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Monday, February 28, 2011

Din Tai Fung, The Gardens, Kuala Lumpur

My first visit to Din Tai Fung! Been actually hearing raves about this Taiwanese joint for it's superb xiao lung bao and variety of noodles! Been really lucky as we celebrated a close friend's birthday here; a reason to sample great food, heh.


Our first order upon arriving, we ordered a few baskets of Xiao Long Bao (RM9.80 for 6 pieces) without hestitation. Although slightly pricier than other places, the fillings and just-thick-enough skin really made up for it! I like the fillings the best, tasty and not too salty. I *secretly* counted the folds on the dumplings - 18 folds, sign of professionalism; they know their trade very well. Recommended, and *caution*, extremely addictive, lol.


Main course! Spicy Shrimp Pork Wanton La Mian (RM15). I did not really sample this, but from the looks of my satisfied friend, this should be good. Good thing here is that, the same noodles, the main character of the dish are used for different variant - different ingredients, or soup.


My order of Pork Chop La Mian (RM14.50). The crystal clear soup was really light, was ok to me, as I prefer less salty food. The pork chop was great too, with great biting consistency and the pork doesn't turns soggy even being soaked in the soup as it's not coated with flour or bread crumbs.


I really like the noodles, great consistency and springy by itself. Can only be done by really great sifus who start from scratch - the dough itself. If only more noodles are given in a bowl.. slurps!


My friend loves the Pork Chop Fried Rice (RM15). I was skeptical at first, thinking what's so special about fried rice, whatsover in a Taiwanese restaurant? Turns out, the fried rice was good, with separated grains of rice and full of wok hei! Pretty enjoyable, even with the price tag.


A total of RM175.40, which means an averagely RM30 for each of us. Not bad for such quality, but definitely not quantity, lol.













Last but not least, Happy Birthday Ah C (although wayyyyyy past), lol! May you be healthy as always!


Din Tai Fung's Detail
Address : LG207, Lower Ground Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200, Kuala Lumpur.
Phone : 03-2283 2292, 03-2283 2362
Website :
Price : Averagely RM20++

Monday, February 21, 2011

Saisaki, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur


Saisaki, which shares it's fame with it's sibling outlets, Shogun is one of my favorite spot for buffets. Not to say that they serve the best Japanese food around, but the mix and match plus the price of it - RM52.20 somehow makes up for it. Definitely choosing Shogun/Saisaki if I were to go for a budget wise buffet but with better food quality. Shogun is located at 1 Utama and Sunway Pyramid, but my choice is still always Saisaki which is located at Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur as I felt the food quality and environment there is much appealing.


The sashimi counter. They have quite a few varieties, and real yummy crab meat!



Large varieties to choose from, and almost half of them are really good. However, don't expect some really fancy or pricy food items. The food here - from pasta to crab, to fried chicken tastes good though.


The sashimi here are of ok quality. Lowering down my expectation, the sashimis here are not bad actually. Not the freshest, but acceptable. I took some butter fish, tuna, salmon and some Alaskan Crab(?) Sashimi. The crab tastes the best to me!


Chawan Mushi is a must have. Like the smooth texture and best of all, piping hot!


Some fried and stewed food items. The fried quail and chicken tasted really good. Don't over stuff yourself with these though, really addictive; especially with beer!


Clam soup, one of the best item here. The soup is really good; dozed with lots of chinese wine. Nice!


The huge lamb shank, in my opinion is the most money worthy and can easily put Secret Recipe's version to shame. The reason I'm saying it's money worth is because a plate or lamb shank could cause you around RM 25+ for a huge serving. You can get as many as you want, really tender and the meat just falls of with fork piercings! Warning though, it's one of the most sought after food on the buffet line.


Some fried tempura. Lots of choices, but the batter tends to turn soggy after awhile.


Some Teppanyaki to end our meal. A little too salty, but other wise the meat and seafood tasted great in the buttery sauce.


The birthday girl, which was the reason we came - to celebrate! =)


Really crazy colleagues - which translates to FUN!

Overall, Saisaki/Shogun is really quite recommended for the amount/quality of food vs the price paid. Would gladly return it for gatherings or family reunions too, as well the food wise and environment - which is less classier conveniently suits for an otherwise noisier crowd in my opinion. It's just different choices at different occasions.

Saisaki's Detail
Address : Unit No.1-9, 1st Floor, Wisma UOA II, No.21, Jalan Pinang, 50450, Kuala Lumpur
Phone : 03-2166 3728, 03-2166 4728
Website :
Price : RM52.20 per pax

Monday, February 14, 2011

Kitchen Creatures, Centrepoint, Petaling Jaya

Been actually hearing raves about Kitchen Creatures way before I even started this blog; mainly for it's no frills dining motto. Best of all, the interior and menu stated clearly that no tax included; which is good news to us consumers! Truly though, they did stick to their no frills dining motto, expect cheap prices for suffice portions I would say. Nevertheless, taste quality are assured even with the given price tag, just don't expect fancy seating or fancy services. This place remains special to me as I spent my family here for dinner with my first paycheck. Hehe.


For starters, we ordered 2 portions of Monster Platter (RM15) - which comes with fried shrimps, calamari rings, fried button mushrooms, mini chicken wings and nachos. I like the juicy fried button mushrooms and nachos the best - extra good when dipped in dipping sauce! I felt this was a steal at RM15 for so many varieties of appetizers. Definitely the cheapest!


We ordered a Pizza Carbonara (RM13), and it does really live up to it's name - creamy, cheesy and the most important of all in terms of serving creamy stuff, piping hot! Price wise? No explanation needed, lol.


Creamy and cheesy.. slurps.


My mom, being a poultry fan all along, ordered the Grilled Chicken (RM13). For that price tag, I was expecting some hammer-bashed-flatten grilled chicken, but wow, what was served was a whole chicken thigh intact. Fresh chicken was used and it was really juicy on it's own, with minimal sauce. Thumbs up!


The Bacon Carbonara (RM 11) was pretty good -with rich cream and really great to bite bacons. Portions are rather healthy, but it would be better if they are more generous with the portion given the price tag.


My sister ordered the Ribeye Steak (RM 19), and she absolutely loved it to the last bite. I had a few bite and loved it for it's medium rare texture. She paired her steak with mushroom sauce, from one of the many sauces available - brown sauce, garlic butter, mushroom or bbq sauce. I still prefer my steak without any sauces for that perfect natural juice. Served with a small side of spaghetti and mixed veges.


My dad is both a lamb lover, and a very picky eater. Nevertheless, thank god that this place passed in his book of eatery. The Grilled Lamb Chop (RM 17) is really huge in portion and also can be served in either any of the 3 sauces - brown sauce, mint or their signature chili lime cilantro glaze. Like the steak, it comes with a small side of spaghetti and mixed veges.


I picked the Classic Fish & Chips (RM 12). I felt this was not good enough, with too thick batter and the fish's cut was not really smooth enough to be cooked via frying. I think it's much safer to stick to their grilled food.


The Monsterised Burger (RM 13) was humongous! A fully wide opened mouth is needed to chomp in one whole bite of savory burger buns, real chicken/beef patties, pickles, onion rings, lettuce tomato, chicken ham, beef bacon, cheese and a fried egg! Orgasmic for a burger lover! Do try to bite all of the stuff in a bite to enjoy the mixed texture, and flavor!


If u think the Monsterised Burger is huge enough, wait till you see the Big Daddy Monster Burger (RM 18) in live! Practically, every good stuff of the Monsterised Burger is doubled up, all sticked via a skewer, and there you have it! Will gladly pay that price for a huge ass burger which is way much cheaper than some puny burgers at high end places.


Phew, I'm glad I made an extra effort in bringing my family here for dinner; seeing that I'm able to sample so many good stuffs! Will definitely return here! The total bill, as I vaguely remember was around RM200 for the 7 of us. Pretty reasonable I would say.


Kitchen Creatures' Detail
Address : Lot F110, Centrepoint, 3 Lebuh Bandar Utama, 47800, Petaling Jaya
Phone : 03-7729 8039
Website :
Price : RM 10 ++

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Damansara Village Steamboat, Damansara Jaya

Hi guys! An early Happy Chinese New Year! Been really busy catching up my job for the CNY holiday preparation and also to catch up on the time spent holiday-ing in Bali. I just had the best experience in my life in Bali, which I will blog about it soon!

Back to the *slurps* food that I would like to share today, I guess almost everyone of you had at least heard of or look into some sort of food introduction on this famous place for steamboat. Owned by our very own talented veteran Patrick Teoh; who also runs the blog Niamah!! which I loved to read as it touches on issues that I always care of.

So upon settling down, you will have to make a choice on how you would like to dine. I would really recommend ordering the sets; which is a little pricey but the best part of it is that you could share. I took the Village Special Seafood Set (A) (RM65) to be shared with the girlfriend. Truthfully, I found that the set is pretty much worth it as it could even be shared among 3 ppl; with loads of seafood, fresh ones mind you and some really good steamboat 'lius' to go along. My steamboat set comes with :
  • 200g Tiger Prawns
  • 2 x Flower Crab
  • 500g Giant Clams
  • 1 x Village Steamboat Set - the lius, fishball, fu zhuk etc.
There are also other sets which substitutes some seafood with meat; and also sets that are larger in portion with fresh fish meat like pomfret and snapper thrown in too. More detailed list and pricing could be seen from Damansara Village's blog.


There's only 1 soup base here - the clear soup. It's pretty bland and depends on the fresh seafood thrown in to get really sweet at the end of the session. A recommended upgrade is the Village Drunken Pot; which you will need to add RM12 if I'm not mistaken. Chinese wine with herbs are are added into the soup; making this a hit with chinese wine dishes lovers! I only tried this on my 2nd visit, too bad! Really liked this one as I'm practically drinking the soup non stop after the upgrade.


Some fried onions, and great accompanying chili to dip in. I still like my seafood with minimal dipping sauces though.


The Village Steamboat Set - just this alone could feed 2 pax. Their fish products like fishballs and fu zhuk are not those shopping market quality type. Pulau Ketam perhaps?
There's also 2 mussels, an egg and a piece of 'Yee Mee' prepared.


The Flower Crabs. Although flower crabs are not meaty itself, it is famous for lending it's sweet flavor to boil soup. Nevertheless, the crabs here are fresh to my liking with bouncy enough meat texture.


Giant Clams. These gigantic clams taste sweeter and has better texture than it's smaller size cousin. Simply dump in a few, and check if it's open after 2-3 minutes. Should immediately eat it after the shell opens up to avoid texture changes.


As Patrick Teoh says, like your texture of your old tennis shoes. Niamah!!


When this particular dish appeared, I was thinking why the hell are they covering the top of the plate with another stacked plate.


It turns out, live prawns are contained inside. Damansara Village really brings 'live' to a whole new level, with really jumping, alive prawns grasping for air. For first timers, giggles and shock are expected, lol. Anyway, seafood couldn't get any fresher than this, and yes, the prawns do taste better a lot, albeit the cruel cooking method.


*Sorry, but.. SLURPS*


There's really no other method to enjoy a rainy night but with a good meal of piping hot steamboat downed with a good Guiness stout!


The bill for the both of us came up to RM76.80, not bad for a once in awhile splurge.


The pretty comfy environment with personal huts seating; or opt to sit inside. My only complains about the al fresco seats are the mosquito! Especially on a rainy night!


Overall, I would definitely return! Although much pricier, but the seafood are definitely the next freshest thing other then fishing for your own seafood. I admittedly do miss the superb Herbal Drunken Pot soup base, too!


Damansara Village Steamboat (Damansara Jaya branch)
Address : 1067, Jalan Jenjarum, Kg. Sg. Kayu Ara, Off Jalan SS23/10, Damansara Jaya, 47400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone :
03-7803 1832
Website : Damansara Village Steamboat
Price : RM60 ++