Combine chicken, garlic, pepper, bay leaf, lemon juice, soy sauce, and MSG is pot. Marinate for at least 10 mins. Add water, cover and cook over medium heat about 40 mins, or until chicken is tender. Salt to taste. If desired, brown cooked chicken pieces in about 3 tsbp oil, then return to pot and simmer, covered, about 10 mins. Serve with hot rice.

Marinate chicken for at least 45 mins, and cook for at least 1 1/2 hrs. If chicken is browned, cook for 1 hr before browning and at least 30 mins after.