Review: FUIYOH! It’s Uncle Roger Restaurant Menu and Prices in Malaysia

At the unofficial godfather of fried rice, it’s safe to say that Uncle Roger knows what makes a good plate of the dish (hint: it’s lots of MSG). After years of calling out chefs around the world who’ve managed to ruin the seemingly simple Asian quintessential dish, the comedian – whose real name is Nigel Ng – has finally opened the FUIYOH! It’s Uncle Roger restaurant in Malaysia – here’s our review of the highly-anticipated opening.

Well known around the world for his love affair with fried rice and constant banter with Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, it was only a matter of time before Ng would eventually debut a brick-and-mortar dining Business of his own, after making a remarkable impact on the world of hospitality through his alter-ego, Uncle Roger. This is especially true given his deep passion for good Asian cooking and no-holds-barred critique concerning the Western sanitisation of Eastern Recipes. Read on for our review of the new Uncle Roger restaurant ahead of your next trip to Malaysia.

Uncle Roger aka Nigel Ng Is Opening His First Restaurant in Malaysia

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Haiyaa or Fuiyoh: Our honest review of the new Uncle Roger restaurant in Pavilion KL, Malaysia

The demonising of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and a lack of wok hei (breath of the wok), has been known to come up from time to time as part of his running gags. So much so in fact, that they have become central themes that his own restaurant claims to staunchly adhere to. And rightfully so, too.

This isn’t his first foray into the F&B Business, but it certainly is his biggest to date. Previously, Ng had already been known for collaborating with foodstuff brand MiLa for a line of pre-packaged ready-to-eat dumplings that were only available to North American consumers. Thankfully where sit-down meals are concerned, his home country of Malaysia gets priority.

Located on the 7th floor of Pavilion KL, FUIYOH! It’s Uncle Roger can be tricky to locate if this is your first foray around the mall in Malaysia. But believe us when we say that you won’t miss it when you arrive on the 7th floor.

Practically screaming in Uncle Roger’s favourite shade of tangerine, the entire shopfront has been given a high-impact treatment with its intermingling of highly stylised comic elements with Asian iNFLuences. Think Creamsicle in an unapologetically fun way, as indicated by a giant illuminated ceiling motif adorned with a caricature of Uncle Roger boasting ‘The Best Fried Rice in Town!’.

Menu highlights from FUIYOH! It’s Uncle Roger restaurant

Onward with the menu offerings. Let it be known now that where prices are concerned, it certainly isn’t cheap but for Pavilion standards, it isn’t extortionate either. A basic serving of Uncle Roger’s Egg Fry Rice starts at RM16, while a dish of Egg Fry Noodles will set you back RM17 (approx. USD 4.03).

If you’re looking for a more luxurious take, there’s always Uncle Roger’s Egg Fry Rice with Garlic Shrimp served with four pieces of relatively decent-sized prawns. The seafood is fresh and when prepared with fried garlic, brims with umami.

 

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A post shared by Nigel Ng (Uncle Roger) (@mrnigelng)

A Malaysian classic, Tomato Fried Rice, is also served here at RM18 (approx. USD 4.27) in its most basic guise, and RM30 (approx. USD 7.12) for a version with succulent smoked duck breast. The range-topping Kimchi Fried Rice with Pan Seared Salmon and Mentaiko sports bold flavours to the point of excess, especially with the mingling of salty and spice, so it may not be to everyone’s liking.

Each fried rice dish can be enjoyed with a selection of sauces, ranging from a rich Pineapple Mayo (RM3) to a tangy Kaffir Lime Thai Chili Sauce (RM3; approx. USD 0.7). But true Malaysians know to order a thing of Uncle Roger’s Secret Sambal (RM5; approx. USD1.18), which is essentially sambal belacan. While fried rice dishes are deceptively simple, they are also easy to mess up, as the average Chinese diner will attest to readily.

Any dish prepared on the wok needs to come imbued with a distinctively charred fragrance (aka wok hei) in every bite, made possible only through exceedingly high temperatures. As for texture, the perfect fried rice should sport relatively dry grains that aren’t mucked by grease, which is difficult for novice cooks as cooking with a wok typically requires a heavier-handed drizzle of oil.

Uncle Roger’s attempt is for all intents and purposes, fine. Each spoonful is properly toasted with wok hei and isn’t lacking in flavour even when it cools to room temperature, but runs the risk of growing increasingly salty with every spoonful. The texture of rice could do with added refinement too, with some servings appearing lumpy.

Sides and desserts

As for sides, plenty of deep-fryer staples are served from a coyly named YSoWeak Mala Popcorn Chicken (RM27; approx. USD 6.41), to the Mala Okra Fries (RM18; approx. USD 4.28) that our table simply could not get enough of.

There are even stir-fried cabbage dishes priced at RM16 (USD 3.8), and Aunty Helen’s Chicken Gyoza at RM22 (approx. USD 5.22). The pan-fried gyoza is great for a meal in itself if you’re feeling only peckish. For atas folks, the Wok Hei White Corn is a tasty reminder of Japanese iNFLexions at RM26 (approx. USD 6.17) per order.

Old-school ice cream desserts will soothe your spice-lashed palate but can be a little steep at RM9.90 (approx. USD 2.35) for a cone of Snow Cream.

In its entirety, the experience at FUIYOH! Its Uncle Roger is akin to Chinese fast food with Malaysian suggestions. A genre of cuisine which longstanding fans of Uncle Roger will recognise as being of the same crop that he is so often critical of. We’d say Uncle Soon in Subang has little to worry about.

FUIYOH! Its Uncle Roger restaurant is not officially Halal-certified yet, but Ng has stated on the establishment’s Instagram account that he’s working on obtaining the certification. You’ll find the restaurant on the 7th floor of KL’s Pavilion Elite.

Who is Nigel Ng, aka Uncle Roger?

Born 15 March 1981, Nigel Ng is a Malaysia comedian who rose to fame after adopting the alter ego of a middle-aged Asian uncle with an exaggerated Cantonese accent. he majored in engineering and minored in philosophy at the Northwestern University in Illinois, United States of America, but was inspired to pursue a comedy career thanks to Hong Kong comedic legend Stephen Chow.

Uncle Roger has appeared in a number of podcasts and YouTube videos, but truly became viral in July 2020, when he critiqued Hersha Patel’s BBC Food video on cooking egg fried rice. Jamie Oliver’s adaptation on Asian dishes like fried rice and ramen has also put him in the comedian’s crosshairs too.

Nigel Ng has also had a presence in the Singapore, appearing on the second season of Masterchef Singapore in 2021. Other notable TV appearances include being a guest judge on the third season of Junior MasterChef Indonesia in 2022, and being a guest diner on season 21 of Hell’s Kitchen.

FUIYOH! It’s Uncle Roger restaurant

Address: Pavilion KL, 168, Jln Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Opening hours: 10am – 10pm daily

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore