The Loaf

After Marche, we headed to the much talked-about Pavilion and were pleasantly surprised to find many unoccupied parking spaces! (It was around 3 pm on a Saturday afternoon.)

Despite the endless selection of eateries (which ranges from first-timer cafes to famous chain restaurants) at the Pavilion, the 2 most celebrated ones were definitely J.CO Donuts & Coffee and The Loaf.

Since time was limited, we decided not to join in the infinite queue to get the donuts and headed to The Loaf instead.

Though the queue was not as long as J.CO's, this compact bakery was also doing quite a brisk business. Despite the simple interior design, the arrangements of pastries and cookies were very "appetising" (to me at least). The usage of cardboard trays to place the bread added sophistication to the whole experience.

Despite all these and the background of this bakery, the main question still remains: Were the food good?

Since the stomach was still hard at work, we decided to have mercy on it by selecting just a few freshly baked buns. Just to confirm what the hype was all about.

The Fuwa Fuwa Toast or French Toast (RM3) which was lightly dusted with icing sugar tasted rather bland. The egg (and I presume milk) coating did not provide sufficient aroma and taste to the toast. I've always preferred my toast thin and crispy. The Loaf's version was thick and chewy. Freshness aside, the combination of thick and bland toast was not attractive.

We also had the Chicken Ham and Cheese Bun (RM4.80), which tasted rather ordinary. The ham was firm and flavourful but the cheese (which is an important component here) did not enhance the flavour of the bun. For the price, I was expecting higher (or at least more flavourful) grade of cheese.

Lastly, the Caramel Walnut Bun (RM3.60). When I chose this, I was expecting a burst of caramel and walnut flavours as I take my first bite but I was wrong. The ensemble tasted rather bland and the amount of crushed walnuts in the bun was unimpressive. It's not difficult to make the bun tasty. Just add more caramel and walnuts. Less is not always more.

Including a bottle of San Pellegrino (RM10) and a cup of coffee (RM4.80), the bill came up to RM27.51. Yes, there's no typo error here.

I realised the texture of the bread was different from the rest. It was more chewy. I'm not sure if it was the high quality flour or different technique used to make the bread, but for the price, I would expect more flavourful creations, to say the least. In the meantime, I will stick to my chicken floss bun with wasabi mayonnaise.

The Loaf
Lot 3.13.00 and 4.12.02
Level 384 Pavilion,
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603-2145036/3037

Marche Movenpick Restaurant

It feels so good to be back! Really.

I was having a so-called "makan" marathon 2 weekends ago and am only able to report it now, after a hectic week back in KL. Let's start with my brunch at the Marche Movenpick Restaurant at The Curve.

I've tried Marche at Suntec City and Vivocity (Singapore) but both did not leave a significantly palatable impression on me. But I do like the concept of paying by the passport, especially when you are hanging out in a huge group. It kind of reminds me of the bill found in most dim sum restaurants, too.

The mushroom soup (RM5), though not photographed, tasted rather rich and authentic. It went well with the soft wholemeal loaf (RM1.80 per piece).

For the mains, we started off with the lamb shank (RM22.50). The slightly hard lamb was well diffused with the flavours from the stew and there were plenty of vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, onions and mushrooms to provide flavour and texture to the dish. The well-controlled savouriness of the stew went well with the mashed potatoes. However, it was really not as distinctive as the Morrocan Lamb Shank at Marmalade Cafe. Perhaps addition of herbs will add more flavour and aroma to the dish.

Next up was the glazed turkey ham (RM16.50) with a choice of either black pepper or sweet onion sauce. I chose the latter. Despite the generous portion of ham, it was rather bland and lacked the usual aromatic flavour of ham. The sunny-side up egg did not help to enhance the flavour either. The up side being the freshness of the ham and the almost non-existence "chemical" taste found in most ham.

For RM22, the grilled salmon was rather large in size. The well-cooked fish tasted quite fresh. An early indication of the freshness was the bright colour of the salmon. A squeeze of lemon juice and the varied dipping sauces (wasabi mayonnaise, mustard, dijonnaise) provided a contrasting taste to salmon. As the portion was huge, it took 2 of us to finish the fish.

The pairing of chicken pepperoni (RM15.50) and plain rosti (RM6.50) or fried grated potatoes did not ignite any spark but were still flavourful on their own. The mildly spiced pepperoni was fresh and firm but for the price, I was expecting at least a side of greens.

The stir-fried vegetables (RM9.50) to me was overpriced despite the freshness and diversity of choice of vegetables (including colourful peppers, pea shoots, cabbage and mushrooms). Also, the use of oyster sauce did not perk up the flavour of the dish.

The meal came up to RM130.07 for 4 persons. Drinks dont come cheap at Marche. A bottle of Aquarius Mineral Water cost RM3.50!

As compared to the Marche(s) in Singapore, there are not much differences in terms of variation of food. I didn't find out if the branch at the Curve serves beer. The only obvious difference was the usage of paper passports instead of the magnetic strip ones.

Anyway, I must compliment Marche on the freshness of all the dishes. Perhaps I was there early (12 pm to be exact). Taste wise, most of the dishes were rather bland.

Nevertheless, a convenient place for a meal anytime of the day, plus good service too.

Marche Movenpick Restaurant,
The Curve, Lot G87, Ground Floor,
The Curve, Mutiara Damansara,
47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: +603-77289200

or check out www.marche-malaysia.com

No Post For Another 3-4 Days

I will be away for the next few days.

But will resume the food adventure very soon.

Jia Xiang Ho Po Hakka Lei Cha Fan @ Geylang

After 933 Roasted Duck and a couple of snapshots of the vivid nightlife at Geylang later, we headed to Jia Xiang for their raved Ho Po Hakka Lei Cha Fan (literally translated as Thunder Tea Rice of the Ho Po Hakka Clan). This healthy dish of acquired taste is basically rice mixed with various types of vegetables and served with a bowl of tea consisting of herbs and tea leaves.

We ordered the standard brown rice set which cost S$3. Quite economical, I must say.

The brown rice was topped with a variety of vegetables such as four angled beans, cabbage, long beans and green mustard cabbage. All the greens provided a natural sweetness and crispiness to the rice. Other toppings such as tau kwa (dried beancurd), anchovies and peanuts added texture and aroma to the otherwise bland ensemble. A standout by itself, even before pouring in the tea mixture.

The tea, which consisted of tea leaves and herbs such as peppermint, parsley and presumably sesame seeds tasted aromatically bland (as intended). I found the tea quite refreshing and soothing.

Once combined, both the tea and rice complimented each other very well. The blandness of the tea was compensated by the flavourful rice toppings while the coarseness of the rice was softened by the tea.

Since we arrived quite late in the evening, the Yong Tao Fu or stuffed beancurds were sold out. We were quite disappointed as it could have completed our Lei Cha meal.

So, the next time I need to detox or just feeling guilty after a “harmful” meal, I will definitely consider coming back to this stall.

* Back then, I guess my stomach must have cursed me for the highly fibrous meal as I still haven't completely digested the food from Kushin-Bo and 933.

Jia Xiang Ho Po Hakka Lei Cha Fan
134 Sims Avenue
933 Roast Duck Coffee Shop (see! another 933!)
Singapore 387456

Here’s a description of Jia Xiang:
http://www.sbestfood.com/jiaxiang.htm

933 Roasted Duck @ Geylang

After yielding my stomach at Kushin-Bo on Saturday night, I had to digest at a faster speed as I was having another culinary adventure with Bong, another food enthusiast tonight (Sunday night). With that, I gulped two packs of yoghurt drinks, hoping that it would help. Well, it didn’t. I should have gotten Vitagen instead.

This time, Bong and I planned to explore some other famous eateries at Geylang besides Beef Hor Fun King and Frog Leg Porridge (at Lorong 9).

Our first stop was the infamous 933 Roasted Duck (a shoplot between Lorong 19 to 21). At first, it was quite confusing in locating this eatery as there were at least 2 other coffee shops bearing the same name. Well, since it was still early, we surveyed each of the coffee shops and finally agreed that the shop filled with countless photographs of celebrities and other famous figures that patronized the restaurant was the real deal.

We had a plate of mixed roasted meat with rice. The rice came in a huge portion and the texture was quite firm, which should go well with the meat.

The meat arrived, looking rather scattered and made it harder for me to get a good shot. The barbecued pork ribs were slightly dry and charred but were saved by the sweet marinate. On the other hand, the roasted pork belly was quite tender and lean while the skin was still crispy. A dip of the belacan (dried shrimp paste) flavoured chili sauce enhanced the flavour and aroma of the meat. The pickled cabbage and carrot added a subtly tangy flavour to the meat.

The roasted chicken was rather salty while the skin, though not crispy, was actually quite flavourful. The complimentary barbecue sauce provided a sweet contrast to the savoury chicken. The main attraction on the plate was definitely the roasted duck. One bite of the tender meat revealed an explosion of flavour and aroma. Traditional roasting at its best. The savouriness of the duck was well-controlled while herbs and spices were not overused. Nice.

As we will be heading to another shop for round two, we skipped the other side dishes. The bill came up to S$11 including a can of herbal tea and a glass of homemade barley drink.

If one is looking for crispy skin roasted duck, this is definitely not the place to be. Come for the flavourful tender roasted duck meat.

I can’t recall the exact location but it’s between Lorong 19-21. You wont miss the green-coloured neonlight signboard.

By the way, this shop also offers pig organ soup at night. Judging from the hordes of customers crowding the store, perhaps I should give it a try in the near future.

Kushin-Bo

Since I walked-in without reservation, I had to queue for 30 minutes in the "no reservation" line. And no, this is not a complaint. Considering the weekend, the holiday and the peak hour (6.15 pmto be exact), I was lucky that it took only 30 minutes.

The "Dong Dong Dong, Kushin-Bo" jingle has been playing on my mind for quite sometime now and so, when Jacq and Jeremy asked me to join them at Kushin-Bo, I said yes without any hesitation.

I've heard so much about this buffet restaurant but not the food though. But when I saw the spread, I thought it was quite diversed and complete. Taste-wise, well, let's just break it down one by one.

I started off with the colourful selection of makis (rice rolls) including the fish roe maki, fried salmon skin maki, kani (crab) maki, tuna maki, lobster salad maki and shrimp maki. The ingredients used were fresh and I particularly enjoyed the fried salmon skin maki as the crispy skin went very well with the rice. The paprika dusted tuna maki tasted rather interesting with a touch of spiciness. All walloped without any soya sauce and wasabi dipping.

Next on my list was the selection of sushi. The unagi (eel), maguro (tuna), ika (squid) and sake (salmon) sushi were quite generic. Despite the freshness of the ingredients, there was nothing particularly interesting about them.

The grilled meat (on iron plate) or teppanyaki was well cooked. After choosing the choice of meat to be grilled, the plate was clipped with my table's number and queued to be cooked by the chef. Once cooked, it was brought to my table. I should have taken this with the Japanese fried rice and curry sauce.

As I looked around, I realised that most patrons were particularly interested in the snow crab legs as there was a least one plateful of the crustacean's legs on every table. A rare find, that I'll say. So, it was only appropriate that I immediately checked out the sashimi (raw seafood) section to get a hold of some of those craved legs. Legs aside, the kajiki (swordfish), tuna, sea bream, prawns and scallops were again, quite fresh, judging from the texture, colour and taste. A cup of green tea at this point was needed to ease digestion and to kill those bacterias (if any). The snow crab legs were fleshy and tender but I don't quite fancy the over-saltiness of the juice, though.

Another must-have that was seen on every table was the nabemono (claypot soup dish). At Kushin-Bo, nabe came in form of folded paper instead of a claypot. The special folded paper was filled with vegetables and choice of either seafood or beef. Once my order was placed, the chef prepared the mini-stove, placed the paper on top of it and poured in the miso-base soup. I enjoyed this dish as the beef and the miso soup complimented each other very well. Vegetables such as cabbage provided extra texture and flavour.

I've also spotted the cha-soba (buckwheat and green tea noodle) and took a bowl as I've always enjoyed cold soba. To add extra flavour to the noodles, I added sesame, seaweed and scallion. It was a good combination but I wished the soya/mirin sauce came chilled.

The fried section featured a variety of tempura (fried battered vegetables or meat) including kakiage (julienned vegetables), oysters and prawns. I couldn't help but to try the fried prawn, soft shell crab and smelt (I think) with fried rice, dressed Japanese-styled curry. The ensemble became a complete "mixed rice" dish by itself. Curry was bland, though.

Kushin-Bo is also famous for their "surprise" limited dishes which are offered at certain "unknown" timing. This is when patrons rush to the section where the specialty is being offered. Kind of reminds me of "Supermarket Sweep". Well, this is understandable as the specialties offered include baby lobsters and grilled saba (mackerel). Towards the end of the meal, as the crowd was thinning, we managed to grab 2 grilled baby lobsters. Unfortunately, the lobsters were overcooked and tasted rather bitter.

The array of desserts was quite diversed, ranging from green tea cake to eclairs to mochi (rice cake) to fruit tarts to sorbets to cream puffs. Of all the desserts, I only enjoyed the green tea and cheese cake which tasted tangy and slightly bitter at the same time. The rather bland green tea ice cream completed my meal for the night.

Beverages were aplenty ranging from green tea to coffee to cappucino. My advise is to consume just green tea as it eases digestion, so that you can try out more dishes.

For S$39.80++ (weekends and public holidays), the quality of food was commendable. Service was very good too despite the huge crowd. For the uninitiated, there's also a step-by-step eating guide to ensure patrons are able to try out (and be aware of) almost every dish available (think of a guided tour in Disneyland).

Kushin-Bo
#03-002, 3 Temasek Boulevard,
Suntec City Mall.
Tel: 62387088 (Reservation is highly recommended)

Formosa Delights @ Suntec City Mall

Since I've decided to not return to KL for the long weekend (traffic congestion on the North-South Highway can be quite unpredictable), the only right thing to do was of course, to eat my heart out in Singapore!

Before meeting up with Jacq and Jeremy for a dinner buffet at Kushin-Bo, I browsed through some of my favourite shops at Suntec City and CityLink Mall. With all the "workout", it was obvious that I had to feel hungry and therefore, led myself to the foodcourt at Suntec City for a quick meal. Not too much, as I needed to save some space for the night's buffet.

In typical fashion, I surveyed the huge foodcourt and ended up choosing the stall with the longest queue (relatively speaking, at 4 pm). Formosa Delights boasted a wide range of la mian (hand-pulled noodles) and all looked rather appetizing from the display. The cashier was quick to recommend the Braised Minced Pork La Mian, their specialty, it seemed.

The dish was prepared in a swift, and looked rather interesting. The first impression was the aromatic flavour of the braised minced pork. The la mian was al dente and went well with braising sauce. The marinated minced pork was soft and well infused with soya sauce and I presumed, fermented beancurd (with red yeast rice). Other ingredients from the braise included winter melon and kelp. These two ingredients added both texture and an interestingly bland flavour to the dish. As per any braised dish, a hard-boiled egg was added. The staple la mian garnishing of anchovies, fried shallots and cilantro added aroma to the dish. The chili vinaigrette dipping provided a sharp contrast to the rather rich ensemble.

Delicious and affordable. (The price is between S$4 to S$5. I can't recall the exact amount, sorry).

Formosa Delights
Stall No. 16,
Fountain Food Terrace,
Suntec City Mall.

Tell-A-Tale (Part 2): In Bed With...Buns

Writer/Voice:
Nic

Props:
5 different mini-buns from Four Leaves Bakery, IMM Jurong, Singapore.
S$0.60 for 1 pc, S$1.60 for 3 pcs, S$2.60 for pcs

http://www.fourleaves.com.sg

Music:
Late Night Tales: Air

MONOLOGUE

Midnight.
In my room.
The night was dark and cold.
I was alone.
And hungry.

I had to do it. I was desperate.
I'm sorry, but I had to.

I couldn't wait til breakfast.
I couldn't rush the sun.

Ripped the green bag.
I laid all of you beside me.
I admired your idiosyncrasies.
I hoped you taste well.

My dear Bacon Bun.
It was love at first sight.
Your savoury taste excited me.
The mayonnaise and herbs...
Accentuating.
But how disappointing, you were not soft.

Little Tako,
You were well flavoured.
And tender.
I wished you came bigger.
So I could enjoy you more.

Little Bak Kua,
Or do you prefer Little Dried Meat?
In abundance, you tiny bits decorated the roll,
And the taste too.
Between you and me,
You tasted the best.

Behind you, the embarrassed Black Pepper and Egg Bun.
And it should be.
It was bland.
Nothing compared you.

The sweet one.
Yes, you Custard and Cheese Danish.
You tried to be special.
You had a little raisin in you.
Nice touch.
Cute and sweet.
Minnie Riperton's Lovin' You in the background,
How appropriate.

I enjoyed the night...
Thank you for the music, Air.
The pleasure's all mine.

Italiannies @ The Curve

- A short post on a quick lunch -

Last Sunday afternoon, Jason & girlfriend, Kim and I decided to have lunch before our karaoke session at Red Box@The Curve. We were spoilt for choice and ended up in Italiannies. I was pretty excited about it since I've read and heard so many good reviews on this restaurant. Since we had approximately 1 hour before our "concert", we hurriedly placed our orders.

The fresh complimentary bread was soft and went well with the typical Italiano dipping of olive oil and balsamic vinegar mixture.

First to arrive was the Seafood Cioppino (RM32.90). The mussels, prawns and calamaris were fresh and well cooked while the fettucine was al dente. On the other hand, the marinara sauce was bland. Quite generic, actually.

Meanwhile, the Salmon Pizza (RM26.90) was surprisingly good. Despite being visually uninteresting, the smoked salmon and butter cubes combination revealed an interestingly rich taste. The julliened onion pieces provided a crunchy texture and a burst of freshness to the pizza. Simple and nice.

I have yet to try other specialties such as Spaghetti With Meatballs (Jason and Kim do not take beef), the Angel Hair Pasta, etc. A second visit is required before I can really comment on this eatery. Afterall, the people's choice can't be wrong.

(By the way, this restaurant was featured in one of those "Visit Malaysia 2007" TV advertisments in Singapore a few months back.)

Italiannies
G75/76, The Street,
The Curve, Mutiara Damansara.
Tel: +603-77281715

or check out:
http://www.thecurve.com.my/

Groove Junction Bistro & Cafe

For the past few months, my buddies (Anthony and Azuan) and I have been craving for gigs. We've been to No Black Tie, Alexis@Ampang, the Sunrise Jazz Festival and are still craving for more. And that led us to Groove Junction at Hartamas last Saturday night. The performers for the night were Shanon Shah and Azmyl Yunor.

Despite the rather "mysterious" stairways leading to the bistro+cafe on the first floor, the interior was optimally decorated and wonderfully relaxing. Definitely a good contrast to the chaotic Alexis@Ampang. And the best part is, the gig can be enjoyed from all corners!

Since we had dinner, we ordered some tapas (which apparently are new additions to the already extensive menu) just to preview the "performance" of the food. The Fried Calamari Rings (RM10) were crispy and well cooked. The mayonnaise-based dip was OK.

The Cheese and Chicken Croquettes (RM11 for 2 pieces) were rather small in size. The chicken meat was not too hard nor dry while the cheese was slightly hard. Melted cheese would have provided a more interesting texture and aroma. The Thousand Island dipping worked well with the croquettes.

We also had the Chicken Kebab (RM10) which turned out quite flavourful, thanks to the sauteed bell peppers in a sweet/savoury sauce accompanying the skewer-grilled meat. Put some rice on the plate and it will immediately be transformed into a main course. Now, isn't that Nasi Padprik?

As for the Sauteed Button Mushrooms (RM10), the mushrooms were well cooked and smartly dressed in a slightly sweet garlic sauce, which by the way was a good dipping for the complimentary baguette.

Since we have decided to stay through the whole performance, we ordered dessert. We had the Creme Brulee (RM8) and honestly, I still don't know why we chose that. Well, it did not disappoint as the layer of burnt sugar on the surface was crispy and provided a good contrast to the custard filling in terms of texture. The filling was neither too sweet nor hard and I sensed a hint of vanilla essence (which has yet to be confirmed).

Lets talk about the night's gig. As part of the Acoustic Series (Saturdays), the dynamic duo of Shanon and Azmyl entertained the crowd with their partially unplugged repertoire including "All Apologies" by Nirvana, "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M. and "Downtown Train" by Tom Waits. I personally enjoyed the cover of a lesser known Johnny Cash song (can't really remember the title). They also played some of their original compositions in the second set. For me, the most memorable tune was Shanon's Jurutera (Engineer) as it almost described my life so far. An engineer (not by choice) who's struggling to break free from his mundane life and is trying to live for himself. Yes, folks, that's moi. The entertaining 2 sets (healthy political jokes included) ended with a sing-along of John Lennon's Imagine. Yes, we all need hope especially at times like these.

Shanon's voice was hauntingly beautiful and reminded me of Antony (from Antony and the Johnsons) while Azmyl was an entertainingly multi-talented musician (playing the guitar and harmonica and singing - all in one song!).

The bill came up to about RM98 (for 3 persons). A comfortable and relaxing bistro, complete with good food and great music. Will definitely be back. And kudos to Anthony's friend for the brilliant recommendation.

Groove Junction Bistro and Cafe
1-1, Jalan 22A/70A,
Desa Sri Hartamas.
Tel: +603-62018990
http://www.groove-junctionkl.com/

For more information on Shanon Shah, go to:
www.myspace.com/shanonshah

For more information on Azmyl Yunor, go to:
www.azmylyunor.com

Din Tai Fung

KL has been hit by the Xiao Long Bao (XLB) or soup dumpling wave for quite sometime now. Countless XLB restaurants (and wannabees) surfaced in the past 2 years claiming to serve the best XLBs in town and I have always asked myself, "Where in the world is Din Tai Fung?". I'm not saying this because I fancy this chain restaurant (I still stand by Crystal Jade, by the way) but just feel that the XLB War will not be complete without one of its major competitors. Well, we all love to watch a good fight, don't we?

I've tried Din Tai Fung (DTF) at Paragon (Singapore) and was not really impressed by the food. So, when I heard that DTF is now in The Gardens@Mid Valley, I thought I should give it a second go since I have not tried their infamous fried rice and braised beef noodles.

I reached DTF around 12 pm on a Saturday afternoon (could have been earlier if I played my strategy well in locating the ever precious (and disappointingly deprived) parking space) and there was already a huge crowd gathering outside the restaurant, waiting to be seated. It took me about 30 minutes before I got a table. I was not surprised because knowing DTF, waiting is in the programme. The staff were very polite and organised, by the way.

Ok, let's get back to the food. The XLB (RM11 for 5 pieces) looked petite. However, the soup (or fat) tasted quite clear and the meat was tender. The overall taste was definitely on a more subtle side as compared to Crystal Jade's or Dragon I's versions. The skin was thick, though.

The Pork Buns (RM5 for 2 pieces) were again, quite petite eventhough the menu labelled it as "Da Bao (Big Buns)". Perhaps they were relatively compared to the XLB. I am guessing the meat is an upsized version of the XLB filling. The bun's skin was quite disappointing as it lacked the fluffiness that usual steamed buns exhibit.

By the time I realised I had accidentally ordered 2 types of buns, the Vegetable Pork Buns (RM5 for 2 pieces) were already on the table. Nothing much to comment as the size and skin were similar to the Pork Buns. The chopped spinach filling was quite bland too. Uninteresting.

The Vegetable and Pork Wanton La Mian (hand-pulled noodle) (RM13) looked rather unappetising. But looks can be deceiving, sometimes. The noodle was cooked to perfection with a faint flour fragrance to boast. At this point, I must say that the La Mian is of better quality as compared to the above-mentioned competitors. The wantons were quite bland though.

Also looking rather unappetising was the Braised Beef La Mian (RM16) but one sip of the broth will change your whole perspective on the dish. It was rich in beef flavour and was not overpowered by the usual beef broth spices. The beef was also very tender and the noodle was again, very well done. Definitely a dish to try when one is in DTF.

On the other hand, the celebrated Shrimp and Pork Fried Rice (RM16) was absolutely appealing with its colour and aroma. The aroma was perhaps due to the generous usage of lard. The prawns were huge and fresh. The marinated pork was tender and smooth. A tasty and hearty dish, but I suggest the dish be shared as the portion is quite huge and too much oil-coated rice can be quite overwhelming.

For dessert, we had the unusual Red Bean Paste XLB (RM5). As interesting as it may sound, this dish was nothing but red bean paste wrapped in typical XLB skin. I was hoping for a more creative take on the filling such as addition of nuts and such. When it comes to desserts, Crystal Jade still rules.

The bill came up to RM88.55 for 3 persons. A commendable place for those tiny Shanghainese dumplings and La Mian. But a former "Top Ten Restaurant in the World"? Hhhmmm...

Din Tai Fung
LG-207, The Gardens,
Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra,
59200 Kuala Lumpur.

Seng Kee

It is always great to have someone suggesting a new eatery rather than me cracking my brains thinking of where I should head for a great culinary adventure. Maverick did just that last Saturday when he directed Simon and I to Seng Kee at Jalan Sultan.

This famous restaurant has been serving the night crowd for many years now and is still celebrated as one of the best supper spots in KL. I have been here a few years back but I couldn’t recall the food I had. The booze got the better of me, I guess.

We arrived around 12.30 in the morning, feeling hungry after an exciting waterless swim. Service was attentive and amazingly speedy. The Siu Yoke Meen (roasted pork belly noodles) arrived in less than 10 minutes upon order. Eat that, burger chains! The Siu Yoke, which was dressed in a generous amount of dark soya sauce, was a tad too sweet and the texture was hard. The wanton noodle was quite dry too. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the idea of dressing the savoury Siu Yoke with dark soya sauce as it provided an interestingly contrasting taste to the meat. A good idea but could be better if the Siu Yoke was served with a bowl of white rice instead.

The aromatic Claypot Loh Shi Fun (starch noodle that resembles mouse’s tail) arrived piping hot and looking divine! A raw egg topped the ensemble of noodle, prawns and minced pork, providing a smoother overall texture. The noodle was coated with the right amount of dark soya sauce, making it sweeter and not bitter. The savoury minced meat was not too dry nor too hard. An ordinary yet flavourful dish.

Last on the list was the stir-fried pig fallopian tubes dish. I’m sure there must be people out there who are either disgusted or surprised with this dish. I for one, thought that those were intestines, until Maverick enlightened me on this. Well, since I had tried many types of "unidentified intestines” before, I guess this might not be the first time I had the tubes then. The tubes were cooked just right and exhibited a springy texture. Cucumber, fried garlic and cili padi (bird’s eye chili) were great accompaniments to this dish. Do take note too that beneath the tubes laid a thick layer of melted lard. Raise the health alarm! Well, then again, how frequent do we eat this, right?

The meal, including a pot of Chinese Tea, cost RM44. A commendable price since pork (or any other part of the pig) is getting more expensive due to the shrinkage in supply. Sad but true.

An irresistibly devilicious meal, packed with lard, oxidants and artificial flavourings. As hazardous as it may sound, I am calling for a sweet surrender.

Seng Kee
Jalan Sultan
(I couldn’t locate the unit number but it is along Jalan Sultan and on the same row as Nam Heong Chicken Rice. There is also a signboard bearing the name of the shop.)

Tell-A-Tale (Part 1): Sweet Potato Balls

Uprooted and skinned,
Washed and thinned,
To a tray I was pinned,
Steam appeared with a gush of wind.

Hot and soft after steamed,
Coated with sugar that gleamed,
In hand a masher he teamed,
To refine me into a paste it seemed.

Binded by flour,
To make rolling easier,
I waited for the hour,
For him to devour.

Into a ball I was rolled,
Masked with flour I was trolled,
To prevent sticking I was told,
To the oil pool, I behold.

I drowned with fear,
I rose with cheer,
A golden brown sphere,
His praise I hear.

Excess oil was drained,
My crispy skin remained,
The soft filling contained,
A fragrant scent reigned.

I was placed on the plate,
A small bit of me he ate,
Anxiously his judgement I await,
He grinned and said, "This is great!"