foodbin

Chinese New Year Greetings,

2012-01-20T17:20:00.000-08:00

Chempedak (artocarpus integer).

2012-01-18T17:31:00.000-08:00

Chempedak are in season !!!

The Chempedak fruit trees is native to South East Asia, grown in abundant in Malaysia.

The vigorously growing, medium-sized tree (there are quite a number of varieties) bear fruits once or twice a year.

The edible arils (flesh) surrounding the small seeds are bright orange in color.

The taste of the sweet, juicy pulpy fruit is similar to the jackfruit/durian - with a pungent aroma .

Fritters made by dipping arils (flesh) in batter and frying in oil are a popular tea time snacks.

Do not discard the seeds-it can be eaten-taste like water chestnut ( peeled of the skin when boiled)).

Chempedak fruit -sweet and pulpy.

Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant @ OneUtama.

2012-01-15T21:18:00.000-08:00

With the opening of the newly renovated old wing of One Utama, shopping on this side is a welcome change.

Shopping at Jusco is much more convenient.

And bringing Uniqlo here was a coup for them and beneficial to us, PJ folks.

Our dinner at Watami a Japanese Casual Restaurant located at (former Italiannes) around the far corner was good choice.

Watami served fusion Japanese food in a comfortable atmosphere but there is nothing Japanese in it's decor.

The varied set menu was very enticing and starts at Rm80++ upwards.

As there were only three of us we ordered the Rm90++ set.

The dishes were served one after another at a leisure pace.

Service was attentive and ok.

Onsen Tamago Caesar salad-lots of fresh lettuce, chopped onion, tomato and topped with a boiled hot spring egg and sprinkled with grated cheese, dried cheese flakes and some flakes that tasted like chicken ham to us and a bowl of white creamy sauce.

Watu Pizza with super crispy crust and slices of Teriyaki chicken meat and garnished with fresh leeks.

Crispy chicken-and potato - well marinated, crispy and tender with French fries and Tomato sauce for dip.

Gyuniku Sukiyaki Nabe-a mini wok filled with beef slices, leek, carrot, white tofu, Chinese long cabbage, mushroom, golden needle mushroom and green vegetables in a miso like soup kept warm with a mini portable gas stove..

Udon Mee to go with the hot pot of goodies above.

Negitoro Maki Sushi-Sea weed , tuna sushi rolls with a dollop of wasabi and pickled ginger on it's side

A tall glass of ice cool green citrus green tea drink.

Ice cream-in Matcha (Green tea) and Goma (Sesame) flavor.

Total:Rm104/
Location: 1st Floor, Rainforest, 1 Utama Shopping Centre,
1 Lebuh Bandar Utama,
47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
T: +603-7727 1399

Stuffed Fresh Mushrooms.

2012-01-12T21:28:00.000-08:00

After viewing a Taiwanese Gourmet Show on TV about stuffed mushrooms, my wife tried it out for our dinner.

She uses a homemade fish paste/ fresh prawn paste at 50/50% to stuff the bottom part of the soaked fresh mushroom.

Steamed it in a covered wok for about 10 minutes.

Drizzled it with finely julienned carrot and tapioca starch reduction, before serving.

Stuffed fresh Mushroom with fish/prawn paste-springy with an earthy and "meaty" flavor.

Chicken Noodle@Paramount Garden.

2012-01-11T19:06:00.000-08:00

This Chicken noodle stall is located at the side of a house behind the New Sea View Restaurant in Paramount Garden, Petaling Jaya.

Opened about three months ago.

This chicken noodle stall and the one in Section 17 walk up flats in Block A, both has the same mentor.

I prefer this one because they are more generous with the noodle (dry or soup) and ingredients.

Price wise they are the same.

Dry flat rice noodle and yellow noodle tossed in a light/dark soy/sesame sauce with shredded chicken and a piece of boiled chicken-Rm4.50/

Rice Vermicelli noodle in a tasty chicken stock soup with two pieces of sliced pork, two fish ball, shredded chicken and a piece of boiled chicken-Rm4.50/

Boiled free range chicken (kai mei)-garnished with spring onion and coriander leaves-smooth, fragrant and meaty-Rm6/


Bird's eye chillies in soy sauce and blended garlic/red chillies/vinegar sauce.

Location: behind New Sea View Restaurant,
Paramount Garden, Petaling Jaya.

Louisiana@Plaza Kelana Jaya.

2012-01-09T05:24:00.000-08:00

Famous for it's Chicken Carbonara (the best in Malaysia) which is available in their "Eat all you can" @Rm15.50 set lunch menu.

Louisiana serve Cajun & Creole style cuisine in a rustic feel air cond restaurant that leads to the lakeside area for al fresco dining.

Finally got the urge to try out their food during the long weekends

All meals come with a Ice Lemon tea (free flow) unlimited salad and soup of the day.

I went for the "Eat all you can" set-started with a pasta Cajun Shrimp and ended with a Chicken Carbonara-have a place in the stomach for one more but decided not to-as it's was too rich and comforting !

Located in the far end of Plaza Kelana Jaya-park at the visitor's car park for easy access to the restaurant..

Salad-very fresh choice of tomato, onion, cucumber and fresh lettuce in a Thousand Island like sauce-free refill.

Louisiana Chicken chop-well marinated piece of chicken thigh with a creamy peppery white sauce with julienned carrot and French fries on it's side-Rm14.50.

Seared Butter Fish-nicely seared thin piece of Dory fish with a dollop of mashed potato, carrot and potato wedges-garnished with mint leaves-and enticing sauce-RM14.50/


Pasta Cajun Shrimp-al dente pasta with three fresh shrimps with olive oil and coriander leaves-part of the "eat all you can set"

Chicken Carbora-cheesy and creamy with chicken bits and mushroom-garnished with a sprig of mint leaves-very rich..

Garden soup-blended vegetables-a bit diluted but with a twist of pepper and Olive oil, it turned out ok-free refill..

Corn Ice Cream-something sweet to end the meal.

Total bill:Rm51.60.
Location: Block D-1-01, Jalan SS7/13A,
Plaza Kelana Jaya, P J.
Tel:03-7875-5230.

Weekend Lunch @ Kedai Makanan Laut Hai Ung.

2012-01-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

The fresh fishes and crustaceans sold in the local markets and Pasar Tani in Selangor are mostly from the Kuala Selangor district.

The long weekend holidays plus the beckoning of the freshest seafood was a good excuse to wander into Pasir Penambang for a seafood lunch and stocking up of fresh sea food for the coming Chinese New Year.

For my daughter Michelle's bff Edmond, it was his first visit to Pasir Penambang !!

On arrival-mum and wife headed straight to the seafood stall beside the restaurant to make their purchases while we ordered food for our lunch.

Even though the food served was not exceptionally good-what we liked was it's freshness and affordability plus the great view of the swift flowing seawater, mangrove trees and fishermen bringing in their catches in their boats right next door.

Parking is ample.

Fried Glass Noodle with fishcake, chicken meat, mushroom.egg, spring onion, dried shrimps and garnished with deep fried shallots-Rm10/

Oyster Omelette-big juicy and briny fresh oysters-delicious-Rm17/

Koong Poh Mantis Prawn-sweet and spicy-would have preferred the fresh ones but Michelle can't handle the de-shelling part-Rm22/

Boiled Cockles-mum's favorite-fresh but some were overcooked-the chillies sauce did not gave her much "kick"- Rm8/

Stir fried tender sweet potato leaves with sliced garlic-tender and leafy-Rm10/

Steamed Crabs with julienne ginger and spring onion-very fresh, sweet with fine meat-Rm55/

Total Bill:Rm125/
Location:Bagan Sungei Yu,
Pasir Penambang, Kuala Selangor.
Tel: 03-3289-6828 / 012-385-8815.

Lo Sang @ Restoran Petaling Kam Kee Seafood.

2011-12-31T17:37:00.000-08:00

Restoran Petaling Kam Kee Seafood is a small family owned restaurant and every year Yee Sang (raw fish salad) is on it's menu one month before the Chinese New Year festival.

This year, we were the second table of diners to taste their San Yee (Snake head fish) Yee Sang (raw fish salad) made with fresh and pickled ingredients without artificial coloring and a yummy sour plum sauce.

We ordered a half portion of Yee Sang @ Rm28/

A good opener to prep up our appetite with it's sweet, sourish flavor and crispy textures before the main dinner.

Happy 2012 to everyone !!!!!

Yee Sang @Rm28/-is refreshingly good, affordable and comparable to some top restaurant.

Location: 9 & 10, Jalan 5/44,
off Jalan Gasing,
Petaling Garden. Petaling Jaya.
Tel:03-7783-8843.

Sin Choi Wah Restoran.

2011-12-28T20:35:00.000-08:00

The end of the year i.e. December is always a happening month.

Endless sales, Christmas, Boxing Day, ushering of the New Year and my wife's birthday.

This year we had a small family dinner at Sin Choi Wah Restoran-a huge, majestic and resplendent restaurant which I fell in love after a fabulous wedding dinner hosted by my cousin-the food served were good.

To my dear wife-I would like to wish her a very Happy Birthday and Dear, you are always my sunshine after the rain !

Claypot Seafood filled with thick good grade sea cucumber, fish maw, well braised Shittake mushroom, Bok choy and briny Clams - a hot pot of nutritious goodies.

Baby French beans stir fried with crisp dried cuttlefish flakes, pickled radish and tau kua (deep fried beancurd)- crunchy and refreshing .

Pork ribs marinated with a sweet and fruity sauce- well caramelized, meaty and flavorful.

Scallop with blanched Broccoli, strips of pineapple and carrot -wish there were more scallop on the dish !

Steamed sliced Loong Tan fish meat in a good grade light soy sauce/peanut oil - garnished with finely sliced ginger and coriander leaves- meat was a bit coarse with collagen filled skin.

Total Bill:Rm370/

Location: Jalan 7A/62A,
Bandar Manjalara,
Kepong,
52200 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Tel no: +603-6277 1222

Lunch at Ring Road Restaurant.

2011-12-27T18:55:00.000-08:00

Ring Road Restaurant is a coffee shop located in a secluded spot right in the heart of the city off Loke Yew road.

The main draw is a pork/seafood noodle stall (very good business) and a steamed fish head stall.

For our lunch we tried out the steamed fish head stall and was quite satisfied with the outcome-a wholesome, simple home cooked style experience.

Shoong Yee Tau-steamed Big Head Carp fish with tau cheong, garlic, Bird's Eye chillies and light soy sauce-very fresh with no fishy aftertaste but the chillies were too overpowering-Rm22/

Kwang Si Tofu Puff- well stuffed with fishpaste and Chinese Chives-airy and puffy-Rm4/

Steamed minced pork with coarsely chopped Chai Poh ( pickled Radish)-goes well with white rice-Rm6/

Blanched Lettuce topped with garlic/oil and Oyster sauce on the side-Rm5/

Total bill: Rm39/
Location:50, Jalan Gelang,
off Loke Yew Road, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 019-211-4990/ 016-927-5770

Kai See Hor Fun.

2011-12-19T16:43:00.000-08:00

Kai See Hor Fun (Shredded chicken with flat rice noodle) is quite an interesting bowl of noodle.

On it's own the flat rice noodle is quite bland but to the accompaniment of shredded chicken, prawn dumpling, beansprout, Chinese chives, a drizzle of chillies oil and a tasty broth of chicken bones and prawn shell-it is delicious !

This stall get it's daily supply of flat rice noodle from Ipoh- through a transportation's network whereby the vans or lorries will pick up the noodles in the afternoon from Ipoh and deliver it to a central location (usually a house) in KL or PJ -the stall owner will then collect it in the evening.

The noodle are cut not too wide and are extremely smooth....

Kai See Hor Fun-Rm4.50 plus two whole fresh and sweet tasting prawn dumplings @Rm.80/each.

Location: a stall in Restoran Uncle Meng,
Lorong 1/91,Taman Shamelin Perkasa,
Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Tofu Hailam.

2011-12-15T17:02:00.000-08:00

Tofu Hailam is a super easy dish to make in a jiffy.

A simple, refreshing and nutritious meal with sliced green cucumber.

A good dip or spread of chillies sambal belacan with a combination
of grounded six cloves of garlic, white vinegar, salt and sugar to taste.

An addictive appetizer to the main meal.

Tofu Hailam- Nyonya's style-either eat it with a dip or spread it over the tofu and cucumber.

Croquettes.

2011-12-11T18:00:00.000-08:00

Whenever there are leftovers from dinner i.e either boiled chicken or deep fried fish.

There will be croquettes for breakfast.

Scrap off the deep fried fish's flesh.
Mash boiled potato
Add in chopped spring onion and coriander leaves
A sprinkling of salt and pepper.
Mix it thoroughly and roll into balls.

Cooked in the oven at 230 c until golden brown and it's ready to serve.

Croquettes-golden brown-fragrant and full of textures.

Restoran Siong Huat Bak Kut Teh (Klang Tasusia) @ Port Klang.

2011-12-05T17:30:00.000-08:00

Klangites just loves their daily fix of Bak Kut Teh.

I have friends who could eat it for breakfast and dinner.

Sunday lunch is always an adventure for us-discovering new places through words of mouth or from the blogging communities.

Restoran Siong Huat Bak Kut Teh (Klang Tasusia) is a mini steel structured warehouse built under a big tree-spacious with many ceiling fans to keep their customers cool and comfortable-a private covered car park and an open kitchen.

Besides Bak Kut Teh, there are crullers, tau pok, blanched vegetables and fresh seafood like fishes and clams to go with it.

Prices are still reasonable and affordable as most of the restaurant's patrons are locals.

p/s-the food get cold easily (no food warmer for steamed dishes)

Appetizer-Chinese crullers with BKT soup for dip-Rm2/

Clay pot dry BKT-pig's trotter-beautifully cooked to perfection-not charred nor dried-with a teasing dried chillies taste and lingering herbal flavor-Rm18/

Steamed red snapper - a fresh and chunky piece of the fish's tail-with blended ginger and a bit of XO oyster sauce- 5 stars-Rm34/

Steamed Clams (Kepah) with julienned young ginger and chopped red and green Bird's eye chillies-fresh, meaty and briny-a bit too much on the chillies otherwise it's perfect-Rm20/

Pig's Intestine (average-double stuffing ones would be better) and Pig's stomach (thick) in a herbal BKT soup-kept warm with a candle wax flame-Rm9/

Blanched crunchy Beansprout with a sprinkling of deep fried salted fish flakes-Rm8/

Total bill:Rm97/
Location: along Jalan Tengku Badar (beside 99 Mart)
Port Klang.
Tel:019-276-0363/017-233-3321.

Penang Lor Bak.

2011-11-30T17:41:00.000-08:00

Lor Bak is marinated pork - roll in thin soybean sheets and then deep fried. Usually served with a small bowl of Loh (a thick broth thickened with corn starch and beaten eggs) and red chilli sauce and together with a platter of fried Tofu, prawn fritters, century egg, fresh cucumber wedges-a good appetizer.

Thanks to my friend Eddie for these delicious home made Lor Bak from Penang.

Eddie is a Penang guy but now stays in Kuala Lumpur.

On his occasional trip back to Penang with his wife-they will pre-order these delicious home made cooked Lor bak from a local household by the hundred.

As the Lor bak are cooked, I just heat it up in a microwave oven for about three minutes and it was ready to be eaten.

Lor bak-well marinated-chunky cubed pork-sweet and fragrant with just the right amount of 5 spices powder-one of the best that I have ever eaten !

Nelson's Fried Kuay Teow @ Salak South Garden Market.

2011-11-29T17:07:00.000-08:00

Nelson is a tough looking guy with his name tattooed on his left arm.

He fries a plate at a time Kuay Teow with his noisy clanking ladle/turner and well controlled strong spewing flame from his portable gas stove.

Strategically located in a makeshift stall at the open air Salak South Garden market.

His wife doubled up-selling fresh sugar cane juice to go with his CKT !

Open from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Lunch time is very HOT !

Parking is bearable.

Char Kway Teow-flat rice noodle fried with beansprout, Chinese chives, egg and sliced fish cake with lard oil, light and dark soy sauce ( cockles are available)-served on a piece of banana leaf (for more aroma)-good wok hei-a bit charred-too oily to my liking-Rm4.20/

Delicious Dinner 48.

2011-11-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

A series of homecooked dinner by my wife.


Pork patties-pan fried - filled with minced pork, onion and mashed potato-every bite is a delight..

Deep fried Chinese Crullers (stall bought)-stuffed with springy homemade fish paste seated on a bed of fresh lettuce - dip in Lingham's garlic/chillies sauce for more flavor...

Acar-acar (Malacca style) is a classic Peranakan relish and homemade ones are out of this world !-in a hot, spicy, rich gravy - filled with Chinese round cabbage, long bean, florets of cauliflower, cucumber, red and green chillies, crushed toasted peanut and sesame seeds - crunchy with a riot of flavors and textures.

Ayam Masak Chilli Merah.

2011-11-21T17:00:00.000-08:00

Ayam Masak Chilli Merah (Red chillies chicken) is a Peranakan dish-originated from Malacca.

This dish is different from the spicy, creamy coconut milk and tomato based Ayam Masak Merah.

This recipe was passed on from my mother's generation.

The main ingredients are:
1- Fresh Red chillies-20 pieces (cut and blend).
2-Whole smoked Garlic-5 pieces ( peel and blend)
3- Chicken thigh (2 pieces) and wings (5 pieces)
4-Salt to taste.

Roughly chopped the peeled garlic and fresh red chillies.
Place it into a blender with some water and blend it into a paste.
Heat up a wok with 1/2 cup of cooking oil.
Add in the blended paste and simmered until fragrant.
Add in the chicken meat and cooked thoroughly until it fully absorbed the gravy.

Add in salt to taste and serve.

Up to individual preference- Free range chicken tasted better than farmed ones as they are much more leaner and muscled-the taste was hot, slightly pungent due to the garlic and gave a kick to the palate with every bite-addictive red hot gravy goes well with Basmathi rice.

Restoran Beng Huat @ Port Klang.

2011-11-16T21:16:00.000-08:00

Sunday lunch date with my family at Restoran Beng Huat located in Port Klang town.

It is a close knit family restaurant with minimal decor-a normal plastic tables and chairs place.

Mostly patronized by locals and open for lunch only.

Portable stands with boiling kettles are strategically placed for self serviced replenishment of hot water (tea leaves are limited to a few brands only).

Their main menu are sea fishes, shrimps and stir fried vegetables to go with white rice or plain noodles.

They get their supply of fishes and shrimps from Pulau Ketam daily ( freshness guaranteed !)

Parking is OK.

Spicy cubed Ikan Pari (Stingray fish)-with lots of Bombay's dried chillies, curry leaves, big onion and curry powder to give it a strong and spicy flavor-goes well with white rice or the fried plain Beehoon below.

Bitter gourd with egg, shrimps and strips of red chillies- the thinly sliced bitter gourd were not bitter at all- tasted like home cooked.

Chillies baby Shrimps (very fresh)-seems the locals love these type of baby shrimps-with lots of curry leaves, onion and some curry powder-spicy with an intense flavor.

Park chop ( supplied by a vendor)-a well flavored piece of loin eye muscle-meaty-a good snack with beer.

Fried plain Beehoon-the only type of noodle available -done Hokkien style with light and dark soy sauce-full of Chinese round cabbage, shrimp and canned salty peanuts-goes well with the stingray fish.

Total bill:Rm59/
Location:151, Jalan Tengku Badar,
Pelabuhan Klang. Selangor.
Tel:016-370-3873.

My Restoran @ Pandan Indah.

2011-11-10T17:30:00.000-08:00

Saturday lunch with my buddies at My Restoran at Pandan Indah.

My Restoran is a small and bright fully air conditioned restaurant, with marble top tables, solid wood chairs and good furnishing.

A nice place to meet up with friends for a good and tasty meal.

Service is good and friendly.

Parking is bearable.

Steamed Red Tilapia-garnished with spring onion, coriander leaves, strips of carrot and topped with garlic oil and light soy sauce-fresh and fleshy-Rm24/

Three cups chicken-served in a piping hot casserole with it's nutritious taste and aroma retained-some maybe put off by the strong flavored mint leaves-Rm15/

House made Tofu-deep fried and topped with minced pork, coriander leaves and spring onion-well flavored meat and the tofu was silky smooth inside-Rm12/

Stir fried crunchy baby French bean with roasted pork-was good but a bit too oily-Rm15/

Total bill:Rm73/
Location:17 & 19, Jalan Pandan Indah 1/23E,
Taman Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur,
Tel:03-9274-2197.

Chyniis @ SSTwo Mall.

2011-11-06T17:00:00.000-08:00

About nine months ago, when Chyniis first opened for business, I remember vividly that Monday's night, my family and I were only one of their odd diners.

Tonight, when we returned for a family get together dinner (at only 6.30 pm), the restaurant was packed.

What a great transformation !

and why not ?

With capable staffs (ex-Restaurant Green View) as the backbone of the restaurant and signature dishes like Sang Har Mee and Crabs-it was bound to be a success !

Chyniis @ SSTwo Mall is contemporary with conceptualized design, fully utilized seating space and is quite up-market in prices.

Service is attentive and efficient.

Parking is free.

Deep fried Anchovies with sesame seed-good appetizer-Rm6/

Pickled sliced Papaya and Ginger topped with sour plum-Rm4/

Deep fried Pork ribs with yam-well marinated and meaty-Rm48/

Tofu (Bean curd) with Tau kan (soft bean curd sheets) served on the side with blanched Bok Choy and drizzled with a smooth brown gravy-Rm30/

Tea smoked chicken (1/2) served on the side with fresh lettuce-aromatic, smokey flavor with tender, juicy meat-Rm60/

Buttered sea prawn-fresh and juicy- would be better if it was one size bigger-Rm 60/

Braised earthy Shiitake Mushroom with fish maw and sea cucumber-the low grade sea cucumber was not worth the money-RM100.

Stir fried Hong Kong Kai Lan with garlic tender and crunchy-Rm25/.

Complimentary: Fish scale Lemon jelly

Passion fruit jelly.

G 45, 46 & 47, SSTwo Mall
No 40, Jalan SS2/72
47400 Petaling Jaya
Tel : +603 7956 7288

Restoran Sam Yu Seafood @ SS3.

2011-11-01T17:08:00.000-07:00

Almost forgotten about this restaurant !

Nicely nestled in a corner shoplot in SS3, Petaling Jaya opposite a fenced up football field.

Restoran Sam Yu Seafood is an offshoot from the partners of Restoran Sam Yau in PJ New Town.

Tonight, the weather was cold and wet with intermittent rain which does not seem to stop.

My daughter Michelle joined us for dinner as it was her off day.

Parking is OK.

Assorted vegetables curry-cooked Indian style with chopped Chinese round cabbage, okra, brinjal, long bean, big onion, red chillies, tau pok (beancurd puffs)- hot and spicy with an intense flavor-Rm12/.

Meaty Pork ribs -deep fried and tossed in blueberries sauce-sweet and fruity flavor-Rm15/.

Deep fried Ma Yau (Senangin) lay on a bed of good grade soy sauce and topped with finely chopped raw and pungent garlic (i prefer pickled garlic), shallot, Bird's eye chillies and Calamansi juice -the fish skin was crisp and it's flesh was moist and flaky-would taste better and sweeter if the fish was much fresher-Rm44/

Total bill:Rm77/
Location:32, Jalan SS3/35,
Taman Universiti, Petaling Jaya.
Tel:03-7875-1197/016-609-3092.

Delicious Dinner 47.

2011-10-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

A series of homecooked dinner by my wife.

Egg Omelette filled with big onion and spring onion-pan fried until golden yellow-rolled into a round heap emphasising upon layered textures.

Stuffed giant green chilli with homemade Tenggirri Papan fish paste-long and thick-not spicy at all-taste like capsicum.

Japanese Egg Tofu topped with homemade Tenggirri Papan fish balls-steamed and drizzled with a egg white gravy with chopped spring onion garnish..

Bak Kut Teh @ Restoran Sekinchan.

2011-10-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

Pandamaran town is filled with seafood and Bak Kut Teh restaurants at every nooks and corners.

Ah Na Hong Bak Bak Kut Teh located along Jalan Young, Pandamaran is a village house converted into BKT stall in the morning and at night it transforms into a seafood restaurant.

When we arrived at lunch time there wasn't much good choice BKT meat left.

As we were famished we ordered whatever that was available-hoong bak (braised pork belly in good grade soy sauce), alkaline rice cake, BKT with sai kuat (lean pork bone) and pig intestines.

Parking is OK.

BKT filled with sai kuat (pork drumstick) and pig's intestine-smooth and lean and the herbal soup was clear and flavorsome.

Hong Bak ( braised pork belly in sweet good grade soy sauce), tofu and an egg-even though it does not look presentable-the braised ingredients were fragrant and the cubed alkaline rice cake were a good combination with it.

Wong Tai Miu-a local vegetable shoots-stir fried with garlic and anchovies-smooth, green, slippery and leafy-aids in digestion.

Total bill:Rm29/
Location: off Jalan Young,
Pandamaran, Port Klang.

Senangin Fish Rice Vermicelli @ Restoran Genting Palace.

2011-10-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

Last week we were at the Genting Highlands Resort to attend a dinner reception at the GICC in the First World Hotel.

We arrived at the cool, misty summit at about noon and for our lunch we had something light and comforting at the Restoran Genting Palace.

We ordered fried rice, blanched Hong Kong kai lan and a big piping hot casserole of Senangin (Threadfin) fish rice vermicelli.

The casserole of Senangin fish rice vermicelli was more than enough for the five of us and came piping hot with an extra bowl of soup.


A whole Senangin fish (Threadfin)- cut and deep fried- cooked in a casserole filled with thick rice vermicelli, spring onion, white silky smooth tofu, tomato and thinly sliced tender Bentong ginger in a tasty fish soup- 5 Stars-Rm80/

Location: Restoran Genting Palace,
Genting Highlands Resort.

Charcoal Grilled Kampung Chicken @ Kampung Batang Benar.

2011-10-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

After we have done some business at Bandar Baru Nilai, Negri Sembilan we took the back road back to Kuala Lumpur.

Nilai is famous for it's numerous textile shops, Inti University, IIU, Nursing College and the famous Loong Sing restaurant.

The back road leads us through factories, housing estates, a quarry ,KTM station, Kampung Batang Benar and then to the Panjam / LEKAS Highway junction.

We stopped by a dilapidated shack at a tight corner of Kampung Batang Benar before the exit to the LEKAS Highway for some food and cool fresh coconut water for refreshment.

Business was brisk with the aroma of charcoal grilled kampung chicken and duck wafting the air around the shack.

Parking is ample beside the shack.

Charcoal grilled Kampung Chicken-well marinated with finely chopped lemongrass, light soy sauce, salt and pepper-fragrant and firm meat with a smokey lemongrass flavor-served with 3 types of addictive sauces-Rm15/

Tel:019-658-1072.

Restoran Hua Shen @ Sunway Mas.

2011-10-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

Restoran Hua Xing @ Seri Setia opened a new branch (fully air-cond) at Sunway Mas Commercial Centre, Petaling Jaya.

Besides their famous Hokkien/FooChow dishes.

We found out that their pineapple chicken and roti curry chicken also stand out.

Located a few doors from 99 Mart.

Parking is OK during the night and weekends.


Pineapple Chicken-sweet and sourish-crispy skin and meaty-Rm20/

Roti Curry Chicken-served with house made fluffy and airy sweet bread - mild and spicy fragrant curry (a bit diluted) with tender chicken meat and potato-Rm33.

Chef Foo Yoong (standing) is my mum's old friend.

Location:28-1, Block J, Jalan PJU 1/3,
Sunway Mas Commerical Centre,
Petaling Jaya,
Tel:03-7880-1623/012-660-5996.

Momma Chicken Rice @ Ampang New Village.

2011-10-09T22:55:00.000-07:00

There are many chicken rice stalls in the Ampang area and the winner of the best chicken rice in Malaysia is also found in Ampang New Village.

Though Momma chicken rice is not that famous.

To me they are a hidden gem-located at a row of old shop houses at the end line of the Ampang LRT station car park.

The BBQ pork is their main draw-lovely, not overly sweet thick 3 layered pork belly with a melt in the mouth sensation.

They also served roast chicken, roast pork, poached farm chicken and free range chicken by reservation.

Side dishes of blanched beansprout and other vegetables are also available.

Parking is OK.

Roast Chicken seated on a bed of sliced green cucumber and light soy (a bit salty) and garnished with spring onion-tender meat with a crisp skin-Rm10/

BBQ pork belly-melt in the mouth-5 Stars-Rm8/

Blanched Beansprout-refreshing and crunchy-Rm4/

Red Chillies dip-would like it more if it was more spicy.

Total bill:Rm27/
Location: 27, Jalan Pasar,
Ampang, Selangor.
Tel:016-295-5322/012-369-8829.

Branch: 34-G, Pusat Perniagaan Danau Lumayan,
Jalan Danau Lumayan 1,
off Jalan Tasik Permaisuri,
Bandar Sri Permaisuri, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel:016-271-2390/012-254-7236 (Mr & Mrs Chang)

Porridge @ Section 17.

2011-10-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is the fourth time Restoran Kim Seng is relocating in Section 17/10, Petaling Jaya.

After renovations. the coffee shop is spanking clean and hygienic.

The main draw here is their mixed rice and fried noodles-catered mainly for university and college students around this residential area.

There are four other stalls (pan mee, pork ball noodle, wan tan mee and a porridge/double boiled soup)

I like the porridge which comes in various mix and match ingredients.

My usual order is sliced chicken fillet with deep fried crackling pig's intestines.

The porridge is a cross between the Hokkien and Cantonese style which is not too gooey with blooming rice grains and very full fillings.

Parking is OK and free.

Pork and Pig's intestine-Rm5.50/

Mixed Innards-Rm4.50/

Chicken fillet (smooth and tender) and fried Pig's intestines-Rm5.50/

Location:Restoran Kim Seng,
Jalan 17/10, Petaling Jaya.

Restoran WK @ PJ.

2011-10-04T18:18:00.000-07:00

An early dinner on our own as all of our children were busy with their work.

Braving the jam packed peak hours traffic from Section 17 on potholes and unevenly paved tar road to the restaurant located 2 km away was a real challenge !

Restoran WK (with it's HQ in Kepong) is a new kid on the block after the closure of Restoran Rich Will.

It is a small, clean and spanking new air conditioned restaurant with a smoking section at it's front.

Orders were taken by friendly Burmese staff and service was fast.

Parking is OK.

Steamed Loong Tan (Estuary Garoupa) -thickly sliced (would have prefer it intact with it's collagen filled skin ) seated on a bed of fresh lettuce, good grade soy sauce and garnished with spring onion and coriander leaves-kept warm with lighted wax- slightly over steamed.-Rm45/

Wok fried Loong Tan's fish liver and intestine (texture similar to pig's stomach) with spring onion, green Bird's eye chillies and sliced ginger-good-Rm25/.

Blanched Hong Kong Kai Lan-with Oyster sauce and Garlic oil-crunchy and leafy-Rm8/.

Location: 14, Ground Floor,
Jalan 19/3, Seksyen 19, Petaling Jaya.
Tel:03-7980-5218.

Happy Flippy Wantan Mee @ Glenmarie.

2011-10-01T17:30:00.000-07:00

From selling wantan mee at Intan (Section 17)---- Chai Siew Chai (Paramount Garden)----Happy Flippy Wantan Mee (Glenmarie)-I considered the chef to be a wandering wantan mee man.

The plus point about him is his friendliness.

He makes his own noodles and with a shop named Happy Flippy Wantan Mee -he sure likes to flip his springy noodles.

Located one street down from the famous Meng Kee Char Siew and next door to Pao Xiang BKT-the competition will be real tough for him !

Parking is bearable.

Chunky pieces of roast pork belly with crispy crackling skin-juicy with tinge of 5 spices powder-Rm12/

BBQ pork-well caramelized - the proportion of fat:lean was not balanced (he should find a better butcher)-wish it was thicker-normally it was my fave-Rm12/

Springy plain house made noodle-not too wet or oily served with blanched Choy Sam-best !- Rm3/

Siew Kow-pork dumpling - firmly wrapped with minced pork/black fungus/ carrot and smooth wantan skin-would like it better with shrimps and chopped spring onion in it-Rm5/(5 pieces)

Wan tan - pork dumpling with traces of flounder fish-Rm2.50/ (5 pieces)

Total bill:Rm43/
Location: 18, GroundFloor,
Jalan JururekaU1/40,
Seksyen U1, Glenmarie, Shah Alam.

Imperial Rama @ Highlands Hotel.

2011-09-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

Our day's trip to the cool 6000m Genting Highlands resort was to escape the city's heat and haze.

We had lunch at Imperial Rama @ Highlands Hotel- a Top 10 restaurant with a HAPA Award 2010-2012 for Best Chinese Cuisine Restaurant.

The resort really knows how to pamper those high roller's appetite for good food from many of it's restaurants.

Ordinary people like you and me can patronize this restaurant for a quiet and sumptuous meal, too.

The restaurant is elegant, comfortable and is not too big - served a mixture of authentic Chinese and Thai cuisine.

The prices are pretty affordable with attentive service.

Simple table setting with a glass vase of fresh Orchid-thick napkins, two pairs of chopsticks for each diner (individual and open) and glistening white porcelain ware .

Butter milk sea prawns with salted egg yolk-seated a bed of subtle flavor julienned leeks/fresh lettuce-lightly batter-fragrant, sweet/salty and succulent-Rm65/

Green curry with chunky chicken meat/mint leaves/ lime leaves/red chillies/local brinjal/ mini green Thai aubergines/ coconut milk-thick, creamy and spicy hot-Rm30/

Home made Bean curd (six pieces) - deep fried, eggy and silky smooth inside-seated on a combination of Enokitaki mushroom/ sugar pea-topped with well marinated minced pork with a smooth and tasty dark broth-Rm28/

Poh Choy (Spinach)- a local vegetable-stir fried with garlic-tender with some crunch-highly nutritional-Rm18/

Almond Pudding with colorful, chewy and succulent nato de coco-mum's fave- I never like the taste of almond-Rm6/

Total bill:Rm167/
Location: beside the VIP lobby of Highlands Hotel, Genting.

Thong Yew Seafood Restaurant@Klang Town.

2011-09-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

The menu at Thong Yew Seafood Restaurant is quite extensive and seems to get better with each visit.

As there were only the three of us (we forgo the Bak kut teh ), the lady boss recommended a plate of plain Beehoon (rice vermicelli) to go with a clay pot Garoupa fish and Assam prawns.

And it turned out to be a wise choice and very affordable, too.

Parking is OK.

Clay pot Garoupa fish kept warm with a mini cooker-with a lot of sweet Chinese long cabbage at the base with cubed yam/red tomato/ strands of golden needle mushroom/ in a clear tasty fish stock broth-garnished with fresh green coriander leaves-excellent - 5 stars !-Rm48.

Assam sea prawns cooked dried style with onion, red chillies , okra and lots of sourish tamarind juice-goes well with the plain beehoon-Rm28/

Location:Lot 930-934, Jalan Gelugor,
Klang, Selangor.
Tel:019-211-2375/012-249-6138.

Crabs ! Crabs ! Crabs !

2011-09-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

Crabs are crustaceans that feed on algae and animal matter and are mostly found in freshwater, ocean, on land or farmed.

Why is it that not everyone like to eat crabs ?

Some maybe due to health reasons, put off with the hassle of getting their hands dirty..........etc.

My whole family are crabs lovers-cooked any style.

Eating crabs is an art-eat it with a slow and tender loving care- skills (harnessed from experience) are needed to pick and dig up each and every piece of the fine and succulent flesh-breaking the fragile shell segment by segment.

Have anyone of you seen people eating crabs with a pair of chopsticks?

Never eat crabs during the 1st and 15th Lunar day of each month.

Now, which types of cooked crabs, turn you ON................... ?

Charcoal fire grilled crabs ?.

Clay pot butter crabs ?.

Black pepper crabs ?.

Salted duck egg yolk crabs ?

Fresh flower crab for steamboat ?

Deep fried soft shell crabs-eaten whole including the shell ?

Steamed Australia snow crab ?

Stuffed crab ?.

Curry leaves flavored crabs ?

Sweet and sour crabs ?

Steamed crabs with orange roe ?

Steamed small sized crabs with egg white

Steamed big sized crabs with egg white ?

TeoChew style chillies crabs with lots of chopped Bird's eye chillies ?

Yuan Yean Fishball Eating House @ Yong Peng, Johor.

2011-09-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

Yuan Yean Fishball Eating House located in Yong Peng town, Johor with such a boastful tag line-"The premium fish ball maker since 1988" was packed with many famished customers like us.

On our way back to KL from Johor, we stopped by there for our lunch-highly recommended by my bil, Peng.

The place is partly air conditioned with a newly renovated open kitchen on one side.

After our tables were quickly cleared and cleaned by young kids (must be the owner's children) the young boss with a PDA came to take our orders (very efficient! ).

The fried fish paste stuffed dishes and four types of noodles took about 45 minutes to be served.

Parking is available in front of the shop (double parking) or along the main road.

Fried Fuzuk (Beancurd sheet) stuffed with fish paste-the skin was very salty-Rm4/-and Fried Peace egg is hard boiled egg stuffed with a thin layer of fish paste-good appetizer-Rm4/.

Airy pocket sliced fish cake-excellent !-Rm4/ and deep fried dumplings (very small sized)-a bit doughy-Rm4/.

Loh Shi Fun - dry type tossed with light and dark soy sauce/oil-just average-but the fish balls (6 pieces made form Wolf Herring) was the highlight of the meal-springy and very fresh-Rm4.50/.

Total bill:Rm38/
Location: 122A-123, Main Road (besides Caltex station).
Yong Peng, Johor
Tel:07-467-3985 / 019-752-8927.

Toasted Massimo Sandwich Loaf Bread with Toppings 2.

2011-09-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

Guacamole is a dip made from avocado and was originated from Mexico.

The trick to a perfect guacamole is to use good and ripe avocados (Australian).

The ingredients are one ripe avocado,chopped red onion, finely chopped cilantro, coarse salt, a dash of pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Most people eat guacamole with crispy tortillas.

For my breakfast, my wife uses it as a spread on toasted Massimo sandwich loaf bread with wheatgerm which just as good.

The healthy combination of guacamole/toasted Massimo bread with wheatgerm was packed with freshness and nutrition !

A refreshing and healthy meal.

Haagen-Dazs Mooncake.

2011-09-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

Mid Autumn Festival with a difference- ice cream moon cake from Haagen-Dazs.

Instead of the sweet, cholesterol laden duck's egg yolk and doughy oven baked moon cake this is another alternative which children will love to eat and that's for sure !

Two flavors-1: Dark chocolate coated moon cake with layers of chocolate & vanilla ice cream concealing a refreshing mango sorbet yolk and 2: Milk chocolate coated moon cake with layers of coffee & Macadamia nut ice cream concealing a refreshing mango sorbet yolk-beautifully packed in a box with dry ice-cool, smooth textures and flavorsome-melt in the mouth sensation !-Rm65/

Char Kway Teow @ Restoran Leong Seng Huat, Perling.

2011-09-07T17:32:00.000-07:00

When we are on holidays, our eating schedules will always be upside down.

Waking up late in the morning-breakfast and lunch became brunch (one meal).

Food at unfamiliar places can either be good or a total disaster.

Our gracious host Selena has a nose for good food and the Char Kway Teow that we had at Restoran Leong Seng Huat in Perling , Johor was tasty with lots of "wok hei."

It is a typical neighborhood coffee shop with a mixed rice stall at the front, two others noodle stalls and this busy (almost non-stop frying) Char Kway Teow stall which is run by the owner.

CKT without chillies-long, smooth and much slimmer flat rice noodle fried with beansprout, Chinese chive, egg, shrimp-not too oily and it was tasty-Rm4/.

CKT with red chillies paste and fresh bloody cockles-Rm4/

Location:169, Jalan Simbang,
Taman Perling (next to Pizza Hut Delivery Center),
Johor Baru.

Good Luck Restoran @ Sungai Rengit, Johor.

2011-09-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

Next morning after breakfast at a self serviced Dim Sum restaurant at Bukit Indah.

The journey continued with a long, slow drive to Desaru using the new two lanes highway with a long, stunning and majestic looking A shaped China built link bridge.

The road leading to the beach were jammed with cars and the clean sandy beach were packed with holiday picnickers and swimmers.

After this we went to the Fisherman Museum about 6 km away but found that it was close on arrival.
Just strolled along the brackish sandy beach-took some photos and Samantha and me "planked" on an upturned boat for the fun of it !

Everyone was hungry after the "tour" and the nearest restaurant was 26 km away in Sungai Rengit - a small fishing village with it's own jetty and many fresh and live seafood restaurants.

Good Luck Restoran located a stone throwaway from the town is a converted village house.
I think it's family owned because kids as young as seven to twelve years old help to serve, clear and collect payment.

As it was a holiday, the restaurant was packed to the brim.
We managed to get a table after a 15 minutes wait-orders were quickly taken and was told that the waiting time is an hour !

The mini lobsters (buttered style) and live fresh seafood are their main draw.

Parking is along the narrow roadside.

Fried Bee Hoon with finely sliced BBQ pork, shrimp, beansprout and lots of Chinese round cabbage-finish it off in a few minutes because of hunger !

Lemon Chicken-lightly batter and deep fried -crispy skin and tender and moist meat seated on a bed of lemon juice gravy.

Golden Promfret - steamed to perfection-fresh and smooth textures.

Koong Por Mantis prawn-the meat was extremely meaty and springy in texture- stir fried with onion, spring onion and red dried chillies-highly recommended.

House made Tofu with How Siu Choy, assorted seafood like crab meat, dried scallop and roe-drenched with good stock reduction gravy.

Lai Pak Choy-young, tender and leafy and was not fibrous.

Location: 86, Jalan Telok Ramunia,
Sungai Rengit, Pengerang,
Johor.
Tel:07-826-3555.

Restoran SPOA @ Kg Pasir Puteh, Johor.

2011-08-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

Johor Baru or JB located at the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia is much more laid back if it's compare to KL.

Here the weather is windy and the atmosphere seems to be much fresher.

If you love seafood - the west and east coasts of Johor is the paradise !

My bil Anthony and Kam treated us to a sumptuous seafood dinner in Restoran SPOA located off an uneven gravel road, a kilometer after The Tanjung Puteri Golf and Resort,Pasir Gudang.

The restaurant is built on stilts with a creaking plank floor extended out to the sea facing Pulau Ubin, Singapore.

Live fishes and crustaceans can be chosen from the many aquariums or straight out off floating cages by the sea.

The sounds of roaring waves beating along the bank made by speeding boats was delight to hear.

Garoupa -steamed to perfection seated on good grade soy sauce/peanut oil and garnished with spring onion-fresh, fleshy, sweet and flaky.

Clay pot seafood Japanese tofu-the gravy was best with white rice-children favorite.

Buttered Mini lobster (14 pieces)-fragrant, fleshy, sweet, a bit coarse with head full of roe.

Deep fried squid lightly batter with oats-crunchy and chewy.

Stir fried sweet potato leaves with chopped garlic-the only green of the night.

Yong Chow fried rice-with anchovies, shrimp, sliced fish cake and egg-fragrant and fluffy.

Black pepper crabs-was not meaty maybe because it was the first day of the Lunar month.

Location: Restoran Spoa 合德宝阿期里海鲜

Telok Kabong, Kg Pasir Puteh, Johor

Tel: 07-2162798

Delicious Dinner 46.

2011-08-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

A series of home cooked dinner by my wife.

Oven cooked Chicken-marinated with chopped garlic, shallot and honey.

Deep fried Sea Eel - chunky and lightly batter-sweet and flaky.

Bitter gourd stuffed with homemade fish paste/shrimp-braised in a fish sock soup.

Noodling at Home.

2011-08-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

When eating out I expect the food or noodles to be better than what my wife cooks-if not it will not be a truly satisfying meal !

She did some noodling at home with thick yellow Yee Mee (store bought) for my breakfast.


Wat Tan thick Yee Mee with thickly sliced Garoupa fish meat, sliced ginger, whisked egg with two stalks of blanched Hong Kong Choy Sam and a fish stock based broth- a satisfying meal to start the day !

Kaki Bola XO Fishhead Noodles.

2011-08-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

A noodle place for football fans?

Looks like the owner is a big football fans-with posters of football stars and teams pasted on the shop's walls.

Their signature dish are fish head noodles with some side dishes like fried wanton and dumplings.

I ordered a fish paste noodle and three pieces of deep fried dumplings for easy eating-just does not want to get a bone stuck in throat early in the morning !

Service was good and the place was clean and hygienic.

XO Fishpaste noodle-thick rice vermicelli-springy fishpaste-lots of red tomatoes-sliced kiam chai (salted vegetable) spinach and extras toppings of chopped spring onion / coriander leaves-tasty broth with some tanginess-good and affordable-Rm7.30/ with a side order of fishpaste/shrimps dumplings-hot and crispy-Rm4.50.

Spicy and tongue numbing green Bird's eye chillies for extra kick!!!

Total bill:Rm13.40.
Location:23, Jalan20/14,
Paramount Garden, Petaling Jaya.

Canoodling@ Bangsar Village 2.

2011-08-10T22:36:00.000-07:00

Guest post by Michelle.

Like most Mondays- which is my off day-there will be a lot of things to be done and how I wish if it has 25 hours.

Things like going for hair cut/hair dyeing, pedicure, pay bills and shopping.

Today for lunch at Canoodling @ Bangsar, I have mum and grandma for company.

Canoodling @ Bangsar was introduced by friends.

It is a simple, comtemporary place with noodles as their main draw and daily special.

While waiting you can doodle on a piece of paper with crayons (provided).

Service was attentive and the food was good.

Set Lunch -Lemongrass chicken set-served with white rice, soup, dessert and Japanese green tea-well marinated and grilled fragrant chicken meat-Rm15.90.

Wan tan mee-deep fried wan tan mee doused with a egg gravy with chicken meat, squid, shrimp, lettuce and sprigs of coriander leaves.Rm12.90.

Thai belachan fried rice-served with chopped fresh long bean, mango, egg omelette, green Bird's eye chillies, dried shrimps, onion and well marimated darkish chicken cubes-refreshing and a bit salty-Rm12.90.

5 root vegetables-lotus root, asparagus, gingko, kai lan stem, pak hup (Lily bulbs)and grilled/rolled yau yee (cuttlefish)-healthy-Rm18.90.

Total bill: Rm90/
Location: 2F-29, 2nd Floor,
Bangsar Village 2, Bangsar Baru,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel:03-2287-1566.

Toasted Massimo Sandwich Loaf withToppings.

2011-08-07T18:46:00.000-07:00

Massimo Sandwich Loaf with wheatgerm by The Italian Baker took the bread market by storm sometime back.

It is a much fuller, wholesome and healthy bread-filled with essential vitamins and minerals

My wife was up to some fun and came with this idea for my breakfast.

4 pieces of oven toasted Massimo bread with pizza-liked toppings of bits of deep fried bacon, Cheddar cheese and runny Omega-3 egg.

It was a hearty and comfort meal !

Massimo Sandwich Loaf bread with pizza liked toppings.-lightly oven toasted - full of healthy benefits !

Bubba Gump @The Curve.

2011-08-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

This Bubba Gump's @ The Curve birthday dinner celebration of my son, Mike was held a night before the Bersih 2.0 rally.

As it was a week day we did not bother to make any reservation.
We regretted as the place was packed with diners and the only table available was at the back of the restaurant.

The service was great and the atmosphere was warm.

Even though most of the dishes are shrimps (real fresh!) - southern American cuisine, seafood and poultry are on the menu, too.

Garden Salad-with assorted fresh vegetables, croutons and thinly diluted dressing-healthy options- Rm 8.90.

Clam Chowder with bits of chopped celery-thick, creamy with an intense flavor-Rm13.90.

Scampi-fresh and generously sized prawns with white rice/fries/tasty broth-Rm31.90.

Drunken prawns-with spaghetti and garnished with finely chopped cilantro-Rm39.90.

Stuffed Prawns-served on mini wok with white rice and olive oil- Rm39.90.

BBQ Chicken -nicely glazed chicken drumstick-corn on the cob-french fries-coleslaw and a brown sauce gravy-Rm23.90.

Fish and Chips-three pieces of thickly batter fish fillet-crisp and tender-coleslaw and french fries-Rm25.90.

Total bill:Rm260/

Location:Lot 145, 1st Floor,

Jalan PJU 7/3, The Curve,

Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

Tel:03-7710-9862/63.

San Tai Thong Seafood & Steamboat.

2011-07-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

We were on our way to attend a wake at Xiao En in Cheras.

On the way we stopped at San Tai Thong Seafood and Steamboat for a quick dinner.

This 'tai chow' is a corner lot of a row of old 3 storey shop houses located in Taman Pertama, Cheras- behind Station One in Cheras.

The place looks a bit rundown but the food is good and they offer quite a long list of dishes written on a whiteboard.

Will go back to try their other dishes.

Parking is ample.

Menu written on a whiteboard.

Pak Soh Koong (white whisker's cat fish)-very fresh and steamed just right-a bit of mud taste around the belly part other-garnished with lots of chopped spring onion and finely sliced ginger-smooth textured and delicious-Rm32/

Lemon Chicken-thickly batter-deep fried until golden brown-crispy skin with tender and juicy meat-Rm12/

Hong Kong Choy Sam-thick stem and leafy but a bit 'old' -Rm7.

Total bill:Rm60/
Location: 4, Jalan Serkut, Taman Pertama,
Jalan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel:03-9282-6302/9284-9624.

Fried Rice With Petai.

2011-07-18T22:30:00.000-07:00

Petai is a very pungent flat edible bean, the pod need to be peeled before cooking.
The smell is very pervasive and lingers in the mouth and urine.
It has many good medicinal values, too !

Fried rice with petai is one of my all time's favorite dish.

For one serving:

1 bowl of cooked Basmathi rice.
20 matured petai beans-split and cut each into four.
3 onion-chopped.
3 shrimps-diced.
1 egg-fried/scramble and leave aside.

Fried and scramble an egg-leave it aside.
Heat Extra Virgin olive oil in a wok-fried onion until fragrant.
Add the shrimps, rice, scramble egg and toss for awhile until cooked.
Add the Petai beans and season it with salt and pepper-mix it well.
And it's ready to serve.

Fried rice with Petai-crunchy with every spoonful !

Restoran Keong Kee @ Jalan Barat off Imbi Road.

2011-07-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

When we have guests from out of town, Restoran Keong Kee will be the top lunch place on our 'eating itinerary'.

After that it will follow by a tour of the many shopping malls in the Bukit Bintang area.

The food cooked by the owner cum lone chef are very consistent, fresh, tasty and affordable.

The restaurant is air conditioned and exceptionally clean.

Parking is OK.

Yin Yong (lightly fried rice vermicelli and flat rice noodle) doused with an egg gravy with choy sam, pig's intestine/liver, strips of lean pork and shrimps-Rm15/

Deep fried Yee mee filled with the above mentioned ingredients and gravy.-Rm15/

Wat Tan Hor- lightly fried flat rice noodle filled with egg and Tapioca starch reduction gravy, smooth tender beef , spring onion and young sliced ginger-Rm11/

Steamed Village chicken with knotted lily buds and wooden fungus-tender, smooth, juicy and meaty chicken meat-note the chicken essence-5 stars-Rm28/

Blanched Hong Kong Choy Sam Fah-green, leafy, sweet and not pulpy-Rm10/

Location: same row with Restoran Hee Lai Ton,

Jalan Barat,off Imbi Road,
Kuala Lumpur.

Tel:017-333-8138.

Heng Kee Bak Kut Teh @ Jaya One.

2011-07-10T22:08:00.000-07:00

Long time never have something porky.

Heng Kee Bak Kut Teh @ Jaya One was the answer-nearby my home and air conditioned.

This restaurant is not a branch of another famous bak kut teh by the same name in PJ Old Town.

Orders were taken by a Mandarin speaking waitress-quite a hassle to make her understand what we want to order !

Parking is ample.

Thick and luscious 3 layered pork ribs-in a clear herbal soup filled with fresh coriander leaves-tasted a bit dry-Rm15/

Clay pot chicken with sliced ginger/coriander leaves-well marinated with a gooey dark soy sauce gravy-too much ginger-Rm12.50/

Blanched Lettuce-garnished with soy/deep fried shallots- crunchy and fresh-Rm7/

Total bill:Rm39/
Location: 59-LG2, Block D, Jaya One,
Petaling Jaya,
Tel:03-7960-5689.

Restaurant Jin Xuan Hong Kong Sdn Bhd.

2011-07-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

Had morning breakfast of Dim Sum at Restaurant Jin Xuan Hong Kong Sdn Bhd located in Damansara Jaya with relatives from out of town.

The restaurant early operating time of 7 am was perfect for us - (no noisy crowds) and every dish or steamer basket ordered was delivered without fuss.

Service was good but wait staff's communication skills needs to be improve.

Prices are affordable and food are commendable.

Parking is ample on weekends.

Prawn wan tonRm4.50/.

Braised Pork ribs porridge-Rm4.50.

Siew Mai-Rm4/.

Prawn roll-Rm4.50/.

Stuffed green chillies with fish paste-Rm4/.

Fish paste bean curd sheet roll-Rm4/.

Deep fried carrot cake-Rm4/.

Chee Cheong Fun filled BBQ pork and shrimp topped with blanched Bok Choy-Rm4.80/.

Kaya bun-Rm4/.

Pu'er tea to wash off those fats and oil.

Location: 59, 61 & 63, Jalan SS22 / 19
Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Tel: 03-7729 6866

Garden View @ Cameron Highlands.

2011-07-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

Driving up from Pulai, Perak-Cameron Highlands-Garden View is a 'must stop' place to ease ourselves, see how hydroponic vegetables are grown plus strawberries, orchids and flowers.

When you have skipped breakfast and you are 1500 meters above sea level up in the hills.

This piece of fresh strawberry strudel (flaky, creamy with sweet sourish strawberries) and a glass of fresh strawberry juice -Rm14.90 - was heaven sent !

The drive ended with a visit to a fruit orchard at the 10th miles Cameron Highlands road.

Durians ! Durians !

Restoran Kong Sai @ Paramount Garden.

2011-07-01T18:58:00.000-07:00

The water rationing by Syabas was a good excuse to eat out.

Dinner at Restoran Kong Sai located in Paramount Garden, Petaling Jaya was good choice.

A small no frills restaurant with air conditioning-eat in more comfort (what with the hot weather, nowadays ! )

Orders were quickly taken and service was prompt.

Parking is OK in the evening.

Black Vinegar Pork trotter-served in a clay pot with lots of sliced old ginger and a good balance of hooves and meat - black vinegar was not too choking-lots of collagen !.

Airy Tofu Puff-compactly stuffed with minced pork/chopped spring onion-meaty with each bite.

Poached free range 'bearded' chicken (1/2 portion)-well poached, fragrant with smooth muscular texture.

Dip for the chicken-chopped ginger/coriander leaves/sesame oil/garlic oil.

Stir fried lettuce with garlic-leafy and crunchy

Black Pepper Pig stomach soup with sliced canned button mushroom-too peppery and numbing.

Black chicken herbal soup served in a cut-up coconut-very nutritious and invigorating.

Total bill:Rm73.00.
Location: 39, Jalan 20/16,
Taman Paramount,
Petaling Jaya.
Tel:012-298-4038/012-308-6202/019-384-2922.

Jiu Hu Char @ Home Cooked.

2011-06-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

Jiu Hu Char is one of my family's 'must have' festival food.

This home cooked version-main ingredients are julienne carrot, celery, Shiitake mushroom, shredded yam bean (lots of it), shredded cuttlefish, prawn and strips of pork belly.

It will even taste better and sweeter if re-heated the next day.

It goes well with plain white rice or eaten plain.

But I like to eat it as a wrap i.e. fill up a fresh ice cool lettuce leaf with the Jui Hu Char and spread some sambal belacan (chillies shrimp paste) over it then fold it up and pop into my mouth-moist and delightful sweet-heavenly !.

Fukuharu-Terrace @ Hock Choon.

2011-06-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

Terrace @ Hock Choon is a F and B destination with 9 restaurants and bars.

On Father's Day, I was treated by my children to a great varieties of authentic and unpretentious fusion Japanese cuisine at Fukuharu located along Jalan Ampang..

Fukuharu won " Best Japanese Restaurant" by Time Out KL 2010 magazine and was The Miele Guide 2011 nominee.

The restaurant's exterior is rectangular, boxy with clean spacious line and Zen-like in the night, interior was decorated with simple furnishings, unpainted wood, cement, soft lighting, glass panel on one side and most important-we felt very welcome.

Overall the food was visually pleasing to the eyes, fresh, made with lots of tender,loving care and skills and as we shared most of the dishes the various smell, taste, flavors and textures was a delight to our palates.

Service was excellent.

Parking is ample.

Potato Salad-cold mashed mild, creamy flavored potato with sliced green zucchini, mild tender fresh red leaf lettuce, tomato and topped with flying fish roe-Rm10/

Mentai Sushi (3 plates)-cod fish roe with torched tamago-pickled ginger on the side-delicious and creamy-complimentary.

Tori Shioyaki-meaty and well pan fried-with finely cut spring onion stalk and a salty grated dip on it's side-Rm30/

Butter fish Sashimi-served on cubed ice with grated Daikon and a dollop of Wasabi paste-texturally nice but bland-enjoyed it with a soy sauce/Wasabi paste mixture and a piece of the intense strong mint flavored chiso leave-Rm26/

Eringi Yaki Grilled)- thickly sliced mushroom stalk topped with lots of fried garlic/finely cut spring onion-earthy flavors-Rm14/

Ahi Katsu-pan fried breaded tuna steak rolled with nori sheet served with nutritious organic leafy sprouts/fresh green lettuce/flying fish roe-melt in the mouth sensation with each bite-my personal favorite-Rm38/

Edamame Tempura-lightly batter-easy to eat-crunchy-with a dip of green tea powder with salt-a good snack with beer-nutritious and yummy!-Rm17/

Spider Roll (Big)-Calrose vinegar sushi rice rolled with grilled Unagi/zucchini/flying fish roe seated on streaky mayonnaise sauce-Rm28/

Chicken Teriyaki-grilled and well marinated with sweet soy sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds-meaty and fragrant served on the side with mashed potato topped with sliced zucchini/tomato-Rm25/

Tempura Moriawase-lightly batter with soft wheat flour-deep fried over hot oil-consists of sea prawn, soft shell crab, eggplant, a bunch of Shimeji mushroom, Shiitake mushroom, okra-with a light dipping sauce-Rm38/

Unagi Kamameshi-grilled Unagi with nori sheet strips (Japanese seaweed), strips of omelette over steamed fat sticky Calrose rice-fulfilling-Rm36/

Hiyashi Kamo Oroshi-Sliced succulent pinkish duck's breast meat with a layer of fat between it's skin over a bed of cold Soba noodle with sliced okra, toasted sesame, grated radish, nori sheet strips (Japanese seaweed), spring onion-excellent- RM22/

Chawan Mushi (3)-steamed savory egg custard-warm, silky smooth texture with bits of chicken and mushroom in it-Rm24/

(l-r) Macha(green tea) ice cream-RM14/-Goma Dare Kinako (white and black sesame) ice cream-(2)-smooth, creamy and was not too sweet-Rm28/

A happy family photo.

Total bill:Rm360/
Location:241-B, Lorong Nibong.
off Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel:017-209-8477.

Delicious Dinner 45.

2011-06-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

A series of home cooked dinner by my wife.

Deep fried Garoupa fish garnished with ginger/garlic oil/soy sauce.

Steamed home made Tengirri Papan fish balls seated on a bed on Chinese long cabbage and topped with garlic oil-was inspired by the springy Wolf Herring fish balls of Restoran Rasa Lain in Bercham, Ipoh.

Spinach in fish stock soup with duck's egg, chicken meat and wolf berries.

Sam U Clay Pot Restaurant.

2011-06-19T23:14:00.000-07:00

The missus was lazy to cook after a long shopping spree at the Gardens Mall.

The sweet and sour fish at Sam U Clay Pot Restaurant in Petaling Jaya New Town Center came to mind-it was a clear favorite the last time we ate there.

In the evening, parking was easy.

From where we were seated - the famous Teo Chew braised duck stall next door was filled to the brim while the satay man was busy fanning his grill skewered meats.

After a ten minutes wait our food was served - in a well co-ordinated way-one after another.

The portions were just right and was 'restaurant's standard' cooked.

Assam Seafood served on a casserole with red tomato, okra, and thickly sliced Garouper fish, squid and shrimps-very appetizing-sourish and not too spicy-Rm18/

Chicken Gizzards-poached sliced chicken stomach, liver and the heart seated on a bed of crunchy blanched beansprouts and good grade soy sauce-mom's favorite-Rm3/

Sweet and Sour Fish-deep fried thickly sliced Garouper fish fillet doused with a gravy filled with cubed cucumber/red and green capsicum/onion-Rm22.

House made Tofu-crispy with good textures and flavorsome with every bite-Rm9/

Fried brown rice + seafood like crab stick/shrimps and topped with deep fried crispy mini Anchovies/chopped spring onion-very healthy- Rm8/

Total bill:Rm64/
Location: 12, Jalan Tengah,
New Town, Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 03-7956-2262.

Kedai Makanan Laut Lai Fatt @ Cameron Highlands.

2011-06-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

A one day escape from the sweltering heat in the city-we drove up to Cameron Highlands via Pulai-visited some vegetables and flowers farms-then stopped for lunch at Kedai Makanan Laut Lai Fatt located beside a Guan Di temple in Kampomg Raja, Cameron Highlands, Pahang.

A nice place to rest our weary legs and filled up our tummies before more sightseeing action..........etc

Parking is OK.

Pumpkin Spare ribs-looks appealing, sweet and meaty.

Steamed river Patin-not properly defrost rendering some portions to be uncooked-otherwise fleshy with no mud aftertaste.

Stir fried 3 types of mushroom-oyster, golden needle and button mushroom-earthy flavor.

Their signature Tofu-deep fried until golden brown-crispy on the outside-smooth and silky on the inside-topped with chopped dried shrimps/chai poh/spring onion and lard on a bed of sweet soy sauce.

......ended the day's trip with a visit to a grape farm in Bertam Valley, Ringlet.

Total Bill:Rm119/
Location: Kampong Raja (beside a Chinese Temple),
Cameron Highlands, Pahang.

Stuffed Spanish Mackerel Fish.

2011-06-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

De bone the Spanish Mackerel fish and leave it's body and skin intact.

Stuffed it with home-made fish paste (from the fish's flesh) mixed with finely chopped garlic, carrot and spring onion.

The de-bone Spanish Mackerel fish.

Thick and sticky fish paste.

The three main ingredients-carrot, spring onion and garlic.

Stuffed it with fish paste and steamed it for awhile..

Deep fried under high flame until the fish paste around the belly turned golden brown and it ready to be serve.

Lagoon Seafood Restaurant @ Bagan Hailam

2011-06-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

Bagan Hailam located near the North Port in Port Klang, is a small fishing village with many seafood restaurants built on stilts by the river banks.

Lagoon Seafood Restaurant is one of them-all in the family owned and run - with a super casual set-up-plank flooring, red cloth tables and plastic chairs-with even their daily laundry dried out in the sun, by the side of the restaurant.

Located at the estuary of the Klang river with a good front view of the Royal Selangor Yacht Club on it's left and the new Pulau Ketam jetty on it's left .

Mud skippers are in abundant on the muddy river bank floor bed at the under side of the restaurant.

The casual lady owner recommended us a few of their signature dishes.

Parking is OK but located about a few meters away from the restaurant.

Hailam Noodle-big fat egg noodle cooked in a watery broth with rough and coarsely chopped onion, carrot, cucumber and pineapple with bits of shrimps, squid and sliced fish cake-a squeeze of calamansi juice for more zest-alkaline aftertaste in the noodle-Rm7.50/

Deep fried Mantis prawn meat with butter-was crispy and nicely browned but way too salty-was rejected and returned-Rm15/

Steamed Red Snapper-fresh but overcooked rendering it's flesh to be coarse-soy sauce was too salty-Rm25/

Stir fried Bok Choy-fresh and leafy-Rm6/

Steamed Mud Crab-in egg white and strips of young ginger-meaty, fresh and fine texture-Rm 50.40/

Total bill: Rm90/
Location: 23, Bagan Hailam, Port Klang,
Klang, Selangor.
Tel:012-366-8115/03-3176-2372

The Wedding Dinner of Brandon & Sandy.

2011-06-06T19:12:00.000-07:00

Nowadays wedding are so lavish and elaborately planned.

The wedding of my niece Sandy and her husband Brandon at The Crowne Plaza Mutiara, Kuala Lumpur was like attending an Award winning night-welcome drinks and tit bits, red carpet and photo session with the happy and lovely couple against a backdrop of their named logo.

The guests started to trickle in from 6.45 pm- dinner was served at around 8.45 pm-ended at around 11 pm with more photo sessions..

The 8 course halal Chinese food set served-was a bit cold (maybe because of the distance from the kitchen) and salty-otherwise it was perfect.

Deluxe Four Hot Seasons-deep fried "Har Lok", bean curd spring roll, fried egg with shark's fin & yam ring with prawns, onion, red and green capsicum.

Braised shark's fin soup.

Roasted chicken with Si Chuan "Ma Lat" sauce.

Steamed Patin in Hong Kong style.

Stir fried prawns with mayonnaise sauce

Steamed glutinous rice in Lotus leaf.

Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel,

Jalan Sultan Ismail,

Kuala Lumpur.

Restoran Tonny @ Tapah.

2011-06-05T17:52:00.000-07:00

Another quick, simple and delicious meal at Restoran Tonny.

Located opposite of a BP station before the Polis station in Tapah, Perak.

It's a small close knit family restaurant with limited seating.

The elder siblings Mun Mun aka Lady Gaga was quick to take our orders while the others help in the kitchen and multi-task..

All the dishes came piping hot with lots of "wok hei."

Parking is OK.

Stir fried de-boned, sliced padi field eel with onion/spring onion/dried red chillies-meaty with a springy texture and a robust flavor.

Home made fish paste stuffed Tofu and assorted greens drenched with a tau cheong sauce-just like mum's cooking.

Steamed Tapah fish-belly section-the garnishing over powered the taste of the fish-quite oily too !

Yam (powdery) with thickly sliced three layers pork belly-well braised and steamed-5 stars.

Stir fried Paku choy with sambal belacan-tender, leafy and a bit salty.

Total bill:Rm110/

Location: a row of two storey shop houses along the Bidor-Tapah town road before the Polis station.

Char Chai Tau Kueh @ Food Republic.

2011-06-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

Tea time at Food Republic @ Pavilion..

Spied a stall selling Penang food.

Ordered a dish of Char Chai Tau Kueh aka fried carrot/rice cake-one of Penang Island's top street food.

The fried carrot/rice cake was covered with a huge layer of egg omelette and garnished with chopped spring onion with a plate of red chillies sauce for dip. .

For such a big serving and only for Rm7/-was worth the money.

The carrot/rice cake was coarsely cut-well fried with light/dark soy sauce until fragrant with chai poh and beansprout-the egg omelette added a smooth texture to it-dip it into the red chillies for extra kick.

Hing Ket Grill House.

2011-05-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

Hing Ket Grill House is famous for it's fried Hokkien styled noodles, grilled fresh seafood and lamb with great red chillies sauce and refreshing mint sauce as dip..

It's a village house converted into a no frills restaurant with a smoke wafting grill room at the front.

Located at a dangerous corner off the backwaters of Kampung Jawa, Klang with developments and small/medium enterprises creeping nearer and nearer to them.

The three of us ordered four dishes and it turned out to be good-will go back with the whole gang to try out more grilled seafood like crabs, squid, lamb...etc

Parking is limited in front of the Grill house.

Fried Tang Hoon (Glass noodle)-with chopped Chinese long cabbage, squid, strips of chicken,minced pork egg and Chinese parsley-a notch above others-Rm7.50/

Fried Yam noodle-with cilantro, leek, mushroom, pork lard, light and dark soy sauce and Chinese cabbage-garnished with chopped spring onion-bouncy like steamed rice cake-5 stars- Rm7.50/

Stir fried Tong Oh-leafy with a pungent aroma-Rm8/

Grilled Garouper fish with blended red chillies paste on a Banana leaves-fresh and fleshy with a spicy kick-Rm28/

Dip-red chillies sauce and refreshing mint sauce.

Total Bill:Rm54/

Location: Lot 3569, Batu 3 1/4, Kampung Jawa,

Klang, Selangor.

Tel:03-3371-3913/0861.