Hoi Bo Chinese Restaurant

Hoi Bo is my go to for Malaysian Chinese food in the area. I come here for their steamed chicken rice with a nice bowl of salted vegetable soup (they are very generous). The Char Koay Teow, and the Ho Fun soup is pretty good too.

We were in the area and hadn’t tried Hoi Bo before, so decided to pop in for a quick lunch. The reviews indicated we were in for a treat.
The place was quiet with only a few tables occupied, but was very clean, and the 2 ladies working out front were pleasant and helpful. I asked for a recommendation from the lunch menu, and was advised to go with the Chilli Chicken, as I had indicated I liked both of those things. My son Alex had eyes only for the Chicken Rendang. He loves the beef version but is trying to cut down on his red meat consumption. We also ordered a pot of Chinese tea.
Alex’s rendang comprised 3 pieces of chicken on the bone, with steamed rice and broccoli on the side. It wasn’t that spicy (hot) but was flavoursome with a tasty sauce. I had a sample of course, and concurred that it was delicious, and likely slow cooked.
My chilli chicken was such a generous serve that I couldn’t finish it — that’s where strapping sons come in handy, as whatever I can’t eat, he polishes off. It was full of pieces of chicken in a very hot sauce, made so by many birds eye chiliies. I had to blow my nose a few times :)
Our choice of hot tea wasn’t such a great idea though, as eating spicy food with hot tea isn’t a great combo — the tea just burns your mouth even more.
These lunch specials were only $ 10.50; a bargain for what we got. There are some interesting specials on the whiteboard behind the counter, although we didn’t see these until we’d already ordered. These included Patagonian tooth fish, soft-​shelled crabs and prawns in egg yolk.
What we like about Hoi Bo is that it is a mix of Chinese and Malaysian cuisine, and therefore is a cut above the run-​of-​the-​mill Chinese restaurants around the traps. The service was quick and friendly, the location easy to get to with parking on Progress St, and most importantly, the food was good.