A per the saying that has been proven true in my personal experience would be ‘It’s the company that makes the food taste better’ – A perfect dish may feel cold and tasteless if eaten alone in an isolated setting but it would taste a lot better in the company of great friends and family, creating a warm, fuzzy, and joyful dining environment.
Hop Sing, the Chinese restaurant at Ponderosa Golf and Country Resort, immediately reminded me of such an experience when the chef’s personal and favourite recipes were passed down through his family and brought to us at the round table.
To whet my appetitie, I had a soup appetiser with two pieces of chicken, generous amount of goji berries, and red dates, which are a not only healthy but popular ingredients for beautifying oneself from the inside!
Yvonne, a well-known Johor Bahru hotelier and the Marcom here, taught me to dip the chicken in soy sauce and sliced bird’s eye chilli; and the flavour immediately heightened my senses. We talked about how easy it is for Muslim friends to gather with her at Hop Sing for its no pork, no lard servings.
We were served the new variant of the popular Ginger Fried Chicken, which is the spicier sister dish, drizzled with dried chillies—an instant favourite of mine because of how crunchy and flavourful it was.
A Chinese meal would be incomplete without the Steamed Grouper cooked in Hong Kong style, which we had. The fish was marinated perfectly, soaked in the flavourful broth, and served as a great follow-up to our appetiser.
Next, the Kuey Teow ‘Bulan’ caught my eyes, with a raw egg yolk sat in the middle of perfectly cooked wok hei Kuey Teow. Mixed professionally, it immediately became a slightly thickened version, ladened with protein.
From that alone, it evoked a nostalgic conversation over the table where everyone told their stories about the yesteryears’ at home; walking at the market, eating their favourite noodles, and what was gone with time. It immediately brought the warmth of home to the table.
The desserts were said to be a hit, from the freshly made Cendol with a generous amount of red beans, to the Crispy Banana and Cempedak fritters to be dipped in Johor-style sambal kicap made of chillies, soy sauce, and palm sugar.
After tasting them one by one, I could see myself walking down the hawkers’ lane with friends on a sunny afternoon, enjoying the snacks just a few hours before dinner.
Alas, it was time to say goodbye, and the shared moments over lunch at Hop Sing remained in our minds thanks to the delectable dishes that brought back memories for us—an unforgettable experience indeed.
Bring your friends and family one of these days to have a “Taste of Home” and walk down the memory lane together at Hop Sing restaurant.
Each of the dishes come in three different sizes, from S to L, to suit your needs. The price ranges from RM23 to RM88 per dish, ensuring you get the best quality of each dish. Currently, you’re in luck, as the restaurant is offering 30% off on all its ala carte food dishes.
Reserving your table is as easy as a chat on their WhatsApp or by calling 019-790 0058. Hop Sing Restaurant is open for lunch from 11.30am to 2.30pm daily and closes on Monday. More information at Ponderosa Golf & Country Resort Facebook page.
