Gokuraku Ramen @ Mid Valley

I can't deny the matter of fact that I love pretty much anything in soupy form. And of course, Japanese Ramen soup will be an essential work day lunch choice. What is better than a 50% discount on all Ramen dishes in this newly open Gokuraku Ramen @ Mid Valley !! The restaurant is on its second day of business and hence the promotion deal. Though the ambiance is pretty stylish, rather like a lounge but it was pack and stuffy. The wait staffs were trying hard to impress but they still mess up with the order one or two, here and there. 

Okay, I'm not so sure if ramen is the most economic noodle soup ever. Well, in fact it isn't at all !! I guess what makes a good bowl of ramen is the Tonkotsu broth. A good bowl does take significant amount of effort and timing to boil. While, to taste that bowl of goodness is very much down to a person preference. It is like Godiva chocolate as the premium and mass production Cadbury as the sub class. Both can be just ordinary chocolate to a non lover. 

To the left : Gokuraku Miso Ramen @ RM20.90 (Normal Price) - Mince meats, cabbages in Miso soup. Generous portion.

To the right : Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen @ RM17++  - A slice of Jap Char Siew, Chinese cabbages and some unknown red vegs. The taste is on the light side.

Bottom : Gyoza (Pork Dumplings) @ RM7.90 - Ordinary. 

While, this is my Ultimate Tonkotsu Ramen @ RM20.90 with 3 slices of char siew, whole egg, seaweed and vegs. I presented this bowl of goodness a very high regard. The Tonkotsu broth in fact of the best I ever tasted. It is rich and flavorful in a good sense not overly salty as some other ramen joint. The splash of garlic oil has indeed enlightened the whole dining experience. A++

Will I come back again ? I will make it an occasional savor like once in a couple of weeks to avoid extra burden on my wallet LOL !!

Bao Bao Pan Mee - Aman Suria

Bao Bao Pan Mee is one of the established Pan Mee joint in the Klang Valley. There is one in my vicinity, Aman Suria. But I have never been a fan of Bao Bao. I find their soup version to be rather uninspiring. It contains rich MSG taste. Unlike Cha Cha Pan Mee which located just a few shop lot down the street. Cha Cha's version make of rich hard boil broth. And that is exactly what I expect from soup version. However, Bao Bao's dry spicy garlic version managed to impress me. It consists of mince meats, dry garlic & chillies as well as Bao Bao's one and only crunchy fish crackers. Dry version comes with a bowl of soup with an egg.   

Priced @ RM5.80 for a small size bowl. It is a rather generous portion. I do find the noodles to be a little dry and difficult to mix around with the ingredients. Perhaps a splash of chili oil will show improvements. Their crunchy fish crackers created such a great combination with the soft springy noodles.

 Thought it is named spicy garlic. It isn't that spicy even to my standard (I have low tolerant on spiciness). If you need that extra kick, feel free to help yourself with the four kinds of chillies they provide. 

叶荣肉骨茶 ( Ye Rong Dry Bak Kut Teh )

 叶荣肉骨茶 ( Ye Rong Bak Kut Teh ) is by far my favorite when it comes to this proud cuisine of Klang people, the Bak Kut Teh. We visited the one at Kota Damansara and this is their fifth branch. Well, at least they serve chopped garlic and chillies to go with the cuisine. Unlike some traditional Klang eateries who insist to savour it plain without any garlic interfere.

It is their dry version that I enjoy the most. The dry cuttle fish in it is like the g-spot of every orgasm. It is just so perfect to go with rice. I end up having 3 serving of rice. It is just that tempting !! While, their wet counterpart is the dark, thicker soup version. It is served in the claypot to reserve the heat, warmness. We dedicated our selection of meat to the "small bone" and it is very tender. Spot on !! A pot for one helping comes with good amount of mix pork intestines and "Fu Chok"  plus unlimited refill of soup !!

A dinner for 2 comes out to be RM30.00 with four serving of rices and drinks. Pretty decent considering that Bak Kut Teh as never been the most economic selection of meal.

Nam Heong Chicken Rice + Cendol Nasi Pulut

Hainanese Chicken Rice is one of the must try whenever you have overseas traveling guest visiting our lovely Malaysia. Thought I would have a better suggestion when it comes to chicken rice, one of our traveling companion suggested Nam Heong which we dully agreed as we all never try it before. Nam Heong has a few branches across Klang Valley. With their original flagship restaurant claimed to operate since 1930 in Petaling street (China Town). While, we went to the one in Desa Sri Hartamas.

 Boiled Chicken has always been my choice over roasted chicken. My perfect 10 version should come with tender soft meat with generous splash of light soy sauce and sesame oil. And I reckon Nam Heong failed in this sense.

Half chicken @ RM20.00 Fitted in well for 4 pax. We also ordered Sour & Spicy preserved vegs(RM5) which isn't impressed me either. We all agreed that this is not the best dish to serve(Or rather to order) in a chicken rice eatery as it does over power your palette.

We dropped by this road side mobile van in Kelana Jaya for a bowl of simply heavenly Cendol with Nasi Pulut (Glutinous rice). I thought this is such a perfect combination for our nation proud dessert. @ RM2.50, this is the perfect Malaysian afternoon tea. 

Pho Hoa, Tropicana City Mall. Vietnamese Beef Noodles Soup

 I tend to have a soft spot for any kind of noodles soup particularly Vietnamese style. It will be my obvious choice if any food court/shopping mall is serving one of these. Restaurant Pho Hoa, as the name suggested they are specialized in Vietnamese Pho (Flat Noodles Soup). Vietnamese Noodles soup usually comes with lime, mint and coriander leaves as condiments. By adding in some chopped chillies, your bowl of Pho is perfectly sour, spicy, sweetened by onions, beef broth as well as a refreshing minty after taste. A bowl of regular adventurer's choice of briskets, flanks, tendons, steaks and tripe @ RM18.90 has never fail to satisfy me.

 Restaurant Pho Hoa is a Vietnamese food chain started off in North America and has since established around the globe. A bowl of regular Pho is usually in the range of RM15.90 to RM18.90. With the large bowl priced at RM2.00 more. Pho Hoa is one of the place that I reckon served a better version of these Vietnamese proud.

As appetizer, we had the Gol Muc (Squid Salad) @ RM6.90 which is a rather let down as the squids were tough and chewy. The taste was rather dull either. I dont think I will order that again for my next visit. While, Cha Trung Hap, home style steamed chicken & egg pie was simply marvelous. Best served with the companion sauce. The thin vermicelli mixed in the pie, added comfort dining texture towards every mouthful that you savour. Cha Trung Hap is priced @ RM5.90 for a bar size. 

I really hope that I will get to visit Vietnam some time this year for a real authentic bowl of hawker style Pho. It has been such a comfort food to me that the crave for it is as strong as sexual drive. ^_^

   

The Old School - Klang Bak Kut Teh

Bak Kut Teh is not a new thing to savor in my book. I do have BKT "meat bone tea" once a while. My favourite is a dry version served at one of this BKT outlet in Kepong. However, I'm still a shy virgin when it comes to original Klang Bak Kut Teh. Needless to say, I have never been to Klang before.  

 I finally get the chance to visit this town which is so synonym with BKT delicacy when Lard from Czech Republic visited us. We were brought to this unknown shop lot in the older part of Klang. I know I should have making the effort to at least even find out the name of the restaurant. This is definitely not the famous Seng Huat but rather similar as they served their BKT in a rather traditional way. That is in a bowl and no fancy condiments, no "You Tiao", mushrooms, inners, not even chilli padi and garlic.

 A small bowl of this, cost us RM8.00 each. Rather pricey considering the portion. Though I have no complain on the taste. The meat was succulent and the soup was flavorful but if this is the best of Klang has to offer, I will say it is over rated then. I can definitely find equally awesome BKT else where.

The lunch session for the four of us with a pot of tea costs us RM47 in total. Good value for money ? hmm...not really. I will reserve my judgment up until I have tried other established BKT joints in Klang.

By the way, does anyone of you know what is the name of this BKT joint ?

Seafood @ Pulau Ketam

We went over to Pulau Ketam(Crab Island) today as our friend, Lard who is on his ASEAN go-around is stopping over in Malaysia. Pulau Ketam is 35 mins away from Port Klang on speed boat. It is a fishing village whereby seafood is the main and only attraction perhaps to the tourist. We picked one of this restaurant which have the most eaters to enjoy our seafood feast. I just realized that I dont even know what the restaurant's name was. One landmark to this restaurant is the "lala Jing" / Oysters Fried Egg stall in front. Priced @ RM10.00 a plate, it wasn't the best I ever have and it is certainly not the worst.

Well, it wasn't really a seafood feast anyway. We have no crabs neither fishes just to save a bit on our budget. Dishes that we ordered were "lala soup" which was strongly indulged by Chinese Wine, sweet & spicy mantis prawn, deep fried squids that everyone thought was very good, a plate of greens that I did not bother to capture any photo. And........

This giant sized - bamboo shell. I thought it was over-sized that it certainly affecting my appetite.

 The lunch costs RM92.00 for the 4 of ours. Acceptable for a tourism island's standard. I thought Pulau Ketam is pretty use out. It certainly past its fame. Today was my first visit here and I didn't have the best impression. Pulau Ketam which once known as an island for stray dogs is now more like a garbage island. 

Chicking Fried Chicken @ Tropicana City Mall

ChicKing is yet another fried chicken option after KFC and POPEYE. They recently established their first Malaysian chain in Tropicana City mall.

Chicking portrait themselves as a product of UAE. One thing for sure, their marketing plan is targeting halal market particularly the Muslim countries.

 3 pieces dish, with two side dishes and a soft drink goes at RM12.00. I enjoy both the mashed potatoes and coleslaw. I rated those higher than the KFCs.

 I ordered myself 2 spicy and an original. I found the chicken to be less oily with almost nil skin and dry. Perhaps over-fried. Not a pleasant dining experience really. A lot of chewing needed even on the suppose-to -be-tender thigh. I still prefer my fried chicken to be oily and sinful.

 Chicking is giving out free mini wrap on the purchase of every main meal. One and only valid point from me on Chicken King is, you don't pay for government tax neither service charge.

Happy Thaipusam !!

China Town Seng Kee - Claypot Lou Shu Fan

 Claypot Lou Shu Fan (Rat tail noodles) is relatively sought after in this side of the world. Seng Kee, off China Town Petaling street is one of the establish restaurant for the said dish. Do not expect eatery like this to score points on hygiene and ambiance. It is what they serve that matters.

Overflow mince meats, pork livers, shrimps, a raw egg on top, all these goodness in an old school Claypot.  Mixed and tossed it all together, the raw egg cooks from the refrained heat of the Claypot. It provide double pleasure tickling to both your taste bud and eyesight. I find this version to be a form of culinary art. A reflection of Malaysian Chinese street food culture. Priced @ RM8.00, it is very reasonable judging at the generousity of the ingredients.

 

Siew yoke mien (Roast pork noodles), is another signature of their business. I'm not trying to be skeptical, this one just does not impress me. It is edible, not to the extend of "amazing". Especially when you are paying RM10.00 for a plate. You will expect some form of satisfaction. It is just roast pork fried with garlic to a level of crispness.The noodles are tossed with dark soy sauce and lard oil. RM6.00 is the maximum I'm willing to pay for this dish. Perhaps as a Sarawakian, we tend to place Kampua and Kolo Mee as the king and queen of "tossed noodles". No replacement can even be closed enough to be as good.

Brotzeit - German Bier Bar & Restaurant @ Mid Valley

Merry Christmas everyone !! One of my Christmas wish this year is to feast myself German food and beer. The wish was fulfilled on Christmas Eve @ Brotzeit, German Bier bar & restaurant.

 Brotzeit is having good review from that small country next door(our SG neighbour). I'm glad that they finally venturing Malaysian culinary scene and giving gluttons another choice when comes to German cuisine. Brotzeit is one of the relatively new eatery located @ Mid Valley Megamall. The ambiance is cozy and spacious enough for friends gathering and team lunch of office workers. So boss, can I suggest this place as the next team lunch outfit ?

 With such a bar set, you will know what you can expect.

 Yes !! the infamous German beer. Paulaner's original Munich lager on the left and Paulaner's Weissbier on your right. Priced @ RM28 for a full pint. Smooth, awesome stuff.

 Food wise, we ordered the notorious pork knuckle with Sauerkraut(some sort of pickle onions) and mashed potatoes. RM85++, this dish is good enough to stuff up two massive eaters like us and good enough for 4 moderate eaters.

 It does takes time for the knuckle to be served but the waiting was all well worth it. Good food does take time to prepare anyway.Crispy, crunchy skins and the melt in the mouth fat are those to die for. I will kill just to have a little more if I'm sharing. The meat goes very well with the German Lager too.

 Am I satisfy ? Well, Let the photo tells the story then. It was all sweep clean !! I even have that evil thought of ordering it as a single portion just for myself. No sharing !!

Fong Lye Taiwan Restaurant @ The Gardens

 Having based at Mid Valley, I'm spoiled with variety of foods. Although you can pretty much ease your crave on simply any kind of cuisines, the price is not cheap either. Most of the time, I will have to pay shopping mall price for my work lunch.  Restaurant Fong Lye @ the Gardens specialized in Taiwanese cuisine. Located at the high end compound of the Mid Valley city, so be prepare to spend couple extra bucks.

 Anyway, the comfy, cozy ambiance will make sure your couple extra bucks well spent. Because you are having your lunch by sitting on a sofa!! 

Ginger chicken soup set meal. I had a sip of the soup and it tasted decent.

My braised pork leg rice set @ Rm19.90. The set completed with a bowl of rice topped with mince pork, ginseng chicken soup, salted vegs and a fried stuffed seafood.

 A close up on the braised porky leg. Taste wise, it was rather plain and I'm sure I have try soemthing better than this.

The Taiwanese chicken chop with noodles soup. The deep fried chicken chop is good with a little bit of spicy kick.

It has been two weeks since I resume my 9 to 6 routine. New colleagues, new job scopes, I'm still adapting myself. I hope I'm coping well. It is lovely to step in the office and greeted by a vibrant view of the KL city center. Have a nice weekend ^^

Garden @ The Curve

I first spotted Garden in Wang Utama and I'm amazed by their garden themed deco. As its name suggested, this eatery brings a dining experience as if you are enjoying your meal in the garden. A rather fancy garden. It was their another outlet at the Curve that we decided to have our lunch today with a friend from Taiwan, Fran.

 Chicken Teriyaki with french beans and mash potatoes @ RM18.90. The sauce has nothing near to the real thing, it was rather just grilled chicken with sweet soy sauce perhaps. 

 Salted egg yolk fried rice @ RM15.90. The yolks are indeed tempting. With fair bit of this salted goodness on top, it does carry that extra kick to their rather plain fried rice.

 Spaghetti seaood Marinara @ RM18.90. Real tomato crushes were used together with mussel, clams and prawns. Not bad at all. Fair enough.

 

 Nasi Lemak @ RM15.90 for our Taiwanese Fran. Well, at least she is happy with our national dish.

 And yours truly grilled Barramundi @ RM18.90. Served with sauted vegs, mash potatoes and burned butter sauce. I find the taste of their food rather on the plain side. You are pretty much enjoying the nature taste of the ingredients instead of fancy flavoring.

Our desserts, lime flavour jelly cheese cake and chocolate cheese cake with black sesame were top notch.I really enjoy these two tiny piece of cakes. Named as the Gardens and Luscious, thought little pricy @ RM8.90 per piece. I salute the creative taste of almond, black sesame and dark fine chocolates of the Luscious piece. While, the jelly based of the Gardens bring that unique texture of a non-baked cheese cake. Of course, awesome food will never complete without great company. Fran, enjoy your stay in Malaysia and safe flight to Australia. Have a great one yo.