Baby C went on a weekend trip to Ipoh, Perak with her grandparents a couple of weeks ago. They came home bearing (food) gifts -- one of them was the salt baked chicken or 'Yim Kok Kai' 盐锔鸡. Their Ipoh friends recommended the salt chicken from Aun Kheng Lim, the pioneers of salt baked chicken in Ipoh. Established since 1987, this is a must-try if you ever visit Ipoh.
Even though the chicken was tapau-ed back all the way to KL, after steaming for 5 minutes with the paper on, it was still very delicious. The taste of dong quai (Angelica sinensis) herb was quite prevalent, which I like a lot. There was some juices coming out from the chicken, herby and salty at the same time and we mopped it up with the chicken meat. I do find the taste very similar to the One Barrel Chicken ('Yat Tong Kai') that we had in Sim Hap Ke in Cheras (cos they use similar herbs).
I did not witness it for myself, but apparently the chicken is wrapped in the oiled paper then placed in a wok, covered with sea salt and baked using Chinese traditional cooking methods til succulent.
A chicken is sufficient for 3 persons to share. Though we were still hankering for more when we finished.
Baby C loved it too...
The shop is located inside a building with red/white facade, but make sure you go to the right shop since there are quite a few other brands there selling salt baked chicken too.
Full set of photos available to view here.
Opening times: 10am til chickens sold off.
Price: RM17 per chicken.
Location: Aun Kheng Lim, 24 Jalan Theatre, 30300 Ipoh, Perak.
Tel: 05-254 2998
GPS Coordinates:4.594734, 101.083542
Branch: 75, Laluan Tasek Perdana, Medan Tasek Perdana (Off Jalan Kuala Kangsar), 30010 Ipoh, Perak. (Tel:012-533 4993). Open from 11am onwards.
there's a salt baked chicken in the tmn connaught pasar malam too. :D used to buy salt baked chicken from there but stopped doing so cos it's actually kinda *heaty*
ReplyDeleteoh, i love theirs!!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle: Actually that Chinese restaurant opposite yr house also does salt baked chicken, but have never tried it before cos needs advance booking and I always forget to do tht before we visit :P
ReplyDeleteAi Wei: It's very good. Next time must get 2!
ReplyDeleteoooh, i need to remember to ask someone to tarpau for me, if i ever have any friends going to ipoh. i noticed from your pic that the gizzard appears to be included in the package. how about the liver (my favorite chicken organ to eat, heheh)? :D
ReplyDeleteI have had this before. Uiks..they naik harga already. Used to be RM16 each. Ya taste very good. The bone part and the wings i used to cook porridge. Fuiyo...the whole house smell so good.
ReplyDeleteSean: I dont think the liver was included. Can't rmbr bcos none of us ate it -- if there was any, the dogs would have gotten it. Lol.
ReplyDeleteSmall Kucing: RM1 increase still ok la. Since price of everything also increase.
ReplyDeleteYes...one of my fave places that warrant a must stop over whenever we visit Ipoh.
ReplyDeleteLove the chicken and we normally would normally stock the freezer with boxes of it.
I normally debone the chicken (except the drum and wing) and use it for chicken stock that makes awesome porridge.
Sam love drumstick too :P
ReplyDeletePS; So sorry about Sam's behavior that day :(
Though I stay in IPOH all these years, I seldom buy this and eat.. but seeing it now.....I thought of going out this minute to get one! :)
ReplyDeleteI love love love love love love LOVE salt-baked chicken! *major drooling*
ReplyDeletemissyblurkit: Wow that's really hardcore :) Guess you're a big fan of this salted chicken.
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ReplyDeleteChoi Yen: Dont worry about it -- I know how kids are like cos I got two too. :P
ReplyDeletereanaclaire: Hehe so did u like it?
ReplyDeleteKenny: OK next time if I go Ipoh, I help u tapau one back too :P
ReplyDeleteOmg, i'm salivating! I love dong guai n herbal taste! @@
ReplyDeletewa u DHL it over to SG? =P
ReplyDeleteI like this type of chicken. Paper wrapped chicken too! My nearest favourite makan place for this type of chicken unfortunately is too far for me too. Its in Johor Bahru - Teck Sing restaurant =(
So delicious......but the price aledi RM18,,,,,
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