The Champ Kitchen (Kepong)

- the only restaurant left is the one in KIP. It saddens me to hear that they have closed 3 restaurants and a factory during MCO. Food is still good..

Come for a meaty feast with friends over braised pork knuckles prepared in a century-old cooking method from Fujian that ensures a potent, collagen-rich sauce after 72 hours of braising. Order the delicious Drunken Pork Knuckle (from RM48) to share, and look forward to a show. The braised pork knuckle is served in a claypot and then doused in Chinese white wine and set ablaze. Pair that with a bowl of Pork Lard Rice (RM3.50).
Photo by Burppler Yung-hui Lim

The Champ Kitchen prides themselves on braised pork knuckles and a cooking method like no other — up to 180 pork knuckles are thrown into a ginormous steel pot and slow-cooked over 72 hours to achieve off-the-bone tenderness. Come for a luscious lunch and bring a trotter-loving friend with you. We recommend a quick treat with the Pork Rice (RM8), jewelled with a gleaming piece of knuckle, pork belly, preserved vegetables and a seasoned boiled egg (runny centre guaranteed). For something a little more ambitious, it will have to be the Claypot Pork Knuckle (RM38) that's good for two to three people. The slab swims in a dark yet lightly-flavoured sauce that suggests of the establishment's homey cooking style — no MSG here, but feel free to jazz up your pork with soy sauce. Have this with white rice or our all-time favourite Fried Mantou (RM1.50 per piece).
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh

Now, i think it’s unfair for me to judge this one especially because pork isn’t my number one choice of protein but damn, everything we ordered here were no short of good. The pork knuckle noodles (RM15.5) and rice (RM12) were simply delish. The pork knuckles had been gently cooked in a large pot for about 72 hours and the finished result is meltingly tender pork. Rice not enough? You’d find your bowl topped up immediately by a motherly figure going from table to table, asking guests if they’d like to ‘ka fan’. They also whip up some amazing moreish shrimp wontons (RM24) that just pop in your mouth, you’d be mad to leave without trying this.