WAI KEE RESTAURANT @ TEMPLE STREET, YAU MA TEI

After having my tummy filled with the Claypot Beef Rice for lunch and yummy Beef Brisket at teatime, my overstuffed tummy protested and decided to shut down for the day. I was bloated and didn't feel hungry at all despite strolling along Temple Street for an hour. Temple Street is located in Yau Ma Tei and is well known for its night market. Am not going to talk much about Temple Street, so if you are interested to know more, do check out HERE.

There are lots of restaurants (Dai Pai Dong style) along Temple Street and most fully packed with diners. Some impressive, some not. I always aim for those patronized by locals and we finally came across two promising restaurants located almost at the end of Temple Street. One is Hing Kee Restaurant which is recommended in my booklet. Hubby wasn't impressed with Hing Kee shopfront and so we decided to try Wai Kee Restaurant which is just few shops away.


It was fully packed outside, not even a table to share with other diners. So we proceeded into the shop and shared a table with two local girls. With the cool weather, claypot rice seems to be a big hit. I see most diners have own pot each. Since we already had it for lunch and I was not hungry at all, I told Hubby not to order any. If you ask me again at this very moment, I wish I could have one pot of each in their menu now!


The claypot rice must be really good here. As we were seated near to the kitchen, I saw pots after pots of rice being whisked out. Definitely must be good since the couple at the next table ordered 3 pots to share. Personally I couldn't even finish one pot myself as it's quite a big portion.


We agreed to have just few dishes to try. Apart from the claypot rice, their Deep Fried Mantis Prawn with Salt Pepper Style seems to be quite popular. Our serving came with generous portion of at least 10 pieces of huge mantis prawns. Price? Only HKD40! Average about less than RM2 per piece. I once paid RM5 per piece at a seafood restaurant in K.L. Now, who said dining in Hong Kong is expensive???


I saw Claypot Eel Rice in the menu but I only wanted the eel and not the rice. The friendly waiter told us this could be done. Steamed with black bean sauce, this dish was delicious! The pieces of eel was steamed to perfection. I enjoy the chewy gelatinous skin followed by soft and smooth texture of the flesh. Good but however, it still could not beat the best steamed eel I had in Macau. Priced at HKD45 (about RM20).


Fiber! Definitely in need for some greens! Hong Kong Kai Lan is always my favourite, followed by Hong Kong choy sum and snowpea sprout. Crunchy and sweet when cooked just right, minus the green bitter after taste.


Overall, it was a good meal without any complain. Service was friendly and fast. Am glad we gave this place a try.

Wai Kee Restaurant is located at:
"Twenty-something" Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei (few shops away from Hing Kee at No.19)
Direction: From Yau Ma Tei MTR Station Exit C, walk along Man Ming Lane until Temple Street

What's up at next post? Have not decided yet....come back later to find out yah!