🍜 Kiong Kee Duck Noodles: Our Favorite Lunch After the Pasar Pagi

A morning walk through the vibrant aisles of the Pasar Pagi Taman Daya is a feast for the senses. The air buzzes with conversation, and the colors of fresh produce are a welcome sight. But once the shopping bags are full, another important question arises: “What’s for lunch?” For my wife and I, the answer is always the same. It’s a comforting routine that takes us just a short short walk away, to a place that holds much more than just a meal. For me, it holds a memory. This place is Kedai Makanan Kiong Kee, their Kiong Kee Duck Noodles.

You won’t find it hyped on social media; it’s a humble stall in a local coffee shop, a master of one thing: roasted duck. For years, I’ve held this spot close, a personal favorite tied to my own childhood. But some places are too special to keep to yourself.

This post is an invitation to step away from the usual food trends and discover a taste that, for me, has bridged generations. It’s a guide to a satisfying meal, but it is also the story of finding my way back to a flavor I thought I might have lost forever.

📍 Finding Kiong Kee: A Humble Stall with a Loyal Following

Finding this stall feels like being let in on a local secret. Its simplicity is a core part of its charm.

• Location: You can find the shop at 94, Jalan Pinang 23, Taman Daya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor.
• Operating Hours: They typically open around 8:00 AM and close by 3:00 PM. Be aware that, like many popular local eateries, they might sell out of their best items and close earlier. A late breakfast or lunch is the perfect time to visit.
• The Atmosphere: The coffee shop is clean and efficient. It is often semi-packed in the morning. The setting is straightforward, with plastic chairs. This no-frills environment signals that the focus here is entirely on the quality of the food.

🦆 A Masterclass in Roasted Duck: Deconstructing Our Standard Order of Kiong Kee Duck Noodles

My wife fell in love with the noodles on her first visit, and Kiong Kee has been our standard ritual ever since. We have a go-to order that never disappoints.

The Star: Roasted Duck Leg with Noodles (Dry Version)

• The Duck: We always go for the duck leg. The meat is incredibly tender and not at all gamey. The skin is roasted until it is thin and delicate. Underneath lies a layer of delicious duck fat that simply melts in your mouth, enriching every bite.
• The Noodles: The meal is built on a foundation of springy duck egg noodles. They have a wonderful, chewy texture that offers a perfect contrast to the soft, roasted meat. A rich, dark soya sauce coats every strand, providing a deep, savory flavor.
• The Vegetables: A good portion of fresh, blanched greens comes with the dish. This adds a welcome crunch and a touch of freshness that balances the richness of the duck and sauce.

The Perfect Partner: Roasted Pork (Sio Bak)

• We often add a side of their roast pork. On a good day, it is exceptional. The skin is roasted to a perfect crisp, delivering a satisfying crackle with each bite. The meat beneath has a satisfyingly fatty quality that makes it wonderfully moist.

The Supporting Cast: Sauces and Soup

• The Chili: The chili sauce served on the side is essential. It is a tangy, potent mix of fresh garlic and chili padi. It provides a bright, sharp heat that cuts through the richness of the roasted meats beautifully.
• The Soup: A simple, savory bowl of soup with spring onions is served alongside. It is a standard, umami-rich broth that works perfectly as a palate cleanser between bites of noodle and duck.

They serve Char Siew And Roasted Chicken as well but I have been standing by my standard order so often that I don’t exactly remember how they taste. Look out for an update to this blog post when I have the chance to try it!

💭 A Bridge Across Generations: More Than Just a Meal

Growing up, the highlight of our weekend visits to my grandparents in Johor Bahru was the Sunday lunch. Before we left for Singapore, my grandpa would go out and dabao (take away) our meal. It was almost always roasted duck noodles from Kiong Kee, a final taste of home before we began the long journey back, navigating the infamous checkpoint jams from a time before e-gates.

I never had the chance to go with him. I only knew the end result of his quiet act of love: a warm packet of food that tasted of family. As years went by, there was always a lingering fear that this specific taste, like so many childhood memories, might one day be lost. Rediscovering Kiong Kee as an adult was therefore a profound experience. The first bite was a wave of relief and nostalgia. The taste was the same.

That rediscovery is what allowed my wife and I to build our own routine, turning a piece of my past into a highlight of our present trips. It’s a simple pleasure, but it’s one that grounds us. There is a unique comfort in seeing the same staff each time we visit. As an introvert, I don’t always make small talk, but the familiar faces behind the counter provide a quiet, grounding sense of stability and belonging. It feels less like a transaction and more like visiting a trusted neighborhood spot. This is probably the only place where I can call myself a regular, and where the staff remembers our standard order each time we come.

Kiong Kee isn’t trying to do everything. It focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well. In a world of fleeting food trends, there is something deeply reassuring about a place dedicated to perfecting its craft, confirmed by its loyal following of local families and workers.

Now, I get to share this legacy with my wife. Maybe one day, I will bring my own children here. They can taste the same noodles their father loved as a boy, a flavor chosen for him by their great-grandfather. A taste can be a bridge across generations, and it’s a rare and special thing to find one so beautifully preserved.

✅ How to Order Like a Local

The experience is straightforward and rewarding. Here are a few tips for a smooth visit.

• Know Your Order: Feel free to try our “standard order” for a guaranteed great meal. If you prefer, they also offer duck with rice.
• Time Your Visit: To avoid the peak lunch crowd, try to go slightly before noon (around 11:30 AM) or after the main rush (around 1:30 PM).
• Payment: As with most establishments in JB, both cash and QR payment is accepted.
• Embrace the Efficiency: Service is quick, polite, and to the point. This is the nature of an authentic kopitiam. The goal is to serve you delicious food efficiently.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

✨ The Reward of a Well-Loved Routine

Kiong Kee is more than just another food recommendation on a travel blog; it is a tangible link to my childhood, to my family, and to a grandfather I miss. But the reason I’m sharing it is not just for nostalgia. It’s because this stall represents everything I believe a meaningful travel experience can be: authentic, consistent, and deeply connected to a community.

Perhaps it will become a new memory for you, too. In a city full of excellent food, Kiong Kee offers something special: a taste of a legacy. I hope you get to experience it for yourself.

Hungry for more food in Malaysia? Or ready to do some visit other parts of Malaysia after?