What better way to experience the local cuisine than sampling the street food, right? In Kuala Lumpur’s case, Jalan Alor is the street you need to go to. Reminiscent of Siem Reap’s Pub Street, rows and rows of restaurants, food stalls and outside dining fill the whole area. Mind you, this street is relatively uneventful during the day that you’ll be surprised by its transformation at night.
Unlike Pub Street in Cambodia, cars are allowed to pass through the street, so better watch where you’re going! Strategically located in Bukit Bintang, this gastronomical haven can also overwhelm the new visitor. Especially with the smell of durian!
Culture shock aside, one is now faced with the dilemma of where to eat and what to eat. Surely, one’s tummy and pocket can’t afford to try everything all at once. That’s exactly what happened to me. I ended up walking the entire street two times before I settled on Wong Ah Wah. What made me sit there? You’ll know in a little while.
inside Wong Ah Wah
Wong Ah Wah’s signature dish: Roast Chicken Wings
So after a few tries of signaling to the staff, I finally had my order taken. Of course, I ordered the food that made me choose WAW – their signature roasted chicken wings! I added in Char Kuey Teow and Lime Juice too for good measure.
From its humble beginnings as a small stall, Wong Ah Wah now occupies 5 lots along Jalan Alor. And it can really get crowded especially during dinner time. Customers are a mix of locals and tourists, and of course, almost all have the chicken wings on their table.
At last, my order has arrived! Time for the verdict.
For someone who worked for a grilled chicken restaurant for more than two years, I can definitely say that WAW’s roasted chicken wings are WOW! Charred to perfection on the outside, the skin is delightfully crisp, smoky and flavorful. Surprisingly, the meat retains its juiciness and the marinade sticking to the skin makes the wings all the more finger-licking-good. At 3.20 RM per piece (minimum 2 pcs), this is definitely a steal!
Their Char Kwey Teow, although quite filling, leaves a lot to be desired. The smokiness overpowers the rest of the flavors resulting in a bitter aftertaste. After washing it all off with the lime juice, all is well again.
I would definitely come back for those wings, though!
Wong Ah Wah
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 5:30 PM – 4:00 AM (Closed on alternating Mondays)
