My mother used to buy a lot of chicken rice from Choon Yien in Section 17 as it was one of her regular lunch spots with her colleagues back in the days. That said, I never understood the hype of this chicken rice and the fact that I dislike chicken rice made me less open to the idea of going there for lunch.

Chicken rice stall at Choon Yien, Section 17

The chicken rice stall at Choon Yien has been around in Happy Mansion for as long as I can remember. And it is one of the must-go spots for chicken rice lovers, from what I know and observe. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks back that I finally paid the place a visit with Jien.

Chicken, char siew and siew yuk

Even at 11.30am, there was already a crowd but we got a table almost immediately. There’s an option of chicken, char siew and siew yuk to go with rice – we opted for all three meats for variety. I reckon the appeal of Choon Yien is the roast chicken, which is tender and smooth, even for the breast cut.

Additional order of chicken breast to compare

I had the dark meat cut and also chicken breast, and both were adequately tasty. You get more fat and flavour from the chicken thigh but there’s a lot more meat from the breast section so it really depends on your personal preference.

Both the char siew and siew yuk were average

The char siew and siew yuk were both average at best – I prefer the siew yuk compared to the former. There wasn’t much char and flavour going on in the char siew, and I feel the meat could be more tender.

Overall, I do admit Choon Yien’s chicken rice is quite decent and definitely one you should try if you’re a fan of this dish. The queue can be maddening during lunch hour – I now get why my mother always opted for takeaway back them. Personally, I prefer the chicken rice at Kar Hiong in SS14 to this.

Expect to pay between RM10-15 per head depending on how much meat you order. I asked for an extra portion of chicken breast, so our bill came up to RM37. They often run out of chicken by 2pm I was told, so it’s best to go early.

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Ambiance: 5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Decent chicken rice but be prepared to wait during lunch hour.

Choon Yien Chicken Rice
CG-1,
Jalan 17/13,
Happy Mansion,
46400 Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 016-979 3118

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“You should try Kayra in TTDI. My husband and I love going there.”

A friend of mine told me that over lunch not too long ago, when the subject of Indian food came up. She’s been to a few of the places I recommended and since my knowledge in Indian cuisine isn’t as vast, I took her word for it and paid Kayra a visit with Jien and another two friends.

From what I gathered, Kerala cuisine is a marriage of spices from Indians, Muslims and Christians and coconut is widely used. Service at Kayra is friendly and if you’re as new to Kerala food as I am, the staff are more than happy to assist with your food order.

Kerala Dahi Puri

Squid Peera

We started off with the Kerala Dahi Puri (RM11), topped with yogurt and tamarind dressing. This is a moreish snack; crispy puri topped with sev and a bit of coriander for colour. I wasn’t as crazy over the Squid Peera (RM17) where squid rings are cooked with spices and grated coconut till tender and flavourful. That said, it makes a good sharing starter.

Meen Pollichatthu

The Meen Pollichatthu (RM49) came highly recommended by our waiter – you get a whole seabass marinated with Keralan spices and grilled in banana leaf. This was good stuff. The fish was beautifully cooked; aromatic and redolent of spices. Be careful of the fish bones as you’ll want to clean out the fish as much as possible, I assure you.

Delia’s Chicken Stew

Delia’s Chicken Stew (RM22) isn’t as robust as the fish but it had its own unique set of spices and flavours. It’s creamy and milder in flavour, with tender chicken pieces; ideal for those who aren’t big on spicy food. You’ll want white rice to go with this.

Mutton Ollathiathu

I rather enjoyed the Mutton Ollathiathu (RM33), a dry stir-fry of boneless mutton chunks cooked in coconut and spices will tender and flavourful. There’s plenty of aroma from the curry leaves and dried chillies, and I like how the mutton pieces have a good balance of meat and fat.

Mushroom Ulartiyath

Appam

Jien likes the Mushroom Ulartiyath (RM20), a dry stir-fry of mushrooms, onions, coconut slivers and Keralan spices. The mushrooms are tender, meaty and sweet from the onions – really good with appam (RM7).

Sweet Appam

For dessert, try the Sweet Appam (RM7) with salted Gula Melaka. The sides are crispy and the appam has a fluffy, creamy centre from the coconut milk. I like how the Gula Melaka complements the pancake as you get a bit of salty notes to balance out the creamy sweetness of the appam.

Vattalappam

Vattalappam (RM15) is said to be a Keralan version of cream caramel and it happens to be a popular dessert option at Kayra. It looks just like cream caramel but with more air pockets, and topped with grated coconut and caramel syrup.

Masala Tea

Portions are smaller than we like it to be – we ordered plenty of dishes but all the above was only just enough for four pax. Dinner came up to about RM250 inclusive of drinks. Good food, but I could use larger portions.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 5/10
Food: 7/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: The Meen Pollichatthu, Mutton Ollathiathu and Dahi Puri are a must-order.

Kayra
46, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 1,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
60000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-7732 2009
Business hours: 11.30am till 3.30pm, 6.30pm till 10.30pm
Website
Facebook Page

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Steak is something I take very seriously and while I have my default steakhouses to visit in town, I’m also open to new suggestions from fans and friends. When I last wrote about the dry-aged beef at my favourite steakhouse, I got quite a few messages from readers telling me I should try Vantador in Desa Sri Hartamas.

The grill

Apparently, Vantador has “better cuts” and grills better meats. When the time came for Jien and I to indulge in a date night of steak and wine, we opted for Vantador to see what the fuss is about. Like most popular steakhouses in KL, table reservation is a must to ensure you get a spot. Else, you might have to settle for a table outside.

Tables are placed too close to one another, I feel

I like the interior of Vantador – it combines both modern and traditional elements – but the table arrangement makes me feel as though I’m in a speed-dating session. Tables are placed rather close to each other so I could hear what the family next to me were ordering, right down to their choice of wine.

Bread basket

That made me cautious of what I was talking about as I didn’t want the tables next to me knowing if I’ve had a bad day. If I had a choice, I would like to eat my meat with a little more privacy. Rubia Gallega is prized at Vantador, said to be one of the best meats in the world. This cut of beef is known for its subtle marbling and rims of creamy fat from Spanish cows (Galician Blond) of over 8 years old.

Striploin Premium

Jien and I shared the Striploin Premium (RM75 / 100gm) which was slightly over 900gm and we were asked to go for medium rare instead of medium as the meat is of good cut so medium rare would bring out the best flavours. At least that was what we were told by our waiter.

Cooked medium rare

Personally, I felt medium would have been a better choice as we found the steak too chewy for our liking. I expected the Rubia Gallega to have a deep complexed flavour; it was deep and complexed, but in a gamey, cheese-like kind of way.

Alas, I found it too tough and difficult to chew

Sure, there were nutty notes at the start from the marbling, but as I progressed through dinner, the meat became tougher and gamier. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought so as the family from the table next to me told the waiter the same thing (that’s the problem with placing the tables so close to one another), and the couple on our right were chewing their meats longer than average.

Burrata cheese

We wanted to try the wagyu bone marrow but it wasn’t available that night so we opted for the burrata cheese (RM45) instead. You get creamy burrata with pistachio dressing and aged balsamic for aroma and flavour – decent, but nothing to shout about.

Homemade fries and creamy spinach

The sides are slightly on the small side so if you’re planning on sharing, I suggest you order more. I liked the home made fries (RM12) as you get real potatoes, deep-fried till crispy on the outside and fluffy at the centre. This was moreish and flavourful next to the creamy spinach (RM12) which needed a few cracks of salt for flavour.

The steak has a good char from the grill

Striploin Premium (top down)

Service needs work as I felt things were hurried and the ambiance, chaotic. Given the price tag of the meal (close to RM1,000), I was expecting much more – both food and service. On my second visit with friends, the Rubia Gallega ribeye fared better than the striploin because I insisted for it to be cooked medium.

That said, it was still, just an OK piece of steak; not more superior than the steak places I frequent. My friend had the Atlantic cod fish (RM85) which came with celeriac mash and bouillabaisse sauce. The cod was cooked right but I wasn’t feeling the sauce all that much.

We shared the Crema Catalana (RM20) for dessert, which was a tad sweet for my liking. I prefer the one from Mercat in Bangsar, though it’s been a while since I had that so things may have changed.

“You don’t need teeth to eat our beef”, they say. Unfortunately, I have to disagree. You will need pretty strong teeth to eat the beef at Vantador if you go for their recommendation of medium rare.

All in, I gave Vantador two shots and I wasn’t impressed. Perhaps three is a lucky charm but I’ve exceeded my quota of spending an amount equivalent to a Chanel card holder on an F&B establishment, so I’ll just stop here. It’s up to you if you want to give this place a try.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 5/10
Food: 5.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: I find the steaks average and priced on the high side.

Vantador
38, Jalan 25/70A,
Desa Sri Hartamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-6211 5588
Business hours: 6pm till 12.30am
Website
Facebook Page

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Hot cauldron, thinly sliced meats and fresh vegetables are what I associate shabu shabu with. Japanese shabu shabu is a collegial experience for me – one that’s meant to be shared with friends where social conversation and gossips happen. I guess to me, that concept applies to any hotpot, Japanese, Chinese, Korean or even Swiss (fondue).

Seafood preparation bar

Okayu Shabu Shabu in Damansara Uptown occupies what used to be known as Super Big Don House; the owner remains the same but the concept, changed to cater to demand. So I was told. The marketing person got in touch with Jien who happens to be the deciding factor if Bangsar Babe should take reviews or not – all unpaid, as stated repeatedly over the past 10 years of the brand’s existence.

Appetiser

Side orders

Pricing is slightly on the higher side as Okayu Shabu Shabu prides itself in its fresh seafood like Japanese abalone, Boston lobster and crabs. The most basic of shabu shabu would set you back RM38 per pax and you’ll need to add on items from their side orders. With that in mind, expect to pay between RM60-200 per head, depending on what you order.

Live abalone, scallop and salmon slices

Boston lobster, crab and clams

A bit scarce for two pax, I feel

We got the RM88 per pax set, where each individual gets half a crab, half a Boston lobster, one Japanese abalone, clams, salmon or scallop and two items from their side orders. For seafood lovers, this will probably sound like a dream come true as the seafood is fresh. I mean, it can’t get any fresher when you can see the lobster moving despite the body sliced in half and the abalone wriggling when you tease it with your finger.

Tuna fish balls

Some of the popular side orders include the handmade tuna fish ball (RM6.90 for three pieces), miso balls (RM6.90 for 3 pieces) and Kyushu fish tofu (RM6.90). I found the miso balls quite tasty but slightly on the salty side. As for the tuna fish balls, Jien and our friends enjoyed it while I found this rather fishy. To each his own.

The lobster is cooked first and there’s a timer to indicate how long the cooking process should be for each item

Crab

A member of the staff will assist with the cooking and also disassembling the lobster and crab if you need help

The seafood items were sweet and succulent, so we were told to eat them as it is. For added flavour, Okayu Shabu Shabu offers light vinegar on the side to balance the sweetness and richness of the seafood. I liked them with a bit of vinegar as it gives the seafood an extra flavour note.

A5 Wagyu Beef — not the freshest, I thought

Meat slices include the Kurobuta pork (RM9.90 per 80gm) and A5 Japanese Wagyu Beef (RM20 per 100gm). Both were nothing to shout about as the beef wasn’t as fresh as I’d like it to be, while the pork had a strong smell which required more vinegar to balance out.

The abalone was tender and succulent

At the end of the meal, rice is added into the broth

At the end of the meal, the staff will make porridge out of the remaining broth which would have been well-flavoured from the seafood. Rice is added into the broth and slow-cooked till the broth is absorbed into the grains, and egg is cracked in to thicken the consistency. This is probably my favourite part of the meal as we weren’t suppose to drink the broth prior to the porridge stage.

An egg is used to thicken the mix

Seafood porridge

The idea of shabu shabu for me is to “swish swish” and drink the broth as I go along, not wait till the very end for porridge. So if you’re a soup drinker like me, you probably wouldn’t enjoy this experience as much. We did sneak a sip or two in between the seafood intervals but I thought the broth was nothing to shout about.

All in, our experience at Okayu Shabu Shabu was just average. While the seafood is fresh and tasty in the hotpot, it wasn’t the kind of shabu shabu experience I was looking for. Prices are slightly on the high side (if you were to take the RM88 per pax or more set) so do take note if you plan to visit.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 5/10
Food: 5.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: I found the shabu shabu average though seafood was fresh.

Okayu Shabu Shabu
75, Jalan SS 21/1,
Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-7733 5996
Business hours: 6pm till 2am

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Eating out in Melaka is often a rewarding experience for me, especially since Jien’s father is very familiar with the food scene there. Jien too, is quite well-versed with the food scene having taken after his father when it comes to eating well. During our recent trip to Melaka, he took me to Hai Heng for pork satay, said to be one of the best in Melaka.

Hai Heng Pork Satay

Unlike the pork satay place we usually frequent, Hai Heng opens at night and there’s perpetually a long queue until they run out. It’s best to get there before 7.30pm on weekends to secure a table and they run out by 9pm due to the large number of takeaways they cater to.

It took Jien and I more than 30 minutes before we got our table and we were also one of the last and lucky few to get our share of pork satay. Nyonya laksa is also available while you wait for your pork satay but I opted to keep my stomach space for all the satay I can stomach.

Three young men man the grilling pit out front so it doesn’t take long for your pork satay to arrive. That said, I reckon it’s best to “order in bulk” just to be sure you get your fair share of meat. Jien and I had 70 sticks altogether, and a plate of ketupat to mop up the pineapple gravy.

Pineapple Sauce

Ketupat

I found the satay quite good – there’s a nice balance of meat and fat, plus the sides are teased with charcoal fire till crispy and lightly charred. The accompanying pineapple sauce had a good balance of sweet, tangy and spicy, plus that “lemak” finish which makes it even more addictive.

Sweet, tangy, spicy and rich

It is sweeter than the sauce at Xiang Ji but delicious in its own way; so it boils down to personal preference. By the time my second batch of satay arrived, I overheard the uncle telling new customers they have no more satay for the night. Lucky us!

My total damage — 40 sticks

A stick of pork satay costs RM0.80 and they also have intestines if that’s your thing. Jien likes eating intestines at pork satay places and he said Hai Heng’s version was quite tasty.

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Ambiance: 5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: If you’re looking for pork satay at night, this is a good option.

Hai Heng Pork Satay
315, Jalan Gajah Berang, 75200 Melaka
Business hours: 6.30pm onwards
(closed Tuesdays)
Tel: 012-682 9355

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If there’s one type of food I can’t ever say no to, it’s fried, freaking chicken. My friends know this so well that they’d often have a fried chicken recommendation for me to try. One of them suggested that I try the fried chicken from this mamak called Nasi Lemak Pokok Besar in Kepong.

It’s located near where he lives and according to him, the fried chicken is worth checking out if I’m in the area. Known as 大树头 嘛嘛档 by many, Nasi Lemak Pokok Besar is a popular hangout joint among the folks in Kepong.

Nasi lemak with fried chicken

What I find odd about this place is the fact that people eat their fried chicken, nasi lemak, maggi goreng and rojak with a pair of chopsticks. I found it strange as I was expecting fork and spoon when my food arrived but the chap who served me passed me a pair of chopsticks instead. I told him I needed fork and spoon, to his surprise but he obliged.

Pretty good fried chicken

It was then that I realised eating with chopsticks is a norm at this mamak – people used chopsticks to pick up the cucur udang in their rojak, dig into fried chicken and even to scoop rice into their mouth. The fried chicken (RM6.50 – whole leg) was pretty tasty; you get a thin layer of crispy skin that is well-seasoned and meat that is juicy and tender.

The nasi lemak was disappointing

Sweet, watery sambal

There’s plenty of flavour and aroma from the seasoning so the skin is especially delicious. I wasn’t impressed with the nasi lemak (RM3) as the rice wasn’t fluffy or creamy enough – it was hard, and the sambal was sweet rather than spicy and savoury. It’s the kind of sambal you’d expect from Chinese nasi lemak sellers where chilli is toned down and onions take centrestage.

Maggi goreng telur — the beansprouts pretty much ruined the flavour

The maggi goreng telur (RM5) comes with beansprouts and tofu bits, which did little to the flavour of the noodles. I thought this combo tasted weird because I like my maggi goreng stronger in flavour but the beansprouts muted it significantly. There wasn’t any oomph, sad to say.

Roti telur bawang

We also had the roti telur bawang (RM3) because that’s my favourite thing to eat at a mamak. Decent, but then again, it’s hard to go wrong with roti cooked with egg and onions. The accompanying dhal with fish curry was watery so I suggest you opt for just the fish curry if you want your flavours more robust.

Milo Ais

All in, I feel the fried chicken is pretty decent but the rest of the items, not so much. If you happen to be in the area and craving fried chicken, give this mamak a try. I’d only come back for the fried chicken and nothing else.

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Ambiance: 4.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 5/10 (halal)
Verdict: Go for the fried chicken. The rest were mediocre.

Nasi Lemak Pokok Besar (大树头 嘛嘛档)
Persiaran Mergastua,
Kepong Baru,
52100 Kuala Lumpur.
Business hours: 4pm till 4am

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We all have our favourite spot when it comes to food; influenced by upbringing, culture and personal preference. At least that’s my conclusion when it comes to writing about my favourite food places. A friend of ours recommended his favourite roast duck spot, claiming it’s much better than my regular place which is overrated and sometimes, terribly disappointing I was told.

This friend spoke rather highly about Siew Ngap Fai in Pudu, said to be around for 70 years. The restaurant setup is basic, with photos of past owners adorning the walls. I was told the current owner is the fourth generation to run this business, which was handed down by his great grandfather to his grandfather, to his father and now, him.

Lunch for two

Jien and I shared half a roast duck, a small portion of char siew and vegetable stew, which arrived fairly quickly. The roast duck was pretty decent – tender and hardly gamey with thin, crispy skin topped with light, herbal gravy.

Roast duck – half

Chilli dipping sauce

Char siew

I would have preferred a fatter duck because I feel the fat gives the breast section a lot more flavour, but the accompanying chilli dipping sauce packed a wallop. This accentuated the flavour of the duck nicely. The char siew was just alright by my books. It was adequately tender but not the melt-in-the-mouth sort.

Vegetable stew

Siew Ngap Fai’s vegetable stew was good stuff – tangy, savoury and rich from all the duck and pork meat essence. I like that the broth is thick and spicy enough from the addition of dried chilli, as it gives the stew a lot more kick.

Complimentary soup

Also good is their complimentary soup made using spicy vegetables and duck bones. You get that lovely peppery aroma and a deep, rich flavour from the cooking process. It’s as good as the one from Sunrise and I like how Siew Ngap Fai isn’t stingy when it comes to refills.

If I’m not mistaken, half a roast duck costs RM30 while a small plate of char siew is RM15. Our bill came up to RM60 for all the above including two rice and drinks.

Overall, I find the food quite decent but me being me, I still prefer my regular spot because the aunty and uncle knows just how I like my duck served. Plus they are always nice to me (I heard they aren’t to many) so there’s no reason for me to switch.

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Ambiance: 5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Pretty decent roast duck and vegetable stew.

Siew Ngap Fai
34 Lorong Yap Hin,
off Jalan Pasar,
55100 Pudu,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2142 8394 / 016-371 1490
Business hours: 11.30am till 3pm

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There are many versions of char kuay teow around – some wet-ish, some spicier and some drier, depending on who’s behind the wok. In Klang Valley, I tend to favour the stall in Section 17 but a good friend of mine insisted I give the Char Kuay Teow in USJ 14 a try.

Ordering is done in either Hokkien or English, both the uncle and his son are fluent in both so ordering is a breeze. I was told by a few readers that the famous Lorong Selamat Char Kuay Teow has moved to the coffeeshop opposite, and this uncle currently occupies the stall at Yong Sheng.

I got there before the lunch crowd came in and didn’t wait long for my char kuay teow (RM7 – large) to arrive. One of the secrets of a good char kuay teow is the heat of the frying pan, and the uncle fries his char kuay teow plate by plate to ensure there’s consistency in the heat distribution.

Lorong Selamat Char Kuay Teow by Uncle Jimmy

Another important essence of a good char kuay teow is the sauce, which is said to be a mixture of soy sauce, garlic oil and pork oil, among others. This char kuay teow is pretty good I must say, despite it not being the “famous” one – spicy and rich in flavour, with a nice caramelised note from the contact of sauce with wok fire.

Rich, caramelised flavour from the wok fire

You can really taste the wok when you bite into the noodles; the aroma, the flavour and the texture. Each plate of noodles come with prawns, lap cheong slices, juicy cockles, beansprouts and a bit of lard for oomph. The only thing missing is duck egg, which would really take this plate of char kuay teow to a new level.

But all in all, it is a good plate of char kuay teow and one I’d gladly recommend to folks looking for decent char kuay teow in Klang Valley. If only USJ14 was nearer to where I live – I’d have a tough time choosing between this and Robert.

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Ambiance: 5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: One of the better char kuay teow I’ve eaten in Klang Valley

Yong Sheng Restaurant
46, Jalan USJ 14/1l,
47630 Subang Jaya.

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A bowl of well-made pork noodles is forthright comforting, especially when the broth is done well. When it comes to noodle preference, I always opt for hor fun (kuay teow) for that slippery texture and mild-tasting nature – which doesn’t alter the flavour of the soup.

Ah Or Pork Noodles in Sunway Mentari was recommended by many of my readers as an alternative to the pork noodles in SS15 Subang Jaya and SS3 PJ. Said to be the younger sister of the two brothers, Ah Or’s pork noodles require a 30-minute wait compared to the 60-minute wait in SS15 and 45-minute wait in SS3.

The pork noodles are prepared bowl by bowl

On our first try, Jien and I opted for our pork noodles to come with an extra egg. It was decent but we both felt the egg took away a lot of attention from the broth. Second time around, we went for a large bowl of pork noodles sans egg (RM10), and the broth tasted a lot better. Less adulterated, I feel.

Pork noodles without egg

Fried pork lard gives the broth more flavour and aroma

Neither of us appreciate innards so we asked for just minced pork in our bowl. The soup isn’t as thick as the one from SS15 Subang, but it has enough flavour from the pork – there’s a good balance of savoury and sweet, from the minced pork and simmering of pork bones in the soup.

Kuay teow with minced pork and pork slices

If you’re not into strong, porky broths, you’ll enjoy Ah Or’s version better than the brothers. Hers is lighter but just as flavour packed, and if you want it porkier, all you need to do is ask for more of everything in your soup. There’s also a version where you get the soup with just meat and innards (RM11 – regular, RM15 – large) so if you’re feeling carnivorous, that’s the bowl to order on top of your bowl of noodles.

For me, I do enjoy Ah Or’s noodles and the fact that her shop isn’t as humid as the brother in SS3. Plus, service is friendly and you won’t get told off for wanting to omit innards from your noodles. The SS3 brother is a tad intimidating that way. Jien and I still feel the big brother in SS15 makes better pork noodles but if we don’t have time to spare, Ah Or’s version is almost as good if you omit the egg.

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Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: I like Ah Or’s pork noodles without the egg as the soup tastes less adulterated that way.

Ah Or Pork Noodle
No. 3, Jalan PJS 8/17,
Bandar Sunway,
46150 Petaling Jaya.
Business hours: 8am till 4pm
Tel: 012-428 8680

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As a kid, I thought Sunrise served “the best duck in the whole wide world” because it was the only roast duck my dad would eat but the minute I sank my teeth into the roast duck from Four Seasons in Bayswater, my world changed. Since then, I’ve been on a lookout for good roast duck in Klang Valley; one that allows me to reminisce my student days in the UK.

When I first started working, my then colleagues would bring me to this unassuming roast duck shop in Cheras called BBQ Kong Meng where the duck is said to be one of the best around. From what I recalled, the duck was indeed quite good but I didn’t get around to writing about the experience.

Roast duck, half portion

The chilli dipping sauce is good

Jien and I returned to BBQ Kong Meng recently to see if the roast duck is as good as we remembered it to be. The restaurant is still as crowded so expect to share a table with strangers or wait longer for a table to be vacant. We ordered half a duck (RM35) and a small portion of char siew (RM15) to share, a standard portion for Jien and I.

Crispy, glistening skin that melts in the mouth

Tender, delicious flesh

The roast duck turned out beautiful – crispy, mahogany brown skin which melts in the mouth as you sink your teeth into it. The meat is deliciously tender with hardly any chewy bits, with plenty of flavour from the rendering of duck fat. We also like the chilli dipping sauce provided as it’s spicy and piquant from the garlic, chilli and lime.

Char siew

Skip this, as it’s really mediocre

Don’t bother with the char siew, as it tasted as disappointing as it looked. The fats were still solid and the sides, barely charred or crisp. The char siew marinade didn’t permeate into the meat so it remained on the outer later, not caramelised. From what I can recall and judging from the other tables, siew yuk is a better choice.

Our bill came up to RM56 for the above – not too expensive considering the portion. I would say this is still one of the best roast ducks to eat in Klang Valley if you’re willing to explore.

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Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 7/10* (non-halal)
Verdict: The roast duck is good but don’t bother ordering the char siew.

*only for the roast duck

Restoran BBQ Kong Meng
No. 11, Jalan Lorong Bunga Melati 2A,
Taman Maju Jaya,
56100 Cheras,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-9282 4818
Business hours: 11am till 7pm
Closed Wednesday

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Thai cuisine is one of the best things to eat in my opinion; the myriad of flavours and textures one enjoys in a bite and the many colours one finds on a plate. Suffice to say, Thai cuisine remains one of my favourites to eat and you’ll find me agreeing to a Thai meal quite quickly. Like the time Jien suggested lunch at Mekong in SS2, which our friend spoke about not too long ago.

We rarely venture into this side of SS2 unless we want char siew, so I’m not sure if Mekong is new or a replacement of the former Seeri Thai. Mekong’s interior is basic and unassuming – and easy to miss if you walk or drive past the row of shop lots. A dessert and salad station occupy the front of the shop while the cooking is done behind.

The menu is straightforward like Mekong’s décor, comprising individual dishes, salads, stir-fries, curries and soups. Jien and I opted for a variety to share – Pad Thai with prawns (RM12), stir-fried minced pork with basil, rice and egg (RM10), mu ping (RM3 per stick), red curry pork (RM10) and seafood tomyam (RM18).

Pad Thai

Stir-fried minced pork with basil, rice and egg

I thought the Pad Thai could use a bit more seasoning and wok heat, for the noodles were clumpy and lacking aroma from the fire. Jien’s minced pork with basil rice tasted better, but this too, lacked spices and depth from the seasoning and chillies. Portion however, is generous so that’s a silver lining.

Pork Satay

Red curry pork

Unimpressive was the mu ping (pork satay) for it mostly tasted sweet than anything else. The satay had no charred edges, so the seasoning didn’t caramelise nor did it permeate into the meat. Better was the red curry pork which comprised pork slices and basil leaves, cooked in spicy red curry paste. That said, I still found the combination lacking sweetness and richness – red curries are generally stronger and richer in flavour but this one still fell a bit short.

Seafood tomyam

Mekong’s seafood tomyam is large enough for 3-4 pax and it comes with a generous amount of prawns, squid and fish pieces. With so much seafood in a bowl, one would expect the broth to be sweetened and enriched, but the tomyam still lacked that essence. It was an OK seafood tomyam, but not one that would make me go “oooh” and “aaaah”.

Red Ruby

The red ruby (RM4) is reasonably priced but nothing to shout about – you get slivers of jackfruit and jellied water chestnuts in sweetened coconut milk, topped with ice cubes rather than ice shavings. I was told this is the proper way to eat tub tim krob so I’ll accept the practice. But certainly not the coconut milk, which was already diluted to begin with.

Our lunch came up to RM70 for the above, inclusive of a Thai iced tea (RM5) and pandan water (RM2). Reasonable considering the amount we ordered but hardly impressive if you asked me.

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Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 7/10
Food: 5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: The food was average at best but portions are generous.

Mekong Thai Restaurant
26, Jalan SS2/10,
Petaling Jaya.
03 7877 7859

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“We don’t fusion the dish. We adopt the techniques”.

That was what Chef Kim shared when Jien and I popped by Sitka Restaurant in Damansara Heights for a casual Sunday dinner. This cosy space is where one can find dishes of traditional ingredients and fresh produce, prepared using modern techniques.

On Sundays, Sitka offers Sunday Sessions where you get to enjoy a rather sumptuous course meal of starters, sharing mains and dessert at RM120++ per person (with a glass of wine) and every table of 3 gets a complimentary bottle of wine. You can also order these items omakase-style on regular days by letting the team know your budget and number of pax.

The RM120 menu comes with a complimentary glass of wine per person, or a bottle of wine for a table of three.

It’s been almost a year since I last visited Sitka, and the menu seems to have changed quite a bit – expanded, with more interesting choices. I like the idea of paying RM120++ for a solid 10 to 11 course meal as this allows you to sample more items from the menu in one sitting.

SMOKED UNAGI

TUNA TATAKI

Smoked unagi came first and this had a good play of textures and flavours. You get a nice umami from the crispy seaweed, encasing a slice of creamy eel, and a tart yet sweet finish from the green apple slices. Tuna tataki is one of Sitka’s more popular starters, drizzled with ponzu and jalapeno oil for sweet, zesty and peppery notes.

CHICKEN AND CHIVE DUMPLINGS

PRAWN WANTON

Jien likes the chicken and chive dumplings as they come with plenty of chilli oil and garlic sauce. Spring onion oil is also added for aroma and more depth – the dumpling was generously filled so you get a good bite with every mouthful. I liked the prawn wanton better – served with Thai basil oil and tomyam beurre blanc. This is lighter in flavour compared to the chicken dumplings, but the spicy yet silken butter sauce hits all the right notes with me.

CHICKEN KARAAGE

Don’t walk into Sitka expecting the standard chicken karaage for they make theirs with a twist. The chicken pieces are marinated with ginger and Shaoxing wine, then deep fried and topped with butter sauce, laced with curry leaves.

BEEF RENDANG TACO

COCA-COLA BRAISED LAMB

Chef Kim’s beef rendang with pickled cabbage, corn salsa and taco was a pleasant surprise. I expected it to be a dry rendang but what arrived on my table was a thick yet delicious rendang-ish stew of beef brisket, oxtail and bone marrow. Even better was the braised lamb with coca-cola on a bed of four angle beans, sweet pea and green chilli. There’s plenty of flavour in each bite – rich, spicy notes from the chilli and an almost chocolate-y finish in the lamb.

CHARRED CABBAGE | SEABASS

My ultimate favourite at Sitka is the steamed seabass with charred cabbage on a base of seaweed beurre blanc. I don’t fancy fish in general, but Sitka’s version is really too good to pass up. There’s almost a fluffiness to the gravy with salty accents from the crispy shrimp and ikura topping.

RAMEN NOODLES

Ramen with X.O. sauce and dried shrimp boasts a good, springy texture and a nice balance in seasoning. There’s plenty going on in one bite – sweet, savoury, spicy and pungent, coating the lightly chewy noodles.

MANGO SORBET

Desserts comprised the mango sorbet and chocolate cremeux; both delicious but Jien leans towards the sorbet while I stand firm with my preference of the chocolate cremeux. The mango sorbet is Sitka’s interpretation of the local cendol, made using coconut ice, kaffir lime, pomelo and condensed milk cream. Ideal for those who want a light finish.

CHOCOLATE CREMEUX

I like my endings heavy and rich in flavour profiles and the chocolate cremeux did just that. This assemblage of coconut caramel and chocolate mousse with burnt butter and peanut crumble reminded me slightly of Gula Ting Ting. I like malt flavours in general so this dessert was just my kind of thing. For Jien, not so much.

KIMCHI UDON

We went back a few weeks later to try other items on the menu — Kimchi Udon (RM38), served with crispy shrimp, salmon roe and bonito flakes on top. This was an interesting combination and one I didn’t expect to work, but it did. You get that chew from the noodles while the kimchi gives the overall dish a tangy, mildly pungent flavour.

STEAMED MARKET FISH

As I was previously impressed with their fish dish (seabass with charred cabbage), I went for the Steamed Market Fish (RM42) this time around, served on a base of dashi cream and organic kale. This too, was delicious. The fish was firm and sweet, and I liked the dashi base which had good balance of creamy and tangy. This isn’t too heavy a dish, making it perfect for a casual lunch.

Overall, we enjoyed our experiences at Sitka. I like how the ingredients are fresh (locally sourced) and there’s no pretense so I get to lay back and enjoy my food. The Sunday Sessions is priced at RM120++ per person (table of 3 gets a complimentary bottle of wine), available all day long on Sunday.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 7/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: The seabass with charred cabbage is a must-try.

Sitka Restaurant
Plaza Batai,
8 – 5, Jalan Batai,
Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2011 1117
Business hours: 11am till 11pm

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My reader Roland recommended Kin San Kichi in Desa Sri Hartamas to me, citing it as his go-to place for affordable Japanese food for many years. I’ve walked past this place many times on my way to yoga class, but never once thought of stepping in to explore until the recommendation came about.

Kin San Kichi reminds me of my once favourite Japanese restaurant in Damansara Uptown – the latter is sadly, no longer in business. The interior is fairly basic with dim lighting, which looks and feels a lot like a neighbourhood restaurant.

Gyoza

Kin San Kichi’s menu is fairly extensive, from assorted sashimi and snacks to bento boxes and set meals. Jien and I shared a portion of gyoza (RM13.10) and thought it was pretty decent. Made to order, the dumpling skin was of just the right thickness and pan-fried till both sides are crisp.

Agedashi Tofu

I enjoyed the adedashi tofu (RM9.40) more – tofu cubes coated with batter, deep-fried and served in light dashi stock with bonito flakes. The tofu was soft and smooth yet held its shape beneath the fried batter; very nice with the dashi stock.

Tonkatsu Mini Udon Set

We find the set menus good value for money, like my tonkatsu mini udon set (RM25.20) which features deep fried breaded pork chop with rice and a small bowl of udon in soup. The pork chop isn’t the best I’ve eaten, but it’s tender and juicy enough to satisfy the palate. I recommend eating the udon first as that tastes better piping hot.

Buta Shogayaki Set

Jien’s buta shogayaki set (RM21.50) is also quite good – a popular Japanese dish of pork cooked with ginger, mirin, shoyu and sake. I like this better than my set as the pork slices are tender with just enough fat for flavour and the gravy is delicious with white rice.

Goma Ice Cream

Dessert options are pretty standard so I played safe and went with the black sesame ice cream. This was decent enough to end the meal on a good note.

All in, I enjoyed the food at Kin San Kichi – food isn’t fantastic but it’s tasty and hearty enough if you’re looking for a fuss-free Japanese meal. Prices are reasonable too so you don’t have to worry about busting your wallet.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Decent and fuss-free Japanese food.

Kin San Kichi
16, Jalan 27/70a,
Desa Sri Hartamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2300 3889
Business hours: 12pm till 2.30pm, 6pm till 10.15pm

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Thai food is something Jien and I have most in common with, among the rest of our favourite cuisines. Flavours are exciting and textures are amazing, which leaves us satisfied more often than not. We’ve heard good things about Baan Rao in Petaling Jaya, said to serve hearty Thai food that’s not a pain for the wallet.

Like most popular restaurants, expect a queue or a large crowd if you don’t call up to book a table. We were only third time lucky with Baan Rao for the first time we walked in without a reservation, they were fully booked and the second time around, they were closed for an event.

Service is fairly quick but during peak hours, can be a bit scattered like what we experienced when we dined there. Despite calling ahead to reserve a table, I arrived to find my table wasn’t ready and the staff had to “put together” a table at a random area to sit my dinner party.

Baan Rao Mini BBQ Platter

Baan Rao’s Mini BBQ Platter (RM27) comprising a tasting portion of grilled pork, grilled chicken, pork meatball, pork neck and Isaan style pork sausage looked delicious but failed to deliver in terms of flavour. While the moo ping had good seasoning, it lacked the eminent char I look for when it comes to grilled pork skewers.

The pork meatball had too strong a flavour and dry texture, and the pork neck too, was dry. The Isaan pork sausage was decent – a fermented pork sausage with strong hints of garlic. Not everyone’s cup of tea for some might find the flavours a tad strong. Grilled chicken was one of the better ones on the tasting board as it was moist enough with charred bits for character.

Tom Yam with Pork

Jien and I have mixed opinions about the Tom Yam Nam Khun, which we opted to come with pork slices (RM15 – small, RM30 – large) rather than seafood (RM23 – small, RM43 – large). This was a robust pot of soup, accentuated by lemongrass, kafir lime leaves and galangal. I find it a tad sweet and lacking an unctuous finish which I rather like in my tom yam. Jien however disagrees; claiming it’s quite decent.

Green Curry Chicken

We do however agree on the Green Curry Chicken (RM23), a sumptuous serving of rich gravy and tender chicken pieces. You get that fiery note after the creamy mouthfeel, which gives this dish balance.

Steamed Squid in Chilli Lime Sauce

Also fairly exciting is the Steamed Squid in Chilli Lime Sauce (RM33), a fiery dish that hits all the right notes – tangy, spicy, sweet and savoury. The broth although packed with flavour, was light and complemented the squid, which was tender enough.

Stir-fried Kangkung

Stir Fried Kangkung (RM15) makes a safe option for greens and Baan Rao does it adequately well. The gravy packed flavour from the garlic, chillies and bean sauce, and the water spinach was cooked just right so it still retained crunch at the stems.

Tub Tim Krob

I think Baan Rao’s Tub Tim Krob (RM6 per portion) deserves a mention for it is one of the better ones I’ve eaten in Klang Valley. The red ruby features crunchy water chestnuts encased in tapioca flour, served in sweetened coconut milk and shaved ice as soft as snow.

Thai Iced Tea

Skip the Thai Iced Tea as it is watery with only a hint of tea flavour. A devastating drink, if I may so. Our bill came up to about RM180 for 5 pax – pretty reasonable considering what we ordered. Food is hearty and while there were some misses, I think Baan Rao is a reliable spot for Thai cuisine.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Pretty good food and reasonable prices. The tub tim krob is a highlight.

Baan Rao
No.8 & 10, Jalan BM 1/2,
Taman Bukit Mayang Emas,
47301 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-7886 0016
Business hours: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

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My in-laws are adventurous when it comes to food – they are constantly exploring new places to eat, much more than Jien and I do these days. In a way, they have become the food radar for this blog; updating me on their new discovery weekly.

Lubuk Bangku Bangsar

Lubuk Bangku in Bangsar is one of those places they insisted I try, so I stepped out of the office slightly earlier than noon to head there with my mother in-law for lunch. Lubuk Bangku is located in the housing estate of Lengkok Abdullah Bangsar, an area I hardly venture into hence this missed hidden gem.

Padang cuisine is their specialty and according to my father in-law, it is one of the better ones he’s eaten in Klang Valley. They highly recommended the sambal terong balado and it was indeed delicious. This seems to be a popular option at Lubuk Bangku as by the time the lunch crowd arrived, they almost ran out.

Sambal Terong Balado

The sambal is commendable – fiery, sweet and savoury with a “lemak” finish, which accentuates the tender flesh of the brinjal. A small portion costs RM5 and if you’re lucky, the makcik will give you a bit more sambal to go with white rice.

Gulai Lemak Daging Salai

My favourite thing at Lubuk Bangku is the gulai lemak daging salai; a crowd favourite and possibly the star of their food selection. Slices of beef are cooked in a cauldron using charcoal and coconut husk to allow the smoky-sweet flavours to infuse into the beef and gravy. What you get in the end is a light yet robust kuah and adequately tender beef slices, laced with a smoky aroma.

My plate, with ayam goreng kampung

Ayam kampung (RM7 per piece) tends to be my default order when I eat Malay food, so I asked for one at Lubuk Bangku. The chicken legs are fried by batches to ensure freshness; best savoured immediately as the meat is smooth, tender and juicy from the rendering of fat in oil.

Their menu isn’t extensive but it changes daily to give customers variety. I was told their keli goreng is pretty kick-ass and the asam pedas ikan pari packs a wallop. Since I’m a Padang food novice, I’ll take my father in-law’s word for it and save those two for my next visit. They update their Facebook Page fairly often with their daily menus so do check in every now for new things.

If you’re in the area and want some good, homestyle Padang cooking, give Lubuk Bangku a shot. Best to go early because they get really packed during lunch hour and if you go later than 1pm, don’t expect anymore popular favourites left!

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Ambiance: 5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 7/10 (halal)
Verdict: Go for the gulai lemak daging salai and sambal terong balado if you see it on the menu.

Lubuk Bangku Bangsar
Lengkok Abdullah,
Bangsar, 59000
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 011-2132 3798
Business hours: 7am till 6pm Monday to Friday, 7am till 3pm Saturday.
Closed Sunday
Facebook Page

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I’ve been catching up on a lot of Netflix during my confinement month – mostly watching Korean dramas and drooling over the amount of soju and grilled meats involved. Jien probably sensed a Korean food craving in me, hence his choice of dinner venue; Apple Samgyupsal in Taman Desa.

Refillable ban chan

As the same suggests, Apple Samgyupsal serves Korean BBQ with apple elements – apple wraps, apple salad, apple soju and apple marinated meats. We tried the Apple Platter (RM88) which comes with 120g of Apple Samgyupsal, 120g of Apple Moksal, 120g or Apple Hanjungsal, apple wraps, Tteok, homemade sausage and apple salad.

Grilled till the meat edges are crisp

Kimchi Jjigae

Portion is large enough for two to three pax I reckon, but if you can also order more meats from the a la carte section or ramen. I also ordered a portion of Kimchi Jjigae (RM20) which was very ordinary and flat in taste. At most, I tasted kimchi more than anything else.

The ban chan is refillable, and if you opt for the BBQ Sharing Set (RM168), you also get unlimited ramen. The pork is marinated in apple sauce for 24 hours and then smoked with apple wood chips before being placed on the grill. You get that smoky-sweet aroma and fruity flavour from the apple on your meat, further amplified if you eat it with their signature onion dressing with apple soy sauce.

Apple Set

I enjoyed the meats on their own as they were tender, nicely seasoned and grilled till the edges were crisp. The onion apple dressing gives the meats a tangy finish, which also helps cut through the richness of the fat but too much of is can be overpowering.

Apple Soju Cocktail

Service is fairly quick so you don’t have to wait long to order or for your meats to cook. I ordered a bottle of apple soju but they ran out, so I got the cocktail version (RM28) instead. Not bad, if you’re into fruit-flavoured cocktails.

Overall, I found Apple Samyupsal decent – it’s more of a group dining venue as you get to try more BBQ items.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Pretty decent meats. Definitely a place to consider if you like the sweetness of apple in your dishes.

Apple Samgyupsal
22, Jalan 1/109e,
Taman Desa Business Park,
58100 Kuala Lumpur,
Tel: 03-79728911
Business hours: 5pm – 1am (Sun – Thurs), 5pm – 3am (Fri & Sat)

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Korean fried chicken is one of the most indulgent things to eat in my opinion – crisp, juicy and (sometimes) saucy, you’ll want more. The best part about Korean fried chicken is that they are fried twice, sometimes thrice so it’s takes the fried bird to a whole new level.

Relatively quiet on a weeknight

A guide on how to eat at Chicken Plus

When I heard about Chicken Plus from a friend, I was excited. The next thing I knew, Jien, Ken and I were on the MRT heading to Sunway Velocity, where Chicken Plus is located. We shared the creamy onion boneless fried chicken (RM29 – medium) and Yang-nyuem boneless chicken (RM29 – medium), and added the cheese falls (RM9) for the latter.

Yang-nyuem boneless chicken with cheese falls

Creamy Onion Boneless Chicken

The chicken is pretty good – thin, crackly and almost transparent skin with the Yang-nyuem version offering a caramelised coat spicy sweet sauce. Jien likes the creamy onion version as it has a sharp bite from the thin onion slices.

Appetisers

You also get two types of appetiser to go with your food; pickled white radish and a cabbage salad. Nothing great but they’re good for nibbling while waiting, as the food takes quite a long while to arrive. Expect a waiting time of at least 30 minutes for your food.

Butter Rice

Pepperoni Pizza

The butter rice is simple but delicious. You get a serving of steamed rice with spicy gravy and melted butter for that rich, creamy finish. Skip the Pepperoni Pizza (RM23) as it’s rather mediocre – thin, crispy base with mozzarella cheese, chicken pepperoni and olives on top. Unmemorable.

Melon Bingsu

Mango Bingsu

For dessert, Chicken Plus offers a range of bingsu and popular options include mango (RM23) and melon (RM26). Portion is good for sharing between 2-3 pax, but I find the flavour combination ordinary. There wasn’t much fruit flavour in my melon bingsu and the mango version had the same issue. We tasted mostly milk and finely shaved ice.

Service is quite slow and inattentive. Getting the staff’s attention required a lot of hand raising and calling out, which baffles me as the shop only had two other tables occupied. There were at least 4 staff on floor duty and more in the kitchen by the way.

Overall, I think Chicken Plus serves decent Korean fried chicken but given how slow service is, I’m hesitant to revisit.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: Pretty good fried chicken but skip the pizza.

Chicken Plus
Lot 2-15A, Level 2,
Sunway Velocity Mall
Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Facebook Page

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Nothing unites us Malaysians more than food – we’re constantly talking about what to eat, where to eat and whom to eat with. From local delights to global cuisine, KL is an attraction for foodies wanting to satisfy their cravings.

Prizes to be won

With over 40 food establishments under one roof, Avenue K celebrates the return of Foodie Rewards; a campaign that rewards you with FREE food, drinks, desserts and vouchers. Just dine at the food outlets in the mall, collect eight (8) stamps via their Foodie Rewards Card and stand a chance to win a 5-minute Grocery Shopping Spree at Village Grocer (RM300 each)!

The Grand Prize winner wins a 3-month part-time baking course at Sugarcraft Academy worth RM3,550 and a set of baking tool worth RM500, on top of other goodies.

Snap a photo of your gastronomic journey at Avenue K and tag @avenuekmy on Instagram. The 3 best Instagram photos gets 1-year FREE Fitness First membership each

With so many food options available, I’ve teamed up with Avenue K Shopping Mall to bring you 10 Things To Eat in Avenue K. Hopefully, this helps you with collecting your stamps and winning a prize.

Read on to find out what’s on my list!

Bankara Ramen

Prawn Spring Roll, Bamboo Shoots & Boiled Baby Spinach

Shio Ramen

My favourite spot for ramen in KL, Bankara Ramen hits all the right notes when it comes to springy, toothsome noodles in thick porcine broth. This time around, I tried something different from my usual – Shio Ramen (RM29), noodles in light salt broth. This version is clearer and thinner, flavoured with rock salt, alcohol and spring onions.

Miso Butter Ramen

Fried Kakuni

Bankara also offers Sapporo-style miso ramen that comes with a pat of butter; aromatic and flavourful with a sweet finish. The fried kakuni is perfect for sharing if you’re dining with more pax. This starter of tender pork belly deep-fried till crispy and served with onion rings is one of the highlights at Bankara Ramen.

Bankara Ramen (non-halal)
Level 2, Avenue K Shopping Mall

Noodle Shack

Pan Mee with Assorted Condiments

Hakka Pounded Tea Flat Noodle Dry

Noodle Shack in Avenue K serves pan mee in various styles and is especially popular among the weekday lunch crowd. Their house special is the Hakka Pounded Tea Pan mee (RM15.90) – I’m generally not a fan of lui cha but rather enjoyed Noodle Shack’s version with pan mee. There’s a nice balance between vegetables, nuts and also noodles so you get clean flavours with toothsome noodles in each bite.

Coriander Hand Torn Noodle

Sambal Shrimp & Half Boiled Egg Flat Noodle

Cold Brew Dong Ding Oolong Tea

Fans of coriander would like the Coriander Hand Torn Noodle (RM15.90) where the pan mee is flavoured with the herb and served in a light anchovy broth. Chilli pan mee is also available (RM13.90) and it comes with a poached egg for double the pleasure. They make their sauces in-house and the chillies pack a wallop!

Noodle Shack (pork-free)
Level UC, Avenue K Shopping Mall

Juan Valdez

Latte Arequipe (hot & cold)

Did you know that Juan Valdez is a fictional character representing an association of coffee growers in Colombia? This café chain has more than 300 outlets globally, including one at Avenue K Shopping Mall. Juan Valdez uses coffee beans from the Colombian coffee regions of Huila, Cauca, Antioquia and Santander, and Latte Arequipe (RM17) is said to be a must-order.

Beef & Chicken Empanadas

You get a smooth cup of single origin coffee with dulce de leche and caramel for a rich finish. I recommend going for the hot version as you get to really take in the aroma of the beans. Juan Valdez also serves Columbian snacks, like arepa, empanadas and almojabana if you’re looking for a bite to go with your coffee.

Juan Valdez Café (pork-free)
Level M, Avenue K Shopping Mall

Bisou

Cupcakes on display

It is easy to spot Bisou as you exit the KLCC station via LRT – located on Level C, the newly renovated outlet is a pretty sight with baked goods on display. From cupcake of the month to their luxe range, each cupcake is baked with love and elegantly decorated for a photo-worthy moment.

A mix of Pick Me Up Lines and Luxe cupcakes

My personal favourite is still vanilla sky (RM7), a vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting in pastel shades. I’ve been eating this for years! If you want something more decadent, go for the Banoffee (RM9.50) for luscious bites of banana cake, caramel filling and espresso cream cheese frosting.

Bisou Bake Shop
Level C, Avenue K Shopping Mall

Wrap ‘N Roll

Wrap ‘N Roll Interior

Spicy Hummus

Lamb Wrap

Wrap ‘N Roll serves Middle Eastern cuisine, like lamb wraps, basmati rice and hummus with pita bread. Food is prepared to order so you’re assured of freshness all the time. My personal recommendation is the Lamb ‘N Wrap (RM13.90 – ala carte) where lamb slices are wrapped in lightly toasted pita bread along with vegetables and tahina sauce.

Chicken Rice

I like the spicy hummus (RM11.90) as it’s adequately thick, creamy and properly seasoned so there’s plenty of flavour to go on the pita bread. The lemonade (RM5) makes a good thirst-quencher on a hot day – go for the mint version as it’s more refreshing!

Wrap ‘N Roll (halal)
Level UC, Avenue K Shopping Mall

For more information about Gastronomic Journey 2.0, visit www.avenuek.com.my. Stay tuned as I release the next five outlets to check out in Avenue K!

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As a foodie, I find it challenging to eat cleaner after a yoga session – all the more when the yoga centre is right smack in the middle of Desa Sri Hartamas’ food haven. Sometimes in my savasana, I can literally hear meat sizzles from the Yakiniku place next door. And as I walk towards my car, I’d pass by an ice cream bar, a yakitori place and a burger joint, all begging me to waste my hard work on the mat.

Buns Burger Bar is one of them; said to serve pretty good beef burger using grass-fed Australian beef. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks back that Jien and I paid them a visit to see what the fuss was all about.

Umami

He tried Umami (RM26) which combines beef patty with panko fried portobello strips, cheddar and basil walnut pesto. I thought it was an unusual combination but it works. I like how the sharp flavour of cheddar accentuates the beef, and the portobello gives the burger an added texture and flavour overall.

The Bull (double patty)

I ordered The Bull (RM25) and opted for a double patty and double cheese upgrade (additional RM10) because the more meat, the better. Or so I thought. My burger comes with beef bacon, cheddar, onion rings and a smoky-sweet bbq sauce – it would have been a great burger but I was disappointed with the patty.

Spot the missing chunk of patty. It’s disappointing that the patty was poorly assembled.

My first bite yielded plenty of gristle, making it hard and unpleasant to chew. There was a huge chunk of it in my burger that I had to send it back. Second time around, there was no more gristle but the patty was so poorly prepared (read: loosely packed) so some parts were hollow and fell apart before the burger reached my mouth.

Guac — the patty was too small for the bun

Again, not properly assembled so it “broke” easily and some parts were overcooked.

Since Jien and I had a different experience with our burgers, we decided to revisit the following weekend with a group of friends. I ordered the Guac (RM25) and yet again, the patty was less that satisfactory. Because of the way it was shaped, some parts were over done and not as pleasant to eat. The Guac comes with guacamole, salsa, cheddar, onion rings and smokey chipotle mayo. A shame really, the patty’s consistency.

Honey Bacon Carbonara

Smoked Salmon Penne

Jien had the Honey Bacon Carbonara (RM20) which was not bad – pasta tossed in parmesan cream sauce with beef bacon and arugula. If you like carbonara, this is worth checking out. I wish I ordered this instead of the Guac burger.

Grilled Salmon

Pepperoni Pizza

Not something I’d recommend

Don’t bother trying the pizza for the crust isn’t much to shout about. We shared a Pepperoni (RM24) with friends and it was disappointing. Buns Burger Bar makes their pizzas fresh so you’ll need to wait between 15-20 minutes for one. I say, skip the pizza and order more sweet potato fries (RM8), which they do well.

Sweet potato fries were good stuff

You can also opt to upgrade your regular fries to sweet potato fries (add RM2.50) when you order the burger or mains. Service is alright but lacking warmth – definitely didn’t have that happy friendly “burger bar” vibe.

Prices are reasonable so I’d still say give the burgers a try if you’re in the area. If the patty is made proper, you’d enjoy it. If you’re twice unlucky like me, you might be upset to be served a poorly shaped beef patty.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 5.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: Try the Umani and Guac. But note their inconsistency when it comes to patty shaping.

Buns Burger Bar
48, Jalan 27/70A,
Desa Sri Hartamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-6211 8895
Business hours: 11am till 11pm
(Closed on Mondays)

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As part of the Gastronomic Journey 2.0 campaign, I’ve been exploring the F&B offerings at Avenue K Shopping Mall to find ten food outlets you should explore when you’re in this shopping mall. It’s been a fun experience going around the mall and trying highlight dishes from respective outlets.

I like how there’s a good balance between affordable meals and also places to splurge, so there’s something for everyone. Here’s my next five picks for places to eat in Avenue K!

Café La Bella

Café La Bella’s food is a combination of Italian and other Italian and Mediterranean influences where casseroles and skillets are a feature. They also serve good coffee and the juices are freshly cold-pressed so flavours are fresher.

Latte & Banana Smoothie

Tomato & Olive Chicken

Bolognasia Spaghetti

The tomato and olive chicken casserole reminds me of my time in Paris – tender chicken pieces in gravy sweetened with onions, with a choice of fresh baguette slices or rice on the side. They also serve pasta using handmade noodles so there’s more bite in each mouthful. Cafe La Bella will be introducing this new menu in mid-August so do keep an eye out for it.

Rocher & Tiramisu Gelato

Belgian gelato

What excites me about this place is the fact that they have Jersey Jack Gelato in-house. The gelato (RM10 per scoop) is made using milk from imported Jersey cows in Australia and comes in more than 60 flavours. I highly recommend the Rocher and Pistachio, both of which Jersey Jack does very well.

Café La Bella
Level 2, Avenue K Shopping Mall

Food Junction

Black Pepper Sauce Chicken with Rice

Tangkak Beef Noodles

Featuring a mix of local and international cuisine, Food Junction in Avenue K houses some of my favourite food stalls – like Tangkak Beef Noodles. The place is spacious and brightly lit, with a good amount of stalls to pick from.

SUPER BOWL by RAW

I was pretty impressed with R.A.W Juicery + Eatery, where you’ll find clean eats that are both flavour packed and hearty. They also offer cold pressed juices at reasonable prices. Definitely an option to consider if you want something healthy.

Food Junction
Level 2, Avenue K Shopping Mall

Urbean

Urbean is located on the concourse area of Avenue K – a spot I used to go to when I have meetings in the area. Coffee is decent and the place is great for catching up on work or simply, to people watch. They have since introduced new items on the menu, like the seafood pasta (RM24.90) and Quinoa Vege Big Breakfast (RM23

Seafood Pasta

Mexican Superfood Salad

I like the Mexican Superfood Salad (RM23) – a hearty dish of quinoa with spiced black beans, peas, cucumber, tomato salsa and a sunny side up. Portions are generous at Urbean so you’ll definitely be satisfied. They also make decent coffee so you can opt to sit in and savour your cuppa, or grab one on the go.

Urbean
Concourse, Avenue K Shoping Mall

Black Bull

I’ve walked past Black Bull several times and always pegged it as a bar but it is actually a restaurant, lounge and bar in one. The area is large enough to host events and private functions, while the kitchen is fully equipped to serve you main courses like rack of lamb, fish & chips and ribeye steak.

Grilled Lamb Rack

Beer is available on tap or in bottles, and those who want something different can opt for their cocktails. I say skip the cocktails and guzzle down some ice-cold beer!

Black Bull
Level 3, Avenue K Shopping Mall

Salad Atelier

I’m not much of a salad person because greens don’t sustain me enough, so I thought. At Salad Atelier, you get to customise a Monster Salad (RM24) which will keep you full and energised. A portion of Monster Salad gives you 1 base, 6 mains, 2 supplementary and 1 prime.

Monster Salad

All-In Smoothie

Think of it as a very large and hearty bowl of salad with all the works – egg, chicken, beef, avocados…basically all your favourite things to eat in a bowl. It definitely kept me full and pumped up for my workout session later that day. Supplement your salad with an All-In Smoothie (RM12), to keep energy levels high.

Salad Atelier
Level 2, Avenue K Shopping Mall

It’s been a fun gastronomic journey exploring the F&B outlets in Avenue K Shopping Mall over the last few weeks. From healthy food options to indulgent ones, I’m pleased to say – you’re in for an adventure.

Don’t forget to take part in Gastronomic Journey 2.0 and who knows, you might just win yourself a shopping spree worth RM300 or a 3-months baking class at Sugarcraft Academy worth RM3550! There’s also an AK Food Slam Challenge happening every Friday from 27th July till 24th August. Who’s game to join me?

Click here for info!

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