葆记云吞面 Poh Kee Wanton Mee

Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Recommended)

Address: Jalan Loo Hong Joon, Kampung Baru Pandan, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YVFXkzcuTzbimc5G6
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)

Wanton Mee (Small) = RM6.50

No Service Charges

There are No Menu Available at this Eatery/Restaurant.

When people talk about Famous Wanton Mee in Kampung Pandan, they are really referring to Pandan Wanton Mee, not this place.

Interestingly, this Poh Kee WTM itself is located right beside, and itself has a 50 Years History from what I understand. I also specifically wanted to visit this simply because of this Heartwarming Google Reviewer Charlene Pay's Review that you see here.

Its a Nostalgic Place that JB-Lang 从小吃到大, 吃到结婚生孩子. 
Indeed 2 Generations eating this is really no joke.



Similarly a Non-Airconditioned Very Old Kampung Kampung looking Eatery, there were not much Customers when I visited at 7.00am but is More Popular as time went on. 9.40am is where I saw Customers really start gathering. Despite that, it is still noticeably less popular than Pandan Wanton Mee.

The Owner is a Very Jolly and Super Friendly Welcoming 大哥 who is supported by an Equally Super Friendly Myanmar Staff whom I felt went out of his way to make me Very Welcome here. You can even see how Adorable the both of them were posing in the Photo. Anyway it took 4 Mins for the Dish to be served up promptly.

Wanton Mee (Small) = RM6.50

The Dish Consists of:
Clear Soup
Noodles of course
About 10 Small Slices of Char Siew
3 Small Wantons

Quality of the Soup

While I couldn't discern what Soup Base did Pandan Wanton Mee used, I could clearly identify that the Soup Base for this one is Noticeably Veggie Based. Basically a 菜汤. Nothing Particularly Amazing, but Decent Tasting and Not Overly Salty.

Quality of the Wantons

3 Standard Small Baby Ones. I feel the Wanton Skin is pretty Similar and is as Soft as Pandan Wanton Mee. The Difference here is the Pork Filling which I thought was Noticeably Porkier. Also not the Quick Salty Shot type, this was an Overall Decent Wanton with a Slightly Porkier Tasting Filling.

Quality of the Char Siew

10 Slices given, these were also the Red Food Colouring type, Not Legit Roasted. Similar Firm and Meaty with a Sweetish Taste as Pandan Wanton Mee.

Actually Pandan Wanton Mee was a Tad Softer in Texture but that could also be it was soaked in the Soup. The Main Difference between the 2 of them is once again the Char Siew here tasted Noticeably Porkier.

Quality of the Noodles

Amount given is Acceptable for the Price. Bouncy to the Bite although Not Super QQ, pretty much the same done-ness. The Black Sauce they lum in this is Not Overly Salty, also Not the Earthy Type. Leaning more towards Sweetish, this Noodles and Sauce is Acceptable but also nothing to shout about.


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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

At the Price of RM6.50 (S$2.10), this is priced exactly the Same as the More Famous Pandan Wanton Mee that I reviewed previously. Both Wanton Mees are actually Very Similar in Taste at least for me, when I tasted them Back to Back.

The Differences for me seems to be:

1) Poh Kee Soup seems to be more Veggie Based, while I cannot culinarily discern what Soup Base was used for Pandan Wanton Mee.

2) The Pork used in Poh Kee (Eg: Wanton Fillings, Char Siew) tend to be Noticeably Porkier compared to Pandan Wanton Mee.

Unless you are a Specific Wanton Mee Connoisseur looking for a Specific Type of Flavour, Taste-Wise, I find them actually Almost Similar. Both Pandan Wanton Mee and 葆记云吞面 Poh Kee Wanton Mee aren't aiming to be Michelin Rated or anything. What they really are, is just providing a Simple Humble and Affordable Bowl of Comfort serving their Local Community for over 50 years.

Why am I giving a Higher Score to Poh Kee?

Simple. Its the More Friendlier Vibe that I felt here. Just look at the Genuine Friendly Smile from the Owner and his Adorable Myanmar Staff posing for the Camera.

I personally felt they tried to go out of the way to make me feel welcome.
It was quite a Welcoming Delight dining in here. Really a More Cozier Homely Feel.

That said, I also don't feel there is a need to specifically queue 7 Hours in Kastam and travel all the way to Kampung Pandan just to eat this Wanton Mee. If you are nearby the Area, don't mind the Very Rustic Traditional Non-Airconditioned Environment, and set your expectations in check, I can still recommend to give this a try.

In fact, I feel its the Rustic Environment that really adds alot to the Dining Atmosphere. Really Friendly and Welcoming Owner and Staff, I felt very welcome when eating here. Just like what Google Reviewer Charlene mentioned, 2 Generations eating here can't be wrong.