Tony Johor Kaki Travels for Food · Heritage · Culture · History

Food Explorer Storyteller with 63 million+ reads 📧 johorkaki@gmail.com

Restoran Ya Wang 鸭皇 in Downtown Johor Bahru near City Square

“Because it’s there.” These three most famous words in mountaineering was the reply British climber George Mallory gave in 1924 when he was asked why he attempted to climb Mount Everest.

Restoran Ya Wang 鸭皇 in Downtown Johor Bahru near City Square

I guess this was the reason why I tried out Ya Wang 鸭皇, because this huge loud duck is always there whenever I passed downtown JB.

Restoran Ya Wang 鸭皇 in Downtown Johor Bahru near City Square

Furthermore, Ya Wang has a towering reputation. Declaring itself the "Duck King", Ya Wang was the shop that pioneered herbal roast ducks in Johor Bahru. Ya Wang is also the appointed adviser to the popular Dian Xiao Er 店小二 herbal roast duck franchise in Singapore.

Restoran Ya Wang 鸭皇 in Downtown Johor Bahru near City Square

Despite its stature, the exterior of Ya Wang restaurant looked worn with its signage bleached white as a sheet by the sun. The ducks and roast meat were hanging haphazardly behind the hazed glass case.



Inside the restaurant, it is air conditioned, meticulously cleaned, and dazzlingly flooded by bright fluorescent lights. The staff was attentive and wore the obvious pride of working in the oldest established 名老店 herbal roast duck shop in JB.

Restoran Ya Wang 鸭皇 in Downtown Johor Bahru near City Square

The duck meat and skin were soft and had a distinct herbal flavour due to the copious amount of herbal sauce doused over it. Much of the duck meat was literally soaking in the sauce.

Restoran Ya Wang 鸭皇 in Downtown Johor Bahru near City Square

Initially, I wasn’t thrilled as I was expecting something with crispy skin and juicy flesh.

Restoran Ya Wang 鸭皇 in Downtown Johor Bahru near City Square

It turned out that Ya Wang's tender duck meat was tasty and nice to chew on, though I remained unconverted. Nevertheless, this Ya Wang style has its own loyal following, judging by the steady stream of customers that kept flowing in.

Restoran Ya Wang 鸭皇 in Downtown Johor Bahru near City Square

The tasty soup was typical of Cantonese double boiled soup – loaded with lotus roots, dried cuttlefish, groundnuts and pork.

My plate of duck, lotus soup and a large plate of steamed rice came to RM14.

Give Ya Wang a try, if you have not – you might like this style of herbal roast duck.




Restaurant name: Restoran Ya Wang 腊大王
Address: 28, Jalan Segget, Johor Bahru
GPS: 1.458154,103.764337
Hours:

Date visited: 17 April 2012


9 comments:

  1. is this the one near KSL/Holiday plaza?

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is in JB Old Town. Near City Square Shopping Centre.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is extremely good...thanks for the posting ~

    ReplyDelete
  4. Try Meng Meng Roasted Duck, There are 3 branch located in Taman Sutera just a few shop besides nyjumaru ,
    Taman Mount Austin the shop roll along black ball & Sweet Hut, Johor Jaya dedap 1 http://on.fb.me/Rnv9qU .

    Must try, Their honey char siew, Char shao, Roasted Duck.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Can check where is the exact location for Jalan Sutera outlet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it's opposite Teck Sing Paper Backed Chicken.

      Delete
  6. bought set B for 2 person back to SG for dinner.. duck was ok.. e sauce a bit too salty and can feel e herbs residue.
    vege n soup average
    东坡肉 not 烂 enuff.. e lean meat must chew quite sometime then can swallow..
    will try set A next time.. looking forward to try e toufu in set A

    ReplyDelete
  7. Appreciating the dedication you put into your website and detailed information you present.
    It'snice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same outdated rehashed material.
    Great read! I've bookmarked your site and I'm including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Appreciate thee recommendation. Will try it out.

    ReplyDelete

All comments submitted with genuine identities are published