Every now and then, Jien and I will go for a date night to catch up with each other over a meal. Sometimes, I get it my way. Sometimes, he does. And when he does, we go for something new – like Kannichikan Yakiniku in Desa Sri Hartamas.

This yakiniku spot has been around for quite some time. I’ve also seen its other outlet along Old Klang Road, but it wasn’t until our recent date night that we gave this place a shot. Perhaps it was a date night that got my expectations up a tad; but the service (or lack of) was a letdown.

I get that it’s a cook-it-yourself experience, but I would at the very least expect some form of explanation with regards to the meat cuts on the platter. Especially when it’s the Zeitaku Special (RM588 for 2 pax) where explanation is required to differentiate between the Australian premium wagyu and Japanese Black Cattle. They also didn’t bother changing our grill even though we had several beef courses to go through.

Anyway, I digress.

The Zeitaku Special is meat platter for two people and features an assortment of premium meat cuts – thick cut prime beef tongue, Japan premium wagyu short ribs (A grade), Japan premium wagyu ribeye (A grade), Australian premium wagyu ribeye (Tokusen), Australian premium wagyu short ribs (Tokusen), mixed kimchi and lettuce on the side.

Mixed kimchi

Thick cut prime beef tongue

Once the grill is prepared, you become your own cook. Keep your eyes on the meat as these delicious cuts of beef take a few minutes on each side only. Lose focus and you’ll waste all the beautiful marbling and incredible tenderness.

Almost done!

Jien and I weren’t expecting much from the beef tongue, but this was quite good. Get it right and you’ll be rewarded with lightly crisp edges and meaty (almost bouncy) texture. Move on to the Australian premium wagyu before finishing your beef course with the prized Japanese premium wagyu cuts.

Australian premium wagyu

The Australian premium wagyu is melt-in-your-mouth tender, with plenty of flavour from the marbling. I like mine medium, but Jien grills his slightly longer (medium well) to achieve slightly crispier edges. So it really depends on your personal preference. The ribeye is delicious but I feel the short rib has a bit more beefy flavour if you’re looking for a balance of meat and fat.

Japanese premium wagyu

Look at that marbling!

Leaving the best for last is advisable because once you try the Japanese black cattle wagyu, it’s difficult to appreciate the other cuts for what they are. Prized for its “rich fat” and smooth mouthfeel, the grilling process further accentuates the delicious flavour of this meat.

Spicy beef ramen

If you love beef, you must try this. If you don’t eat beef, then you’re missing out. Of course, if budget is a constraint, then the Australian wagyu is good enough. I’d eat them both again, just for the dining experience. The mixed kimchi makes a good snack while waiting for your meats to cook, though I wouldn’t recommend the spicy beef ramen (RM22) because it’s not that great. Plus, the ramen was overcooked. This brought down the overall scoring for Kannichikan, in my books. You’d be better off with white rice.

Kurobuta Rosu

We added on an order of Kurobuta Rosu, also known as the black pork ribeye (RM32). Ask for it to be salted, rather than seasoned with sauce as you’ll want to appreciate the flavour of the pork. Especially after the fat is rendered and sides are crisped during the grilling process. Jien enjoyed this while I was still pretty fixated on the tasty marbling of the Japanese black cattle.

The bill came up to almost RM800 for all the above, inclusive of (their non-deserved) service charge and tax. A bit pricey but the meats are good.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 5.5/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Try the Japanese black cattle! Or opt for the set and enjoy a bit of every cut.

Kannichikan Yakiniku
14, Jalan 27/70a,
Desa Sri Hartamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2300 8829
Business hours: 12pm till 2.30pm, 6pm till 10.30pm

The post Kannichikan Yakiniku, Desa Sri Hartamas appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

Jien and I are quite different when it comes to food choices on a weekday – he likes options while I can eat the same thing (curry laksa!) five days a week. As such, our new food hunts are mostly based on his discovery list, like Spade’s Burger in SS15 Subang.

Spade’s Burger isn’t new. It’s been around for a few years, with initial outlets in Penang and Perak. The outlet in SS15 Subang is their latest; barely opened for a year but already commanding a steady stream of customers. Jien went there for lunch and told me the (pork) burgers are worth checking out so we went again the same week.

Burger options

The menu is fairly extensive – with more than 15 choices of burgers and side orders to choose from. It can be as simple as a basic cheeseburger or as extravagant as a double patty with sautéed pork belly on top. The combo option (RM6.50 onwards) gives you a choice of side and unlimited soft drink or hot drink.

Salted Egg Fish Skin

Bacon Salad

1/4 dozen porkets

We ordered another 1 dozen of porkets to share

Go for the porkets (RM10.90 – half dozen, RM18.90 – one dozen), Spade’s Burger’s version of nuggets made using minced pork. It’s addictive, especially when dipped in hot sauce. I went slightly overboard with this, as our friend Ken ordered another dozen to share. Felt like a greasy ball after.

Porkception II

Between us three, we opted for the classic Spades, Baconizer (beef), Porkception II and Dark Knight. Porkception II (RM13.90 – ala carte) is an assemblage of pork patty, sautéed pork belly and teriyaki mayo in charcoal bun. It is simple yet wholesome – good tasting patty and flavours that go well together.

Feast for 3

It’s been a while since I had a good pork burger, for less than RM20.

Dark Knight

Dark Knight — pork patty

You get an option of beef, pork or chicken patty for Dark Knight (RM14.90 – ala carte) – we opted for pork patty. This burger features cheese crisp, cheddar, bacon bits and SPADE’s sauce with your choice of patty. Quite good, though I reckon the beef patty would be nicer to offset the richness of the caramelised bacon bits.

Beef Baconizer

We went with beef patty for the Baconizer (RM17.50 – ala carte), their second most expensive burger on the menu. This burger comes with bacon, caramelised bacon bits, cheese crisp, cheddar, bacon mayo and your choice of patty (beef or pork). Given how porky the condiments were, we went with beef.

Spades Burger

I can’t decide which I like better – Baconizer (beef) or the Porkception II. Both are equally good in my opinion. It’s just a matter of preference and how sinful you want your burger to be. The classic Spade is well, a no-frills burger with bacon and cheddar. Simple, but good enough.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Tasty patties and good combination of flavours and condiments.

Spade’s Burger
A5, Jalan SS15/4D,
47500 Subang Jaya,
Selangor.
Business hours: 12pm till 11.30pm daily
Website

The post Spade’s Burger, SS15 Subang appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

I’ve heard good things about Janwa Thai Restaurant in Bandar Menjalara – apparently, the place is managed by Thai folks and food is said to be quite decent. Went there a couple of weeks back with my teammates for lunch, after a client meeting near the area.

Lunch for three pax

For lunch on a weekday, Janwa Thai is quiet. We were the only table occupied so food didn’t take long to arrive. The special seafood tomyam (RM18 – small) has a mixture of prawns, fish and squid, served in a metal pot. I find this rather flat tasting; mostly spicy and sour, with hardly any sweetness from the onions or seafood.

Special seafood tomyam

Thai style mango salad

The Thai style mango salad (RM12 – small) features slivers of young mango with dried shrimp, anchovies and shallots. This lacked aroma from the fish sauce and peanuts, and the anchovies overpowered the salad overall.

Thai special pandan chicken

Thai special pandan chicken (RM2.80 per piece) isn’t as special as Janwa claims it to be, in my opinion. The chicken is adequately seasoned and served with Thai sweet chili sauce on the side. I find this decent but nothing worth shouting about.

Acacia Pennata Omelette

The Acacia Pennata Omelette (RM12 – small) is also know as ชะอม Cha Om in Thai. This vegetable is popularly used in Thai cooking; mostly omelette. The version at Janwa Thai is light and tasty enough, without being too oily.

Squid stir-fry curry

I was pretty disappointed with the squid stir-fry curry (RM18 – small). On the menu, prawn is used but since I didn’t feel like getting my hands dirty, I asked for squid instead. While the squid is tender enough, I find the curry rather one-note. Almost as though they used the same base as Thai-style otak otak and rejigged it into the stir-fry. Not that I have anything against it, but the flavour wasn’t as spot on.

Prices are reasonable at Janwa Thai, but I feel the food isn’t much to shout about. Since we ordered mostly their ‘signature dishes’, I assume it’s got to be their best.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: If you’re looking for a good Thai restaurant in the area, this is not it. You’re better off eating here.

Janwa Thai Restaurant
99G, Jalan 5/62a,
Taman Manjalara,
52200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-6276 5658
Business hours: 11am till 10.30pm

The post Janwa Thai Restaurant, Bandar Menjalara appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

I’ve always found it difficult to choose between sukiyaki and shabu-shabu – both are Japanese-style hotpots comprising thinly sliced meats and vegetables, with dipping sauces. The difference between the two is flavour. Shabu-shabu is savoury while sukiyaki leans towards the sweeter side. At Mo-Mo Paradise in Lot 10, you get to enjoy both shabu-shabu and sukiyaki for RM76 per person (all you can eat).

For those who want just one type of broth, it’s RM68 per person for an assortment of beef, pork and vegetables.

I took my time in checking out Mo-Mo Paradise, reason being they were constantly packed and getting a table reservation on a weekend was as good as finding a needle in a haystack. But Jien persevered and booked ahead – and was given the 6.45pm slot on a Sunday.

Kampung egg is used for the sukiyaki dipping sauce

Mo-Mo Paradise offers a buffet spread of Australian beef (shoulder blade, chuck roll and brisket) and Sakura pork (belly and shoulder loin) with an assortment of vegetables, rice and udon. Tea, water and ice cream are also included in the buffet package; soft drinks and coffee costs an additional RM4.50 per head.

Jien’s colleague insist that it’s the best hotpot buffet he’s eaten in town – one of the reasons why we braved the KL traffic for this. We decided to go with the sukiyaki and karamiso, the latter came recommended by the staff who attended to us.

Karamiso (left) and sukiyaki (right)

Vegetables and beancurd puff

The meat cuts at Mo-Mo Paradise is much better than the many hotpot buffet options around, though it’s also almost double the price per head. I do like the quality as you don’t need much dipping sauce to accentuate the flavours of the meat. That said, the limited option of dipping sauce means you also hit your maximum capacity faster as there’s not much to help cut through the richness of the meat.

Not that it bothered me – as you get to eat as much decent quality meats as possible for less than RM100. The broths are refilled in small carafes and the sukiyaki is very concentrated, so water needs to be added to dilute the broth every now and then.

Karamiso dipping sauce

I prefer the pork when dipped in karamiso as the spicy soup base offsets the fatty richness of the pork slices overall. Opt for the shoulder loin if you prefer leaner pork as the belly has quite a bit of fat to work through.

For the beef cuts, my favourite is the shoulder blade as it has the most flavour from the fat. The chuck roll and brisket slices are beefier and carry more bite so it’s a matter of preference – beefy or fatty. If you’re having sukiyaki, the meats are best dipped in egg dipping (kampung egg is used). For karamiso, you get a small container of thick spicy miso paste to go with the meats.

Towards the end, the broth tends to be thicker and concentrated from the amount of meats and vegetables dipped inside. Udon is best eaten around this time as the broth is most flavourful. That said, drinking the broth isn’t advisable as it is also at its most salty.

Udon is available upon request

Service is fairly decent as most of the staff are attentive. I only encountered two lackadaisical staff during my 100 minutes at Mo-Mo Paradise so I guess it boils down to who attends to you. There’s also an all-you-can-eat Wagyu beef option for RM128 per person if that’s up your alley.

As there wasn’t much option for dipping sauces, I couldn’t go through that many rounds of meat. At least, not at my usual pace. I reckon it’s a good thing as you get better quality meats overall. If you’re looking for a variety of dipping sauces (like most hotpot buffets offer), you won’t find it at Mo-Mo Paradise.

Four ice cream flavours available — green tea, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry

But if you’re looking for better quality shabu-shabu and sukiyaki within the all-you-can-eat category, then this is your best bet. Dinner came up to about RM180 for two of us, inclusive of tax and service charge. Not an everyday affair, I reckon.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Better quality meats overall, but variety is limited.

Mo-Mo Paradise
Lot P1, Unit P1-10, P1-11 Level 4,
Lot 10 Shopping Centre,
50, Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2110 3588
Business hours: 11am til 11pm
Facebook Page

The post Mo-Mo Paradise, Lot 10 appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

When it comes to food in Melaka, there are two things Jien would absolutely, never share with me. The first being his favourite fried carrot cake and the other is pork satay. These are two Melaka staples that he would insist on eating whenever we’re there.

We drove past Sun May Hiong Satay House when we were heading to our accommodation in Melaka recently – the restaurant was packed and customers were queuing outside waiting for a vacant table. Our friend who’s a local also said it’s worth checking out, which we did the following afternoon.

Ketupat

Pork and intestine satay

It’s best to get to Sun May Hiong by 11am or earlier, as the crowd that comes in mostly arrive in large groups. After noon, you’ll most probably have to wait for a table and also, for your pork satay. Unlike Xiang Ji, Sun May Hiong offers both pork and chicken satay, along with skewered intestines.

Chicken seems to be quite popular here, though the pork satay remains a crowd favourite. We asked for 50 sticks of pork satay – because Jien himself devours 25-30 sticks on his own. The meat is nicely seasoned with a good balance of meat and fat. I do however, find Sun May Hiong’s pork satay a tad lean for my liking. I like a bit more fat content as the satay is tastier with rendered fat from the grilling.

I reckon it’s a matter of preference – if you like your satay leaner then you’ll like the one from Sun May Hiong. But if you’re looking for a bit more fat in your skewered meat (like me), you won’t fancy this as much. The pineapple sauce here is pretty tasty; I spotted a customer lapping up all the sauce with just the ketupat rice…while waiting for her pork satay to arrive!

Pineapple sauce

A skewer costs RM0.80; a tad pricey if you consider the portion. But then again, that’s the standard price point for pork satay in Melaka. Inflation, I suppose. If you’re visiting Melaka and would like a different pork satay option, give Sun May Hiong a shot.

Other pork satay options:
Xiang Ji (opens daily)
Lung Ann (irregular opening hours)
Hai Heng (opens at night)

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: A tad leaner than I like my satay to be, but flavour is good. The pineapple sauce is tasty too.

Sun May Hiong Satay House
50/52, Jalan Kota Laksamana 1/1,
Taman Kota Laksamana,
75200 Melaka.
Tel: 06-281 7281
Business hours: 10am till 6pm (Thursday till Sunday only)

The post Sun May Hiong Satay House, Melaka appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

Jien stumbled across Hilir Garden Ice Café in Melaka by accident; when we stayed at an Airbnb accommodation arranged by my friend for guests of his wedding. While exploring the area, Jien noticed the brother of his favourite fried carrot cake guy frying carrot cake outside the coffeeshop.

Breakfast options at Hilir Garden Ice Cafe in Melaka

Fried carrot cake stall

He tried the carrot cake and it was pretty good, so he ordered a packet for me to try at the accommodation. I disagree slightly with what Jien has to say about the fried carrot cake at Hilir Garden Ice Café – it’s better than the one his brother fries (Jien’s favourite).

Large portion of fried carrot cake (RM6)

Consistently tasty

The latter has issues with consistency; when it’s good, it’s really good. But when he’s off-form, it can taste pretty disappointing. The brother at Hilir Garden Ice Café however, is more consistent. I’ve eaten his carrot cake (RM5.50 – small, RM6 – large) three times and, on all counts, they have been tasty.

Melaka-style loh bak (RM10 – large)

Not as good as the one from Soon Yen, but this is also quite decent

There’s also Melaka-style loh bak – a combination of fishballs and fried fritters dipped in sweet sauce and chilli sauce. While these aren’t as good as the one from Soon Yen (my father in-law buys that for me often), it’s decent enough to satisfy one’s craving. I’d order this again because it makes a good snack.

Duck noodles

Nothing to shout about

The duck noodle is nothing like the one served at Soon Yen in Jalan Tengkera. It lacks depth and flavour overall, so your best bet would be to order dry-style noodles so the broth is (somewhat) thicker. I’d say skip this and stick to the fried carrot cake.

Melaka-style fried kuay teow with sweet sauce

There are a few other options available at Hilir Garden Ice Café – curry laksa, soup noodles and fried kuay teow. We tried the fried kuay teow which comes with sweet sauce. Disappointing, really. There wasn’t much flavour in the noodles and the sweet sauce was also flat tasting. For a pretty good version of Melaka style fried kuay teow, you’re better off checking out the stall at Medan Selera Tengkera.

Overall, I feel this place is a good option for those looking to enjoy breakfast staples in Melaka. Expect to pay between RM5 to RM6 per plate — pretty reasonable considering the portion.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Go for the fried carrot cake and Melaka-style loh bak.

Hilir Garden Ice Cafe
360a, Jalan Low Hee Kong,
Taman Teratai,
75050 Melaka
Business hours: 7am till 5pm
(closed Wednesday)

The post Breakfast in Melaka appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

My second attempt to dine at Sunbather Coffee at The Sphere in Bangsar South required effort. We had a good experience at the café first time around and wanted to return to check out more of what they have to offer.

Love the interior

Alas, there was an issue with electricity and they couldn’t serve customers when we got there. So we adjourned to another restaurant nearby only to find out Sunbather Coffee reopened and is ready to serve. Right after my friends and I placed our order for food at the former.

The backup plan was to adjourn to Sunbather Coffee for dessert after our meal which we did but they were out of a lot of items – ones I wanted to try. I reckon it just wasn’t my day as our first visit was really pretty leisurely and straightforward.

Sunbather Big Brekkie

Service is friendly and I like how polite the staff are. On our first visit, I liked the Sunbather Big Brekkie (RM32); a sizeable plate of Japanese potato & egg salad, teriyaki chicken meatballs, sausage onigiri with torched cheese, tamagoyaki, corn salsa, minestrone and smoked salmon.

Everything is properly compartmentalised – like a Japanese bento but on a white plate. The chicken meatballs are nicely seasoned with enough flavour from the teriyaki sauce, while the potato & egg salad makes an interesting twist to the ordinary sautéed potato option in a regular Big Breakfast.

What makes it unique is how it doesn’t feel “heavy” despite the portion as the ingredients are healthy on top being hearty. If you get what I mean.

Italian Baked Egg

Jien’s Italian Baked Egg (RM32) is also quite good – a melting pot of gratinated miso bechamel, onsen egg, burnt leek, smoked salmon and broccoli. This comes with a side of house-baked sourdough to mop up all the delicious sauce at the bottom.

I’ve eaten my fair share of baked eggs and none of them tasted like Sunbather’s version of baked eggs. Smoky, sweet and full of umami; this is ideal for sharing if you’re planning to go for dessert after. We were both rather full after polishing off our food on top of their specialty drinks.

Hojicha Kanten

My Iced Latte with Hojicha Kanten (RM14) features silky, glide-down-your throat hojicha jelly and aromatic milk coffee. I like how it’s not sweet and the aroma and flavours of the roasted tea and jelly stands out.

Cold Brew

Jien’s cold brew is also quite good – more straightforward compared to my drink but packs a wallop in terms of caffeine content. I also like how smooth and easy to drink it is.

Iced Chocolate

On our second visit, we ordered the Iced Chocolate which is one of the thickest version of iced chocolate I’ve tried in KL. You get that bittersweet flavour and a slightly smoky finish towards the end of each sip so it doesn’t get too cloying.

Sparkling Passionfruit

That said, I did find it difficult to finish as it was quite thick and creamy. Despite being open for slightly over an hour after their electricity boo-boo, Sunbather Coffee ran out of Japanese roll cake – both the matcha and hojicha (RM10 each), which I was looking forward to try.

Black Forest Japanese Roll

Instead, we settled for the Black Forest Japanese Roll (RM15), a combination of Belgian chocolate sponge, elderberry whipped cream, Belgian chocolate Chantilly and dark pitted cherries. Delicious in its own right, but not my cup of tea. I was looking for something lighter in flavour and texture. Jien however, really enjoyed it.

Grapefruit Jelly with Panna Cotta

The Grapefruit Jelly with Panna Cotta (RM15) comes with earl grey tea syrup on the side to offset the richness of the custard and jelly. A tad sweet for my liking but if you’re a fan of panna cotta, you might enjoy this dessert.

Ajitsuke Tamago Sando

Sunbather Coffee is also known for their luxe sandwiches – the Ajitsuke Tamago Sando (RM20) is a crowd favourite. I ordered one to try and it is pretty good stuff. This sandwich is a hearty assemblage of ramen egg, tomato, cheese, furikake and wasabi mayo in dark rye bread.

Rich, flavour-packed and full of bite from the cabbage and bread slice; this is no ordinary sandwich. I wouldn’t mind having this again and again.

Hojicha Ice Cream

I asked for a scoop of Hojicha ice cream (RM7) in place of the Japanese cake roll – not bad but nothing particularly memorable. They have pretty exciting flavours on the display so do ask them for a sample before deciding. I wanted something tea-based, hence my pick.

All in, I like the vibe at Sunbather Coffee. From the colour scheme and the wood finish to the potted greens on the side – pleasant on the eyes. Food is hearty without being greasy, which I appreciate because you’d want to feel good even after the meal.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 8/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: The tamago sando, big brekkie and baked eggs are worth checking out.

Sunbather Coffee
UG-12 Upper Ground The Sphere,
8, Jalan Kerinchi,
Bangsar South,
59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2242 3118
Business hours: 8am till 10pm (Monday till Friday), 10am till 10pm (Weekends)
Facebook Page

The post Sunbather Coffee, The Sphere Bangsar South appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

Ipoh has always been one of my favourite destinations in Malaysia when it comes to food – a small but fast-emerging town that is often packed with tourists during weekends and long holidays. It is home to one of the best steamed chickens I’ve tried and smoothest hor fun you’ll find in the country.

Moonlight Kuay Teow

What I didn’t know was that Ipoh also offers good wat tan hor and moonlight kuay teow, at Tuck Kee. This highly raved place gets crowded by dinner time and the crowd spills over to the side of the road. Best to arrive by 6pm or go during weekday night, like I did. They close from Monday till Wednesday, so do take note.

Wat Tan Hor

We ordered what Tuck Kee is known for – the moonlight kuay teow (RM13 – medium), wat tan hor (RM7 – small) and a portion of boiled baby octopus (RM18). Waiting for a vacant table may take a while, but food arrives pretty quickly once you place your order.

I reckon I waited no more than 20 minutes for everything to be served despite Tuck Kee being a full house. The wat tan hor is tasty but I find the kuay teow lacking wok hei. It’s tasty enough but missing that one key factor to change it from a regular wat tan hor to something great.

Decent, but could do with more wok hei

That said, the egg based gravy is quite good – thick, eggy and flavourful. A tad on the sweeter side for me, but overall, I think it’s tasty. They are pretty generous with pork lard; which adds character and flavour to the noodles.

The moonlight kuay teow hogs the limelight at Tuck Kee, in my opinion. There is little to fault in this sumptuous plate of wok-fried kuay teow, tossed with lard oil, dark sauce and plenty of pork slices. This comes with a raw egg on top, to bind the flavours together.

Tasty stuff

Good stuff. I don’t think you need to eat it with sambal cili because the noodles are good on its own. One tiny gripe though – there wasn’t enough pork lard in this plate of noodles. I would have liked more crunch as I work through the plate.

Boiled baby octopus

I didn’t know what to expect with the boiled baby octopus. On one hand, it isn’t the kind of dish I would see myself ordering but on the other, I didn’t want to miss out on something good. Because almost every table at Tuck Kee ordered one.

So I followed suit.

No regrets. The octopus is cooked just right so it’s crunchy on the outside and tender at the centre. It comes with a dipping sauce of chili and peanuts. My in-laws like it with, but I prefer it as it is – with sesame oil dressing.

The latter I feel, accentuates the freshness and sweetness of the octopus while the chilli lends a tangy, nutty twist. So it really depends on what you’re going for.

Our bill came up to RM38 for all the above. Pretty reasonable considering the portion. While I don’t think the wat tan hor is that great (also a matter of personal preference), the moonlight kuay teow and boiled baby octopus is worth checking out if you’re in Ipoh.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Try the moonlight kuay teow and boiled octopus.

Tuck Kee
61, Jalan Yau Tet Shin,
Taman Jubilee,
30300 Ipoh.
Tel: 05-253 7513
Business hours: 5pm till 2am (Thursday till Sunday)

The post Tuck Kee, Ipoh appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

When it comes to cuisine of choice on a date night, Jien and I tend to gravitate towards meat – beef, in particular. We love the idea of tucking into freshly grilled beef or steak, especially if it’s a delicious, tender cut. Shin Nihon in Desa Sri Hartamas is said to offer one of the best yakiniku in town; so we went.

Getting a table at Shin Nihon isn’t easy. You will need to call ahead to reserve as they are almost always full come dinner time. It’s even more chaotic on a weekend night, so we experienced. On our maiden visit, we sat by the bar downstairs and watched as the team prepared everyone’s order.

Australian Wagyu

It would be a cardinal sin to skip the beef at Shin Nihon, unless you don’t take beef. And if you fall under the latter category, please don’t bother going. Australian wagyu and Japanese wagyu are available for order – and it’s best to start with the Australian beef and work your way up.

We ordered 400gm of Australian Wagyu (RM200) and got a platter of assorted beef cuts; ribeye, sirloin tip, eye round and brisket. You get a charcoal grill to cook your meat to the doneness of your choice. Don’t overcook the beef as you want to still enjoy the tasty fat and juiciness of each slice.

A minute (or less) on each side would render it medium-done, just the way I like my beef. Wanting more, we added on an order of Japanese Wagyu (RM80 for 100gm) and it was better than the already tasty Australian wagyu. The 4 beef cuts depends on availability, and subject to the chef.

Japanese Wagyu

Look at the marbling!

Good stuff

Our Japanese wagyu platter featured sirloin, upper hind shank, lean top blade and brisket. I would have loved some ribeye but that wasn’t an option that night. Despite having more secondary cuts in this platter, the beef still tasted more superior than the Australian wagyu platter.

Kale Salad

The Kale Salad (RM28) is worth checking out – a Shin Nihon specialty of kale drizzled with house special dressing. This is light yet flavourful, and very refreshing to go with all the fatty cuts of grilled beef.

Wagyu Beef Tendon Stew

Shin Nihon’s Wagyu Beef Tendon Stew (RM26) is one of the best delicious stews I’ve eaten, period. The tendon is beautifully tender to the point it melts in your mouth and the gravy begs for a bowl of white rice to eat with. Even the radish is cooked just right and has absorbed all the delicious goodness of the beef and gravy.

Beef Tongue Cream Croquette

Jien loves the Beef Tongue Cream Croquette (RM24), a Japanese snack of potato cutlet – filled with chopped beef tongue in tasty cream sauce, breaded and deep-fried till crispy perfection. Very rich in flavour yet so moreish you’d be tempted to order a second portion.

Sliced Premium Wagyu Beef on Rice

On our subsequent visit, we ordered the Sliced Premium Wagyu Beef on Rice (RM50). There’s a method to eating this, so follow the instructions on the card provided for maximum enjoyment. You should try it on its own first, then add some seasoning the second time around and finally, some seasoning and a bit of dashi stock.

This allows you to slowly build the flavours and decide on which method you like best. For me, I like my rice to have as much flavour as possible so the third option is best.

Wagyu Beef Cutlet

I wasn’t as impressed with the Wagyu Beef Cutlet (RM45) as it was a tad tough with some parts being difficult to chew. For the category “wagyu” this sure didn’t taste like it. I reckon you’d be better off ordering the delicious wagyu tendon stew rather than this.

Beef Bone Broth Ramen

We also ordered the Beef Bone Broth Ramen (RM26) to share – tasted alright but nothing rave-worthy, I’d say. The noodles are a tad overcooked but the broth is savoury with underlying layers of beefiness. Better than the ramen from Kannicikan just down the road.

Overall, I like the food at Shin Nihon. What I don’t fancy is how difficult it is to get a table, and how (depending on your luck) cramped it can be. If possible, ask for the booth seat as I think it’s perfect for couples. The bar seat can get a bit noisy so it might not be “date appropriate”.

Prices aren’t cheap – expect to pay anywhere between RM100 to RM400 per head, depending on how much (premium) beef you order. And this is excluding alcohol.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 5.5/10
Food: 7.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: One of the best yakiniku I’ve eaten in KL, so far. 

Shin Nihon
No.26, Jalan 24/70A,
Desa Sri Hartamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2856 7350
Website

The post Shin Nihon, Desa Sri Hartamas appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

Moon De Moon Restaurant in Ipoh has received many, many raves about their delicious kai si hor fun over the years – apparently, it’s the go-to spot for a bowl of silky-smooth noodles in prawn and chicken broth, among the locals.

I only paid this place a visit a couple of weeks back, when my in-laws insisted I wouldn’t regret the experience. And by “experience”, they meant long waiting time. Get there before 8.30am if you want a table immediately, for this coffeeshop packs up faster than the rate the aunty dishes up each bowl of kai si hor fun.

Ipoh’s best kai si hor fun, according to the locals

The kai si hor fun is probably the most sought after item at Moon De Moon, followed closely by the Ipoh-style curry mee. Almost every table in this coffeeshop had a bowl of each noodles – both from the same stall. Expect to wait between 30-45 minutes for your noodles, especially if you go during peak hours.

Chee cheong fun to buffer the long waiting time

The curry version is better

Apart from the lovely rice noodles texture, I didn’t care much for this

While waiting, we ordered a few items to buffer the long waiting time. The chee cheong fun is just average in my opinion; both the version with sweet sauce and curry. I reckon the curry is more exciting with a bit of spiciness, but apart from the lovely rice noodles consistency, this dish was hardly memorable.

Wat tan hor

The fried noodles stall next to the chee cheong fun stall dishes up pretty good wat tan hor (RM6) – laden with wok hei and topped with proper egg gravy. I reckon the fried kuay teow is good too, because quite a number of customers ordered that.

Wantan mee with stewed pork leg

My father in-law (who’s a big fan of wantan mee) tried the wantan noodles with stewed pork leg from the stall out front. Alas, the noodles were disappointingly bland. The only thing tasty about this dish was the stewed pork leg, which was soft, tender and nicely flavoured from the cooking process. Best to skip this.

Chai kueh from the stall out front — serves its purpose of being a buffer for the kai si hor fun.

Thick and sweet hor fun broth with an orange-golden sheen on top

After a good 40-minutes wait, our kai si hor fun and dry curry noodles arrived. I’m not sure if it’s an Ipoh thing, but the locals seem to like their prawn and chicken stock sweet and thick. The hor fun broth at Moon De Moon is exactly that – a beautiful stock, rich and sweet from the prawns (head and all) and chicken.

Possibly the thickest kai si hor fun broth I’ve tried!

I would have liked a better balance between the chicken and prawns but Moon de Moon’s version (RM6.50 – large) is more prawn-dominant. Almost like prawn essence. If that’s what you’re looking for in a bowl of kai si hor fun, then this is the bowl for you.

Dry curry mee

The dry curry mee (RM6.50 – large) packs quite a wallop. My combination of mee and vermicelli is blanketed by this spicy, sweet and thick curry gravy. A squeeze of lime gives it the tang it needs, before the noodles are ready to consume.

Quite good

I rather enjoyed this plate of curry noodles. Perhaps slightly more than I did the kai si hor fun. But that’s because I’m biased towards curry mee in general and I love a good kick in my curry. If you have the stomach space, order both. Even if you don’t, just order both to make the wait worthwhile.

Other Kai Si Hor Fun options:
Restoran Jen Jen
Thean Chun

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 7/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Not my personal favourite, but the kai si hor fun is one of the best I’ve tried in Ipoh.

Moon De Moon Restaurant
148, Hala Wah Keong,
Taman Mirindi,
31400 Ipoh.
Tel: 012-516 0485
Business hours: 7am till 1pm
(Closed Monday & Tuesday)

The post Best Kai Si Hor Fun at Moon De Moon, Ipoh appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

Jien and I spotted The Farm Foodcraft in Bangsar South slightly over a month ago, when we were walking around the vicinity after dinner. Since we’d already eaten, we told ourselves we’d give this place a shot another time.

That time came a few weeks later, when we met up with some friends for lunch. The Farm Foodcraft is a farm to plate dining concept that embraces healthy living and fresh ingredients from their own urban farm. A great concept, I thought. And one that spurred me to give them a shot.

Farm to Table?

Alas, their vision of an integrated urban ecosystem seems to fall flat. Or perhaps the person who did the copywriting did an overly brilliant job of up-selling this concept, till the service and kitchen team couldn’t keep up. The entrance is pretty, I give them that; the pathway is lined with greens, and edible ones at that.

Service needs a lot of improvement – from the time we walked in, the staff left us hanging while they scrambled to find a table large enough to fit six adults and two babies. We opted to sit alfresco because there were “no available tables” large enough inside for our group that morning.

We ordered our food and drinks; both took almost 30 minutes or more to arrive. In that intermission, our request for filtered water fell on deaf ears. Thrice. We were parched, sitting outdoor in this country’s unforgiving humid weather and our drinks took that long to arrive. I reckon it makes sense for water to be served first.

Based on what I read from their intro, I expected the food to be “crafted from scratch, using fresh ingredients that are grown and harvested in their very own urban farming lab”. The food description on the menu didn’t quite state that, so if you’re a first-time customer, you might be as confused (as I was).

Nasi Kerabu 2.0

To be fair, the Nasi Kerabu 2.0 (RM28) was quite good. I do believe they sourced for the herbs/ulam from their farms, and the sambal is pretty kick-ass. The rice is tinged in blue from the butterfly-pea flower and it’s fragrant and light from the use of coconut oil.

I like how well the ayam percik is marinated – the edges are crisp and the meat, juicy. It has quite a good kick and aroma too. The belacan Melaka gives the rice more oomph while the kerabu salad is spicy and refreshing. My only gripe would be the egg, because Nasi Kerabu is best eaten with salted egg. Not a sunny side up.

Beef Bolognese

Creamy Chicken Mushroom

The Beef Bolognese (RM25) and Creamy Chicken Mushroom (RM25) were “alright”, according to our friends. I didn’t try these so I can’t comment on how they taste.

Easts Meets West

I ordered the East Meets West (RM32), a marriage of laksa and pasta. You get spaghetti cooked in a spicy, coconut milk broth with squid, prawns, mussels and clams. This is also quite commendable as the broth is adequately thick, spicy and rich from all the seafood. I also like how generous they are with the bunga kantan, which gives a sharp accent to this dish.

Spicy and flavourful

Because service was so slow and nonchalant, I didn’t feel like staying on for their desserts. Even though the Kuih Gulung was calling for me. Prices aren’t cheap since The Farm Foodcraft claims to “make their own food from scratch”. Skip the white cold brew here as it’s bitter and sour, with no depth nor body. You’re better off ordering tea.

Cold Brew

Is the food fresh? Somewhat. Did I enjoy my experience? Not quite, unfortunately.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 4/10
Food: 6/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: The Nasi Kerabu is quite good. Service needs (a lot of) work.

The Farm Foodcraft
The Sphere, G-01 & G-02,
No.1, Avenue 1,
Bangsar South,
59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2242 0964
Business hours: 10.30am till 10pm daily.

The post The Farm Foodcraft, Bangsar South appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

I remember my very first visit to the vegetarian food court at Blue Boy Mansion. It was back in 2008 when Jien and I set out to search for this “utterly delicious” char kuay teow that has no meat, no lard, no cockles and no prawns.

That plate of vegetarian char kuay teow knocked our socks off. And it has been doing so ever since. Each time I eat the char kuay teow at Blue Boy Mansion, I marvel at how a meat-free plate of noodles can taste this good.

The friendly uncle has been frying plates and plates of char kuay teow (and other fried items) for close to two decades, a skill he learnt from a char kuay teow master when he was just 13 years old. This Indian uncle speaks good Cantonese and shares how he’s gotten too tired to cook at open houses and events, which he used to back in the days.

I’ve only ever eaten the char kuay teow at this vegetarian food court – my former colleagues and I loved eating here whenever we got the chance to drive out. And without fail, I always go for a large plate.

You can opt to have your char kuay teow with egg or without; and the noodles are served on a banana leaf base to intensify the aroma. It comes with slivers of oyster mushrooms and mock meat slices for that extra bite. The latter is fried till the edges are crispy, just like how lap cheong is fried in a regular char kuay teow.

Each bite yields strands of flat rice noodles, expertly cooked with plenty of char from the wok fire. The noodles are so well seasoned yet fluffy in texture, and there’s a good amount of chili paste for that added kick. And you also get a nice crunch from the beansprouts, which completes the char kuay teow experience.

The char kuay teow costs RM7.50 for a large plate – very reasonable considering the portion and this uncle’s masterful skill. Definitely something to try when you’re in the area!

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 7/10
Food: 8/10 (vegetarian)
Verdict: Until today, I’m still amazed at how good a plate of vegetarian char kuay teow can taste.

Char Kuay Teow at Blue Boy Vegetarian Centre
Jalan Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur.

The post Blue Boy Vegetarian Char Kuay Teow appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

The thought of having bak kut teh in the morning eludes me, as I for one cannot wake up early enough during the weekend for a dose of herbal goodness. But I do like the idea of eating what some folks in Klang claim to be “the best bak kut teh” in their books.

Links Bak Kut Teh

Early bird gets the better meat cuts

Links Bak Kut Teh is relatively unknown to those living outside of Klang; at least to me. My friend and bak kut teh lover Ken insisted I give Links a shot – promising I won’t leave disappointed. But the only catch was to get there before 9am, which meant I had to be up by 7am.

Even at 8.30am, they were already down to half a pot of bak kut teh with several pieces of meat on bone (tua kut) left. We ordered two of each option; tua kut, sai kut, pork ribs, pork belly and intestines. The steamed okra was merely an order to offset the massive pork feast we had going on.

Food for 6 pax

Like most traditional bak kut teh options in Klang, Links Bak Kut Teh serves bak kut teh in porcelain bowls (RM14 per portion if I remember correctly). No rice crullers (yau chai kwai) in sight. You’re expected to focus on the broth and meat cuts, I believe.

Is it good? Yes.

Tendon for that boost of collagen

The broth at Links Bak Kut Teh is very thick, almost stew-like. It is one of the thickest bak kut teh broths I’ve tried – sweet, savoury and herbal notes with a buttery coat from all the meat and fats.

Flavoured to the bone!

Soup refills are possible, if you ask the aunty nicely. But to be frank, Links Bak Kut Teh broth is so creamy that one bowl of soup might just be sufficient. You wouldn’t want a bak kut teh overkill.

Sai Kut (small bone)

Tua Kut (big bone)

What I really like about this bak kut teh is the meat cuts. Regardless of your choice of meat, you can be sure each cut is tender and incredibly flavoured from the hours of stewing. My favourite cut is still the tua kut (big bone) as the skin is soft, gelatinous and melts in the mouth. Really good stuff.

Pork belly

Innards aren’t my thing so I didn’t try any but my friends said it’s good and hardly gamey in flavour. Those who prefer leaner cuts should opt for the pork ribs – soft, tasty and falling off the bone. No force is needed on any of these meat cuts as they are fork tender. Just beautiful.

Expect to pay between RM15 to RM25 per person, depending on the amount you order. We ordered quite a bit, so it was approximately RM25 per head. And let me tell you this – I was so full I had to skip lunch.

Overall, I do feel Links Bak Kut Teh is worth the drive to Klang. Definitely a bak kut teh spot to check out if you love this dish. Preference-wise, I prefer my soup stronger in herbal flavour so Chow Kiat’s broth is right up that alley. But the meat cuts here are better.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 7.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: One of the best bak kut teh I’ve eaten in Klang.

Links Bak Kut Teh
28, Jalan Tangkak 1/Ku1,
Kawasan 18, 41400 Klang.
Tel: 019-381 3018

The post Links Bak Kut Teh, Klang appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

Eating out in Penang has always been a joy for both Jien and I, because there’s plenty of food options to choose from and so many places to discover. A friend of ours recommended that we try Pang Hainan Seafood in Tanjung Bungah – said to serve pretty good tai chow food at “not so touristy” prices.

Since my in-laws were with us, it made perfect sense to eat at Pang Hainan since we get to order more dishes to share. We ordered most of their recommended dishes; Thai-style pork knuckle (RM35 – half portion), belacan chicken (RM16.50 – small), sambal kang kong (RM12 – small), kam heong clams (RM23 – medium) and Hainan spring rolls (RM5.80 per piece).

Hainan Spring Rolls (Choon Peah)

I didn’t care much for the spring rolls as these were pretty flat tasting. I reckon it’s also because they didn’t put much meat and prawns in the filling, hence the outcome. The dipping sauce of chopped chillies, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce did give it a bit of kick, but nothing more.

Belacan Chicken

We all enjoyed the belacan chicken as each piece was well seasoned and fried till crispy on the outside and juicy at the centre. I think this version has a nice balance of belacan with seasoning, so you can still taste the chicken and other flavouring, rather than a huge dose of belacan.

Kam Heong Clams

Kam Heong clams were my favourite among the dishes we tried at Pang Hainan Seafood. The clams were fresh, fairly large and meaty so each of them held on to the kam heong seasoning nicely. I also like how it’s not “sandy” unlike eating lala, where you’re bound to bite into bits of sand while chewing.

Thai-style Pork Knuckle

Half Portion

The pork knuckle was decent though some parts were a tad dry. I guess that’s inevitable when it comes to deep fried pork knuckle (of that size). Good thing they were generous with the gravy so we could still enjoy the dish.

Sambal Kangkung

While I don’t usually talk about vegetable dishes, the kangkong sambal deserves a mention. They make it with a good amount of sambal belacan and dried shrimp, so each bite has varying textures and a good kick from the chillies and shrimp. You’ll want more rice with this.

Overall, I liked my experience at Pang Hainan. Service is brisk and food doesn’t take long to arrive. Prices are not exactly cheap but for the portion and taste, I would say it’s still reasonable. We paid about RM100 for all the above, inclusive of drinks.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: If you’re looking for one in Penang, Pang Hainan Seafood is a decent option.

Pang Hainan Seafood
501 K & L,
Jalan Tanjung Bungah,
Tanjung Tokong,
10470 Tanjong Bungah,
Penang.
Tel: 017-452 4863
Business hours: 12noon till 10.30pm
(closed Monday)

The post Pang Hainan Seafood, Penang appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

I didn’t think much about Warakuya in Puchong when Jien suggested we eat there for lunch recently. He’s been there prior with a friend and told me I should check it out myself. The restaurant is large and on weekends, it gets super packed during peak hours.

Warakuya Garden Puchong

First ones to arrive!

Warakuya Puchong is a Japanese restaurant but it doesn’t feel like one to me. It feels more like a café that serves Japanese food, targeted for the community around Puchong. If you know what I mean. Stepping into Warakuya doesn’t give me the feeling of Japan but rather, the feeling of Taipei?

Anyway, I digress.

Full house during peak hours

A hair-tie is given to girls with longer hair

The service at Warakuya Puchong deserves a mention. You’re greeted at the entrance and ushered to an available table. A hot towel is given for you to freshen up and for females who have long hair, a hair-tie is presented so you can eat comfortably. For those seated right underneath the air-conditioning, blankets are offered for you to stay cosy throughout the meal.

Handrolls are assembled on the spot — tableside.

California Temaki

Some dishes are served table-side, like the California Temaki (RM7.90) which is assembled in front of customers. Portion is generous – you get a good sized handroll filled with sushi rice, crabstick, tobiko and tamago. Unlike many handrolls I’ve eaten, this one has the best value and also the most ingredients so you don’t have to deal with just sushi rice and nori at the bottom.

Sashimi & Sushi Bento

Fresh sashimi slices

Chawanmushi

Love the generosity!

The Sashimi & Sushi Bento (RM36.90) comes with some salmon maki, tuna mayo sushi, sashimi slices (salmon, ika and butterfish), chawanmushi, miso soup and white rice. Pretty large portion, even for me. Sashimi slices are fresh and super thick – each bite is a mouthful. Not that I’m complaining.

Super thick cuts

Spicy Yaki Buta Set

Jien likes the Spicy Yaki Buta Set (RM23.90). You can opt for spicy or non-spicy, depending on your tolerance level. This makes a good option if you’re into stir-fried meats. There’s plenty of pork slices with caramelised onions on the hotpot and this goes well with white rice. The kimchi side dish is a bit odd but it complements the overall flavour of this set.

You can opt for spicy or non-spicy

Hire Katsu Mayo

I ordered a portion of Hire Katsu Mayo (RM17.90), essentially pork tenderloin, breaded and deep-fried then topped with a mixture of egg and mayonnaise. There’s a good amount of mayo topping so each katsu slice gets properly coated, which I appreciate. Taste-wise, it’s alright. Decent but nothing to shout about.

Tonkotsu Ramen Gozen

Tempura

On our subsequent visit, I tried the Tonkotsu Ramen Gozen (RM39.90); a sizeable set of pork bone ramen, salmon mayo sushi, tofu, chawanmushi and a tempura set. The tempura was quite tasty – light and wispy batter, while the prawns and assorted vegetables were fried just right.

Tonkotsu Ramen

Not quite the real deal

I didn’t care much for the ramen though. Don’t think one should expect much from a non-specialty ramen restaurant. The noodles were a tad overcooked and the broth although adequately thick, didn’t have the body or depth to justify the name “tonkotsu”.

Salmon mayo sushi

But again, it’s really value for money and if I weren’t reviewing this as a Japanese restaurant, this set would have fared higher in taste. If you’re really hungry, order this.

Salmon Yaki Set

Our friend had the Salmon Yaki Set (RM23.90) – comes with two pieces of pan fried salmon, rice, miso soup, tofu and kimchi. No complaints from him so I assume it was decent. Plus, he orders this quite often so something must be right about this set.

Chicken Don

Jien’s Chicken Don (RM18.90) is also a safe and reliable choice at Warakuya. It’s no-frills and of good portion. So if you’re into teriyaki chicken and want something reasonable, this is your best bet. The teriyaki chicken is properly done too – juicy, good amount of sauce for seasoning and grilled till the sides are crisp.

Okonomiyaki

Overly thick and starchy, unfortunately.

Do not order the Okonomoyaki (RM15.90) here. It’s the only downer among all the items we’ve tried at Warakuya so far. This Osaka-favourite is done disastrously; overly thick and starchy, with a smatter of seafood here and there. I doubt the cook knows what an okonomiyaki tastes like in Osaka, hence this outcome.

Complimentary dessert

Overall, I feel Warakuya serves decent and value for money “Japanese” food with good portions. For the quality they are serving, it’s hard to challenge their price point. Service is friendly and attentive so that gives them merit.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 7/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Food is quite decent and portions are generous. Skip the okonomiyaki though.

Warakuya Garden Puchong
No.01, Jalan Kenari 18a,
Bandar Puchong Jaya,
47100 Puchong, Selangor.
Tel: 03-8071 0001
Business hours: 11.30am till 11pm

The post Warakuya Garden, Puchong appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

In the midst of exploring a few food options around our client’s office, my team and I came across Norway Salmon Fish Head Noodles in Kepong – located just behind Brem Mall. Kepong isn’t my area of forte so when our client mentioned about a few decent fish head noodle options around their office, I took their word for it.

Norway Salmon Fish Head Noodles is a basic place; with zinc roof and no air-conditioning. It’s best to dress comfortably because I reckon the place can get really hot on a sunny day. I dined there slightly past noon and already, there was a lunch crowd tucking into their piping hot bowl of salmon fish head noodles.

There’s also an option of prawns, fish paste and fish meat in case you’re not a fan of fish head. We opted for a bowl of Norway salmon fish head noodles (RM11) and salmon fish curry noodles (RM14.50) just to compare.

I have to say, this recommendation is average at best.

Norway salmon fish head noodles

The broth of this fish head noodles is milky and thick, but lacking oomph from the tomatoes and preserved vegetables. So you’d mostly taste the evaporated milk used – good quality I reckon, as the broth is creamy. If you’re into such broths, then this might suit you.

Thick vermicelli

I however feel it needs a lot more depth as this gets a bit cloying after a while. There’s a side table where you can get your chilli dipping sauces and soy sauce. The red chilli sauce is quite spicy and gives the noodles a much-needed kick.

Thick vermicelli is used, which I prefer compared to the finer vermicelli because I like a good bite in my fish head noodles. Pity the broth just wasn’t tasty enough to go with the vermicelli. They claim to use Norway salmon – I don’t know for sure but if they do use Norway salmon, pricing is very reasonable.

Salmon fish curry noodles

Skip the curry version here. It’s not worth trying because the broth is flat-tasting and lacking body. The folks at Norway Salmon Fish Head Noodles should reduce the richness of the regular fish head noodles broth and work on accentuating the richness of their curry.

It’s spicy and fragrant enough, but lacking flavour and richness overall. The salmon fish is fried and served on the side with a dollop of mayonnaise. I thought it was overdone so the sides were dry and tough.

Overall, I find Norway Salmon Fish Head Noodles overrated. I’m not sure why this is even popular or crowded during peak hours so I’m going to just conclude that “one man’s meat is another man’s poison”.

[su_button url=”https://www.facebook.com/thebangsarbabe/” target=”blank” background=”#134b88″ icon=”icon: facebook-square”]Bangsar Babe on Facebook[/su_button] [su_button url=”https://www.instagram.com/bangsarbabe/” target=”blank” background=”#881359″ icon=”icon: instagram”]Bangsar Babe on Instagram[/su_button]

Ambiance: 5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 4.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: If you’re staying nearby, you might as well try and come up with your own verdict. If you’re living further away, I’d say – don’t even bother.

Norway Salmon Fish Head Noodles
G4, Jalan Jambu, Jinjang Selatan,
52000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 010-432 6867
Business hours: 8am till 3.30pm

The post Norway Salmon Fish Head Noodles, Kepong appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

Penang has always been one of my favourite cities to visit in Malaysia, because of the abundance of good food. It’s been more than half a year since I last visited this city of good eats so I’ve been on a lookout for a decent alternative in Klang Valley.

That was when I checked out Penang Corner in Kepong – said to serve “pretty legit” Penang white curry mee, with pork blood cubes, cockles, cuttlefish and all the works. Parking can be a hassle if you’re there during peak hours and crossing the road can be quite intimidating when there are so many cars driving past this main road.

Penang white curry mee and ais kacang

Mix it up with sambal chilli

The Penang white curry mee is actually pretty good. It reminds me slightly of the curry mee I had from Hot Bowl in Penang. I also like how they are generous with the pork blood cubes and cockles, which add a certain depth and flavour to the curry noodles.

Penang favourites at Penang Corner

Penang Corner also serves Char Kuay Teow, which is just average by my books. While it boasts a good amount of char and each strand of noodle is nicely coated, I feel the seasoning isn’t as rich as what I’d expect in a good plate of char kuay teow. Again, good amount of cockles but nothing that rocks my boat.

Chee cheong fun

The lady boss gave us a sample of Penang chee cheong fun on the house – the version with prawn paste. The paste is a tad lumpy for my liking and the rice rolls aren’t smooth or silken enough. I think you’re better off sticking to the curry mee.

Hokkien mee (known as prawn mee in KL) is available on weekends so if you’re a fan of that, you might want to check it out. I didn’t try it for myself since I was there on a weekday afternoon.

Prices are reasonable; RM6.50 or RM7 per plate/bowl if I remember correctly. Overall, I wouldn’t say it’s the best option for Penang food in KL but if you’re in the area, you might want to give the Penang curry mee a try. I think I’ll go back for that!

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Go for the Penang curry mee IF you’re in the area. The other items didn’t stand out for me.

Penang Corner
Gerai 28B, Jalan Besar
Kepong Baru,
Kuala Lumpur.
Business hours: 8am till 4pm
Closed alternate Mondays.

The post Penang Corner, Kepong appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

Mid-Autumn Festival is once again lurking around the corner and here are 8 mooncake options you should check out for consumption and gifting purposes!

Shangri-la Kuala Lumpur

Shangri-la Kuala Lumpur goes with the theme “Shang Glamour” this year – a marriage of Chinese culture and modern interpretation of mooncake flavours. I feel the box this year has a more bougee vibe, which I fancy.

Creative options like White Lotus Seed Paste with Lava Salted Egg (RM37 per piece) and Ping Pei with Custard and Bird’s Nest (RM44 per piece) are worth checking out. And if you’re a durian fan, go for the Ping Pei Durian (RM44 per piece) or better still, their Mini Golden Ping Pei Musang King Durian (RM65). The latter is as luxe as it can get.

To order, call 03-2074 3900 or visit www.shangri-la-specials.com.

Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur

Set in an opulent gold giftbox, the mooncakes from Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur ranges from traditional baked options to delicately crafted snow skin delights. The oolong tea and Osmanthus with lotus seed paste (RM45 per piece) is one of my favourites among the traditional mooncake line-ups this year.

Snowskin options include charcoal lava (RM45 per piece), homemade snow skin blueberry chocolate (RM45 per piece) and pandan with bird’s nest (RM55 per piece). All mooncakes are made by the pastry chefs at Yun House and are available for order by calling 03-2382-8640.

Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

For this year’s mooncake box design, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur teamed up with local artist Samantha Cheah to create a gift box that is inspired by the orchid display within the hotel’s premises. These orchids are portrayed in a delicate embroidery on royal purple fabric.

The team at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur showcases a repertoire of classic mooncakes (baked and snow skin), on top of their decadent chocolate mooncakes – my favourites! The Malaysian single origin dark chocolate mooncake (RM49 per piece) a delicious creation of praline feuilletine, chocolate brownie and dark chocolate cream. And it is as delicious as it sounds.

They also offer Musang King Durian (RM62 per piece), a favourite of Jien. These mooncakes are available for sale at the hotel lobby or online. You can also call 03-2179 8885 to place your order.

Ruyi

The sister restaurant of The Oriental Group of Restaurants, Ruyi offers two signature pork-free mooncakes this year – Shanghai Style Mooncake and Teochew Style Mooncake, both priced at RM30 each (RM108 per box of 4). Packaging is the simplest among the line-ups but the mooncakes are one of the best I’ve eaten thus far.

Shanghai style mooncakes are my favourite and Ruyi’s version is delicious. The pastry chef clearly knows his craft as it doesn’t crumble, but “gives in” once you cut into the mooncake. I also like how smooth and creamy the yam paste is from the Teochew Style Mooncake. As I’m typing this, the entire box has been successfully devoured. By me alone.

These mooncakes are available for sale at both Ruyi in Bangsar Shopping Centre and Yu at The Gardens Mall. To order, call 03-2283 0288 (Ruyi) or 03-2202 2602 (Yu).

Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

I was honestly (pleasantly) surprised when I learnt that Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur is debuting their mooncake box this year. The simple yet sleek wooden box set features a combination traditional and exciting flavours (RM28 each) like baked lotus paste with single yolk, mint chocolate paste, tiramisu paste and baked durian.

There are two snow skin options available – illy Coffee Snow skin Mooncake (RM25) and illy Coffee Snow skin Mooncake with Pumpkin Seeds (RM28). These mooncakes are available for sale at Latitude 03. You can also call 03-2263 7434 or email dining.reservation@lemeridien.com to place your orders.

The Westin Kuala Lumpur

Always a front-runner when it comes to exciting mooncake box packaging, The Westin Kuala Lumpur nails it again with another interactive box containing traditional Mid-Autumn favourites. This year’s theme is YUE Fantasy, inspired by the tale of the Jade Rabbit and Moon Palace.

The YUE Fantasy box (RM178 nett per box of 4 pieces) is fashioned into an elegant gift box that doubles as a light box and Bluetooth speaker. This year’s interesting flavours include the Purple Sweet Potato and Taro Sensation – the former being my favourite.

To place your order, call Westin Dining at 03-2773 8495, WhatsApp 017-311 1883 or email westindining@westin.com.

W Kuala Lumpur

Upbeat and quirky as always, W Kuala Lumpur teams up with fashion designer Melinda Looi in creating a mooncake “box” in the form of a holographic square pouch and matching tote bag. This set includes 4 mooncakes of your choice, with 7 classic and exciting flavours available.

I like the Almond Sesame White Lotus Seed Paste (RM43 nett) as it feels as though I’m having “tong sui” in the form of a mooncake. Very clever. Classic favourites like Pandan Lotus Seed with Single Yolk (RM43 nett) are also available. The set comes with a paper lantern and a small booklet with Mid-Autumn stories and traditions.

You can purchase the set at W Kuala Lumpur’s lobby or call 012-347 9088.

Sheraton Petaling Jaya

Continuing their theme of crystal boxes, Sheraton Petaling Jaya showcases four glistening mooncake boxes this year – Swan Crystal, Swan Pearl, Butterfly and Rainbow Stones. These boxes contain traditionally baked mooncakes in the form of Pandan Lotus with Single Yolk, Red Bean with Melon Seed, Tiramisu Paste with Walnut and White Lotus with Single Yolk.

These mooncakes can be purchased as an individual piece at RM26 each or in a box of four, at RM168nett. To order, call 03-7622 8888 or email sheraton.petalingjaya@sheraton.com.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

I hope this feature is useful in helping you make a decision on what mooncakes to purchase this year!

The post 8 Mooncake Options to Consider this Mid-Autumn Festival appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

I’ve mentioned this several times before – that fried chicken is my ultimate comfort food. What’s not to like about freshly fried, well-seasoned chicken pieces (even better if it’s dark meat) that is juicy and tender at the centre and crispy on the outside? And that was exactly what I looked for when I tried Segambut Fried Chicken Rice recently.

Fried chicken rice for two at Segambut Fried Chicken Rice

This fried chicken rice stall comes ‘highly recommended’ by some people, claiming it reigns supreme over my favourite fried chicken stall in Subang Jaya. The Segambut Fried Chicken Rice is merely a stall underneath a large tree, and they offer only fried chicken with rice. Nothing else.

Depending on your appetite, you can either opt for a whole fried chicken leg with rice (RM11) or a piece of fried chicken with rice (RM7). Soup and any additional chilli sauce is self-service, and the cutlery is available from the tray placed on several tables.

Fuss-free dining

This stall packs up quite quickly during lunch on a weekday – mostly with people who are working nearby. I reckon it’s also quite reasonably priced, hence the crowd. During peak hours, expect to share a table with strangers.

To be frank, I think this fried chicken is average at best.

The skin lacks crisp and the chicken is pre-cooked so it’s served warm

There’s no x-factor at all. The skin is crisp only at certain parts and the seasoning isn’t as flavourful or aromatic compared to the better ones I’ve eaten. And to make things worse, the chicken is pre-cooked so it’s warm, not piping hot.

Chilli dipping sauce is good, I have to say

So I didn’t get the juicy, tender fried chicken with incredibly moreish skin that I was seeking at Segambut Fried Chicken Rice. The rice is nothing to shout about though the chilli dipping sauce packs a wallop. I feel the latter is the best thing from this stall.

Overall, a disappointing fried chicken experience.

Overall, it was a disappointing meal. I think the fried chicken is only as good as the ones available from the pasar malam near my place. Of course, if you’re working in the vicinity and want an affordable lunch, you can try this.

But if you’re expecting some “god-level” fried chicken, then my friend, spare yourself this disappointment and just stick with the one I recommended from Subang Jaya.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Ambiance: 4.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 4.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: I really don’t get the hype. This fried chicken is just average.

Segambut Fried Chicken
10, Persiaran Segambut Tengah,
Taman Segambut,
51200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 012-789 7457
Business hours: 10.30am till 3pm
Closed Sunday

The post Segambut Fried Chicken Rice appeared first on Bangsar Babe.

The Mandarin Grill at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur recently went through a facelift – now boasting a refreshed and stylish interior that exudes a contemporary vibe. It is more casual and the menu now offers a combination of authentic Italian cuisine and grill.

Freshly baked breads

Variazione Di Funghi

Heading the restaurant is Chef de Cuisine Luigi Stinga from 2-Michelin star restaurant Seta in Mandarin Oriental Milan. My 6-course degustation menu (RM388 per person) begins with the Variazione Di Funghi, a delicious starter of assorted mushrooms, stewed in their own natural jus.

Risotto Alla Parmiggiana

If you opt for the wine pairing (additional RM188 per person), you’re served a glass of prosecco to complement the starter. The Risotto Alla Parmiggiana features justly cooked rice grains in a base of tomato crème and eggplant.

Ravioli Di Baccalá

Luigi’s signature dishes include our third course; Ravioli Di Baccalá, an elegant composition of dried salted cod fish in thin pasta blankets. Pity I was only given three pieces – I could have eaten ten of these! A glass of crisp Pinot Grigio accompanies this well.

Pesce Del Giorno All’ Acqua Pazza (fish of the day)

The fish of the day is sea bass, which Chef Luigi obtains from a sustainable fish source. As he gets his fish (and other produce) fresh daily, very little seasoning is needed as the sea bass itself packed plenty of flavour. Some extra virgin olive oil, garlic and tomato are all it takes to elevate the natural flavours of this fish.

Agnello E Peperoni

Agnello E Peperoni translates to slow-cooked lamb with a side of red pepper filled with polenta. I can’t decide which I like better – this, or the sea bass. The lamb is juicy, tender and pink at the centre, with hardly any gaminess in it.

Tiramisu

Dessert is Luigi’s reinterpretation of the Italian all-time favourite; tiramisu. His version is plated in front of you – mascarpone cream, coffee sponge and chocolate, garnished with edible flowers. Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience.

Petit Four

Luigi also does a really good lobster pasta which I had the pleasure of trying prior to this dinner preview. It’s not on the menu as of now but I’m hoping he does include it because it’s good stuff.

Bangsar Babe on Facebook  Bangsar Babe on Instagram

Mandarin Grill
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2179 8797 / 8798

The post Mandarin Grill at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur gets a new look and menu! appeared first on Bangsar Babe.