Char Siew @ Uncle Lee Roasted Delights, Jalan Bendahara,Malacca

 

There is just something amazing about the simple char siew. It sounds so simple and humble on paper, but when done right, it is just an amazing specimen when it comes to old-fashioned Chinese roasts. One such shop that does it perfectly is Uncle Lee Roasted Delights.

No frills dining

 

Originally called Bunga Raya Famous Lao Lee Char Siew, the simple hawker has now turned into a full-blown restaurant. However, it did not divert away from its simple roots. In fact, the interior is so simple, you might think that the decoration is not complete. All the walls are bare white and the only fixture on the wall is the menu. Despite that do not let this deter you. The previous incarnation of this establishment has built a legendary reputation for a reason. And that reason is, you guessed it, the char siew. 

The only thing on the wall

My family and a few of my parents' friends were fortunate enough to visit the place when there was still stock. None of the meats were hung like what you usually see in places like this, showing that there is still food left. This was despite the fact that it just touched noon.  Having said that, we were able to order some char siew, siew yoke roast, and a few accouterments. 

Time to feast!

Slowly but surely, our table became loaded with food. In addition to the roast meats, we also ordered braised eggs, tofu, and a few vegetable dishes. As a condiment, a serving of chunky sambal and a bowl of curry gravy were added to the mix. There was not much to say, to be honest, everything was good, pure, and tasty. The char siew was just how it looks like. Slathering with a little curry and sambal gave it such an incredible kick, that it felt almost compulsory. A flavour explosion indeed. 

The main star. 

Sweet, sticky, meaty, savoury, and slightly fatty. It is quite interesting to note so many elements in one simple dish. A hallmark of a pro. The siew yoke was pretty good too. It had a nice crunch when it comes to the crackling and was seasoned well. However, it pales in comparison when it comes to the char siew. It would be hard to top that in any event. The veggies were so-so, as they were more to make the meal more complete. The tofu and eggs, however, were pretty full-bodied. I enjoyed them thoroughly. All these food and rice stood at a mere RM 52 which is an absolute bargain. 

Front of the house

Long story short, there is a reason why the old name has the word "famous" in it. By 12.30 pm, the time we left the premises, everything was sold out. We were pretty lucky to have it while they still had stock. It may not be something on the radar of tourists, but char siew rice is pretty well-loved by the locals. And if you try this humble yet satisfying dish at least once, you would probably feel the same way too. Fancy a go? Then the address is as follows: 

151, Jalan Bendahara, 75100 Malacca