Pork Noodles @ SS3

Delicious Pork Noodles- RM4.50 (small), RM5.00 (big)

Lunch affairs these days are always a porky affair due to the lunchgang's mutual love for our short 4-legged friend. Pork noodles, like fish and chips can be as simple and straightforward as the name suggests but most often than not, you'll find yourself having something that wasn't in your mind in the first place.

For i.e. My expectations of Fish & Chips: Battered to golden brown, flaky and piping hot! But some places are misleading when the kitchen comes out with a breadcrumbs coated fish fillet and dares to call it Fish & Chips! Grahhhh... so when it comes to Pork Noodles, I do not expect to see pork balls but real minced pork patties, pork slices, pork lard etc.



While I still think the Pork Noodles in Ipoh is still the best, this one takes the cake for PJ/ KL. I love the generous usage of fried pork lard, making the soup flavourful. I enjoy the minced pork patties and intestines too but usually leaves the liver out.

This place is quite busy especially during lunch hours and parking is horrendous- but it'll be worth it :-)


Restoran Kean Fatt
Lorong SS3/59E,
Petaling Jaya.
(row of shops next to Tmn Bahagia LRT Station, facing main road and residential houses)

[disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. please dont sue me, i dont have money. kthxbye.]

CTNF: It's a FISHY Cookout!

Baked Bacon wrapped Salmon with Red Wine Sauce

The Cookout! session is back... This time, ala 'Iron Chef' the main ingredient is fish (no rules on what type of fish). I chose a salmon dish to cook after a spontaneous inspiration watching Asian Food Channel's 'Cook Like a Chef' program. My partner in crime chose the Halibut and we were in for a cookout!

It's a very simple dish with very simple BUT not cheap ingredients. The salmon cut costed me almost RM20 and bacon streaks weren't cheap either... plus, I had to purposely open a bottle of red wine for this. But I must say, it was all worth it :-)

The salmon is wrapped with streaks of bacon and left to bake for 20 mins in 180°c, and the sauce is made up of caramelised shallots, red wine and butter. Sides can be anything but I've decided to go with baby spinach and roasted baby potatoes. You can see how flaky the salmon is and oh how well bacon goes with fish!


Seared Halibut with Lemon Cream Sauce

The Halibut was seared and accompanied with a lemon cream sauce. My partner in crime firstly seared the fish, and then used cream, lemon, butter, grounded black pepper to make a killer lemony creamy sauce. It's quite simple actually- it's all about putting everything together!

What should be the main ingredient for the next cookout?

Delicious Food @ Delicious

Balsamic Wild Mushroom Salad with Baby Spinach, Feta Cheese and Pine Nuts- RM22.90; Ceasar Salad with Anchovies, Turkey Bacon, Poached Egg and Parmesan (add Chargrilled Chicken) - RM27.80

'Delicious' is such a common adjective to describe delicious food - and perhaps that is all it needs. Shameless to say that I have never had a real proper meal at Delicious despite all the hype, rave and known fact that their food is good. *shy*

But better late than never, as they say! I love their Balsamic Wild Mushroom with Feta Cheese salad. Normally I am not a fan of raw vege but this one just blows my mind off- it was really good. Love the warm mushroom and pine nuts and baby spinach (I hate Rocket though). The Caesar Salad was just so-so and I find the portion too big! Maybe some people eat it as a meal... but definitely not me!

Thai Crabmeat with Aromatic Herbs, Spices and Olive Oil- RM24.90; Smoked Salmon Angelhair tossed in Cream served with Caviar and Parsley- RM27.90

Pastas were good too. We had two types- one that is a little Thai-ish with crabmeat and spicy and the other was Smoked Salmon with cream based. Love all things salmon so that can't go wrong either.


English Fish & Chips served with Homemade Tartare Sauce and Garden Greens- RM29.90

Last but not least, a fish & chips dish. The fish was fresh and piping hot. All's good!

* Updated with desserts-


Melting Pot with Marshmellows- RM8.90; Chocolicious Sundae with Fresh Strawberries- RM14.90; Chocolate Brownie with Chocolate Sauce & Vanilla Ice Cream- RM11.90

p/s: Check out their website. I love it!


Delicious
Lot GF-1, Ground Flr Bangsar Village 2.
Lot G(E)-011 & G-001, Ground Flr Mid Valley.
Lot1.1, Ground Flr Dua Annexe.
Lot G316 Ground Floor 1 Utama.
A-6-01, Ground Flr Marc Residence KL.
www.delicious.com.my

[disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. please dont sue me, i dont have money. kthxbye.]

La Cocina @ USJ

Baby Squid in Cream Sauce- RM11.90; Baked Mussels with Cheese Tapas- RM9.90; Caramelised Rich Custard- RM7.50

La Cocina has been in USJ Taipan for ages, but I have never gotten around to pay it a visit until few days ago. It was a pretty quiet Wednesday night at the restaurant. We ordered 2 tapas to try- Baby squid sauteed with shallots, garlic, herbs and cream sauce. The sauce was creamy and compliments the lightly toasted bread well. The mussels were claimed to be from New Zealand and was cooked in tangy spanish sauce and baked with cheese, I could taste something like pesto sauce though.

Negres Paella (2 pax)- RM66

Our main objective was to have the Negres Paella or in simpler description- Spanish rice cooked in black ink squid, large prawns, shrimps, fish fillets, squids, mussels, clams and vegetables. The portion was just right for 2 persons' consumption. It was a different taste of sorts compared to the normal paella. Do not let the blackness scare you as it is quite tasty and the prawns were very fresh too.

We had wanted to order one of their desserts but were told that it was unavailable. To our surprise, the waiter brought to our table a Caramelised Custard (similar to Creme Brulee) and said it was complimentary on the house. Wow, a penny saved from desserts!

We would definitely return to La Cocina for their other tapas. They are also currently having some combo promotion, for i.e. Paella and Tapas combo. Do check it out!


La Cocina
38, USJ 9/5P,
UEP Subang Jaya.
Tel: 03-8023 2395
www.la-cocina.com


[disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. please dont sue me, i dont have money. kthxbye.]

Bulgogi BBQ House

Assorted appetizers; Pork & Beef BBQ Set- RM75.90

In the spirit of the Koreans thrashing Greece in their first match of the WC 2010, we decided to support our Asian countrymen by having Korean :) There were few places that came in mind after a google search but we opted for Bulgogi in Kota Damansara instead because I feel I have not explore the area much yet.


Grilled Pork; Seafood Beancurd Stew- RM13.80

We ordered the Pork + Beef BBQ set which comes with corn drink (for acquired taste only, like burnt corn flavoured drink, urgh), rice and soup. The beef was a sirloin strip and we like the tenderness of the meat and the grilled marks too. The pork was okay as well, good that the fatty strips tasted like lean meat after a good grill. The complimentary appetizers were just so-so, Daorae still ranks top for their variety and taste. The Seafood Beancurd Stew was a disappointment as it was not really what we were looking for :/

Bulgogi is managed by a Korean couple and has a very small and cosy feel. Service is good and they serve complimentary fruits and mint candies too :D


Bulgogi BBQ House
12A-G, PJU 5/20B,
The Strand Damansara,
Petaling Jaya.

[disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. please dont sue me, i dont have money. kthxbye.]

Sanbanto Premium Pork

Butcher at Work, Do Not Disturb; Meatball Tomato Broth- RM10; Corn Soup (set lunch menu)

Surfin' through food blogs during moments when you're bored is a good way to discovering new places to have lunch the next day. Sanbanto Premium Pork is making waves as another alternative place for a porky affair. The downside however, is that the shop can only house less than 10 tables of 4 each as 1/2 of the shop is a deli and advanced booking may be needed if you want to get a table. Based on an open concept, you could either be watching the open kitchen or the butcher at work.


Pork Belly Salad- RM13; Caesar Salad with Caviar- RM19.80

I was at Sanbanto with my usual lunch kakis who enjoy eating as much as I do and we would always try new places if time permits, thus making lunch time an hour we look forward to. The menu at Sanbanto is just right- not too extensive to have you scratching your head on what to eat. The Pork Belly Salad is a healthy mix of fiber and protein, the Caesar Salad with Caviar proves to be a bit too steep on the price considering those are no Beluga caviar, just Ebiko.


Portobello Mushroom Cheese Burger- RM19.50

I had the Portobello Mushroom Cheese Burger, which fares much better in comparison with the burgers at Cristang. Love the juicy burger patty and melted cheese on top! Even the buttered bun tasted good that I would give up fries space for the bun.


Pork Bolognese Pappardelle Pasta- RM17

My foodie colleague had the Pork Bolognese Pappardelle Pasta. Pappardelle is a type of broad fettuccine pasta. Seeing that she cleaned the plate, I'm guessing it must be good too.


Bacon n Cheese Burger- RM17

The Bacon n Cheese Burger is a Chef's Recommended item. I think it is similar to the Portobello Mushroom Cheese burger without the portobello mushroom of course.


Pork Chop Pasta- RM15.90 (set lunch menu)

The Pork Chop Pasta is part of the set lunch menu (Corn soup + Mains + Drink for RM15.90). My colleague commented that the pork chop was good stuff!

Overall, it was an enjoyable lunch though I would agree it was a pricy lunch affair but well at least there's a pork place to go if you're in need of some pork therapy! ;-p


Sanbanto Premium Pork
32, SS2/63,
Petaling Jaya,
47300 Selangor.
Tel: 03-7876 1728

[disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. please dont sue me, i dont have money. kthxbye.]

La Suisse @ Bukit Damansara

Appetizers- Raclette cheese; Garden Salad with bacon; crab bisque sharks fin soup; baked escargots

La Suisse sounds like a really fancy name for a restaurant but in fact is a humble little shop in Bukit Damansara, deco with little and no resemblance to a high class pay through your nose steakhouse but food with flavours that packs a punch!

The Raclette cheese was something new to me- typically heated and scraped to the diner's plate as the name is derived from French, meaning "to scrape". It has a creamy mild taste but too much of this can be a little difficult to stomach! The crab bisque sharks fin soup was something special as well as I didn't expect to see a Chinese delicacy in a Western style soup.


Medium grilled steak; Vege sides

The mains was a big slab of medium grilled sirloin to share. It was really good as the outsides were charred but the insides still tender, juicy and pinkish. Man, what I'd do to have this for dinner!


Desserts- Walnut Parfait; Red Wine Cherries Crepe

These two desserts are the chef's specialty, each with its own distinctive difference as the Walnut Parfait is cold ice cream block with bits of walnut, topped with chocolate and caramel sauce and the match made in heaven combination of strawberries with whipped cream. The crepe, on the other hand is a combination of hot (the cherry sauce) and cold (the vanilla ice cream) drowned in a little bit of red wine flavour.


La Suisse
8, Medan Setia 2,
Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2094 6587

[disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. please dont sue me, i dont have money. kthxbye.]

Sup Gearbox

Sup Gearbox- Bull's Bone Marrow Soup

I never really have Malay-style soup before although passing by those Malay tom yum shacks was a routine. Not exactly your usual Sup Ayam or Sup Kambing is this special soup which goes by a very special name too- Sup Gearbox. I know, the Westerners and carmakers will be proud. If I was the inventer of this soup, I would have cut a deal with one of the carmakers to name the soup after them, i.e. Sup Gearbox BMW. Then again, I would probably need to pay royalty for every bowl sold :S

(p/s: I'm in love with Bimmers!)


BBQ Daging

Essentially it's the bone marrow of the bull which resembles the car's gearbox. It is said that a bull's bone marrow will be better as they have more muscles (from working hard at the farm??) than the cow's. Cows are better off be made steak I guess. The soup is rich and flavourful which is actually quite delicious and it goes very well with rice too. The normal way to finish up the soup is to put a straw in the bone marrow and suck it up *slurp*.

I was brought to the famous Sup Gearbox in Kota Bahru which also specializes in BBQ Daging. Pity that I don't really know where this place is but it seems that it's very popular among government officials and have even appeared in Malay dailies.

Sang Har Meen @ PJ

Sang Har Meen for 10 pax (RM125)

Sang Har Meen is inarguably one of more pricey noodle dish amongst the noodle family due to the usage of Sang Har or Fresh Water Prawns. A Sang Har Meen meal can be a very pricey affair depending on where you can have it and the size of the prawns. Ever since I discovered a place that offers delicious noodles and sizeable fresh prawns, a serving of this scrumptious noodles never looked so affordable and easily accessible before!


Sang Har Meen per portion; Tung Po Pork- RM30

This comes off as a surprise finding as my initial intention was just to gather a group of colleagues for lunch where we wouldn't have to crack heads over transportation issues. There was a new restaurant near our workplace at Section 19, same row as Greenview Restaurant (the other restaurant famous for Sang Har Meen but at cut throat price). It was opened a few months back but business seemed to be lacking and they somehow changed the menu and setting of the restaurant. It now spots a very huge and distinct red 'Sang Har Noodles' signboard so there's no way anyone can't see it!

The Sang Har Meen is very affordable at only RM12.50 per pax as we ordered for a 10 pax portion. The delicious succulent huge prawns and sinfully egg roes is the reason for drooling! We also had a serving of Tung Po Pork which was served with fried mantous and a serving of Claypot Chinese Cabbage with Yam (RM20) which received widespread thumbs up around the table.


Thong Kee Sang Har Meen

Another place which offers Sang Har Meen is Thong Kee, which is a couple of shops away from the famous Seapark Sunrise Duck shop. However, this one comes off slightly expensive compared to Richwell, if I remember clearly is about RM20 per pax.

I read that Greenview's is at about RM28 per pax.


Restaurant Richwell
24G & 26G, Jalan 19/3,
46300 Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 03-7955 5855

Restaurant Thong Kee
33, Jalan 21/12,
46300 Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 03-7874 2444

[disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. please dont sue me, i dont have money. kthxbye.]

A Wholesome Dinner @ Imbi Palace

Prawn Salad on Crackers; Honey Glazed Char Siew; Transluscent Century Eggs

I'm a sucker when it comes to free food (of course with certain standards haha) and parasiting over lavish (and unlavish) dinners. Last 2 weekends, my sister Eiling invited me for dinner with her other friends at Imbi Palace.

I love Chinese food, to begin with- regardless whether it's home cooked, 5-star restaurant, or streetside tai chow. The thing with Chinese cuisines is the versatility of the cooking and preparation, the myriad of ingredients and sauces and there are one million and one drinks you can pair your dinner with.

We had quite a few appetizers but the one that really captured my tastebuds was the century egg. Although it looks and seems simple, I think it takes skills to prepared one which has a semi runny yolk that is so creamy. The prawn salad was nothing out of the ordinary but the char siew was pretty good too though Eiling said she has tasted better.


Double Boiled Chicken & Abalone Soup

I'm a HUGE fan of soups, in fact if I were to be on diet, I will go for a liquid soup diet! This Double Boiled Chicken & Abalone Soup fares high on my rating scale. The soup is rich with the natural sweetness of the abalone, scallops, chicken and other herbal ingredients used. Can I have another bowl pleaseeeeeeee??


Cheese Baked Tiger Prawns

Now, on to something more sinful and artery clogging but I love it- the Cheese Baked Tiger Prawns. There were 1/2 a dozen of huge succulent Tiger prawns in the pot covered with mozarella cheeeeeese and baked to perfect golden brown perfection. The prawns were tangy and rich in golden roe, the melted cheese complimented the whole dish perfectly and the golden orangy sauce would have made a great accompaniment to white rice. Such a perfect east meets west dish.


Crispy Fried Frog; Stir Fried Vege with Pork Liver

Still on the sinful note is the Crispy Fried Frog. Now, not everyone is a fan of this amphibian but it just takes one to try it once to instantly fall in love with it. Then imagine this, smooth muscled meat batter fried... This would have been a wonderful snack with a chilled beer. After all the sinful dishes, it's time for the first vege dish to arrive- Stir Fried Kau Choi with Pork Liver.


Porridge Goodness; Abalone and Fried Crullers

Just when you think the dinner is coming to an end, the waitress brought in a big claypot complete with a portable stove. Another pot of treasure awaits and it's a pot of porridge! But this is no ordinary porridge, just look at the amount of ingredients and accompaniments in it to make the broth sweet- crabs, frogs, scallops and abalone. Now, I wouldn't mind getting sick everyday just to have this............


Different glasses for different drinks; Stir Fried Tau Miu; Birds Nest

The second vege arrived and soon the final 'dish' for the night appeared and it was a pot of birds nest- the best possible ending for the night :)


Hermitage; Opus One; Krug; Dom Perignon

We also tried quite a few selection of white, red and champagnes that night and this is what I really mean by "there are one million and one drinks you can pair your dinner with" when it comes to Chinese dining and here are just a few examples.

Cheers to Chinese food!


Imbi Palace
8, Jalan Barat,
Off Jalan Imbi,
55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2145 4822

[disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. please dont sue me, i dont have money. kthxbye.]