Ah Wong Bak Kut Teh, Old Klang Road

Like any other normal Chinese Malaysian, bak kut teh is the ultimate heart warming food for us. This herb soup concoction with pork, vegetable and other stuffs is supposedly to be good for your body; mainly from the herbs. As far as I know, bak kut teh was the food for the strength source for kulis of Port Klang during the early era of Malaysia; hence the origin place.

Ah Wong's bak kut teh in Old Klang Road has caught my attention for numerous times with overflowed customer starting from evening till late night. We went and give it a try for dinner out of curiosity.

True enough. Customers was flocking in and was full by the time we were half way finishing; around 8.30pm. Business was so good even on a Wednesday.

The normal utensils for a bak kut teh meal. By the way, the only time where I think I could mix dark soy sauce and chili padis; and yet go well with the food is only during eating bak kut teh.

The soup version of Ah Wong's bak kut teh (RM8 for 1 pax portion). Ah Wong's version is the clearer version compared to the others and the herbs amount was not that strong. Just enough to give some hint of herbs. The ribs were good, tender and juicy. All in all, I felt their bak kut teh is acceptable in KL area; but lost quite a bit if compared to ones in Port Klang; or better competitors (will write about this in the future).


Muar Otak-otak (RM11). Not recommended at all given the price tag. As far as I know, this version that is served is bought from shops in a box and just steamed when ordered. The otak-otak felt mushy and hollow. By hollow I was meaning that the center of the otak-otak felt empty; something like a sponge cake. Not sure if it's meant to be like that but not to my liking. Credits to the gravy though; tangy and spicy.

Some Oily Choi Sum (RM5) to go with our meal. Fresh, simple and the garlic provides a crunchy and aromatic biting texture.


For me, a good bak kut teh meal must always be accompanied with some fresh fried Chinese crullers (yao zar guai) to be dip into the soup and some chili padi mixed with dark soy sauce.


The total bill came up to RM30; with drinks for the two of us. Omit the otak-otak, it's pretty reasonable for 2 people for less then RM10 per person. By the way, I heard the steamed fish served here are very good and that's the main reason why people keep coming besides the bak kut teh. Will certainly return with more makan kakis the next time to just try out their steamed fish.


Ah Wong Bak Kut Teh's Detail
Address : Batu 4 1/2, Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur
(If you are coming from PJ's direction, locate the large wet market at the opposite direction after you pass by the Kuchai Lama traffic light, and head straight to find it nearby under the bridge)
Phone : 013-228 2288 / 016-234 1319
Website:
Price: RM 8 for bak kut teh(1 pax)

Shook!, Starhill Gallery, Bukit Bintang (RM 3.60 tea time deal)

Recently, Starhill Gallery offered a very attractive promotion whereby you could dine at 4 of it's restaurants for only RM3.60 per dish! No writing mistakes here, RM 3.60, cheaper than any Mcdonalds meal! From the promotion link, 4 restaurants are having the said promotion which are; Shook!, Fisherman's Cove, Luk Yu Teahouse and Pak Loh Chiu Chow. Few of us curious one gathered and gave Shook! a try, well, mainly because we couldn't really afford it normally and thought why not given that inclusive of tax, each dish cost only around RM4.00+.

The few chosen RM 3.60 dishes to be selected. Looks good huh?

Going to be honest here, looks are the only thing that are good here. The 1st dish arrived and hell, we tried to keep ourselves from laughing hardly out of the waiter's sight. The servings was HUGE; which in HUGE i was meaning only the plate! I guess that's the quantity you get given the price, acceptable.

Top: Aglio Olio with Clams, Bottom: Aglio Olio with Prawns
Now don't get me wrong. I'm absolutely ok with the quantity, but quality wise, I'm not so sure if they do retain their normal quality. Dry, cold and no olive oil aroma at all. Failed one. The only savior of it was the prawns.


Top: 6 inch Margarita Pizza, Bottom: 6 inch Pepperoni Pizza
The pizzas were ok. Thin crusted resulting in quite a crunchy texture. The pepperoni somehow felt a tad bit dry to my liking.


Deep-Fried Seafood Fritters with Chili Dip. Damn, I thought I remembered wrongly from the menu. I remembered this is a seafoood dish. SO WHERE ARE THE SEAFOOD? Taste and look more like Vegetarian Fritters. Pffft.


Prawn Cocktail with Spicy Japanese Dressing. This is nice. At last! Thank god, a nice dish at last after 3 bad ones. The prawns were fresh and sweet, the wasabi-soy sauce dressing was good and has these pieces of cheese. Refreshing!


Grilled Cumberland 8 inch Sausage with Mashed Potato and Onion Sauce. Now this is good too. The sausage has this nice bouncy texture and grilled perfectly. Herb bits and flavors are the first thing to be detected once you sink your teeth on it.


Grilled Chicken and Ham Sandwich with French Fries. Did not taste the sandwich, but the fries was a let down. Cold, hard and basically tasteless.


Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich. The bread was sure HARD and dry. Hmm, might be better if toasted as it's not that fresh anymore. The teriyaki chicken was ok.


Fish Tempura with Somen. The somen was good, smooth and silky, something like the Chinese's Mee Suah. However, the soup was BAD. Basically tasteless and I could only conclude that it tasted more like water rather than soup. Nothing extraordinary about the fish tempura though.


Cantonese Seafood Fried Rice. Out of curiosity, we ordered something Chinese just to try. It was a disaster. The visual appearance had already failed in my opinion. The taste? Worse then how it would look. Lack of 'wok hei' (the 'essence' and taste that is achieved through high heat and oil combination cooking - a very important and must aspect in good Chinese cooking), not fragrant at all and sticky rice. And what's with the tasteless starchy gravy? The most failed dish of all I would say. That just proves that my theory is right - good Chinese food with good wok hei is never eaten at posh places.


Banana Pancake with Maple Syrup and Baskin Robbins Ice Cream. Could taste banana flavors in every bite of the pancake. Lol. The ice cream (vanilla I think?) and maple syrup goes very well with the pancake.


Some guava juice and cappuccino to go with the food. Drinks are also at the same price as the food - RM 3.60.


The total bill came up to RM91.10 for the 7 of us. RM13 per person is not bad, considering that we sample almost everything from the menu. But would I return? I would say yes if I were to sample the food from the other 3 restaurants. No, to Shook!. In my opinion, if you were to promote a sampling period for a cheap price for promotion purposes, it is pretty acceptable to cut down on the quantity. But cutting down on quality, a big NO for me. I'm sorry but Shook! has just lost it's' reputation in my dictionary.


Shook! is located at the lowest ground (Feast) and is visibly seen from the open area of every floor near the lifts. Easily recognizable from the live bands that are always on show. Starhill Gallery's RM 3.60 promotion runs daily till 30th June 2010. So if you do want to just taste preview or maybe have some really affordable cheap tea session, head over. By the way, parking for Starhill Gallery is RM2.50 per hour before 6pm on weekdays.


Shook!'s Detail
Address : LG1, Feast Village, Starhill Gallery, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100, Kuala Lumpur.
Phone : 603 2782 3875
Website:
Shook!'s RM3.60 deal menu
Shook!'s Main Website
Starhill Gallery's RM3.60 deal restaurants information
Price: RM 3.60 for every dish till 30th June - promotion. Update: There are rumors that the promotion is extended till an uncertain date. Do be safe and call first before heading though.

Similar opinions and review from Chocoholic: Memoirs of Chocoholic

Piccadilly, SS14, Petaling Jaya

*Sorry for the picture's quality for this post. The settings was rather dark and had trouble coping up with a compact camera.*

Piccadilly is a rather interesting and comfy restaurant which incorporates a lounge/restaurant/mamak concept all in one. Why said so is because of it's cheap alcohol price with chairs, tables and LCD TVs that people could hang and chill out; it's extensive food choices (am guessing over 100 food items all on 2 menus!) and reasonable price range which is enjoyed by all races! Strectching over 2 different sections of shops, it has an al-fresco dining area and air conditioned area.

The easiest way to get to here is to locate Digital Mall at SS14, and pass by Digital Mall (not entering Digital Mall's road) and head straight to the housing areas. Turn left when you can and proceed by looking for the landmark which you can see from a far- 3 condominiums that are stacked closely. Don't worry they are the only condominiums there so just follow the straight direction. Piccadilly is located at Millennium Square which is just below the condominiums. The white camp like arcs are the landmark for the restaurant. Park at nearby roadside or at the visitor car park inside.

My Guiness Stout. I prefer my beer to be fresh out from the beer dispensers; rather than bottled. Serving in a ice cold mug adds the 'omph-ness' of it. Costs only RM8.70 inclusive of tax. What did I say about cheap beers? Lol. Heck, a tower of beer here only costs RM50, way cheaper if compared to other place's beer.


Grape Champagne Mocktail (RM5.90) and Longan Cincau (Rm 4.00).


Bangkok Pineapple Fried Rice (RM 5.90). According to my friend this was quite nice. It was very aromatic when brought to the table. We were starving by then lol. The only complain from my friend was the small piece and quantity of chicken. But given the price tag, I felt that's forgivable.


Supparod Talay (RM 6.90) - literally means Thailand's Pineapple Fried Rice with Seafood. Not sure if it's the name in the menu but that's what I remembered from the receipt. Friend said this was nice and are generous with the prawns.


Briyani Chicken Kurma (RM9.90). This is good! The curry is just mild with mild spicyness briyani rice. Comes with chicken breasts and whole egg sliced in two. Especially like the briyani texture that goes so well with the curry. Suitable for those who can't really take spicy food but wants some Indian cuisine.


My Briyani Chicken Maharaja (RM9.90). Honestly I prefer this after comparison with my friend's Chicken Kurma. This North Indian styled curry is cooked with adding in butter, cashewnuts and spices. Heavenly. Chicken breast that are so smooth and tender? Checked. Goes extremely well with the briyani rice too.


4 of us shared a Fu Yong Egg/ Oriental Egg (RM6.00). Was ok but I think I still prefer something from the Chinese hawker stalls if I were to eat such food.


French Fries (RM 4.50). I don't know why but their french fries are extremely tasty! Thick yet crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside. Couldn't really explain the texture in words, but it's a little bit of contrasting texture in between that made it so addictive to be eaten. Best of all, no sign or reuse oil is tasted!


The bill came up to RM63.80 for the four of us; not inclusive of the beer. Not bad I would say for a dinner and chill out place given the food we had, we even sat and just chill and talk for a few hours. I wonder why their plain water is called seafood ice water? That's a bit worrying lol.

Piccadilly's Detail
Address : LG006 & LG007, Millennium Square, Dataran Millennium PJ, 98, Jalan 14/1, 46100 Petaling Jaya.
Phone :
Website:
Price: RM5.90+ for a main course; RM4++ for a drink

Greetings: Happy Dumpling Festival! =)

An early Happy Dumpling Festival to all readers and friends. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my new readers, supporters and friends who gave me motivations. So happy to get such huge responses after starting the blog for just a month. Hopefully I would be able to continue the blog more successfully and continue to share more mouth-watering food that I enjoy!


p/s: Nothing beats a home prepared dumpling. To all of you, enjoy savoring all the yummy dumplings available only at this time! =)

Jojo Little Kitchen, Kuchai Lama

Pan mee has been one of the earliest chinese food to being introduced to Malaysia. Simple as it's only made from dough; yet can be made into various texture and taste. Similarly to the Italian pasta, depending on how is it shaped and pressed, different noodles can be made out. Likewise, the simplest food has been 'revolutionized; making new restaurants with various type and ingredients added mushroom-ed all over. Honestly, I was skeptical about the concept at first but after trying out 1 or 2 good newer version pan mee stores it was ok.

One of my favourite place to get a good fix of pan mee is at Jojo Little Kitchen, Kuchai Lama. Located quite hidden from the main road, the restaurant is located just a stone away from the famous Winsoon Fish Head noodles. Jojo Little Kitchen has various version of pan mee, with different ingredients and different noodle types - they have the more distinctive type like Curry Pan Mee or Lor Pan mee.

I don't know who started it but every newer version pan mee restaurant that I visit has at least these three types of chili. Leftest to right: Green paste chili, sambal like chili, chili flakes. I usually take the chili flakes only, therefore unsure bout the other two.


Longan Apple. My must drink item when I go there. The boiled longan and apple is very refreshing and full with natural sweetness. Very cooling for a heaty day!


The girlfriend had the traditional soup version pan mee, opting for hand tore noodles. The noodles here are tore very thinly, thus gives a very silky and smooth texture to the noodles. The soup here is sweeter compared to most of the other pan mee stalls. They have the standard ingredients for a pan mee, mushrooms, veges and pork. Their anchovies are also served in different dipping plate that comes with the chili to keep it crunchy!


My favourite. Lat Jiu Pan Mee which loosely translated to Chili Pan Mee. I especially like the thin noodles which gives it a very firm yet bouncy texture; like the Taiwaneses say very "QQ". Cooked just al dente and comes with minced pork, chili flakes and a half boiled egg. You need to mix everything and stir, note: DO NOT EAT IT SEPARATELY. The egg yolk will give the noodles it's omph, very important. Add more chili flakes if desire. I always add 1 1/2 scoops more additional chili flakes.


Fried fish cake. This is the 1st time I ate this. Hmm pretty normal and expensive at RM5 for 8 pieces if u ask me. The quality does not even come close to the famous fried fishballs at OUG's pasar malam!


The bill came up to RM20.30 for two. Minus the fish cake, the price of a complete meal is pretty decent for lunch.

I also noticed a few more new branches located at SS15, Puchong and Serdang. Will check it out next time to see if it's up to par quality.

Jojo Little Kitchen (Kuchai Lama branch)'s Detail
Address : No 30 Jalan Kuchai Maju 9, Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
Phone : 03- 79871090
Website:
Price: RM5.50+ for a bowl of pan mee; RM2.50+ for drinks

Best Nasi Lemak in Town, Seapark, Petaling Jaya

After so many years of experience eating one of the best food found found in Malaysia, doubtfully the nasi lemak; I have concluded that I actually have found the best one! I'm sure you could say that nasi lemak is one of the favourite dish for all Malaysians and is eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper; anytime of the day. This Indian stall here in Seapark (SS21) prepares a great tasting and aromatic nasi lemak which I enjoy and have often cravings for. The stall has no specific name since it's a nightly rented section of a coffeeshop named Sun Fatt Kee. I simply called it 'Seapark Nasi Lemak' whenever I mention to friends; while I heard other names like 'Pelangi Nasi Lemak' (a snooker centre named Pelangi nearby), 'Maybank Nasi Lemak' (Maybank beside) or 'Sun Fatt Kee'. If you happen to pass through this stall by driving, just slow down and look thoroughly at what most of the patrons are having. I bet 99% are having their specialty, nasi lemak ayam!

In my opinion, what makes a good plate of nasi lemak would be it must have fluffy and aromatic white fluffy rice cooked with coconut milk. The sambal would be the other requirement; just spicy enough to compliment while retaining the rice's flavor. The condiments (anchovies and peanuts) must be crunchy. Not to forget, it must be served piping hot. That said, I felt Seapark's nasi lemak has met all the above requirements. The rice and the sambal totally passed the passing grade with flying colors. Do note however the sambal version of this store is a little sweet; but I honestly loved every bite of the rice and sambal combination. The fried chicken; is one of the crunchiest one could find in mamak stall's quality! I sense herbs to produce the great marinating recipe in it. Sunny side up egg was cooked perfectly the way it should be. The nasi lemak is also served on banana leaf; which brings the flavor out! My relative from Singapore even complimented that the nasi lemak here is better than Madam Kwan's, which prepares the more 'premium' version.

Iced milo and iced limao. Quantity and quality like what you would find in normal mamak stalls.

The section where they prepare your dishes and drinks. It's pretty amazing that since they are always busy with orders coming in, they had adopted the specialization method whereby one person would fry the eggs only, the other frying chickens, frying noodles, etc. Some may argue that the place is not that hygienic, but well, good food comes in all kind of place right! What's more I've seen worst kitchen environment in some closed kitchen with a very high end type dining places.

Seapark nasi lemak is very easily located; being nearby SS2. Do google map for SS21 or Seapark to get directions from your location!

Seapark Nasi Lemak's Detail
Address : Jalan 21/11b, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone :
Website:
Price: RM4.50 for a plate of nasi lemak with ayam goreng; RM1.50+ for drinks

Pork Noodles, Restoran Sun Sea, Overseas Union Garden (OUG)

How can I not blog about this amazing all time favourite food of mine? The best pork noodles could be found in Restoran Sun Sea, Taman Overseas. I name it OUG's pride! Proof? Enter the coffee shop and you'll find 90% of the customers are having the same bowl of noodles! Honestly, I have been hooked and got addicted to the noodles since I was 14 or 15, heck I only actually tried other stalls's food for once or twice throughout.

Restoran Sun Sea is easily located. Enter Overseas Union Garden from Old Klang Road. Locate the BHP Station on your right. Go straight and turn on the 2nd right turning. Go straight further and pass through a row of shoplot. The coffee shop is on your left; which is nearby the morning market. Beware of before and after school jam sessions whilst finding for parking space.
Right pic: The stall which is always busy. Place your orders quickly.


A good hot piping bowl of pork noodles (soup version). The strength in this stall's pork noodles would be it's sweet soup; which I felt rarely got out of the expected taste. Honestly, one sip and you can't stop in finishing the whole bowl of soup. The pork noodles here also comes with loads of ingredients; which is also another bonus. A standard bowl could consists of lean pork slices, minced pork, pork liver, pork intestines, squids, prawns and veges. As far as I noticed, a few more premium items could be add upon request; such as eggs, seaweeds and fish if I'm not wrong. Noodles varieties to be choose are the usuals: Yellow noodles, kuay teow, mee huun and lou shu fun.

Dry version. My bowl of noodles, with special customized ingredients (favourite!): Mee hoon and kuey teow; with loads of minced pork and prawn with an egg. Guess visiting so many years and being close gave me more ingredients quantity, lol.


The drinks from the coffee shop itself is worth praising. Although abit pricier by 20-30 cents compared to other coffee shops, the drinks here are thick and worth every of the extra cents. The Milo Ais (RM2.20) is very thick and just right the sweetness. Look at the colour!

Restoran Sun Sea also has other stalls which servers pretty good food. Stalls serving your usual hawker food fare such as pan mee, chicken rice, yong tao fuu and curry noodles can be found there. Give it a try!

Restoran Sun Sea's Detail
Address : Precise address unsure (Jalan Hujan Rahmat, Taman OUG, KL). Located nearby the morning market
Phone :
Website:
Price: RM5 - RM7

Murni, SS2 Petaling Jaya

When it comes to food, Malaysians are truly united; despite being diverse and multi cultured. Mamaks should be given national recognition as it's the only place where you'll find the Malays. Chinese, Indians and other races eating at the same place (Halal place of course)! Also, Malaysians are very brave as they do not mind in risking their health/life by eating at parking lot with table and accompanied by hidden rats/cockroaches on street! Good food rules! Lol.

Well, Murni; which is located in SS2, Petaling Jaya is different from other normal typical mamaks. From what I've heard, the owners are of Baba Nyonya heritage; rather than mamaks (Indian Muslims). The foods are varied and are very much more special while retaining the normal mamak foods if compared to typical mamak stores. Honestly said, I've tasted a few food items from there; and most of it are very tasty! Albeit more expensive if compared, the food quantity and quality made up for it.

All the tables are packed together in the restaurant and other shop's hallway. Heard the restaurant was in trouble previously as they placed their table on the parking lots outside. Previously the amount of tables and chair reached till 3 rows of shop lots and parking lots; all filled with people. Imagine the brisk business!

Ribena special. We shared this large cup of ice blended 'gao' ice blended Ribena. Comes with loads of nate de coco, lychees and honeydew. Refreshing!


For a very late unhealthy rare supper, I had this Nasi Goreng Maryland. Sinful yet so tasty! Basically it's their fried rice with fried chicken chop topped with a sunny side up egg. I especially like their fragrant fried rice but will be much better if they add in more chili padi! Personal preference. Comes with prawn/fish crackers at the side. What did I say about multi cultured? West cuisine meets east.


Roti Hawaii. Interpreted roti with hamburger meat, sausages, eggs and pineapples filling topped with mayonnaise. Guessed the pineapple gave the name Hawaii to the roti.

The total bill came up to around RM20 for 2 food items and 1 drink. Very satisfying and fulfilling supper!

Murni's Detail
Address : Jalan SS2/75, Petaling Jaya.
Phone :
Website:
Price: RM10+ for a decent meal with food and drinks

By the way, Murni's had just opened up their 2nd branch called Murni Discovery. The address: Jalan PJU 1/3B, Sunway Mas Commercial Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

The other branch of Murni Discovery at: 39-41, Jalan USJ9/5P, Subang Business Centre.
My review: Murni Discovery - Subang Branch