LaksaShiok

Claypot Rice at Busy Corner Damansara Jaya

Kelvin Wong — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:49:04 +0000

The second part of the Damansara Jaya series unfolds another hidden gem of a hot and delicious comfort meal for all: Claypot Chicken Rice. Although many will straight away prefer to go for the Kampar version sold nearer to Atria Shopping Centre, located in Restaurant Koon Kee, however we decided to give coverage on another restaurant not too far away tucked a stone’s throw away from KDU College.

Busy Corner Restaurant is really what its name described as: busy and packed to the bream when we arrived. Its specialty and main draw is the ever famous claypot chicken rice served fresh off the charcoal stove. The craving gets even more intense as rain pours down intermittently and a cooling weather draws in thereafter. This restaurant has its own merits as compared to the other competitor nearby. The claypot chicken rice, of course is good as it looks as above. Wait a little bit longer and stir it and you will get “charred” harden rice along the walls of the claypot that is crispy and nice. However, we still do not endorse eating the charred bits as it is rumoured to be carcinogenic (no sources however). The salted fish bits is a must to give the plain rice some flavour.

Like the other restaurants that serve claypot rice, one must not miss its selection of boiled soups, this time we just had a bowl of water cress soup (Sai Yong Choy), which is nothing fancy, but good for students away from outstations to taste home-boiled chinese soups.

The main attraction why this restaurants stood out from the other countless competitors, its variety of claypot rices seems to amaze people. They had this Claypot prawn rice, which is a great choice as it has big and succulent prawns topped up with chopped onions and sambal. A must-try if you come over to Busy Corner Restaurant. There are other selections of claypot rice and of course some vegetables as well to wash down the oily stuff. Do drop by, it is located near KDU College, just make a right turn when you see Petronas if you are turning in from the LDP highway or turn left if you are from Atria side heading to KDU. Prices are standard but a wee bit expensive for the Claypot Prawn Rice.

Penang Cravings Atria Damansara Jaya

Kelvin Wong — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:51:32 +0000

After a write up on the nearby Mama restaurant, there is also one more gem untold in the Damansara Jaya area. This is the second gem one can find as mentioned before. We were shopping around this area and saw this new outlet located at the ground floor of Atria Shopping Centre. Being a peranakan lover and spicy foodie, how can I not resist to try out this place?

Essentially peranakan. The decorations of this place is modern and provides a very excellent atmosphere to chill out and hang out with old friends, what more Atria being a quiet spot, its definitely a great place for those cozy gatherings. The first dish we ordered is the must-have otak otak. The taste of it is excellent and really goes very well with the rice. The spicy degree is not as high as mama restaurant, though.

This place also serves a must have penang delicacy, Lobak. As this establishment is halal, therefore it is made from chicken. This does not affect its essential taste for a lobak, its crispiness and fragrant taste when being chewed in the mouth are still there.

Also not to forget we also had a spicy dish, which was the Sambal prawns with vegetables. This is definitely recommended to all as the prawns are not only fresh but the chilli paste has a special flavour in it.

For non spicy alternative, we ordered a stir fried beef with black pepper dish, which actually is east meet west fusion; black pepper sauce and Asian style stir fried beef. Do not give this a miss as well.

The Egg Tofu in thick egg sauce is also great accompaniment with the rice. Note that this meals must go with at least a bowl of rice, otherwise there won’t be satisfaction. The verdict: Recommended, most points goes to its ambience and furniture, a must go for treating friends and family gatherings. The next writeup will also focus on Damansara Jaya area, on another unique gem.

6 to 10 Grill SS17 PJ Happy Mansion: Value Malaysian Western Food

Kelvin Wong — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:19:38 +0000

Wow, after getting featured on The Star, Ive rummaged through some of my old photos that I have taken sometime on December last year to be posted here. One of it that is worth a mention is the ever popular 6 to 10 Grill that was featured on many other food blogs. Some may question: This is a Malaysian Food blog, shouldn’t it be featuring more of Malaysian food? I would dare say that western food here, especially the ones that are served in coffee shops and other outlets are being transformed into a new genre, or segment of “Malaysian Western Cuisine”. Other examples would be the Hainanese Colonial Chicken Chop being served by Yut Kee near Jalan Dang Wangi. It seems that you can never find this elsewhere in other parts of the world; as Hainanese chefs serve this delicious chops, a fusion between east and west to serve their colonial masters, as well as adapting their chinese ways of stir frying techniques.

One stuff that you will notice about this place: packed to the brim. It was pretty difficult for us to locate a table as we waited at least 20 minutes to get one. One thing you must try there is their famed Nasi Lemak, with their delicious sambal sotong and rendang daging. Though the cheapest course on the menu, it still packs a big punch and a favourite haunt for post-sweaty futsal and badminton sessions.

The real thing we are looking for, which is the value-for-Ringgit western meal. Pretty no frills as you can see, the Pork Chops in Hawaiian Sauce is really a great meaty main course with its sweet and tangy (Hawaiian-I-kid-you-not) sauce. Less fries are served, but no worries, as they will not do any good to you after all.

The mushroom soup that came next is something you would need before you start on a real western meal. No harm getting all soupy before a real meal.

The pan-fried fish here is something near the cheapest we can get at the menu. Its indeed a bargain for fish lovers and less fries again, maybe concerned for your health again? (hehe). In the end, we certainly feel that this place is not overrated at all. it lives up to its fame for being value for money and delicious in another way. Today’s review just focus on the “value-for-money’ aspect, so the other higher-end stuff, like the ribs are not featured here. Maybe I will give it a try some other time and I will do a second write-up on the other stuff we did not try that day.

6 to 10 Grill
Beneath Happy Mansion Apartments
Note: Its close to Food Foundry, which also serve great food

Reviews from other Food Blogs:
KYEats
Masak-Masak
Memoirs of a Chocoholic

LaksaShiok featured on Sunday Metro, The Star 23rd March 2008

Kelvin Wong — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:54:00 +0000

Okay… So I have been lazy to update my poor blog for almost 3 months! Its just so happen that one of my blog entry on Mama restaurant was featured on today’s (23rd March 2008) The Star Sunday Metro. Can you imagine? LaksaShiok got featured on one of the highest readership daily in this country, and for the second time again! How could I bear to let my blog go down the drain like that! When I read the article on the papers, my heart was full of encouragement and warmth but it sank as well because I did not take much effort to update it due to heavy work commitments. I humbly apologize to my frequent visitors who have been so loyal to this blog for the lack of updates. A word of thanks to Sangeetha Nair of The Star for motivating me to continue on food blogging, it really gives me an immeasurable joy and delight to see my blog featured on The Sunday Metro again.

I will certainly learn to be thankful at times for golden opportunities and this time: Im not giving up food blogging, no matter what it takes. Even busy working schedules. However, there are a treasure trove of photos in my PC, with which waiting for me to take out to food blog. So here they are again! LaksaShiok is reopened again for now!

Restoran MINE: Broga - Semenyih, Kajang

Kelvin Wong — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:35:37 +0000

Nowadays city people just can’t get enough of the already thousands of eateries in the Klang Valley, they even literally ‘drive’ far away into the outskirts in pursuit of good food. We have done so, and couldn’t resist to get some grub in the small little quaint village of Broga, which is some 20 minutes from Semenyih town. Which lies between the borders of Negeri Sembilan and Selangor. Broga is a great place to be away from the bustling city. You can actually see the mountains surrounding that area, which gives a picture perfect photo that resembles that of a post card. Secondly, you don’t want to miss the fresh breath of country air, unpolluted and almost clean.

Broga is predominantly Chinese Hakka, almost everyone there speaks Hakka just like as Hokkien is in Penang. What better place to seek Hakka food, home cooked of course is definitely a promise to you people out there. This chinese restaurant serves great village Hakka food and you will be no doubt returning for more as their menu is quite extensive.

The steamed fish is great change from the everyday fried fish. The fresh water fish is breed from the nearby ponds of what Broga is famous for, fresh water fish farms here are abundant. The fish tasted nice as it is quite fresh and not too oily.

The Stir Fried Mantis Prawns (Lai Liu Har, Har Gou) with Dried Chillies is also a must try as it is a local specialty and taste just as well.

The Claypot Drunken Chicken served here is great. Just that the amount of rice wine in it is way too much, which can be reduced upon request to the chef of course. I guess its save to be served like that in villages, but for travelers please refrain from taking this if you are driving, especially if you are driving back in the dark country roads at night.

The Marmite Pork Ribs are standard order in every home-style tai chow outlets, so don’t miss this as it is sweet and its meat has a chewy texture.

The usual vegetables, Sweet Potato Leaves with Sambal Belacan is different than the ones served here; the vegetable is much bigger here and thus the roots is bigger in size. With the final dish, we had fruits for dessert and it indeed a great deal with the bill amounting to less than RM100, for 5 persons, which is similiar to Klang Valley standards. However you will be guaranteed the freshest of ingredients, given it to be in the countryside.

Mama’s Restaurant Damansara Jaya: Northern Peranakan Goodness

Kelvin Wong — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:19:45 +0000

If you were to drive pass the Atria Shopping Center area, there are certain hidden gems of good food that you can find around there. One of it is this quaint little place that will certainly bring up the fire in northern nonya palate into your stomach. The interior of the restaurant is unique with old things such as antiques and little things that surprises each first-time goers to this place. Most importantly, I simply felt so warm and cozy dining in this place, of course not to mention that the food is a joy and delight to us.

The Ikan Asam Pedas, or in Peranakan households, Ikan Garam Assam is a must have to go with plain and hot rice. Beware as it is certified to be firey and sourish to the max! But the sourness and the spiciness didn’t cover the sweet and wild taste of the gravy, nor did it cover the freshness of the fish, as it is also quite fresh to our standards. The lady’s fingers is a perfect complement as it creates a beautiful contrast to the colors and presentation of the popular northern concoction.

Small, but not least. The otak-otak, though can be found anywhere around the peninsular, is actually quite different from its southern counterparts. The northen version emphasises on the thick coconut milk and the fragrance that permeates with the aid of the “Daun Kaduk”, kaffir lime leaves and the banana leave casing. It is also certified to be firey and is sure to put normal beings on fire.

The Perut Ikan is not a concoction that everyone may know about. True to northern nyonya style, a mixture of wild leaves being sliced till fine is matched with “perut ikan” with a wonderful tasting spicy concoction that is quite refreshing and nice. However, this dish may need to have an acquired taste and may not be for everyone.

Something far from the spicy meal: Fried Bean Sprouts with Salted Fish. Which is also quite nice as they are crunchy and for non-spicy foodies, a god-sent that you do not have to eat plain rice for dinner after all!

The Kari Kapitan (Kapitan’s Curry) is another classic wholesome curry that is cooked nyonya-style which is heavy emphasis on the lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves and the thickness of the red and yellow gravy. This dish is unique in this place as it has a ‘bread-like’ taste that has a good effect with the plain rice, not to forget the chicken is soft and tender, and not hard and overcooked at all.

One would not miss Inche Kabin when visiting Penang as the northern style of fried chicken permeates a spice-like aroma that will certainly put a delight on everyone. The meat itself is tender and juicy and fried to perfection. Children will certainly enjoy this dish.

At last after a firey hot meal of peranakan meal, its time to cool down with a delicious plate of fried ice cream and the mouth watering pengat pisang, which is somehow similiar to bubur cha-cha but only served on weddings. What a great relief from the fiery meal that we had. Do come and visit this place, when you crave for authentic northern peranakan style cooking. Its home-style cooking will also relish sweet childhood memories as you soak in the idyllic atmosphere and great food.

Chan Kee Hakka Restaurant Sunway Mas: Hakka Cuisine

Kelvin Wong — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:08:06 +0000

[Non Halal Post]

Remember the area where My Kitchen Restaurant is situated? The Sunway Mas area, is a budding commercial area which houses many eateries which serves high quality and good food. Just around the corner and opposite My Kitchen Restaurant, is a nice Chinese dining area which serves quality Hakka food, Chan Kee is no stranger to many PJ people. Formerly situated at Damansara, this outlet has a long history ever since to serve proper chinese meals, with the ranks of Gold Dragon City Paramount.

The ambience inside the restaurant is clean and good. The area is well air-conditioned and still look brand new due to the fact that it is a newly renovated shoplot. That day we were lucky that there was no ongoing wedding dinner, else the hassle of not getting a table or to even bear shouts of ‘yamseng’ will definitely kill the dining experience. The Hakka Yong Tau Foo is a must try in the restaurant. It is crispy but soft and tender in the inside, the fish paste is also well seasoned and not salty at all.

The usual vegetable dish, which consists of aubergine, long beans and stink beans is a good combination as it is stir fried in belacan and chillies. The taste is just nice and it has a nice smell on every bite.

The Pig’s Intestines fried with Pineapple and tomato sauce is a favorite of my dad as it is a common dish when my Grandmother handles the kitchen back at Malacca. Not many will appreciate the taste of the intestines though.

One of the specialty dishes in Chan Kee is the Hakka Loh Ngap (卤鸭), which is typically duck braised in thick soya sauce mixture, whcih gives the meat a distinctive brownish colour as well as the sweet taste of the meat. The testure of the meat is soft and wasn’t overcooked too.

The other must-try over here is the steamed grass carp, or wan yee with hot ginger paste. The fish may be full of bones, but the sweetness and softness of the flesh certainly is worth a try, but the main point is the hot and spicy ginger paste has givent he dish an ‘extra kick’ which made it so popular in many Hakka-based restaurants around this area.

Last but not least is the Ham Choy Tau Foo Tong (咸菜豆腐汤), which is basically a sweet and clear soup with green mustard and Tofu. The are other signature dishes here and it really depends on the patron’s taste on which one is considered good to eat. The outlet can be found at Sunway Mas Commercial Centre around the corner of the row of shoplots facing My Kitchen Restaurant.

Review by Precious Pea

Ah Loy Restaurant OUG: Curry Mee at its Best

Kelvin Wong — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:03:52 +0000

When one thinks about curry, immediately it will conjure tricks into each of your five senses: Taste, smell, sight, touch and sound??? Pardon me but this is not to make the cliche sound perfect or anything, but imagine how a spicy coconut concoction will do. Number one, Taste. The delightful mixture of spiciness and saltiness blends in harmoniously to form an unimaginable pleasure to the tongue. Its smell, or rather fragrant aroma of the curry spice would immediately clear any blocked noses and a tingling sensation lingers in it even after leaving the shop. Sight, why of course the pleasing sight of red and yellow with meaty slices of chicken, “zhu pei”, and sometimes, stalks of lemon grass that is certainly a pleasing sight all the way until the bowl is being emptied.

The “touch” part is definitely not all made up. The chicken meat is so soft that it literally falls off from the bone, yet with a perfectly cooked texture is certainly an ease to your teeth. I’ve also thought of the smoothness of the noodles as bringing delight to the “feel” element. However, the sound part can never run away from the loud “slurp” along with the heavy chattering of the lunch crowd in the shop. This really tells something about how good the Curry Mee is over here, ain’t it? Okay, where’s the review then? No need to review-Lah, look at the above description, then you know why this place really make straight-from-heaven cooked Curry Mee. All five senses already covered, what else you think I should say more? Now, do your sixth sense a favour and come to this shop to try this at least once in your lifetime, you will definitely not regret it after your first “six sensory” experience.

This shop is conveniently located opposite BHP Petrol station in Overseas Union Garden (OUG) wet/night market area, after the traffic lights, take a second right turn into the second row of shop lots that is parallel with Jln Awan Besar. Other items available there are economic beehoon, Yong Tau Foo as well as “Tong Sui” (sweet broths) to “clear” the spices inside your system. Did I forget to mention that there’s air conditioning to soothe the heaty experience of dunking Curry Mee. Definitely a god-sent compared to sweating it out in the road side, move over, Lorong Seratus Tahun.

Wikimapia Link

Ming Kee Restaurant Happy Garden: Wantan Mee

Kelvin Wong — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:55:02 +0000

[Non-Halal post and photos ahead]

Things synonymous with great Malaysia hawker fare include the famous chicken rice, the spicy and oily plate of Char Kuey Teow, the buttery heart-stopping piece of Roti Canai. All these food have one thing in common: its simplicity and practicality. However, nothing beats a good plate of delicious Wantan Mee topped with ingredients to your own fancy and delight. This branch of the famous Ming Kee in Happy Garden proves it just right: A Choice and another important plus point for better business: Air conditioning. Put all these things together and it totally equates to a recipe of goodness and adds a dash of traditional feel to it as well.

The choices of meals are mix and match to suit your taste for the day. Mix and combine these things up: Roast Chicken, White Chicken, Roast Pork, BBQ Pork, Wantan, with either butter rice or their famed wantan noodles, either in soupy form or ‘dry form’. The combination I chose is rather satisfying with generous amounts of chopped roast chicken and slices of BBQ pork. The noodles used here is the thin and springy “egg” type (全蛋面), which is commonly used in other outlets around this area. Noodles here come with a serving of wantan in soup.

The other stuff that is being ordered are the combinations of roast pork, chicken and BBQ meat. All of these are being served with butter rice, all these actually tasted as well as it looks on the close-up photographs.

So, if you are craving for simple things like this, come over and try them at Ming Kee. This outlet can be found along the old shop lots at Jalan Perisa, Happy Garden (The Saturday Night Market area). Price of the meal is quite affordable given it to be an air-conditioned outlet.

Wikimapia Link

New Sun Ho OUG: Roasted and Barbecue Pork Rice

Kelvin Wong — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 14:54:41 +0000

[Non-Halal Post and Photos Ahead]

Once again, we ventured into the Overseas Union Garden area and discovered a treasure trove of surprises in that area! Theres tons coffee shops around the area as well as specialty shops, such as a shop selling only Curry Mee as well as many other gastronomic delights. This time, I’m sure many have heard the famous New Sun Ho Coffee Shop, where people claimed its famous for its Loh Mee, which is actually thick, fat noodles served with thick, brown gravy and fresh prawns. It’s definitely a must-try as we visit this place.

However, I’ve also find the roasted and barbecue pork rice to be quite nice. The rice itself is rich in flavour and the meat served here is definitely also another highlight that you must order when stepping into this old coffee shop. However, its crunchiness can never be of match with another specialty shop at nearby Happy Garden, where I can say its the most crunchy siew yoke (roast pork) in the Klang valley. I’m also looking forward to update on that outlet pretty soon. So stay tune for more updates!

ps: kind of busy lately. Will try to update as much as possible.