We’ve got braised duck aplenty locally, but none like Kedai Masakan Itik Taika Huat in JB, where you get to dig into your meal under a corrugated metal, standalone structure that’s built around the trunks of several large trees.
What started as a streetside stall back in 1973 has flourished ever since, with the trees being as old as Taika Huat. Fun fact: there’s a well on the premises that the founder of Taika Huat dug when he founded the stall, although the water drawn from this well is not used for drinking.
Start your initiation to Taika Huat’s offerings with Duck Meat (from RM11/~S$3.60), which come deboned and thinly sliced, then drenched in a slightly herbal-tasting gravy.
The tender meat is not braised till soft; rather it retains a bit of bite, contrasted against a layer of fat under the tasty skin.
If you prefer gnawing on some bony bits whilst you chat, get the Duck Wings (RM3.50/~S$1.20 for four) instead.
They’re chopped into pieces so it’s less unwieldy to eat, and in spite of their bony, lean appearance, the meat here is just as tender.
Other duck bits you can get here at Taika Huat include Duck Web, or Duck Tongue (RM10/~S$3.20), all of which comes in that same delectable gravy.
For some variety, order yourself some Pig Trotter (RM40/~S$12.90 for half) too—you might even find yourself liking this even more than the duck!
The ooey gooey mess that lands on your table might look slightly unappetising, but you’ll find that the entire trotter is fall-apart tender, with the tendons and gelatinous bits braised to a jelly-like, melting finish. You can even get vacuum-packed ones to bring home, though you’ll have to bring a chiller bag for this.
With all that gravy, you might want to have a bowl of rice to along with the food, but the Kuehteow (RM2/~S$0.70) is pretty superb too. Not only does it come silkily bathed in the braising liquid, it’s also zhnged-up with shallot oil and more aromatics that render it extra flavourful.
We’ve also scouted out other JB hawker stalls you should check out; otherwise check out Soh Food in Singapore, which serves a rare stewed duck!
Address: MY Johor Skudai Jalan Batu 8½ near Lee Pineapple Factory and SJK Kuo Kuang school Jalan Kilang Nenas, 81300, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 4pm
Tel: +60 17-763 2188
Kedai Masakan Itik Taika Huat is not a halal-certified eatery
Photos taken by Brad Harrison Lee
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.SGÂ
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