Thai Food @ Restoran New Neighbour (and Kay Tse)

There are times when one finds a something so mesmerizing, it sticks in one’s mind for a good few weeks. Just like underwear, one will wear this recollection to carry out one’s mundane routine, providing comfort and support in more ways than one.

In the past few days, I’ve been wearing two such interchangeable supports. So much for hygiene, eh? One is 謝安琪 or Kay Tse’s 喜帖街 (loosely translated as wedding invitation cards street). When I first heard it on the radio, I had no idea whom this pretty voice belonged to. And what soothing melodies it brought. Oh, on a rainy day, at that. With the wonders of the internet (and a few Chinese words I managed to catch from that DJ), I found the video and title of the song. Some might call it stereotypically sweet, but I guess that’s just the trend in Canto/Mando pop these days. Like Ivana Wong, Janice Vidal and Vincy Chan. We have to evolve with the times lor, I guess. I miss the 90s! Oh, interesting, slightly gray lyrics as well, by the eccentric genius, Wyman Wong.

The second support comes in form of a Thai food stall, in a coffeeshop called Restoran New Neighbour in Bandar Menjalara. I have been coming back to the same stall for the past 3 weekends. Unless one reads Chinese, it could have easily been mistaken for a typical soupy noodle stall. Heck, even the owners (whom speak minimal Cantonese/Hokkien) look local. Ever-friendly, nevertheless.

I have been told that the Tom Yam Noodle here is good. Very. At RM5.00, the portion was huge. Upon seeing the fiery stock, I began to perspire. A sip of the soup revealed an aptly sour and sweet taste that screamed salivation. The generous amount of ingredients, including prawns, squid rings, onion slices and oyster mushrooms gave the dish an extra boost of flavour and texture. The bee hoon was al dente and rather fragrant as well. Perspire I didn’t, relatively, as heat was kept minimal. If Kay, I mean a date craves for tom yam, I’ll know of a place where I won’t have to embarrass myself. Now.

Cooling down the heat with a glass of herbal tea, infused with winter melon cubes, from the drinks stall. Kay’s song comes to mind again.

There is also the Braised Pork Rice, another Thai staple. Flaky meat meets flavoursome gravy. Yummy. Value for money as well, given the big chunk of meat. Unlike the dark, heavily spiced version, this stall’s was rather mild and sweet as well. A dish that complements the compulsory white rice.

On the third visit, I tried the braised chicken with rolled rice sheets. The purpose was of course, to get a feel of the sheets. Well, I must say it’s quite interesting to slide the smooth rolls into the mouth, together with a tasty soy sauce/five spice powder infused stock. Perhaps a little too sweet, but that aside, a good alternative to the usual clear broth.

And what better way to end breakfast than with a bowl of hearty barley/ginkgo/soy concoction. Again, wedding invitation cards street comes to mind.

This particular street in Bandar Menjalara boosts a few good coffeeshops that I absolutely love coming back to. A few restaurants can be found here as well. Across the street is that heavily lit Goldhill Club restaurant. Check out Bernsy’s review. I saw Kanna Curry House too and wondered if it’s a branch from the infamous joint.

Above, above all, I hope to come back to some comfort this weekend.

On the street of coffeeshops.

With that street of wedding invitation cards in my mind.

And Kay's voice, of course.

Thai food stall at Restoran New Neighbour
Cornershop along Jalan 9/62A (damn those a*#$holes who stick adverts on signboards!),
Bandar Sri Menjalara
Kepong
55200 Kuala Lumpur.