When it comes to claypot chicken rice in Kuala Lumpur, Heun Kee Claypot Chicken Rice is one of the most well-known names. Located near Pudu, this humble eatery has gained widespread recognition, including a coveted spot on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list. Known for its charcoal-cooked claypot rice, Heun Kee delivers a dish that is both aromatic and flavorful, making it a must-visit for lovers of traditional cuisine.
Heun Kee Claypot Chicken Rice was founded in 1985 and over time the owner, Madam Heun, developed and fined tuned her recipes and today it is one of the most sought-after eatery by locals and tourists alike and we purposefully made a trip down a second time. Yes a second time because there was a long queue the first time we went there for dinner.
This time we arrived early around 1030am on a Sunday, half an hour earlier than its stated opening time. We were the first in the queue and the staff told us to grab some chairs to wait. We decided to walk around the open air market to kill time.
Bought two cups of local kopi, which was good. The thing I realised about local kopi in Kuala Lumpur so far was that the coffee taste was similar and consistent even across the 3 different vendors I had bought from. From the coffee shop in Bentong, to the coffeeshop in Petaling Street and to this drinks truck in Pudu, which is something lacking in Singapore. If you go to different coffee shops in Singapore and order the same coffee, no single one will taste the same. I guess that’s why Ya Kun remains popular even with the steeper prices, because their coffees are largely consistent.
Anyway we went back at 11am sharp and were promptly seated in the air-conditioned premises at Heun Kee. We ordered two portions of claypot chicken rice (large and small), homemade seafood tofu, beansprouts and the recommended pig stomach’s soup.
Our food took about 30 minutes to arrive. The seafood tofu was popular with the kids but you can skip this dish if you don’t have enough belly space.
Heun Kee uses beansprouts from Ipoh, which are short, plump and crunchy. We ordered a large portion to share.
Pig stomach’s soup was cooked with chicken feet to give more depth to the soup taste. The soup had a mild peppery taste with a considerable amount of pig stomach slices, which warmed up our starving bellies. This was the small portion.
The Claypot Chicken Rice
Each serving of claypot chicken rice is prepared fresh upon order, which means a short wait—but it’s well worth it. The rice was fluffy, fragrant, and slightly crispy at the bottom, giving you that satisfying crunch with every spoonful. The marinated chicken pieces were tender and juicy, coated in a savory-sweet soy sauce that complemented the smokiness of the dish.
Adding to the richness were Chinese sausages (lap cheong) and salted fish, which give the dish extra layers of flavor. The lap cheong added a touch of sweetness, while the salted fish enhanced the umami, creating a perfect balance in every bite.
The Charcoal Difference
Unlike modern claypot rice stalls that rely on gas stoves, Heun Kee sticks to the traditional method of cooking over charcoal, which gives the rice a signature smoky aroma. The double-heat system—one charcoal fire below and another on top of the claypot—ensures that the rice is evenly cooked and infused with an aromatic charcoal fired flavour.
The cooking of the claypot chicken rice is now managed by their staff who have been trained well to control the charcoal heat. From the photo, you can see that they also place the charcoal on top of the claypot lid to ensure that the entire dish is properly cooked and to minimise the cooking time.
Verdict: Worth the Michelin Bib Gourmand?
Without a doubt! Heun Kee Claypot Chicken Rice has perfected the art of traditional charcoal-cooked claypot rice, delivering a dish that is packed with flavour, texture, and smoky goodness. The Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition is well deserved, and if you’re in Kuala Lumpur, this is one claypot rice experience you shouldn’t miss.
And it is not just us who can discern the difference. The beansprouts and the pig stomach soup are recommended dishes to accompany the claypot chicken rice.
Rating: 4.2 / 5
Heun Kee Claypot Chicken Rice
59, Jln Yew, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pCbLnk2yCyR83vUz7
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