Old Siam Kopitiam @ 1Utama

It was 5 minutes to lunch. Lunch starts at 12 noon. Still pondering where to lunch in 1 Utama. That is when I saw this outlet in new wing of 1 Utama. I suddenly got interested in Thai food. And I was there browsing the menu. Okay lets give a go was playing in my mind. Oh.. this outlet is non halal.. which gave me another reason to try out the food at this outlet. 

Khao Kruk Kapi, the name of this main dish. Which is Thai belacan rice served with sweet pork and condiments. Chilly padi, slices of onions, long beans, egg, lime and the belacan rice. The belacan rice tatsed good. On first look, I thought it was a normal fried rice. So I wrong on first spoon of it. Then the condiments and sweet pork were mixed with the rice. This gave a hint of freshness to the rice with the raw condiments of onion and long beans. There is this small amount of spicy sauce. Not  sure what ingredients were used. Moreover it tasted familiar. One of the ingredient has to be the belacan.

 

Whenever I am in a Thai food outlet, I will look for Thai milk tea. And they do have it. The taste is different when compare to local milk tea.

There goes one of the walls in this restaurant.

The price was a little high for me. They do have lower price items. But this one is on the high side. Can't comment much on the price as it is located in 1 Utama.

Oh I would say this outlet is worth to try out. As it is different from most of the Thai restraurant that I had been to. Some of the items I have not seen it. Maybe part of it is a non halal restaurant.

Taiping Thiam Kee @ USJ Taipan

Been here multiple times. My visit to this place was done in the morning mostly. This one time is dinner. Some how the brain was switching signal to explore outside the usual order I had made.

I have seen coffee mixed with jelly or cincau in menus, yet I did not tasked myself to get one. This time saw it again in the menu. Yup.. gave an order to make one for me. 

Okay this one below is coffee and tea and milk and black jelly. The drink taste as usual strong coffee and a hint of tea. The jelly gave the coffee something to bite. And I like it. Going to do it again if the name of the drink appears in front of my eyes.

This is something new to me. I mean the name given for this dish. Teochew Fried Kue Teow. Not the usual local fried keowteow. The noodle is thicker. It tasted normal until chilly sauce is added. The chilly sauce is something special in this place. It has their distinct taste. And this chilly make my meal more appetizing. Been taking it everytime I visit the place together with dry noodle.

Here goes the chilly sauce in their container. It has a little sour taste in it. Which has given the chilly a different taste and when added to the food, I had turn the content of the bowl all to my tummy.

There are varieties of food to choose from. And not to forget the drinks. At times I had a difficulty to decide the drinks.

Fried Radish Cake @ Lot 10 Hutong, KL.

I was there again for lunch. In fact I was there many time. This time I choose to try out the Fried Radish Cake. I remembered eating radish cake when I was like 7 or 8 years old. At the olden times it was made differently. What I remember it was not fried but some kind of sauce was used. It was tasty back then. Now back to present day. This is not the first time I took this.

Display on an overhead board. Besides the fried radish cake, there other choices too.

While waiting for the cook to fry the radish cake. I look around. Since 1970 there were in business. This makes me wonder. This food was being prepared before I was event born.

There goes the fried radish cake. Served with chilli. Radish cake, spring onions, bean sprout, egg, prawns, salted minced radish and spices, are the ingredients I can gathered while eating it. The salted minced radish was added to give the crunchy bites and of course to give added aroma to the final dish. Tasted good. Won't say it is the best. But will choose this again, if I have a chance, as there are other choices I have not tried in this place. Chilli is just nice, not that spicy, else will robbed the original taste of the food. It taste almost like Fried Kuey Teow. But Fried Kuey Teow is slightly more oily than fried radish cake.

Ah hah, there goes the name of the stall, Kong Tai.

While taking the food I noticed there was another man frying the radish cake. Mine was fried by a lady person. So I was wondering if the man might be the sifu. The taste may differs? Ouch.. will be there again and this time have to be there a bit later and I have to make sure the man is there.

Rasa Utara Restaurant

Thanks to this article http://soohk.blogspot.com/2011/09/restaurant-rasa-utara-at-berjaya-times.html. I was being led to this place.

I have been passing it a many times. But didn't went in as first thought is the price. From a glance at the menu which was placed just outside the entrance. The choices are more toward dishes rather than individual serving.

On the day I decided to give a try after what SooHK has experienced. I was quite excited at the indivdual meal served. So on arrival at the indoor entrance, I browse the menu, as the waitress approaching me. First I questioned on the menu, "..do you served individual meal, like fried rice, nasi lemak...". I was shown the noodle section. Which was not a lot choices (as it was lunch time). And that is the only section for individual meal. She suggested that I can order one of the dished to go with white rice. Which was not to my liking. I gave a second chance on the noodles available. I was asked to be sitted, then I ordered a Laksa Kedah, scripted on the menu is Tun Dr. Mahathir's favourite. An top with a Air Cincau Mata Kuching.

While waiting....

There goes the kitchen. Not many Malay food restaurant features their kitchen to the customer like this. One get to glimpse the food preparation.

On seeing the stairs, I was curious as to whether there were any seats up above. So I queried the waitress and was told that it was meant for those who put up a reservation. The sittings were divided into two sections, outdoor and indoor. Indoor with air conditioner, that is where I had placed myself.

There goes the noodle I had ordered. Quite interesting and simple. Mint leaves, cucumber, onion, fish, leaks, chilly, carrot and the laksa noodle. The soup was sour. But when eaten together with the noodle it is just nice. After a few spoonful of the noodle and the soup, it get spicy. At the end I sweat even in the air conditioning area. This was how exciting the Laksa has given to me. And Laksa is meant to be sour and spicy at the same time. 

Air Cincau Mata Kuching, served with ice. It is the first time I have tasted this. Most likely it is available out there somewhere, just that I didn't notice or looking for it. The taste of this drink, sweetness of mata kuching with the crispy cincau.

Entrance facing a main road. With tables and chairs on the walkways. At nite it will a nice place to sit and dine.

The breakfast set and also not to miss the evening tea break set. I might go there to try out the breakfast. As it would not be a cheap one for me. 

Here is what the outdoor entrance looks like. Abit on the kampong style with a modern touch.

This entrance is access from the inside of Berjaya Time Squares. This was where I went in the restaurant.

And the billed.

Actually this restaurant has a lot more interesting food which I would like to try. But to try it out, I need a group of people with me. Or else I have to order a dish at a time. That mean I have to visit the place as many time as the available dishes. How absurd it is.

If you have a gang who would like to take Malay food this is one of the restaurant to try out. Or if you want to know how Tun Dr. Mahathir like his food, this is your chance.

Now I have to plan my next trip there. I am wondering who wants to join me.... 

Note: The article above is based on my experience, I am not paid to produce this article.

Dragon-i Restaurant, La Mien.

Was at IKEA, as wondering around looking for any sign of new item that worth my deposit of interest. Then went over to the Curve to sample Border's book. And also Daiso to hunt down the item for self made tools.

Next came the interesting time, lunch hours. Started to look for outlet with food that will filled my growling tummy.

Found this outlet with the word Dragon-i on it. Almost missed it as it is placed at the end of the Street at Curve. That was not my first time in Dragon-i for lunch. But it was my first time in this outlet in the Curve.

As normal, dishes with white rice were ordered, but that day we decided to try out the individual meal.

La Mien, was my choice. Ok, my bad as I forgot to record the actual name given to this and the other meals I had ordered. On one glance it looks like curry noodle, which made me drool, as curry noodle is one of my favorite. And it is fresh hand made noodle.

The sauce has a mixture of taste, which really tested my taste bud. A light sourly taste with a little spicy added to the thick sauce. The sourly taste bring me to the taste of laksa, but not as heavy as laksa. Taste of peanut is heavy. I even thought it tasted like the satay sauce. This sauce is something new to me. Not everybody likes peanut. I like it but not crazy about it.

Then the steam chicken rice with lap cheong and mushroom, this is good. The chicken is soft. Can't really explain the taste. It seems like oyster sauce is used.  

The last, fried rice. Not something special but it is good. Where this boy loves it.

At times when we are in this kind of restaurant, we tends to order the dishes that are served with plain rice. And we seldom give a second thought to order the invidual meal. Where it does surprise us with the good taste.

No doubt the famous food is the steam dumpling. This dumpling is much spoken in the internet world.

And in this outlet I get to see the chef doing the noodle. The dough is pulled multiple time. Each pull is accompany with a half fold. Each pull make the dough thinner. In the end, it become the strings of fine noodle. So the name, la mien. 

Soong Kee Beef Noodle

 After listing a few choice to dine, we decided to go for beef noodle. And there are a few beef noodles outlet within Kuala Lumpur. And the dry version was selected. This shop's histories can be found in the internet. And there are many comment and views too. Now I am one of them going to the shop and taste the noodle which I have taken since 1995.

The number of customers are that many everyday. If I am late I might not get a sit. Sharing table is encourage by the staff working there. So if you are with a large group of friends going to lunch at this place, do be advice to reach earlier to avoid disappointment.

The menu is simple. Dry noodle with mince beef is the standard. Next the choice of soup, beef ball only or mixture of beef tripe with beef ball. And there are also choice of size on the noodle and also the soup.

The above noodle is recommended. They do have other type of noodles. This one is a large size. Mince beef and sawi. Mixed it together to get the sauce evenly onto the noodle, as the noodle is tasteless.

Beef balls and tripe. If you can take tripe, rcommended to try them out. Else if you are on the conservative side, then all beef balls.

There goes the department producing the delicious food. The same corner since the first time I enter this shop.

Located at a junction, as it is a corner lot. The whole building is bathe in yellow, easy to find.

Okay now this is another outlet to be added in lunch list, if you have no problem with taking the beef.

Soto Ayam Sham Othman @ Lorong Perak, K.L.

".. Lunch hour is coming. Where to lunch?... Where to lunch?.. Where to lunch?..." my mind was racing to search a location to lunch.

Since I had lunch partners, so suggested them to go for Soto Ayam. With luck the weather is a bit gloomy, mean no direct sunlight. So they agreed to go along to try out something new.

This was my second time there. The serving is not large, so it doesn't fill up my tummy well. The soto ayam main ingredient is the soup, which uses a number of spices. With shredded chicken, mihun, taugeh and some chopped chinese leeks, of I started to slurp it. The soup is tasty enough. But my lunch partner claimed it cannot rival the one in Jakarta. As I also have tried variety of Soto Ayam there but I can recalled what is the taste like.

With the small serving of Soto Ayam, I started looking for other food to fill my food "bag".


There I saw the Laksa noodle, and ordered a bowl of it. As it is new my lunch partner did the same as the Soto Ayam still leaved a void to be filled. A simple serving with cucumber, onion, half of chicken egg, a lime and the laksa noodle, oh.. not to forget a spoonful of cili padi, which has given an gasping lunch. The noodle was soak in a soup which contain taste a fish, I believed the fish was boiled to melt into the soup. So I can't see any fish or pieces of fish meat. And you know what, the taste is good.

The above is the pic of the stall. Just along the road side. The best of all was the price that I have to pay. Soto Ayam @ RM3.50 and Laksa @ RM3.00

So I can't ask for more with this price. So go and surprise yourself with it.

Campbell Popiah @ Hutong, Lot 10

Was at Lot 10 the other day to have a look at the person call Chua Lam...

And there I was, at lower ground floor Hutong Food Court looking for my lunch. With variety food in the food court, I was like walking around undecided. There I saw someone doing some wrapping work using some round white sheet.

And my brain registered the food for lunch, Popiah, one the local delicacies in Malaysia. And they wrap the multiple popiah so fast.. wait wait.. let rewind a bit... where was I.. okay.. on registering the popiah to my brain, I started to look for the menu to see what choices do I get.

With only 3 choices, the task of choosing became daunting. Lucky the lady was patient with me. Then, "..2 Campbell Mini Popiah please.." (at the time of ordering, not realizing the minimum 2 pieces is required to deal). "..5.30.." I was like huh.. 5.30 pm to get my order. "..huh..'', "..5 ringgit and 30 sen, please..", then I go "..oh..". He he he...okay okay joke aside.

So I parted with my 5 ringgit and 30 sen. And I was directed to the other side to wait for my order.

While I was waiting, I was thinking it must be ready in a minute. Since there was so many of the popiahs being rolled at one time. Looking at the guy doing it and putting it in the a box, only to realize none of them were for me. Waiting I did. At last I got my order, 2 pieces of Campbell Mini Popiah.

With the brain overdoing the visualization of the popiah taste, my mouth started to salivate. Look for a seat, of course with a table. I was about to take a piece and put into my mouth.. wait wait.. ow.. I got to take a photo first.

Okay put away the capturing gadget. Fork and spoon in hand. Ready, get, set and go. 

It is juicy, a little spicy, as I ask for chilly. While munching away, as my tummy is empty. Finished all within few minutes. It tasted to me as any popiah I have taken before, only thing is the taste is not on the heavy side. Just nice. And it is not as dry as others I have tasted.

Conclusion, it taste good. So if you guys have not try it. Do go get it, as I was lucky that day. As earlier I have tried twice to get the popiah, but long queue turned me away. It is famous. And chosen and invited by Tan Sri Dato' Francis Yeoh to have their outlet in Hutong Food Court at Lot 10.

On leaving the food court I dropped by to take some more photos. On seeing me shooting here and there, the owner joyfully thumb upped at me. Click I go on the second time, as the first time he put up his thumb, I was shocked by his action. He also asked me if I have eaten his popiah. Yes I did uncle. Thanks.

Not to be a lengthy person, a final photo of the outlet.

Oh, I have yet to try the other 2 choices. Will do it next round.

Penyet Express

I was having a lunch on one Monday last week. Mmm.. *salivating*.. yummy.. Okay, stop drooling, I told myself. Start selecting the packages that is offered on the menu. Took something with all beef on it. And I received a number for a start, 24 on a plastic stand. As usual when I am in a Indonesian food outlet, I will look for Indonesian famous pack tea. 'Teh Botol' soon listed in my order list.

After some tossing head around, at time with frozen head and eyes riveting on something. Ta da.. came my meal. Plate of white rice. Pitty they don't do coconut milk rice, what the Indonesian call 'nasi uduk'. I really missed it, when I was in Jakarta, the 'nasi uduk' comes with fried onion. The pack of tea arrived with a corner nipped. And also a plastic mug with some ice in it. Took the straw and stuff it into the pack through nipped corner. No ice for me.

What I can say is the food is fantastic, the beef is tendered, no tendon it in. Meatball tasted good too, with strong taste of beef.

Chewing away to the end. Left the last meatball with some burn on it. Was wondering, if the black stuff on it will shortened my life. With carbon to promote cancer... ah.. what the heck.. bite and bite I go on the last meatball.. bam... seems it is rotten. The funny thing was I kept chewing, biting and *gulp* it went down the throat. I was hoping my system can help me to fight the rotted part.

My tummy felt uncomfortable, some what 2 hours later. Gas everywhere in the stomach. Tried to air it out. But it got worst. And the next in line, body felt achy and getting cold with hot body. FEVER. Ouch! Turn to bed early. Till today I am still having chesty cough. What an experience to begin with the new year.

SO lesson learned, do not continue the gluttony. I should be a better person than I am now.

Anyway the food is delicious, just have to be careful when eating. I am sure the tongue is able to tell us what is wrong with the food if any..

Waroeng Penyet

The last time I have tried Indonesian food was in Indonesia. This one is at The Curve. Seen this restaurant awhile back. Recently only have I been there. The Teh Botol is a drink formulated in Indonesia. When the first time I tasted it, it feels odd to me. Till now it is. Can't bring myself to describe it, I mean the taste of the tea.

I was there with my wife, so I made the order. Oh, the food is to be ordered at the counter. More like going to KFC or McDonald or fast food outlets. When I was there, the place is packed. No empty seat available. I was about to leave, a table got emptied. Taken the table, waitress and waiter came and went from the table. First the table was cleared. Then I was given a form and a menu. On receiving the form and menu, ooo... it feels like Oldtown Kopitiam. Then I started to read the menu and filled the form. Then I was sitting waiting for a waiter to serve me. Then only realised that I have to order at the counter. As the menu has written the self service word.

At the point of time I was alone. My wife was shopping. And I was thinking, how am I suppose to leave the table, without other customer taking over the table. At last, taken the risk.

At the counter, I was told the taufu, tempe and telor penyet is not available. So order the bakso penyet and ayam penyet. Later I added a siaomai. I am not able to share a photo on it as I was so eager to taste it. I was a bit disappointed as it does not taste as those I have taken in Jakarta. The penyet is a bit on the sweet side. The ayam penyet was not that crispy, much on the soft side. It does taste good no doubt. Just me being picky. Yup, not to forget the sambal come with the penyet tasted fresh.

Most likely I would try again on a day where there isn't so many people. Hoping it will taste different. And more toward the one I have tasted in Jakarta.