We tried KL’s best-rated wanton mee

I’ve heard so much about Yulek Wan Tan Mee ever since I moved to KL. It seems like everyone I know has queued up for this restaurant in Cheras and shared their experience on social media. But, does it truly live up to the hype?

When I checked out Yulek Wan Tan Mee’s Google rating, I found it had an impressive 4.1-star rating based on 2,118 reviews (at time of writing). It appears that they’ve sparked quite a buzz online.

I arrived at the shop just before the lunch rush, around 11.30am, but to my surprise, there was already a short queue forming outside. Listening to some of the patrons’ conversations, it seemed that many of them were regulars at this restaurant.

After waiting for about 20 minutes, we finally got our turn. With the place packed, my dining partner and I ended up sharing a table with other diners. Note that the restaurant provides an online menu, requiring customers to place orders via QR code.

What I tried at Yulek Wan Tan Mee

After a wait of 35 minutes, our order finally arrived at the table. I went for a classic choice, opting for the Char Siew Mee (RM11). The dish boasted ample noodles bathed in savoury black sauce, generously adorned with succulent char siew. A side of vegetables added a refreshing touch to the meal.

The noodles immediately caught my eye with their springy appearance and even sauce coating. Personally, I prefer noodles with a firmer texture, and while these didn’t quite meet my expectations in that regard, they were still enjoyable, cooked to just the right degree.

Next, I bit into a slice of char siew. At first glance, the char siew appeared slightly pale in the middle, so my expectations weren’t high. However, I was pleasantly surprised by its impeccable balance of savoury and sweet flavours. The meat also had a subtle smokey undertone and tender mouthfeel, further enhancing its taste.

Toong Kwoon Chye: 4 generations of legacy with springy homemade wantan noodles at Bukit Bintang

Meanwhile, my dining partner chose the Roasted Pork Mee (RM12), which came with the same noodles and 2 rows of roasted pork. The serving of pork was indeed generous.

Given that the noodles are the same as those in the Char Siew Mee, I won’t delve too deeply into them. As for the roasted pork, it provided a satisfactory portion, boasting a well mix of fat and lean meat, complemented by a crispy skin. However, in terms of flavour,  it didn’t particularly stand out— it was just another roasted pork dish.

Both dishes were accompanied by a bowl of soup, each containing 3 pieces of wanton. The broth carried a delightful chicken aroma with a hint of pepper, imparting a refreshing element to the meal.

Meanwhile, the wantons were also aptly sized. They sported smooth, thin skins with a balanced filling, making them easy to enjoy without feeling too heavy.

While waiting for seats, we noticed that many customers were having fried wanton and dumplings. Unfortunately, by the time we were seated, the dumplings were already sold out. Therefore, we opted for the Fried Wanton (RM8 for 10 pieces) instead.

The fried wanton featured a satisfyingly crisp outer layer, enclosing generous and flavourful fillings within, further enhancing our dining experience.

Final thoughts

Although the restaurant was located not too far from me, I ended up spending most of my time queuing and waiting for the dishes to arrive. Yet, was the wait justified? I’m uncertain if I’d be willing to queue again. Perhaps I’ll consider revisiting when I crave for wanton mee, provided I can avoid the lunch rush.

Nevertheless, I found the meal to be quite pleasant, particularly the char siew, which left a lasting impression. Regarding the crowd, I cannot attest to the situation after the lunch hour, but it’s advisable to steer clear of peak times if you can, as a long queue had already formed outside the shop shortly after I was seated.

Expected damage: RM11 – RM15 per pax

Kopitiam 143: Affordable roadside kopitiam with roti bakar arang, nasi lemak & wanton mee from RM2