And what’s not to love? It is a tasty alternative to the usual spicy Malaysian fare and it does not burn a hole in the pocket for the most part.

It may not be difficult to find a place that sells chicken chop, but finding one that sells a good one can be a different story altogether.

If you are looking for a chop that provides a bang for your buck and is cooked with passion, set your GPS for Plaza Jelutong and be on your way to a secret culinary gem.

Chep’s Chicken Chop may seem like an outlier in the somewhat down-at-heel area but the reason why owners Nurbaiti Mohd Zin and Zainuddin Abu Hassan chose to set up shop here is simple.

Outside the windows stretch stunning views of forested hills for customers to admire, and they can enjoy beautiful sunsets as they eat their dinner.

Nurbaiti told FMT that she and her husband took a hands-on approach to the renovation of the lot. She painted all the displayed artwork and chose the exquisite décor, and it is clear that the place is her pride and joy.

As she busied herself with beautifying the place, her husband Zainuddin, who is a chef with over two decades of experience in hotels around the world, helmed the kitchen.

The couple of 21 years returned to Malaysia after years of working and living abroad and started Chep’s Chicken Chop as their first business venture together. According to Nurbaiti, the restaurant is “a dream come true” for them.

With such a comfortable, attractive dining room created by the owners themselves, the high standard of the food is a testament to their commitment. No guesses as to what the highlight of the menu is, and it really does deserve to have its name up in lights.

The first thing you may notice is that Chep’s chicken chop is not glistening with grease as is so common. Instead, it is cooked to perfection with a crisp outer layer and tender meat within. Drizzled with mozzarella cheese, it is full of flavour and comes with an addictive side of French fries.

Fans of all things salted egg should try the salted egg chicken chop, which has an already delicious chicken chop generously slathered with salted egg sauce. Cut a piece of meat coated in an extra helping of sauce for a taste of salted egg heaven.

But Chep’s offers more than just chicken chops. There is also an assortment of comfort food for reasonable prices.

If you are looking for something a little different, the Franktastic might just be up your alley.

With two giant sausages filled with cheese bits and covered with it, this dish is a love letter to cheese. The mashed potatoes also deserve praise – soft and fluffy and a delight to enjoy.

If you prefer bread with your chop, then the charcoal burger chicken chop is just what you are looking for. A delicious chicken chop serves as the burger patty and the combination with the tasty charcoal bread is a feast of flavours.

Another bestseller is the Atlantic grilled salmon. The fish is cooked to perfection, flaking easily with the moisture inside retained and no loss of flavour.

This dish is almost too pretty to eat with edible flowers and a carefully arranged salad, but don’t let that stop you. Snap a photograph of your meal for Instagram before tucking in.

For the weight-watchers, the smoked black pepper Caesar salad keeps the calorie count low. Served with crunchy croutons, this colourful mix of vegetables is as tasty as it is pretty, and will please even the most ardent carnivore.

And to wash it all down, order a cold glass of refreshing juice – perhaps the crowd’s favourite of pineapple. For a caffeine boost, the iced latte will do the job.

In case you’re wondering, the restaurant got its name from the word ‘chep’ – which is the slang used to address the chef. As to why the focus on chicken chops, Zainuddin simply said, “Everybody loves chicken chop. Children, the middle-aged, the elderly … everyone.”

He also added that at Chep’s, customers can expect a chicken chop that is out of the ordinary. Nurbaiti, who absolutely supports her husband’s talent, said, “I know his cooking. I believe in his cooking … I just want to share the spirit of his cooking with everyone.”

Despite the difficulties of launching a restaurant amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple is still aiming for the sky.

“We want to open up a Chep’s in every state,” Nurbaiti laughed.

It may seem like an ambitious dream, but with food as good as theirs, who knows?

Chep’s Chicken Chop
Plaza Jelutong,
Block C 30/G,
40150 Shah Alam,
Selangor.

Operating hours: 11am-3pm and 6pm-10pm daily (closed on Mondays)
Contact: (03) 7832 1268 / (019) 441 0035
Delivery: https://chepschickenchop.beepit.com/