Fun fact: ramen is actually the Japanese adaptation of Chinese wheat noodles, and the Chinese dumpling ramen at Kung Fu Ramen in Summit USJ Subang was simply sublime. Imagine the depth of Japanese ramen but with the spices and aromatics of Chinese cuisine.
Full disclosure:I was extremely skeptical about bidding an entire meal of only a week-long trip at a potentially disappointing place, but my sister and cousin kept swearing by the dumpling and hand-pulled noodle soup (albeit cautiously warning me of how “ghetto” this place is).
Tucked away in the lower ground level of Summit Mall in Subang USJ (about a 25 minute drive from central KL), Kung Fu Ramen definitely does qualify as “ghetto”, with its plastic chairs and shiny tables, and boasts a health rating of “C’. I wanted to be a sport and because the broth smelled heavenly, so I took one for the team (you guys) the good news is that none of us got any sort of food poisoning whatsoever, and after M and I left, my family actually went back twice. Yup, it was that good.
I was also afraid that the dumplings would be fatty -which works for some but isn’t my cup of tea- and under-seasoned, but these were quite easily some of the most delicious and beautifully seasoned dumplings we’ve ever bitten into.
The wrappers were thin and transluscnet but had a bite to them, and the noodles were springy and perfectly chewy. It’s a spectacle in its own, watching the Chinese Muslim chef pulling and slapping then noodles into shape, and a marvel how they’re all equally thin/thick.
Chinese Muslims are a minority in China, so it felt like quite the treat getting to try the version of ramen that probably represents their version of Chinese food. This broth was dark and clear but had lots of depth, with distinct notes of 5 spice, and star anise shining through.
Between the 6 of us, we tried a variety of dishes, ranging from the dumping noodle soup, through the beef noodle soup to stir fried noodles (like Chow Mein). Each and every dish we tried was equally delicious but with such distinct flavors, and the one thing in common was fresh, springy, delicious noodles. Shame I didn’t take more pictures, we just dove right into the hot, delicious food.
Each of the bowls/plates (all very generously portioned and good for someone with a big appetite) was priced between 8-14 RM, an absolute steal, in line with standard Malaysian pricing, and tasted better than any of the bowls of ramen/noodles I’ve ha in Dubai. We also got giant tumblers of a drink that had red dates, plums, and oolong tea, which was around 5 RM, and this further reinforces my point on Malaysia being the ultimate Reasonable Halal Asian Food Heaven.
