Restaurant Sin Kee — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

stumbled upon 新记中西餐 while passing by for lunch and I'm so glad I did! Even though it was bustling and there was a short queue, the wait was absolutely worth it.

The first thing that struck me was the warm and efficient service. Despite the crowd, the auntie managing the queue was incredibly friendly. She proactively took our order and gave us a clear estimate of the waiting time, which made the process smooth and hassle-free. Be prepared for a truly local experience – sharing tables is common here and just adds to the charm!

We ordered two classic dishes:

Pork Chop (RM 18.50): This was a highlight! It's made with a tender, minced meat patty rather than a whole chop. The potato side was perfectly crispy with deliciously charred edges, and it was all topped with baked beans. The entire dish was wonderfully balanced and not heavy at all—perfect for those who prefer a lighter, yet utterly satisfying meal. Pork Steamed Rice (RM 13): This dish is an incredible value! It arrives loaded with a generous amount of savory gravy, tender pork slices, onions, fish cake, Chinese sausage, and even pieces of squid. Every spoonful was a delight. It was flavorful without being overly salty or oily, which I truly appreciate. Both dishes delivered that authentic, old-school taste that is so hard to find nowadays. The food is clearly made with care and focuses on flavor rather than just grease.

For its quality, generous portions, and reasonable prices, 新记中西餐 offers fantastic value for money. It’s no wonder the place is so popular!

I will definitely be back soon to try more dishes from their extensive menu. Highly recommended for anyone craving genuine, comforting, and tasty...

I had dinner at Sin Kee for the first time on a Friday evening. All the tables were occupied, so I assumed partially empty tables could be shared so I didn't have any problem finding a seat. I was attended by one of the auntie servers within 3 min and I ordered the Mun Fun with pork and the Pork Chop without an issue. I took out a book expecting for a long wait, but my dinner was served within 12 min (based on my text log).

I thought the mun fun was a little under seasoned, but I was able to add chili-infused soy sauce to my liking. I like the idea of a nice mélange of homey goodness of Chinese sausage, pork, fish cake (which I thought was tofu) in a soy-based gravy. It wasn't mind-blowing, but it was good. I thought the pork chop was altogether more interesting. I'm not sure whether it was a misnomer, i.e., chopped a lot so that it was now ground or minced. Regardless, it reminded me of the Cantonese/Toisanese steamed pork patty. This dish, however, seemed to have been seared on at least one side (?); and, I'm not sure whether it was steamed or shallow-fried and then doused with a Hainanese gravy. Because of my association with the steamed patty, I almost wanted ginger or umami from some kind of seafood. Both dishes needed something or at least the versions I received that night. Anyway, I appreciated the exposure to Hainanese home cooking or an evolution/adaption of it. It was definitely worth trying, but I wouldn't order those dishes again. I also wouldn't queue up for more than 20 min, and fortunately, I didn't have to. Oh btw, I found the "grumpy" waitresses to be efficient and helpful, total opposite from some of the other reviews. Maybe, I...

Easily accessible from KL Sentral (by crossing a busy street from NU Sentral and walking towards Vivekananda Ashram / Menara Shell). Old school local Chinese-style (Hainanese?) food. There are items on the menu that come in individual portions and there are also dishes more typically ordered for sharing when dining in a bigger group. The "steamed rice" (see other reviews) and pork chop are tasty and come in individual servings which are satisfyingly sufficient for those with bigger appetites. The soup of the day is good value and a must order, even when I'm dining alone. Chinese tea (iced or hot) can be ordered by the glass should a whole pot of Chinese tea be too much. Shop is crowded and noisy most of the time. Seek help from staff to get seats if you don't mind joining the same table as other diners (you can choose to wait too). They'll ask other diners already at the table on your behalf whether it's OK for you to join them. Have enjoyed friendly interactions and memorable conversations with other diners sharing the same table on several occasions. Staff has no problems understanding English and I've discreetly pointed to what others were eating to indicate what I wanted on several occasions. Service can seem brusque but it's probably because the focus is on efficiency and delivering food on the table. Menu has prices clearly stated. When done, can ask for the bill or approach the lady boss behind the counter to pay (she'll ask you what you've had and total up the bill for you). Great for those looking for local Chinese food and a less touristy experience just a few minutes' walk away...