Poh Lee Fried Chicken @ Pasir Pinji, Ipoh - An Alternative to KFC?

I'm starting to miss the weekend. Yeah, the withdrawal symptoms started way before the weekend ends. If only weekends consist of 3 days instead of 2. Then the world would be a better place, productivity would soar sky-high, and foodies like us can binge 3 days/week instead of 2.

The "chipped" signboard notwithstanding, Ayam Goreng Poh Lee (or Poh Lee Fried Chicken) has been around since I was a kid in the 'hood ...

Since I'm on a roll here, ranting bout Ipoh food (some still stashed in the backlog for what seemed like eternity), let's not halt the momentum and share ANOTHER one of the food I've not had for ages. Poh Lee Fried Chicken in Pasir Pinji, Ipoh.

The young boss's the one handling the shop nowadays

I was born, raised, pampered, and grown accustomed to Pasir Putih's food until my family moved from the place 14 years ago. It's been quite some time I've been to any of the places in Pasir Pinji/Pasir Putih, with the exception of Dai Shu Geok (Big Tree Foot)'s Yong Tau Foo (click HERE to drool), Jln Pasir Pinji's equally good Yong Tau Foo (click HERE to immerse yourself even more in own drool), and the annual Nine Emperor Gods Festival at Tow Boo Keong temple (click HERE to erm ... bedazzled by some "red tortoises").

Nope, not the original 'chef' doing the deep-frying

These few years, whenever there was any family-relatives gathering/birthday fiesta, Mum would booked a whole lotsa fried chickens from Poh Lee, the headquarter, not this shop. Mum's a close friend to the lady boss, or rather, old neighbourhood acquitances would fit the bill perfectly. Therefore she's bound to either get discounts for purchases in bulk volume, OR we'd be rewarded with extra 'gifts' as a token of gratitude. However, the headquarter (in Pasir Pinji/Pasir Putih border as well) does NOT sell them by "retail" therefore visiting their shop on Jln Pasir Pinji may be a brighter idea.

Pardon the over-exposed photo, but you can see how thin the batter is

Priced at around RM2.50-RM4 per piece (I kinda forgot to ask, but that should be the range), they operate from roughly 11am onwards. What's so special bout their fried chickens, you may wonder? The flavourful batter (not as crunchy as KFC's though), the tastier and fresher chicken cuts, and the addictive self-concocted sweet and spicy chilli sauce (they do sell them by the bottles) explain their popularity after all these years.

Whole chicken thigh fried without batter - RM5 each

Another one of their signature item is the fried chicken without batter, sold in the form of whole chicken thighs, at RM5 per piece. The meat is juicier, yet firm, and paired with the same homemade chilli sauce, one thigh's a substantial meal on its own.

The sides and the cooling factor

The shop only houses the fried chicken stall, and another selling drinks, or rather, the refreshing bowl of colourful combination of ingredients aka "Ling Chee Kang". You can opt for chicken nuggets, fries, sausages, etc in case you desire for some variety.

Location : 1340, Jalan Pasir Putih, 31650 Ipoh. On the same road as THIS Yong Tau Foo shop.