs (Small) RM11.00 each. Minimum Order of 2 = RM22.00

This is of course Classic Tze Char 排骨王. What was interesting was when they asked me if I wanted it to be chopped. Never been asked this before for other Tze Char Places so I told them not to chop. Good Decision not to Chop because despite 2 Pieces, I thought they looked Massive!

The First Thing I noticed was that Thick Sauce they lum all over. Thick, Sweet and Mildly Spicy. It was not Overly Sweet compared to other 排骨王 Gravy I've eaten in the Past. 

Holding it up like a Big Fat Drummy, my Mind went Blank when my Teeth just went through the Meat like it was Butter. So Tender! I also noticed a Fried Batter coated for this but its not Overly Thick and just enough to deliver a Nice Crisp.

The Rib itself is a Fattier Cut which I like and it wasn't Overly Porky. Really Shiok to just 大口大口 eat this like a Barbarian. Hahaha this is the 1st Time I'm eating 排骨王 like this. Both Gravy and the Actual Pork Meat paired together very nicely with Neither trying to compete for Attention. Superb 排骨王.

Claypot Silver Needle Noodle (Small) =  RM26.00

THIS is the Actual Signature Dish that Many People on Facebook always post the Picture of when recommending this Eatery. This is also the 1st Time I learn that the Actual English Name for 老鼠粉 is actually called "Silver Needle Noodle". Sounds much more Elegant compared to 老鼠粉 (Rat Noodle) or Bee Tai Mak (Runny Nose Noodle) no?

Although a Small that I ordered, the Amount is certainly meant for 3 People. Beautifully Bubbling in a Claypot, I also noticed a Half-Boiled Egg within. Visually Very Appetizing.

Upon tasting the Gravy, I was immediately impressed. Definitely a Braised Zhup, but its not just a Simple Saltish Zhup. Flavoured with Pork Lard I think? This is similar to a Gravy you'd find in KL-Styled Hokkien Mee is how I would describe it.

Tasted so Richly Decadent, Thick and Savoury, hahaha my Vocabularly is Not Good enough to properly describe how Savoury Good this tasted. Totally understand why this is so Highly Raved among people who recommend this place. Perfect Zhup to 下饭 with.

As I dug deeper, I found pieces of Mushroom, Prawn, Pork Lard which were certainly some of the Key Ingredients that flavoured this Zhup. Especially when you bite into a Piece of Pork Lard, the Burst of Flavour made this so good OMG. And I haven't even described the Half-Boiled Egg delivering another Shot of Eggy Creaminess.

Having said that, just like KL Hokkien Mee however, this is basically a Carb Canvas without much Liao within. So it is really meant to eat with Other Side-Dishes and not just on its own.




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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

At the Price of RM14.00 (S$4.50) isn't particularly very cheap but I thought was still reasonable for a Standard Tze Char Fried Veggie.

If you are looking to add a Veggie Side-Dish, sure why not.

At the Price of RM22.00 (S$7.00) for 2 Pieces of Big Fat 排骨王 this is Worth It. The Meat was Big, Solid and Meaty and especially it was Uncut, it was Damn Shiok to hold it like a Barbarian and 大口大口吃肉.

Sauce wasn't Overly Sweet and it paired Nicely with the Super Tender Meat. I personally feel this is a Must-Order here. Shiok.

At the Price of RM26.00 (S$8.30) for their Most Raved Signature Dish is Definitely Worth it. Not Cheap for a Bowl of Carbs, but to be fair, it is really meant more for 3 People. Hahaha I'm unable to finish the Whole Pot myself.

The Soul of the Dish is definitely the Gravy which tasted so Richly Decadent, Thick and Savoury. I describe it tasting close to that Savoury Zhup you'd usually find for KL Hokkien Mee except that its in a More Liquidy Gravy Form here.

Just like KL Hokkien Mee too, this is a Carb Canvas and is meant more to eat with a Side Dish and their Solid Meaty 排骨王 was a Nice Match. 一大口肉一口老鼠粉 with the Creamy Zhup 吃得几爽几 High 一下.
Totally understand why this is so Recommended whenever people ask for recommendations of Good Food in Kulai. Relatively Affordable Prices, Decent Good Culinary Taste and Friendly Service. Everything here combined for RM62.00 (S$20.00) with No Service Charge is absolutely worth the money.

I fully 100% agree with all the Recommendations about this place ESPECIALLY their Claypot Silver Needle Noodle. This Dish is the Main Reason why I have no issues giving my Highest Top Score for this Place. You must eat to believe. People who have eaten this will know what I mean. Not Soloable however as its meant for 2-3 People.

Oh and don't miss out their Signature Pork Ribs too! Don't Chop it and Eat it like a Barbarian! Pair it with that Claypot Silver Needle Noodle and get ready for a Power Food Coma! Hahaha! Do not miss out on this Culinary Gem if you are here in Kulai!