Next time, if you around KL Sentral and feeling hungry, why not hop over to Mr.Chiam’s Fritters stall and help yourself with some delicious pisang goreng, curry puff, kuih bakul and sesame balls. They are all made fresh and most importantly cheap and affordable, something that’s fast becoming rare in KL nowadays.
When I first heard of it I didn’t think of it as a big deal because I thought “how tasty can a simple fried banana be?” Wow, how wrong could I be.
Mr.Chiam’s fritters stall is located in front of Restoran Yit Sieang, which is also directly opposite YMCA at Brickfields. It would be hard to miss this stall, as there is always a bee-line of customers.
The stall is always manned by two people – Mr.Chiam himself and his son. His son has a funny way of calling his father ‘lou sai’ or ‘si tau’ in Cantonese, which means boss. Fair enough considering they’re in a business lol. Anyway, this young chap is very friendly and is always spotted with a smile on his face. The tasty and cheap fritters aside, that’s another reason I like to patronize them.
Most, if not all of their raw fritters are prepared in a unit at the building behind them. The way the raw fritters are delivered is both unique and efficient too. They communicate with the people inside the unit using an intercom, usually when a particular fritter is out. Upon order the raw fritters would be prepped and delivered in a basket that hangs over the unit’s window.
Different fritters have different methods of frying. The kuih bakul arrives in the form of sandwich (‘nian gao’ between sweet potato or yam slices) and has to be dipped into the batter and fried individually.
Banana fritters and sesame balls (crushed peanuts filling) are to be dropped into the wok as quickly as possible and stirred evenly, while curry puffs are lined up in circles on a rack then submerged into the hot oil to keep them in shape as well as not to break the crispy puffs.
The batter debris formed from all the deep frying needs to sieved periodically to ensure the cleanliness of the oil. Oh, if you’re wondering, they use Buruh brand frying oil. And no, they don’t refill the oil by dipping plastic bags of cooking oil directly into the wok. So no need to be worry about the plastic factor in your out-of-the-world-crispy pisang goreng.
Raja Pisang sourced from plantations in Pahang is used for the banana fritters. I guess the size and the natural sweetness of Raja Pisang are the main reasons they are selected.
All the fritters are always set aside to drain the excess oil and rest before being handed to customers. That, coupled with the use of fresh, high heat oil ensure the fritters are always crispy and still enjoyable after hours.
For only 80 cents a piece, they are perfect for a quick afternoon snack. I especially love the kuih bakul for the sweet and gooey glutinous rice cake in the center. Although a very common snack that can be even prepared at home, it takes skills and the right batter recipe for a crispy outer layer.
Business hours, prices and their contact number are clearly displayed at the stall. For those who are still unaware of this pisang goreng/fried fritters stall, do give it a try. For a fritter stall that is supposingly famous for their banana fritters, it’s kinda ironic that I am not showing any of it lol.
Well that’s because I only managed to catch them preparing kuih bakul and sesame balls before it started to rain. I did try their awesome banana fritters before and got hooked to them instantly. And I am pretty much sure you will too. Special thanks to my dear SL for letting me know about this stall.
Opposite YMCA, in front of Yit Sieang Coffee Shop
Brickfields, KL
Business hours: 12.30pm – 6pm
Tel: 012-617 2511
Yes, they have been serving good stuff for years at that same spot.
There is also good CKT stall in the coffee shop directly across the road opposite Yit Sieang. It’s done KL style (darker) wit good wok hei & bits of crispy lard.
Nice site u have – rgds
Thanks for the heads up.. I also read there Peter Pork Noodles worth trying around the area too.. seems like I will need to make a trip to Brickfields again soon
Yes this one, with the DIY lift from above? :)
I’ll take the fried nian gao anyday. True one can replicate the same thing at home, but it just wont be the same.
Yeah, that one. I have yet to try their sesame balls… maybe next trip
He’s been there for umpteen years !! … There’s an auntie there who also sells pretty good curry puffs and yam cake and other kuih just round the corner from him. You should go n try!
hi hols, I did notice the aunty.. I think she also sells yau char kwai too. I will give hers a try next time :)
Been trying to look for Kuih Bakul around and normally the ones made at home is not as good as outside. Time to go Brickfields!
This is one of the top food to try in Brickfields, enjoy!
saw this in tv show b4 but have yet to try them. love a try on the kuih bakul. it looks so crunchy from the outside. inside must be gummy soft
Yeah the nian gao is very nice! Even after 15 minutes the inner layer is still so warm and gooey.. a very good hearty snack I’d say.. brings back the childhood memory one.
oh…I just went to Brickfields last Sun, you should post this earlier :(
haha!! i know this…nice nice!!!
highly recommend to buy and let yout taste buds enjoy the food!!!
Everytime I am around KL Sentral, I will not miss visiting this stall! Loveeeee the banana fritters and ‘tee kueh’!
Do you know that Mr Chiam is also from Bukit Mertajam!
I guess when it comes to good food, it will always be related to Penangites (I am one too)…haha…
Over-rated and over-priced. RM1.20 per piece for the Pisang Goreng, Kuih Bakul and Curry Puff.
The pisang goreng was not particularly sweet.
The kuih bakul was small.
In SS2, SEA Park and USJ they charge 80sen for the fritters and I feel the Brickfields fritters taste no better.
The curry puff filling on the other hand is quite good. The corner coffee shop back to back with the Kamdar row in SS2 is also good but value for money goes to Ikea for their OCK curry puffs.
I wouldn’t make the effort to turn into the area to buy it.
well I did mention it’s only worth trying IF you are in the area
I do agree that many other stalls you find in the morning/night market could prepare similar if not better tasting kuihs