My first visit to Extra Super Tanker was more than 5 years ago when they were based in Damansara Kim. We dined with a group of food lovers so naturally, the food we ordered was top notch. I only visited them again once more but not when they relocated to Glo Damansara. Until recently when I dined with Jien and my good friend.

Larger space now

The place is significantly larger than the old outlet – big enough for wedding banquets and also events. While I like the ambiance at Glo Damansara better, I feel the food seems to have taken a backseat from what I remembered.

An old-school favourite and definitely something for fish lovers.

We ordered the braised giant grouper fish with beancurd stick (RM185) which is a house specialty and portion is large enough for 4-5 pax. The claypot combines chunks of grouper fish with roasted pork and beancurd for a creamier finish.

You get tender, gelatinous fish with thick gravy that’s laden with umami – perfect with rice. A sip of cognac helps cut through the richness of the dish, I feel. This is a dish that’s rare to come by (an old school favourite) but it’s not quite my favourite thing to eat as I don’t fancy fish that much. Definitely a must-try if you’re a fish lover though.

I like how the cognac cuts through the richness of the duck while accentuating the sweet-smoky flavour of the sauce.

I preferred the roasted duck sandwich style (RM58 – half, RM98 – whole) as I feel it’s easier and heartier to eat. You get a basket of steamed buns and a platter of ready-sliced duck and fried fritters with vegetables to assemble; usually, the waitress will help you with this. I like eating mine with plenty of spring onions because it gives more bite and offsets the gaminess of the duck.

Suckling pig is also available here if you’re a fan, but that one requires a pre-order. The same goes for their famed Iberico pork ribs which I didn’t get to eat as I was a walk-in customer that night. If it’s still the same Iberico pork ribs I tried 5 years back, then it’s good stuff and you should order this in advance. This would have gone well with the Martell XO I brought with me.

We opted for the stir-fried lotus with lily bulb and pine nuts (RM25 – small, RM35 – medium, RM50 – large) which was simple but well prepared. I like the combination of gingko nuts, pine nuts and lotus slices as each bite gives you different textures and flavours.

Another popular item we were told to try is the homemade beancurd with minced chicken and mushroom (RM20 – small, RM30 – medium, RM50 – large). Texture is firmer than that I expected and in a good way – the beancurd held its shape when scooped up. The gravy had a good balance of savoury so it wasn’t overly salty or pungent.

Our bill came up to about RM400 inclusive of drinks and rice – slightly on the pricey side but you get quality items here. I’ll need to pay them another visit to see if the pork ribs are up to mark.

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Ambiance: 7/10
Price: 5.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Improved ambiance but I feel food isn’t as good as what it used to be in the old days.

Unit No 2.18 & 2.19,
Level 2, Glo Damansara,
No, 699, Jalan Damansara,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
60000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-7733 7769
Business hours: 11.30am till 3pm, 6pm till 11pm

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Thong Kee Coffee Shop in Seapark PJ has plenty to offer in terms of variety – this kopitiam that originated from Bentong serves good toasts and coffee/tea, which complements the other offerings from the stalls available. They are quite busy in the morning so it’s best to get there before 9am if you want your food to arrive quickly.

Iced Coffee

Of the row of stalls, the wantan mee and nasi lemak seems most popular judging from what other tables had. I tried the wantan mee and rather enjoyed it; more than the one from PJ State. Jien and his father however, prefers the latter as the gravy has a bittersweet note which they both like.

Wantan Mee

Springy texture

The wantan is pretty good too

The one at Thong Kee has a springier texture and I like the seasoning better as it’s more savoury than sweet. I guess it’s personal preference since I generally like my food savoury. Portion for this is a tad small so a medium (RM8) or large bowl (RM9) is ideal if you ask me. The small one doesn’t quite do for me.

Curry Mee

I saw from some online reviews that the curry mee is good, but I found it rather average. While the broth was thick, it had a grainy texture which I didn’t fancy. This also tasted a tad “powdery”, as though a lot of paste was used in the cooking process. That said, it’s not a bad bowl of curry mee – just an average one.

Ham, Cheese & Egg Croissant

The toasts are as good as the online reviews mentioned. My personal favourite is the ham, cheese and egg croissant (RM7.90), which is simple yet well-prepared. I like how hearty it is, without being too cloying. This goes well with iced coffee (RM2.70) which Thong Kee is known for. Their cham and iced tea is also quite good – thick, aromatic and creamy.

Kaya & Butter Croissant

Hainan Toast with Butter & Kaya

Do try the croissant with kaya and butter (RM4.90) as it’s also one of the popular choices at Thong Kee. This is lighter than the savoury version I had the visit before but it’s also quite good. The basic version of Hainan toast with kaya and butter (RM1.90) is also decent but I would opt for the croissant anytime.

Pork Noodles

I wasn’t impressed with the pork noodles from the stall behind the curry mee stall but since the nasi lemak I wanted to try wasn’t open, I settled for this. The broth was alright but lacking depth and porky flavour, so if you like your noodles light, you probably wouldn’t mind this.

Loh Pan Mee

Better was the loh pan mee (RM7 – small, RM8 – large) which was of good portion and balanced flavour. Jien didn’t like though, for he doesn’t like loh mee in general. Personally, I found this decent but nothing worth raving about. If you happen to be craving loh mee, you can give this a shot.

Overall, I like Thong Kee for the coffee and toast, and the wantan mee. Those are worth coming back for. I will need to pay them another visit soon so I can try the nasi lemak – that’s now on top of my to-eat-list!

Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Try the wantan mee, toast bread and coffee.

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Thong Kee Cafe
No.33, Jalan 21/1,
Sea Park,
46300 Petaling Jaya.
Facebook Page

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Seremban isn’t a place I’m well-versed with as it has always been a “pit-stop” option when I’m enroute KL from Melaka. Jien and I stopped to check out Lucky Palace a couple of weeks back because we were looking for a suitable dinner venue to recommend to my friend who’s getting hitched in 2018.

Spacious interior — am not fond of the blue hued lights though.

There are two Lucky Palace branches – one in Seremban and the other in Ayer Keroh. We tried the one in Seremban and found the food reasonably priced and decent in taste. The restaurant seems to be a popular option for dinner as the crowd kicks in from 7.30pm onwards; most of them would bring a tipple of their choice.

Lucky Crispy Roasted Duck

That’s what I like about Chinese restaurants – free corkage, no questions asked. Jien and I opted for the Lucky Crispy Roasted Duck (RM26.68 – half, RM50.30 – whole) which we found quite affordably priced. Tastewise, I didn’t care much for it as the duck wasn’t as fatty as I like it to be. This made the meat slightly tough to enjoy.

Braised Chicken with Chinese Wine in Claypot

The Braised Chicken with Chinese Wine in Claypot (RM21.20 – small, RM31.80 – medium, RM42.40 – large) was good stuff. This was my favourite dish at Lucky Palace and one I would order again when I’m there. You get tender pieces of chicken in thick, caramelised gravy and a good kick from the ginger slices. This tasted especially good with the Martell VSOP, which further accentuates the herbal notes of the gravy.

Chinese Spinach in Superior Soup

Chinese Spinach in Superior Soup (RM12.72 – small, RM19.08 – medium, RM26.50 – large) is a simple dish but well-prepared at Lucky Palace. I liked that they were generous with the century egg slices as it gave the soup more depth in flavour. That said, the best version of this soup is still the one from Hup Kee in Jalan Ipoh.

Claypot Eggplant in Spicy Garlic Sauce

Jien and I both enjoyed the Claypot Eggplant in Spicy Garlic Sauce (RM12.72 – small, RM19.08 – medium, RM26.50 – large) as it’s packed with flavour and boasted a delicious aroma from the char of the garlic. If you like eggplant, you’ll love this.

Fried Hong Kong Ee-Fu Noodles with Crab Meat

Less stellar was the Fried Hong Kong Ee-Fu Noodles with Crab Meat (RM21.20 – small, RM42.40 – medium, RM63.60 – large). The noodles tasted a bit one-dimensional to me and I wasn’t getting much flavour from the crab. I also found the noodles a tad overdone so it didn’t have the springy texture which is an important element for me.

With all that said, I still find the food at Lucky Palace quite decent and portions are commendable. Am already planning another return trip here with the in-laws during Chinese New Year when they do their rounds of visiting in the area and Melaka.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 7/10
Food: 6/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Hearty, reliable dishes at pocket-friendly prices.

Lucky Palace Seremban
Lot D15-D16,
Jalan Persiaran Utama S2-1,
Persiaran S2 B1,
Seremban 2,
70300 Seremban.
Business hours: 11am till 2.30pm, 6pm till 11pm
Tel: 06-601 1328

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When Jien and I visited Japan for the first time in 2016, our tour guide Sachiko spoke fondly about her hometown – Osaka. She was so enthusiastic about the wonderful experience we would have that Jien insisted we make a pitstop to Osaka before we headed to Hokkaido last September.

A meal at the airport, while waiting for our next flight to Osaka

While it marked the beginning of autumn in Japan, the weather in Osaka was sunny with mild showers now and then. Jien and I were unfortunate to have missed our flight from Tokyo to Osaka due to a flight delay from Kuala Lumpur to Narita. It’s best to anticipate a longer time gap (we allocated a 3-hour time gap) to buffer for any possible flight delay.

Our cosy Airbnb in Osaka

A rescheduled flight and a train ride later, we got to our accommodation without too much hassle. For those taking the train from the airport to Osaka city centre for the first time, do note that there’s only one train line so you either go from one end to another. Just head to the train platform and look for your stop – either left or right.

Sometimes, communication barrier can be confusing as we got pretty confused when asking for directions. The apartment we booked was located pretty near Dotonbori as well as the train station; within a 5-10 minutes’ walk to the designer shopping district. Note that Japan gets a good variety of designer items especially the limited edition ones so it pays to do your research on what to buy.

During the day, nothing much happens at Dotonbori but come night time, the place comes alive!

As we only had 3 days in Osaka, Jien and I tried to maximise our time where possible – by visiting the Osaka Aquarium, Yamazaki Distillery, Osaka Castle, Shitennoji Temple and of course, Dotonbori for all the shopping and eating one can indulge in. Travelling around Osaka is fairly easy as directions are clear and it’s easy to navigate around with portable WiFi.

Osaka at night

Melissa prefers using Travel Recommends but both Jien and I find Samurai WiFi better in our case as the service (so far) is faster and it gives us better connectivity. Most Japanese people would recommend Samurai WiFi if you’re traveling to Japan, so I guess it’s a matter of preference and patriotism haha.

Yamazaki Distillery Tour

We almost didn’t make it to the Yamazaki Distillery as the tour was fully booked when we attempted to secure a slot two weeks prior to our trip. Fortunately, there was a last-minute cancellation when we called to try our luck so we found ourselves in the tour, understanding the history of this distillery and sampling some of the best produce it has to offer.

Make sure to bring along 1,000 yen cash to pay for the tour

My favourite part of the tour — tasting session!

Prices are still very affordable at the distillery so do try a shot or two (or three!)

If you’re into whiskies, do try the 21-year old available for sale (by glasses only) at the bar just below the gift shop.

Osaka Aquarium

Stingray petting area

Osaka Aquarium offers both the young and old an underwater journey of some of the most magnificent sea species around. It’s advisable to spend at least 2 hours inside the aquarium to maximise the experience – at the end of the tour, you’ll get to pet some stingrays assisted by a guide.

Shitennoji Temple

Osaka Castle

It takes about 30 minutes to get to Osaka Castle from the train station so please wear comfortable shoes. You will need to climb a slight uphill to the castle so breakfast prior would be a good idea.

Inside the castle

I really liked the experience at the castle as the guides provided (there’s English too) are informative and entertaining. Spent a good 2 hours immersing myself in the history of Osaka and how the empire was built over the centuries.

Exploring food options in Dotonbori

Osaka wouldn’t be complete without all the good food, and Dotonbori is the perfect place to explore if you’re into local delicacies like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, yakiniku and desserts. Some of the more memorable spots we tried are 2nd best melon-pan, Wanaka Takoyaki and Yakiniku M Dotonbori.

Second best melon-pan

SO GOOD! I don’t know what the best tastes like but this feels like the best for me lol…

Okonomiyaki Dotonbori Special at Warai, Dotonbori

Yakisoba at Warai

Piping hot takoyaki

Yakiniku M Dotonbori

Best beef experience I’ve had! Worth every penny — we paid about 10,000 yen for this

Takoyaki Wanaka — said to be the best in Osaka. It was very good indeed.

Osaka-style sushi, which isn’t my cup of tea

While Osaka is popular for desserts, both Jien and I only enjoyed Pablo cheesecake, which is really a level-up from the one in KL. Other treats we tried (from Maison De Gigi) were nothing to shout about.

Pablo cheesecake

Maison De Gigi

I liken Dotonbori to our local night market where you get to shop affordably and sample all the local delights as you walk along the stalls and restaurants. The place is clean and properly maintained so I’m certain food lovers would find this ideal.

Shochu highball is always a good idea

Tori karaage

Kushiyaki set

Watch this video compilation of my time in Osaka!

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Klang has plenty of undiscovered food gems if you look around properly – it’s just the distance and traffic that hinders me from exploring the area often. When someone recommended Heng Ong Huat in Klang for dinner, a part of me was hesitant because I wasn’t familiar with the area and Chinese language is predominantly used.

Fuss-free but comfortable interior

Heng Ong Huat is relatively new judging from the interior but service was prompt throughout so I reckon there’s little or no teething issue. The menu is both in English and Chinese so I found ordering a breeze. We ordered the Heng Ong Huat Special Claypot Tilapia with Superior Pepper Soup (RM49.80) and it was one of the highlights of our meal.

Special Claypot Tilapia with Superior Pepper Soup

You get deep-fried tilapia in a claypot of pepper broth, yam, abalone mushroom, enoki, preserved vegetables, wolfberries and red dates, stewed together to allow the flavours to complement one another. I find this very addictive as you get that spicy, peppery kick from the soup and plenty of sweetness from the dates.

As the soup boils further, the yam softens and thickens the broth so it becomes almost stew-like, which is even more delicious. My only issue about this dish is the fish – I’m not a fan of tilapia so next round, I’ll ask them to switch it with pomfret or grouper with extra charge. The broth pairs especially well with the Cordon Bleu Extra I must say. Do try it with a bit of cognac and you’ll taste the difference in flavour profile.

The Signature Homemade Beancurd with Pumpkin is good stuff

Another favourite of mine at Heng Ong Huat is the Signature Homemade Beancurd with Pumpkin (RM13.80 – small, RM17.80 – medium, RM22.80 – large). This features firm yet eggy beancurd pieces in thick pumpkin gravy. I like how there’s a play of sweet and savoury in this dish, where you get plenty of umami from the beancurd and the creamy notes of the pumpkin complements it overall. Simple but satisfying.

Prawns were fresh, so plus points for them

Seafood is quite fresh I must say, as the Dry Butter Prawns (RM29.80 – small, RM59.80 – medium, RM89.90 – large) is one of the more memorable prawn dishes I’ve eaten. The prawns were juicy and crunchy, accentuated by the crispy threads of butter-laced egg yolk for extra decadence. Not quite ideal for the waistline but life is short, so this is worth indulging in.

Hokkien style Dong Po Pork

I didn’t quite fancy the Dong Po Pork (RM30.80 – small, RM60.80 – large) as it tasted a tad one-note for me. While I understand this is how Hokkien people cook their pork, I would have preferred the meat to be better flavoured and the fats, softer and more gelatinous. It does however, pair nicely with the Cordon Bleu Extra as the star anise in the gravy brings out the sweet notes of the cognac.

Simple greens to go with the meal

We ordered the Stir-fried Hong Kong Kailan (RM14.80 – small, RM19.80 – medium, RM24.80 – large) to offset the richness of the meal. Nothing fantastic but it helped cut through the richness of the prawns and pork.

Pricing is affordable here; our bill came up to RM175 inclusive of rice and tea. There is no corkage charge so you can always bring a tipple of your fancy. Despite my initial hesitation to visit Heng Ong Huat, I’m definitely coming back for more good food.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Hearty, unpretentious food at affordable prices.

Heng Ong Huat Restaurant
88, Jalan Batai Laut 4,
Taman Intan,
41300 Klang,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-3341 3288
Business hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm

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As I explore more and more areas for Chinese restaurants, I realise there’s plenty of gems out there that I’ve yet to discover. Kajang Fei Chui has been on the top of my head for the longest time as friends and relatives have said good things about the food.

This venue is large enough for events and celebrations

Kajang can be considered far for some but if you’re within the Cheras vicinity, I reckon getting there wouldn’t be too much of an issue. The place is huge – large enough for 100 tables of more I reckon, and ordering is done via iPad or tablet.

King Prawns with Chinese Wine

Too sweet for my liking

The King Prawns with Chinese Wine (RM40) sounded delicious so we placed an order for a portion. This came in a hot iron pot and mini stove, to keep the broth warm. That said, it wasn’t to our liking as we found the Chinese wine flavour too strong till we couldn’t quite taste the sweetness of the prawns. A pity, for the prawns were fresh and succulent.

Stewed Chicken with Fermented Beancurd

My favourite dish at Kajang Fei Chui has got to be the Stewed Chicken with Fermented Beancurd (RM26) – a humble dish of chicken pieces cooked with garlic and a creamy base of fermented beancurd. This was especially delicious with rice, in between sips of cognac. I would return again for this dish and the next time around, I’ll ask for a large claypot.

Stuffed Beancurd with Minced Meat

Dishes are hearty and unpretentious, which is just the kind of Chinese food I like. The Stuffed Beancurd with Minced Meat (RM16) may look simple but the flavours hit the spot. You get that silken texture of the beancurd and a meaty tenderness from the filling, on top of a light yet flavourful gravy.

Stuffed Eggplant with XO Sauce

I also enjoyed the Stuffed Eggplant with XO Sauce (RM20), a mildly spicy dish that gives the cognac an extra kick. The eggplant is firm yet tender to the bite, while the fish paste stuffing gives it a springy bite. Good stuff.

Stir-fried Vegetables with Roasted Pork

The Stir-fried Vegetables with Roasted Pork (RM25 – small, RM50 – large) is something you can find at most Chinese restaurants. It is also one of my favourite vegetable dishes to eat because “siew yuk goes well with everything” I believe. Kajang Fei Chui serves theirs with Chinese chives and onions for sweetness, and I like that there’s a bit of caramelised bits in the pork.

Desserts aren’t much to shout about

Skip the red bean soup (RM4) for dessert as it’s really nothing to shout about. If you must have dessert, I suggest you opt for the chilled longan and sea coconut (RM4). Our bill was affordable, at just RM163.15 inclusive of rice and tea.

Suckling Pig on the roast

If you’re looking for a good venue with hearty food without putting a dent in the wallet, this is a place to consider. I heard they do a mean suckling pig too so I’m keeping that for my next visit! Corkage is free so feel free to bring your own.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 7/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Hearty and reliable dishes. Try the stewed chicken with fermented beancurd.

Kajang Fei Chui
No. 1942, Jalan Wan Siew,
Sungai Chua, 43000,
Kajang, Selangor.
Website

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Jien and I are both quite picky when it comes to wantan noodles – because our benchmark for good wantan mee happens to be in PJ State. Fat Yoong Restaurant in Kepong is said to serve pretty good char siew and wantan mee so we gave it a shot when we were in the area a couple of weeks back.

The place isn’t as crowded in the morning between 9.30am till 10.30am, but I noticed more people coming in when it’s nearing lunch hour. We ordered a portion of wantan mee and curry laksa to share, and both came with char siew on the side.

Char Siew Wantan Mee

Truth be told, the wantan mee (RM6.50 – small, RM7.50 – large) was rather average in terms of taste – the noodles although springy, lacked flavour as the gravy tasted flat and there wasn’t much aroma from the lard oil. While it’s at all bad, it isn’t something I would order again.

Curry Laksa

The char siew is pretty decent. I would only recommend this at Fat Yoong.

Nothing to shout about

The curry mee was nothing to shout about either, I thought. Granted the broth was thick and adequately spicy, I felt there was nothing more to that. No “lemak” flavour and no sweetness from the santan, so this was a bit underwhelming.

Highlight at Fat Yoong

That being said, the char siew was better than average. You get that nice charred edges which gives the char siew that crisp bite, and there’s a decent ratio of meat and fat. I would have preferred it fattier but this is good enough for those who want a balance. While it’s not the best I’ve eaten, this is still worth trying if you’re a char siew fan.

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Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 5.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: The char siew is decent but I find the wantan mee and curry laksa very average.

Fat Yoong Restaurant
1-19, Jalan Metro Perdana 2,
Taman Usahawan Kepong,
52100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 016-301 6945 (Jane)
Business hours: 6am till 2pm

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I’ve heard mixed reviews about CWZJ Cuisine – an unassuming restaurant along a row of shoplots in Kuchai Lama. A friend told me about the food being good but my search on Google yielded more negative than positive reviews for CWZJ Cuisine.

CWZJ offers an array of seafood if you’re looking to indulge

Still, we decided to give it a shot since I wanted good Chinese food and walked in with an open mind. Service was somewhat friendly and the menu was straightforward so ordering wasn’t too difficult either. I was told to order one of their soup as that’s one of the dishes CWZJ Cuisine is known for.

Double Boiled Cordyceps Flower and Fish Maw with Black-bone Chicken Soup

Rich, thick and packed with flavour

A pot of soup can go up to RM300 depending on the ingredients – I opted for the Double Boiled Cordyceps Flower and Fish Maw with Black-bone Chicken Soup (RM128) and it tasted good. You don’t get much soup from each pot; probably enough for 4 small bowls but the soup is thick and packed with flavour. Even the ingredients are delicious to eat on their own.

Marinated Chicken with Special Soya Sauce came recommended, but I found it average.

Seafood is apparently a forte of CWZJ, judging by the amount of prawns and fish the table next to ours ordered. I didn’t have enough pax to order fish that night so I opted for the staff’s recommendation of Marinated Chicken with Special Soya Sauce (RM42). This wasn’t really my cup of tea as I felt the chicken wasn’t seasoned enough. You get a saucer of chilli and ginger mix to dip your chicken with – not bad, but nothing exemplary.

I really enjoyed the braised pork belly with salted fish. Goes well with the XO.

I found the Braised Pork Belly with Salted Fish in Claypot (RM28) quite good; one of the best I’ve eaten so far. You get thick, caramelised slices of pork belly with salty accents from the fish, which is perfect with rice. I’ve never fancied the idea of eating Chinese dishes as they are – rice is a must for me.

Not for those with butter tongue, this one.

Simmered Egg Plant in Sichuan Rock Pot (RM24) turned out quite interesting and fiery too. It comes with egg plant slices and minced pork in spicy Sichuan gravy so this is definitely not for the butter tongues. I reckon this isn’t going to everyone’s cup of tea but I really enjoyed the tingling sensation it gives to one’s tongue.

The Braised Beancurd Sea Cucumber & Mushroom with Deluxe Ham Sauce (RM28) looks ordinary, but it comprises two types of beancurd (steamed and fried) for different textures. The sea cucumber pieces were cooked till soft and gelatinous, while the gravy was light yet seasoned well. I thought it paired nicely with the Martell XO I brought with me.

All in, I found the food quite decent but prices are on the high side if you’re planning to indulge in soups and seafood. That said, I would still recommend CWZJ Cuisine to those looking for a nice place to impress guests. Do call ahead to book a table if you’re dining in a large group – private rooms are available upstairs.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 5.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Good food but be prepared to fork out a sum of money if you’re going for their seafood.

CWZJ Cuisine
No. 8, Jalan 11/116B,
Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park,
58200 Kuala Lumpur.
Business hours: 12noon till 11pm
Tel: 03-7981 8714
Facebook Page

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I’ve heard good things about Hao Xiang Chi in Klang, a large outlet located inside the unassuming Centro Mall. I knew of them as a catering company but not as a restaurant and was pleasantly surprised with the food when I paid them a visit a couple of weeks back. A good friend of mine tells me this is her favourite Chinese restaurant in Klang and coming from a food connoisseur like herself, it’s a good sign.

The setup of Hao Xiang Chi makes it an ideal gathering venue for family and friends

The restaurant is located on the first floor of the mall and I must say, the interior is quite pleasing to the eye. Since it was our first time, we opted for their best sellers – fried trotter with minced pork, eggplant four variety, golden yam ring with sweet and sour pork, braised roast chicken with millet wine and braised chicken with mix prawn and pumpkin sauce.

Braised chicken with mix prawn and pumpkin sauce

Though there were quite a number of table and private rooms occupied, our food didn’t take long to arrive. Tastewise, I enjoyed everything. The dishes were delicious in their own way and each were of good portion. I particularly like the chicken and prawn in pumpkin sauce (RM28 – small, RM56 – large) as the gravy has a balance of savoury and sweet which pairs well with the Cordon Bleu, and it complements the tender chicken pieces nicely. That said, the prawns could have been fresher.

Braised roast chicken with millet wine

Goes well with cognac, trust me!

Those who love rice wine chicken would enjoy the braised roast chicken with millet wine (RM45 – small, RM90 – large), as the one at Hao Xiang Chi is pretty good. The chicken is first roasted, then braised with plenty of ginger in millet wine broth for the sweet and spicy notes to permeate into the meat. My mother in-law enjoyed this just as much.

Golden yam ring with sweet and sour pork

Fried yam ring usually comes with kung po chicken (at least that’s what I’ve been accustomed to) but the one at Hao Xiang Chi (RM20 – small, RM40 – large) comes with sweet and sour pork. The latter is a favourite of Jien’s and the combination of crisp, fluffy yam and tender chunks of pork hits the spot – comfort food done right.

Fried trotter with minced pork

I couldn’t get enough of the fried pork trotters (RM28 – small, RM56 – large) and despite our small party of four, a part of me regretted not ordering the entire knuckle. This is served in smaller pieces for easy eating, and the skin is fried till crispy on the exterior yet soft and tender when you sink your teeth in. Even the meat is adequately tender and well-seasoned with garlic and spices – I found this especially tasty when paired with cognac.

Eggplant four variety

Service could use some work as I found it difficult to get the attention of the floor staff despite many of them around. We were also unsure how to eat the eggplant four variety (RM18 – small, RM36 – large) as the platter comprises eggplant sticks with an assortment of garlic, chilli, scallions and mushrooms on top. We tried them in each component before further experimenting and mixing everything up – I prefer mixing this up as I go along, because raw garlic isn’t quite my kind of thing. Nonetheless, it was a good dish and one I would order again.

Our bill came up to RM175 for all the above, inclusive of tea and rice. I find it reasonable as the food is good and portions are fair. Definitely a place I would recommend if you’re looking for a get together venue – I’m already planning my next visit here to try their dim sum! They also offer CNY set menus if you’re looking to dine in a group of 8 or more so do inquire within.

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Ambiance: 7/10
Price: 7/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: One of the better Chinese restaurant meals I’ve tried so far. Service needs work though.

Hao Xiang Chi Restaurant
17, Jalan Batu Tiga Lama,
Kawasan 16, 41300 Klang,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-3344 8618
Website

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My last visit to Bangkok in 2017 was so short (literally 1.5 days) I didn’t get to indulge in much street food, so this left me longing for another Bangkok vacation. Unfortunately, my hectic work schedule doesn’t permit even a short break so Jien and I popped by Jatujak in Ara Damansara for a taste of Bangkok street food.

Thai iced tea

We visited for lunch on a weekend – I was told they aren’t as crowded during the day as compared to night time. I got rather greedy and ordered a pad thai, green curry chicken, pork skewers, seafood tomyam, paku salad and otak-otak to share among four.

Coconut shake

Service could use some improvement at Jatujak, for we had to remind them about the salad which took a while to arrive – watching the waitress purse her lips wasn’t pleasant either. But I was more enthused about the spread in front of me than to give a sh*t about her facial expression.

Green curry chicken

Balanced flavours

Food is quite good I must say. The green curry chicken is one of the best I’ve eaten in Klang Valley and I like how they managed to strike a balance between spicy, sweet, savoury and creamy. You also get tender pieces of chicken in the curry, along with some Thai eggplant and basil for aroma.

Pork skewers

Crisp on the outside with a juicy centre

The pork skewer is said to be better than the one at my favourite Thai place in Taman Desa – I wouldn’t say Jatujak’s version is better but it is also very good. The pork pieces are thoroughly marinated and grilled till tender perfection. You get a nice ratio of meat and fat which makes every bite addictive.

Otak-otak — don’t be fooled by it’s “ample” appearance. It’s all silver foil underneath!

I like the otak-otak here but the portion is misleading as you get plenty of “build-up” with silver foil to give you an illusion of a larger portion. But in reality, the otak-otak only occupies half of what you see. That said, it’s delicious; thick, richly flavoured and sweet from the seafood.

Seafood tomyam

Fairly large prawns

Jatujak’s seafood tomyam packs a wallop – the broth is fiery and sweet from the addition of onions and tomatoes. While it’s quite decent, it didn’t exactly knock my socks off. A small pot (said to be for 2 pax) is enough for 4 pax so don’t be greedy to order a large pot.

Paku salad

A must-try at Jatujak

The paku salad is refreshing and one of my favourite things to eat at Jatujak. I like how the fern shoots are still crunchy and accentuated by the tangy-sweet dressing and sharp notes from the bird’s eye chilli and shallots. The gravy base is creamy, which complements the texture of the vegetables.

Pad Thai

Also decent is the Pad Thai which comes in a generous portion. I like this better than the one from Frame Thai, which used to serve a decent version. Of late, the latter has deteriorated in quality and Jatujak’s pad thai triumphs significantly over theirs. I eat mine with a bit of sugar on the side as I find sugar balances the heat from the chilli.

The tub tim krob is worth checking out. I like this better than the one at Rayong Thai now.

For dessert, try the tub tim krob which is better than many Thai restaurants in Klang Valley. This is also tastier than the one from Rayong Thai, and the latter is my benchmark for good tub tim krob. The ice shaving is fine and smooth, and complements the creamy nature of the coconut milk and crunchy bits of chestnut jelly. Good stuff.

Our bill came up to about RM170 for all the above, inclusive of drinks. I didn’t care much about the Thai iced tea but it is decent enough as a thirst-quencher. Overall, the food at Jatujak is good and prices are somewhat reasonable. I’ll definitely be back for more but for convenience and familiarity, I would still stick to my regular spot in Taman Desa.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Good food and reasonable pricing. Service needs work and be prepared to wait during peak hours.

Jatujak Siam Bangkok Street Food
B G-31 Jalan PJU 1a/3j,
Taipan 1, Ara Damansara,
47301 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.

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Everyone knows how much I love my meats, especially steaks. It’s no secret that my default for a great night out involves beef or steak in some form and while we’re on the subject of steaks, let’s dwell a little on the best steak place in town in my opinion – Prime at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur.

I’ve heard some mixed reviews about the food from fans and friends, but for Jien and I who have been visiting them regularly since 2010, the steaks have never disappointed. The prime rib is my must-order when I’m dining at Prime and I’ve never budged from this ever since I first sank my teeth into one.

The Dry Aging Fridge at Prime

But knowing Chef Antoine Rodriguez, he never rests on his laurels. He has recently introduced his “new baby” as he so excitedly calls it – the dry-aging fridge which you can admire as you enter the restaurant. It is a sight to marvel at; watching an assortment of steaks on display as they are aged to improve taste and tenderness.

What is dry aged beef?

Most of us have heard about or eaten dry-aged beef but for the uninitiated, dry aged beef is a process of curing the meat in a favourable condition (read: controlled temperature and humidity) for the enzymes in the meat cells to break down the protein, fats and glycogen. This in turn creates glutamate (the essence of umami) which gives the meat a more complexed flavour – sweet, savoury…basically flavours that weren’t there before.

The enzymes also break down muscle fibers and connective tissues, oxidises fats and loosening up the collagen so what you get in the end is a tender piece of meat. In a nutshell, dry aged beef is like eating steak, one level up.

Smoked duck salad

I was one of the lucky few to be given a preview of Chef Antoine’s new baby and he put together a meal of three different dry aged cuts and a sumptuous salad featuring his very own smoked duck. The cuts of beef we sampled that afternoon were a 29 days dry aged red gum English ribeye, 25 days wagyu sirloin and 23 days red gum ribeye – all delicious in their own right.

29-days Red Gum English Breed Ribeye

The whole aging process takes between 28 days to 120 days where the maximum tenderness is obtained and the flavours are developed to an ideal level. Hardcore dry aged beef fans would probably want a 60 days dry aged meat which is said to be super beefy and almost akin to eating cheese. I don’t think I’m ready for that though.

25-days Wagyu Sirloin M4/5

Just beautiful!

My personal favourite among the three cuts is the wagyu sirloin M4/5 (RM140 per 100gm), which is beautifully tender with a good amount of flavour and depth. You get a bit of umami from each bite so there’s no need for much salt or sauce to go with your steak. Prices for the dry-aged cuts start from RM80 per 100gm onwards — fairly reasonable if you ask me.

23-days Red Gum Ribeye

This piece of meat is approximately 700gms

I’ve always opted for the prime rib and no amount of coaxing from Chef can change my mind about ordering something else at his restaurant, but the dry aged beef might just sway me every now and then. It’s a matter of wanting flavour in your meat (dry aged) or flavour from the fats (the regular cuts).

Your call.

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Prime
Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Stesen Sentral,
Kuala Lumpur Sentral,
50470 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: 03-2263 7888
Website

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When Jien and I got hitched, he wanted to have our wedding dinner at a Chinese restaurant but out of respect to some of our guests, we opted for a hotel ballroom with pork-free menu. He’s been harbouring this unmet “desire” of having suckling pig ever since, as that’s one of his favourite things to eat at a Chinese restaurant.

Restaurant entrance

He was drawn to the promotion at Dragon Dynasty in Atria Shopping Gallery – RM168++ for a suckling pig and he was craving for one that night. Unlike many Chinese restaurants out there, you don’t have to call them in advance to reserve the suckling pig as it is available at all times.

Suckling Pig

Tastewise, we found it commendable as the skin was crispy and slices were thin enough to enjoy bite by bite. It gets cloying after a while, so this is a dish that better suited for a group of 6-8 pax. The Braised Chicken with Pumpkin and Yam in Stone Pot (RM28) came highly recommended as it tasted good with Martell XO.

Braised Chicken with Pumpkin and Yam in Stone Pot

For some reason, I feel both the Martell XO and Cordon Bleu Extra pair well with simple dishes like chicken and stew rather than abalone or fish. The chicken pieces were tender and coated with gravy that’s thickened with pumpkin and yam – a bowl of rice is a must if you’re having this.

Braised Fish Paste, Sea Cucumber and Brinjal in Claypot

The Braised Fish Paste, Sea Cucumber and Brinjal in Claypot (RM38) would have made a good dish but the sea cucumber had a strong, alkaline smell which put me off slightly. If it was cleaned and cooked properly (read: tender and odourless), I reckon it would have been a pretty tasty.

Stir-fried Asparagus with Bacon

Stir-fried Asparagus with Bacon (RM18) was just alright if you asked me – the bacon was too hard so it didn’t do justice to the vegetables. I regretted ordering this over the fried kalian with scallops – I suspect the latter would be a better choice.

Braised Bean Curd with Bamboo Pith and Fresh Mushroom

Most people would know how much I enjoy beancurd so naturally, I would order one whenever I get a chance. The Braised Bean Curd with Bamboo Pith and Fresh Mushroom (RM18) was not bad as you get sizeable squares of tofu that are deep fried and topped with light yet flavourful gravy. I like my beancurd dishes saucy in general so this one enjoyable for me.

Overall, I found the dishes at Dragon Dynasty pretty average save for the suckling pig and braised chicken. Ambiance is of course better than your normal Chinese restaurant but I felt the dishes could have been better. If you’re a fan of suckling pig, they’re running this promo price throughout Chinese New Year.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 5.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Decent ambiance but I find the food rather average compared to the other Chinese restaurants in town.

Dynasty Dragon Seafood
T13-15, Atria Shopping Gallery,
Jalan SS 22/23, Damansara Jaya,
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: 03-7733 0242

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Mornings are not my best in general so I always try and sleep in during the weekends to make up for lost sleep during the weekday. Because of that, I missed out on trying the Nyonya nasi lemak at Restoran Sepetang thrice. Each time I get there by 10am, they’re sold out.

I find it nerve-wrecking to see the condiments reduce as I queue at the back of the line

Sambal prawns, cockles, wild boar curry, long beans, pork curry and sambal squid

It was only when I had to service my car at 8am last Saturday that I managed to drop by Restoran Sepetang in time to try the much talked about nasi lemak. At 8.30am, there is a queue of people selecting their condiments for nasi lemak and many of them opted for takeaway (at least 3-4 packets).

Wild boar curry

Fried luncheon meat

Some options for nasi lemak include wild boar curry, chicken rendang, pork rendang, sambal prawns, sambal squid and fried luncheon meat. I opted for the chicken rendang and a sunny side up for my nasi lemak, while Jien took wild boar curry, sambal prawns and a sunny side up.

Nasi lemak with chicken rendang and sunny side up

It is slightly nerve-wrecking if you’re at the back of the queue, watching as the food portions dwindle with every large order people at the front of the queue make. At least that was how I felt when I was waiting in line – worrying if there would be any chicken left for me.

Nasi lemak with wild boar curry, sambal prawns and sunny side up

Lucky for us, we still got what we wanted and by 9am, I was happily tucking into my plate of hot nasi lemak with rich rendang gravy and sambal. The chicken rendang is worth checking out as the gravy is thick, adequately spicy and aromatic from the addition of lime leaves. Definitely one of the better Nyonya-style rendang I’ve eaten.

I find this combination best

I like how the sambal has a “lemak” flavour to it, without being overly so. It’s not as spicy as the Malay version but enough to make your tongue tingle. Jien’s nasi lemak combo is also good as the wild boar is tender and packed with flavour from the gravy, and the sambal prawn is succulent and justly spicy.

We paid RM21 for three plates of nasi lemak

My father in-law who joined us said the sambal squid is also good; comparable to what Jien’s mother would make. Portion is a bit small to be honest – we all felt we could use a bit more rice on our plate. I reckon next time, I’ll order three plates to be shared between Jien and myself so we’re both satisfied.

The char kuay teow from the stall inside the coffeeshop was nothing to shout about

We paid RM21 for three plates of nasi lemak with condiment which is alright. If you want to try this, it’s best to arrive before 9am to avoid disappointment. By the way, there are other stalls inside Restoran Sepetang if you want something other than nasi lemak. I tried the char kuay teow which is pretty average and lacking wok char.

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Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: One of the better Nyonya nasi lemak I’ve eaten. Try the wild boar curry, sambal prawns and chicken rendang, and remember to go early.

Restoran Sepetang
54, Jalan Desa Bakti,
Taman Desa,
58100 Kuala Lumpur.

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Chinese restaurants have always been a popular pick among friends and family looking for a good meal together, where food is good and ambiance, presentable. Best of all, almost all Chinese restaurants in Klang Valley offers free corkage so you get to drink, eat and be happy. Here are ten restaurants to consider for your next get together, in collaboration with Martell.

Enjoy responsibly!

1) Hao Xiang Chi

This is said to be an establishment in Klang and a good friend of mine who happens to be a Chinese food novice speaks highly about Hao Xiang Chi. They have several branches across Klang Valley but I’ve only checked out the restaurant in Centro Mall.

Personally, I feel this is one of the best I’ve tried in terms of taste, ambiance and value for money. Read more here.

Hao Xiang Chi Restaurant
17, Jalan Batu Tiga Lama,
Kawasan 16, 41300 Klang,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-3344 8618

2) Ti Chen, Saujana Kuala Lumpur

It’s been years since I stepped foot into Ti Chen until recently, to explore this Chinese food guide. They have since relocated and renovated, offering diners a new and improved dining experience. The food is good, especially their Thai-style tofu and house special smoked duck which is a crowd favourite at Ti Chen.

The restaurant is packed during weekends and dinner time so it’s best to call ahead to reserve your table. Prices are fair considering the quality and portion. Read more here.

Ti Chen
The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Lapangan Terbang SAAS
40150 Shah Alam
Tel: 03-7843-1234
 

3) Sin Choi Wah, Bandar Menjalara

Sin Choi Wah is an establishment on its own in Bandar Menjalara – a reputable wedding and events venue I was told. I was told the food is quite commendable so Jien and I decided to give it a shot. Sin Choi Wah boasts ample of space and private dining rooms so depending on the number of pax and your minimum spend, you can request for a private room.

The steamed grouper is good here and if you’re into claypot seafood, they do a pretty decent version here. Read more here.

Sin Choi Wah Restaurant
Jalan 7A/62A, Bandar Sri Menjalara,
52200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-6277 1222

 

4) CWZJ, Kuchai Lama

The Home of Tea Kings in Kuchai Lama serves good double-boiled soups so if you’re into quality, do give CWZJ a try. Their braised pork belly with salted fish is by far one of the best I’ve eaten – I would return for just that!

As space might be limited, do call ahead to reserve a table. Read more here.

CWZJ Cuisine
No. 8, Jalan 11/116B,
Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park,
58200 Kuala Lumpur.
Business hours: 12noon till 11pm
Tel: 03-7981 8714

 

5) Heng Ong Huat, Klang

Heng Ong Huat in Klang was a pleasant surprise – I didn’t expect to be bowled over by the food but I was. We opted for their house specials like the tilapia in pepper broth, butter prawns and pork trotter. All were good in their own right.

The restaurant is also fairly new so if you’re looking for a change of environment, this is one place to consider when you plan your next dinner session. Read more here.

Heng Ong Huat Restaurant
88, Jalan Batai Laut 4,
Taman Intan,
41300 Klang,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-3341 3288

 

6) Yezi, The Roof

Steamboat or hotpot is often eaten during Chinese New Year so I figured I’d include Yezi in this list for variety. Yezi which stands for “coconut” in Cantonese claims to be the first in Malaysia to serve coconut based broth for their steamboat.

I sampled all 6 of their broths before selecting the crowd favourite and also the most premium on the menu – truffle mushroom broth. You get a delicious, heady broth that’s filled with mushrooms and also truffle bits. Pricing is on the higher side but you get quality ingredients and a view of the city if you dine al-freso. Read more here.

Yezi Steamboat, The Roof
First Avenue,
Bandar Utama,
47800 Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 012-323 5841

 

7) Kajang Fei Chui

Kajang Fei Chui has been around for years and is said to be a reputable restaurant when it comes to banquets and Chinese cuisine. Don’t be fooled by its simple appearance, as the entrance from the parking lot leading up to the restaurant is grand.

Ordering is done via an iPad/tablet so it’s efficient and the food doesn’t take long to arrive. Their stewed chicken is really good – simple flavours but done well. Read more here.

Kajang Fei Chui
No. 1942, Jalan Wan Siew,
Sungai Chua, 43000,
Kajang, Selangor.
Tel: 03-8736 9999

 

8) Extra Super Tanker

I’m a fan of Extra Super Tanker when they were in Damansara Kim but the food seems to have taken a step back since they relocated to Glo Damansara. That said, the ambiance is definitely nicer and grander but the food although still decent, has lost some of it’s golden touches.

You will need to call ahead to reserve specialty items like Iberico pork ribs and also Peking duck. Read more here.

Unit No 2.18 & 2.19,
Level 2, Glo Damansara,
No, 699, Jalan Damansara,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
60000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-7733 7769

 

9) Dynasty Dragon, Damansara Jaya

I’ve been to Dynasty Dragon for weddings but never as a walk-in customer. The thing that attracted both Jien and I to this restaurant is their on-going suckling pig promotion which is reasonably priced at RM168 per portion. Service is swift here and food doesn’t take long to arrive, but if you ask me, Dynasty Dragon is more about the ambiance and service (especially if you’re planning to drink) rather than food. Read more here.

Dynasty Dragon Seafood
T13-15, Atria Shopping Gallery,
Jalan SS 22/23, Damansara Jaya,
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: 03-7733 0242

 

10) Lucky Palace, Seremban

A good friend of mine is planning his wedding dinner reception so a part of me wanted to see if the food at Lucky Palace is good enough for him to proceed. The place is spacious and fits at least 60-70 tables comfortably, and food is somewhat decent.

Pricing is very reasonable so if you’re travelling this Chinese New Year and want to make a pitstop for lunch or dinner. Read more here.

Lucky Palace Seremban
Lot D15-D16,
Jalan Persiaran Utama S2-1,
Persiaran S2 B1,
Seremban 2,
70300 Seremban.
Tel: 06-601 1328

***

So there you have it – 10 restaurants to check out for your “sau gong”, “hoi gong” and Chinese New Year dinner with your family and friends. Note that all the restaurants offer free corkage except Yezi & Ti Chen. Do call ahead to inquire if they are able to waive your corkage fee.

For more information about Martell, visit their website here and follow them on Facebook here.

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Staycations are one of my favourite things to indulge in every now and then – you leave home in pursuit of a getaway to relax and rejuvenate. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about waking up in a nice hotel room with breakfast. At least for me.

Grand Twin Tower Suite | Living Room

Grand Twin Tower Suite | Bedroom

Jien and I recently stayed at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur where the Grand Twin Tower Suite was home for two nights. If I’m not mistaken, the view at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is now the best in the city as the building offers unrivalled views of the city’s skyline – a view I enjoyed from all corners of my suite.

Grand Twin Tower Suite | Bedroom

Grand Twin Tower Suite | Bathroom

Guest of club rooms and suites will enjoy access to the club lounge throughout their stay, where evening cocktails and breakfast is served. Alternatively, you can opt to have your breakfast at Thirty8 which offers more food selection but the area is also more crowded. Personally, I prefer having breakfast at Thirty8 because the selection of food is aplenty and the Chinese hot station is quite good.

Evening cocktails at the Grand Club Lounge (only for club room guests)

Evening cocktails at the club lounge is one of my favourite features at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur and any other hotel for that matter because you get to enjoy the view between sips of wine or a tipple of your choice. The evening refreshments at Grand Hyatt is moderate but sufficient for those who want a light bite before heading out for dinner.

View from my room

The Grand Twin Tower Suite is one of the best suites I’ve stayed at (locally) thus far – the room is spacious (105 sq m) with a plush king bed, living room and a large bathroom with marble bathtub (this is my favourite feature of the room). Staying in this suite was so comfortable I was reluctant to leave for any appointments; all I wanted to do is curl up on in bed and watch all the Netflix I can.

Bathroom goals

ESSA Spa Treatment

Location is good as it’s a 10-minute walk to KLCC and Pavilion using the covered bridge, so you get access to shops, food and also attraction spots. If you’re looking to relax entirely at the hotel, check out the spa facilities at ESSA Spa where essential oil treatments are their forte.

Breakfast at Thirty8

Try the noodles from the Chinese section

Local dishes are quite good, really!

Afternoon tea at Thirty8 is said to be one of the best in KL but I’ve yet to give it a go. Dinner however, is worth checking out if you want to enjoy the view. I’ve been there thrice and the crabcakes are the best I’ve eaten in KL thus far. Fingers crossed it remains as good in the months to come!

For more information about the rooms and facilities at Grand Hyatt, click here. You can also follow their updates on Facebook here.

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Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
12 Jalan Pinang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Tel: 03-2182 1234

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Bangsar is a popular spot when it comes to café-hopping because most cafes are located along the same street or at the very most, a short drive from each other. From hipster cafes to pretty-
looking ones, here are five Instagram-worthy cafes I recently checked out in my hood.

Tiny Temptress

Tiny Temptress is located along the bustling Telawi 2 – a cosy little cafe where you’d find some of the prettiest looking desserts and cakes. Bear Necessity (RM14.90) is one of their best sellers, an
oolong infused chocolate mousse with marzipan sponge and passionfruit ganache on biscuit base. This was taken using the Live Focus feature of the Samsung Galaxy J7+ for bokeh effect.

I also like their selection of teas in pretty teapots; each of them personally sourced by the owner and baker herself, Wendy.

Naj & Belle

Possibly one of the most Instagram-worthy cafes around, Naj & Belle is a popular pick among the younger crowd. You’ll find most of them here, arranging their preferred flatlay and making sure
lighting is on point for that perfect photo. The Low Light feature from Samsung Galaxy J7+ makes my photos brighter in dim surroundings, which gives a more natural outcome in the photo itself.

Food-wise, this is one of my least favourite as all three items I tried from the best seller category failed to impress. I will however, acknowledge they do a pretty good matcha latte – thick and
creamy with a bittersweet finish. Service is a tad slow so while you wait, go admire the interior and take some stylish #OOTD shots.

PULP

I’ve always been a fan of Papa Palheta’s coffee since I had my first cup in Singapore many years back. When PULP opened in Bangsar, it became my favourite spot for good coffee, especially their special
brews. It’s a place I go to for my coffee runs and also work meetings, and the interior and exterior are both great for photo ops. The cold brew is pretty amazing and they happen to serve my favourite
brew – Ethiopian.

Upperhouse

Upperhouse is one of the newer kids on the block along Telawi 3 and are known for their plated desserts. I find their Mille Feuille very Instagrammable though personally, I prefer Textures of Chocolates in terms of flavour.

The place has large windows with plenty of natural light coming through so if you manage to get a window seat, your pictures will turn out pretty great.

Fittie Sense

Fittie Sense serves healthy nutritious meals that tastes good and keeps you fit. My yoga instructor highly recommended this place for pre and post workout meals, to ensure we stay in shape. I come
here for the chai spiced latte (RM13) and Cajun chicken chop (RM28) on a bed of millet quinoa pilaf – a portion is good enough to keep me full till my workout session in the evening.

I like the interior here as the lighting is good and the ambiance is cosy. If you’re there for breakfast, try their avo-chia-doe (RM19), a healthy start of coconut chia seed pudding with avocado soy
smoothie and fruit salsa.

*all photos were taken using the Samsung Galaxy J7+.

Find out more about the Samsung Galaxy J7+ here: http://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-j7plus-sm-c710/SM-C710FZKDXME/

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I’ve heard a lot of good things about this place that serves “dishes that taste like mother’s cooking” called Lao Ma Zi, and prices are said to be reasonable. The original branch is in Jalan Ipoh but they recently opened a second outlet at de Foliage in Tropicana Selatan.

Reservations are required if you want to secure a table at their Tropicana outlet – I’ve visited the restaurant twice and ordered many of their specialty dishes to see if Lao Ma Zi lives up to the hype. Their smokey signature series is popular among patrons; many of them would go for the Smokey Platter (RM56) which comprise smoked pork belly and lychee duck.

Smokey platter

I found this quite good though I would have liked the belly to be more thoroughly infused with the smoky-sweet notes. The lychee duck had a good balance of sweet, savoury and smoky flavour; I liked how even the skin was seasoned nicely so there’s little gamey smell left.

Clam in Pepper Broth (RM30) was adequately tasty but Jien and I wished they added more ginger and rice wine to liven up the flavours. That said, the broth was light and sweet with a peppery kick from the ginger slivers.

Pa Wong Chicken Chop

“Pa Wong” Chicken Chop (RM15) is one of my favourites at Lao Ma Zi where you get a whole chicken leg (deboned), stuffed with a layer of salted egg yolk and deep-fried till crispy perfection. The chicken is then coated with sticky-sweet sauce for a richer flavour.

Salted spice brinjal

The salted spice brinjal (RM15 – small, RM25 large) looked promising but the batter was a tad too thick and hard, so there was no wispy texture when you bite into this. Lotus with cashew nut (RM15 – small, RM25 – large) was better but still nothing to shout about.

Salted Egg Tofu

My father in-law enjoyed the salted egg tofu (RM18) where the homemade beancurd is coated in a batter mixture of salted egg yolk, then deep-fried till crispy. The highlight at Lao Ma Zi is the braised grouper fish head, which requires a pre-order.

Braised fish head

The fish head pieces are braised in a gravy of black bean and ginger for plenty of flavour and aroma. I like how there’s a good kick from the old ginger slices and a rich umami flavour from the bean sauce. Really good with rice, this one.

Carrot & egg

Four angled beans

Carrot egg (RM15 – small, RM25 – large) is a house specialty which is becoming rarer to find these days. You get slivers of carrots fried with egg for texture. I liked this better than the four angled beans with dried shrimp (RM15 – small, RM25 – large) as the latter tasted rather ordinary.

Braised lamb

Lao Ma Zi also serves braised lamb with beancurd but it wasn’t to my liking. I found the meat a tad gamey and the meat texture could be more tender.

Pricing isn’t expensive at Lao Ma Zi – expect to pay between RM25-30 per head depending on the amount you order.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Try the braised fish head and smoky signature series.

Lao Ma Zi 老妈子家乡小菜 @ de Foliage
Lot 11, Kawasan Landskap Nursery,
Jalan Tropicana Selatan,
47301 Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 010-242 1132
Business hours: 11am till 3pm, 6pm till 10pm
Facebook Page

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When it comes to dessert, tong sui always gets me excited. Especially if peanut paste and black sesame paste is available. I’ve been going to the dessert shop across Restoran Ruby (PMK) for years until a friend told me to try Restoran Ruby for comparison instead.

Tong sui done the old school way

It was apt timing too, as PMK Dessert wasn’t open and the bubbling cauldrons of homemade tong sui lined up in front of Restoran Ruby was too good to resist. We ordered everything they had – peanut paste (RM3.30), black sesame paste (RM3.30), almond paste (RM4.50), steamed egg custard (RM3) and steamed egg custard with wolfberries (RM3.50).

Menu

Almond tong sui in the making

The recipe for these tong sui is handed down through four generations and Restoran Ruby is helmed by Ricky Kan, known by many as the Chi Ma Wu king. Indonesian helpers man the front of house; each of them had a specific task and they spoke better Chinese than me.

Chi Ma Wu (black sesame paste)

Chi Ma Wu (black sesame paste) isn’t widely available these days and the places I’ve been to don’t do it proper. It’s often watery or worse, artificial tasting – as though a pre-mix was used. Restoran Ruby makes its black sesame paste fresh, by grinding the black sesame in the stone mill and cooking it slowly over slow fire for a thick and creamy consistency.

The chi ma wu is aromatic and rich, with grainy bits of ground sesame studded between the smooth mixture for character and flavour. It’s definitely tastier than the one at PMK and I like how it’s not overly sweet so you get a good balance in each spoon.

Prepping the peanut paste

Fa Sang Wu (peanut paste)

Thick, smooth and aromatic

Another favourite of mine is the peanut paste (fa sang wu) which features ground roasted peanuts cooked the same way as the black sesame tong sui. This has a stronger aroma from the roasting of the peanuts, and the tong sui is just as thick and creamy. I can’t decide which I like better, so I’ll be ordering both when I return next.

Almond paste

Almond paste is a popular tong sui in Hong Kong but it’s rarer to find in KL compared to the first two. Restoran Ruby serves a pretty decent version though I still feel the one from Hong Kong is still better. This was smooth and creamy, and of moderate thickness. You get a nice aroma from the ground almonds and a light finish at the end of each mouthful.

Steamed egg custard with wolfberries

Steamed egg custard (plain)

I’m not sure if it’s my luck at afternoon, but both the steamed egg custard I ordered had a strong egg-y smell. While it is afterall “egg” custard, I don’t fancy it being so heady – I reckon maybe the eggs used weren’t fresh, hence the outcome.

l-r: Steamed egg custard, black sesame, almond paste and peanut paste

That aside, the black sesame, peanut and almond paste are good stuff and definitely worth checking out. I’ll be returning for more of these soon! If you live in Cheras, lucky you for the best black sesame I’ve eaten is from this uncle who mans a pushcart in Taman Muda.

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Ambiance: 5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 7.5/10
Verdict: One of the best black sesame and peanut paste I’ve tried.

Restoran Ruby (芝麻糊大王)
Jalan Sayur, Pudu,
55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 012-382 2262
Business hours: 11am till midnight daily
Website

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When I was in Japan last week, I couldn’t stop thinking about bak kut teh and how delicious it would taste when consumed during winter. This herbal pot of porky goodness is already tasty when eaten in scorching hot weather and what more, when it’s below zero degrees?

This reminded me of the bak kut teh I tried in Johor Bahru but never got around to writing about it – Tian Hua Bak Kut Teh which is located down the road from the famous Soon Huat. Jien and I initially wanted to dine at Soon Huat but the place was a madhouse that weekend so we settled for Tian Hua instead.

Soup bak kut teh

Yau char kwai is a must when eating bak kut teh, I feel

Tian Hua serves dry bak kut teh and the soup version, with other accompanying dishes such as otak otak, tofu and steamed fish. We ordered the soup bak kut teh for two pax and a portion of house special tofu and otak otak to share.

While the broth colour is dark, it’s not as herbal or thick.

Truth be told, this bak kut teh is pretty average as the broth isn’t the thick, medicinal kind I enjoy. JB’s version of bak kut teh is lighter and less herbal so if you like your bak kut teh lighter in flavour, you’ll enjoy this more.

Otak otak

House special tofu

The otak otak was tasty enough but nothing to shout about – it’s basically the same frozen variety you can buy from Muar for home consumption. I did however enjoy the house special tofu, deep-fried and served with chilli sauce for more kick.

Overall, the food was average at best but if memory serves me right, Soon Huat’s version isn’t that much tastier. It is also lighter than I like it to be. If you’re in the area and don’t want to wait too long for a table, give Tian Hua Bak Kut Teh a try.

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Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 5.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Nothing great but if you’re craving bak kut teh in JB, this is an option.

Tian Hua Bak Kut Teh
2, Jalan Keris 2,
Taman Sri Tebrau,
80050 Johor Bahru.
Tel: 016-780 3304
Business hours: 11am till 3am
(closed Wednesday)

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Chocolates and desserts have always been Jien’s thing – he has a weaker spot for sweet treats compared to me. That’s also why our fridge at home is stocked with chocolates from our trips abroad. When we did BB10 last November, it was apt to have a dessert table with chocolates as a feature and we got Cocoraw to help us with this.

Simple, straightforward menu

Cocoraw also has a pop-up store in Bangsar called Cocodash and they serve handmade nama-style chocolate truffles and chocolate beverages, among others. Chocolate truffles have always been Jien’s favourite and since he didn’t get to try the chocolate truffles and brownies during our event, we paid a visit to Cocodash to have some.

l-r: Salted Gula Melaka, Local Kakao, Raw 70

The chocolates are made using high quality Belgian chocolates with fresh dairy for that melt-in-the-mouth texture and long finish. I’ve sampled quite a few of their chocolate range while I was prepping for our event, and enjoyed The Raw 70 and The GLN: Gin & Limau Nipis best.

The Raw 70 has the most intense chocolate flavour among all and I like how it’s bittersweet with a smooth and creamy aftertaste. The GLN has a good kick from the gin and I like the slightly bitter note from the lime. Other offerings include Local Kakao, Teh Tarik, Salted Gula Melaka, and The AA: Alcoholic Anonymous.

Brownies

Brownies are also available at Cocodash if you want something more substantial to go with your chocolate drink – this is rich, adequately fudgy and not overly sweet. You get to choose between hot or iced chocolate, with an option of going vegan (no milk). I say go for the hot chocolate (RM10) with milk as it allows you to properly savour the chocolate notes.

Hot Chocolate with milk

Iced chocolate

Iced chocolate (RM11) is good too, though I generally prefer my chocolate drinks hot for that tummy-warming satisfaction. Cocodash also serves coffee if you’re not into chocolates, but if you aren’t, you probably wouldn’t head there in the first place. #justsaying

To order your nama-style chocolates, check out their website here. Or better still, head over to Cocodash in Bangsar and you’ll get to sample some chocolates before making your mind on what to purchase. Prices start from RM30 per box of 24; pretty reasonable I feel.

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Cocodash by Cocoraw
(same premise as CzipLee)
1 Jalan Telawi 3,
Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 018-984 0228
Email: connect@cocoraw.me
Website
Facebook Page

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