Review: Ban Kee @ 5th Mile Jalan Gombak

**Non-Halal**

My parents took us here to Ban Kee as they were raving about the yong tau foo (stuffed beancurd and vegetables), assam fish and lala (clams). I've no idea how to get to this place as my dad took the MRR2 towards Batu Caves from Kepong and turn right somewhere which lead us thru some part of Sentul and the next I saw an uncompleted highway which I suspected will lead to Segambut or thereabout. Then we reached this place by the roadside. Dad said it should be 5th mile of Jalan Gombak. We went back via Setapak though and I noticed this Ban Kee is located near a mosque (Masjid Saad Abi Waqqas Coordinates: 3°12'4"N 101°42'8"E) and further down is SMK Chong Hwa Setapak (Coordinates: 3°11'57"N 101°42'18"E). There are a lot of furniture shops along this road too.

When my mom saw the lone lighted signage along the road (the only sign that will lead you to here), she claimed it's the Campbell Road Ban Kee... errr I've no idea but my parents used to stay around that area. Must be one of the stalls before they got demolished ages ago.

This was how the shack looked like inside. Errr if you're peculiar about cleanliness, you can skip this place. This place is dim and the floor is untiled but cemented. It's like a roadside kopitiam in a pekan. However, this place is airy though. The action in the background is Ban Kee's kitchen which is upfront. On the right side is the yong tau foo and assam fish stall but sad it was closed on Wednesdays. Will go again some other time.



Mom asked for fried Hokkien noodles of thick noodle and beehoon plus a plate of fried rice. The noodles were good with lots of ingredients but I've tasted better elsewhere. Fried rice was just okay.

The piece of resistance here is their stir-fried lala (clams) in rice wine not Tsao Tsing wine but the glutinous rice wine used in confinement cooking. The wine lend a subtle sweetness to the generous portion of gravy which we slurped till the last bit.



My brother asked for kung bao mantis prawn. The sticky sauce was well caramelised but I felt not enough of them to coat each piece of mantis prawn.



Mom ordered orh jien (oyster omelette) but this version is wee too "wet". Mom said must remind them to cook longer to crisp them up the next time. Sighhh the New World Park version still tops my list. Next we have a plate of vege of foo yue yau mak (stir fried romaine lettuce with preserved beancurd). It's too salty for us, I guess mainly cos we did not have plain rice plus we're used to less salty food.

All those food came to RM83 (5 adults + boiboi), drinks were on a separate bill. Rather satisfied and will return next time for the yong tau foo and assam fish (they're open from 10am onwards till late) plus maybe crabs cos I eyed almost every table have a plate of crabs!!!


Ban Kee
5th mile Jalan Gombak


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