ZHENG KEE DOUBLE BOILED SOUP & CHICKEN RICE @ SEGAMBUT

Zheng Kee is not a cheap place to eat. I feel it’s important for me to highlight that immediately because we paid RM93 for the following:

• Half a roast chicken
• 1 pax serving of char siew
• 1 pax serving of siu yuk
• 1 steamed chicken drumstick, and
• 2 double boiled soups, 3 rice and 4 herbal drinks

For the same price, we could easily have a proper Chinese course dinner with a few seafood dishes thrown in as well. I don’t mind paying for it if the food actually tastes good, but all of us felt only the char siew was the only thing which stood out; while the rest was just average at best.
To be fair to them, the main reason why they charge more is (supposedly) because of the quality of ingredients they use, especially when it comes to their chicken. Capon (castrated chicken) is available here and it’s usually reared for special occasions like Chinese New Year. Having said that, we did not order any Capon, only the normal stuff.

The roast chicken here is noticeably larger and fleshier than usual, but that’s all about it. Taste wise it’s not bad but not great either.

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Siu yuk was lacking in flavor and the skin simply did not give that satisfying crackling experience we were expecting for. If you have been to Wong Mee Kee, Section 17’s Hong Seng or even the one at Fook Loong, this one simply pales in comparison. I wouldn’t be so critical if the meal did not cost us this much.

Zheng Kee’s char siew is undeniably good, it’s so much better than the rest we had that day.

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The steamed chicken here is sort of a signature dish and it’s not hard to see why. Honestly speaking the texture of the chicken is quite wonderful – juicy, succulent and all so I’d say it’s a very good ‘pak cham kai’. Alas, their chili sauces just does not make the cut. In fact, they were kind of bland despite looking otherwise.

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For double boiled soups, Zheng Kee offers more than a dozen of them. Some are obviously more expensive than the rest by looking at their names, but the common ones like Old Cucumber Soup and Watercress Soup are priced at RM8 and RM9 respectively.
Although I am not very happy with the price of their meat dishes, I have to say the soups are worth paying for because you get a considerable amount of pork ribs in each serving.

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Taste is subjective and I am aware that Zheng Kee has its own following of faithful customers. But if you have been recommended to try this place, you need to know that they are not as affordable as they appear to be.

ZHENG KEE RESTAURANT

No 19, Jalan 17/42, Taman Kok Doh
51200 Segambut, KL
Tel: 012-383 0621

MUMMY’S NOODLES HOUSE @ PANDAN INDAH, AMPANG

Looking for a comfortable yet affordable place to have a good meal? Mummy’s Noodles House is a newly opened, family run restaurant in Ampang that fits the bill perfectly.
They specialize in traditional Pan Mee, Yee Mee and a couple of side dishes. Based on the setting, food and service, you’d expect their menu to be pricier but fortunately that’s not the case.

Most of the noodles here are RM6.90 a bowl except a handful which go for RM7.90. That’s only slightly more expensive than what you get at the normal hawker stalls – but you get to enjoy a cleaner cafe environment in return.

Like most Pan Mee restaurants in town, Mummy’s Noodles House also serves the dry and spicy version. Their homemade chili paste is more savory than spicy, so the standard version is suitable even for those who can’t handle really hot food.
For those who prefer a spicier taste, simply request for more chili and you won’t be charged for it. If I were to nitpick though, the poached egg is a tad overdone for my liking.

The Dry Curry Chicken Pan Mee is an equally delicious alternative. The chicken curry is prepared with noticeably stronger spices which enhanced the overall aroma. You can see they are unstinting with the toppings, as the noodle was completely covered in chicken and potatoes.

For something less exciting yet satisfying, their signature Minced Pork Pan Mee is recommended. Although the soup was deliciously tasty, you could tell that it wasn’t due to artificial flavoring nor with the addition of MSG. In fact, we enjoyed the soup so much that half of it was gone before we even started eating the noodle.

Pan Mee is one of the healthier noodle around considering it’s often handmade fresh on the same day it’s sold. This is especially true when you compare it the usual yellow noodles, koay teow or rice vermicelli that are mass-produced in factories and laden with additives and preservatives. So it is not hard to see why Pan Mee is getting more and more popular.

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One of the side dishes we had was the Chicken Lobak (fry chicken roll) @ RM5.90 for 2 pieces. If you ask me, this is somewhat too cheap and it made me wonder if they actually make any profit by selling this dish at such low price. And while it certainly won’t beat the pork version, this rendition is decent enough to share among few diners.

We also tried their Fried Dumpling (3pcs @ RM5) which came recommended by the owners. Each dumpling was filled to the brim with tender fish paste so it was well worth the price.
Personally, I’d like it even more if there was more variation of texture in the filling. Maybe some addition of water chestnuts, carrots or mushrooms would help.

Drinks wise the offerings are pretty standard stuff. We had their homemade bamboo cane juice @ RM2.50 and Aiyu Jelly Ice @ RM3. Both were nice and refreshing and more importantly, not too sweet.

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I have nothing against hiring foreign help but I am pleased to see that Mummy’s Noodles House employs locals to run the business. One of the staff whom attended to us is a friendly and efficient aunty who made us feel welcomed.
Lastly, parking could be a challenge in this area but luckily they have 4 reserved parking spots for customers who eat here.

MUMMY’S NOODLES HOUSE

11G, Jalan Perubatan 4
Pandan Indah, 55100 KL
Tel: 03-4288 3349
Business hours: 8am – 6pm daily (off days not fixed yet)

RUYI & LYN RESTAURANT & LOUNGE @ BANGSAR SHOPPING CENTRE

Admittedly, Ruyi & Lyn is not the cheapest restaurant around. But for those looking for a new culinary experience and memories that will be cherished for a long time, then you don’t need to look any further. The restaurant presents more than just Instagram-worthy dishes. Each of them is a delectable play of Asian flavors.

Ruyi’s Sushi @ RM43 is the most iconic dish here and it probably single-handedly propelled the restaurant into the spotlight. I’d say it’s a must order for any first-timers, not just for its novelty value, but also for the chef’s originality, creativity and skill.

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Meticulous presentation aside, each morsel is prepared in perfect bite size portions with authentic tastes of the dishes they represent. The nasi lemak, Hainanese chicken rice and mango sticky rice all taste exactly like how you’d expect but in the form of sushi. I liked the Hainanese chicken rice sushi the best as it managed to capture the essence of the dish beautifully.

Taizi’s Dish @ RM98 was highly recommended by the captain and it was spot on. It might not be obvious but it is actually a combination of two distinct ingredients: pan seared foie gras and caramelized watermelon.
What really made this dish shine is the multiple layers of texture that make every bite a treat. The foie gras was perfectly cooked too. It had a slightly crusty exterior, creating an almost glaze like glisten yet the inside was decadent with a buttery richness. Just delicious.

Does this look familiar to you? If yes, then you must have had a Squirrel Fish before. Here, it’s calledChampagne Snow Fish Flower (RM148) and since only boneless fillets are used, you and your kids can enjoy it with a peace of mind.
The way of eating it is quite fun too, as it feels almost like having fish-flavored French Fries. That being said, the accompanying Moet champagne sauce is brilliant and really brings out the subtle flavor of the cod.

For something that’s kinder to the wallet, you could opt for their new lunch menu offerings which include Dim Joy (alternative Dim Sum) and casual mains.
Among the dozens of choices, the H H Wagyu Burger @ RM58 caught my eye the most because the price is actually quite attractive with everything considered. And instead of a bun, the burger features cheese baked rice patties that are obviously Korean-inspired.

The wagyu patty is seriously huge and filled with foie gras sauce in the center – talk about luxury! If you like your burger to be extremely juicy and tender, you won’t go wrong with this one. My only gripe was that the patty was a tad salty.

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Captivating food is only part of the reason to drop by Ruyi & Lyn. The venue alone is worth checking out and you will feel like a star walking into the restaurant down a spot lit runway.
If you are planning for a special celebration or occasion soon, this is one of the places to consider. I am sure the room will be filled with oohs and aahs as the meal goes on. Lastly, do note that Ruyi & Lyn is a pork-free establishment.

RUYI & LYN

4th floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre,
59100 KL
Tel: 03-2083 0288
Business hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 2am daily

ONLY ME BBQ STEAMBOAT BUFFET RESTAURANT @ KEPONG

Only Me is a relatively new steamboat & BBQ buffet restaurant that opened in Kepong early this year. Despite being the new kid on the block, they are doing exceptionally well and are giving QQ a run for their money. If you don’t know yet, both restaurants sit in the same row and they are just a stone’s throw away from each other.

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The price for an adult is RM38.80 while children under 90cm eat for free. Price wise, it’s pretty standard considering most of the steamboat buffet in KL charge almost the same. For those looking for a long and relaxing dinner, do consider this place because there’s no time limit or how much you can have.

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While Only Me’s variety of ingredients is far from impressive (especially if you compare them with QQ), they make up in quality. Honestly, we did not expect much on from the seafood, more so considering it’s a buffet kind of establishment. But we were pleasantly surprised to find that most of the seafood here is fresh. Live shellfish including mussels, clams and cockles are available too.

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If you’re a prawn lover I think you wouldn’t be disappointed with what you get. Besides the usual tiger prawns, river prawns like those used in Thai cuisine are thrown into the mix. They are easy to peel and come out a whole piece too.

Flower crabs were very enjoyable – the flesh was sweet and firm and did not have that dreadful ‘dead’ taste

As for the live shellfish, needless to say they were absolutely fresh and tasted clean without any gritty feeling.

We didn’t really care for the BBQ but from what I could see, many customers seem to be having a blast with it. Like QQ, Only Mee also serve a couple of cooked dishes. The most popular items are their Crabs in Special House Sauce and Seremban style baked crabs.
They are undeniably delicious so it’s no wonder the customers rush for them whenever they come out from the kitchen. During our 2 hours at the restaurant, we saw the crabs being replenished three times, and we always end up with some bits here and there. So if you really want the crabs, be prepared to fight for it.

Overall, we were satisfied with the meal and felt they are definitely the better steamboat and BBQ buffet restaurant around. Thus, I would recommend them to any steamboat lover. One thing they should improve is their soups, as they were far from being great.
Lest I forget, for those who plan to come in 8 pax or more, do note that you are eligible for a free crab dish. The catch is, you need to make a booking three days in advance.

ONLY ME BBQ STEAMBOAT

No C-G-6 & 8, Fortune Avenue
Jalan Metro Perdana 3
Taman Usahawan, 52100 Kepong
Tel: 012-639 2781
Business hours: 5pm – 12am

Macau Street

Macau Street Restaurant (澳门街) is one of the longest-operating restaurants in Maritime Piazza. This stir-frying (煮炒) restaurant draws inspiration from Macau delicacies such as Portuguese egg tarts and Cantonese cooking in general.

In its air-conditioned dining area, there are tables of various sizes to suit different party sizes. In addition, al fresco dining is also available for customers who wish to enjoy the evening breeze. It is also noteworthy to mention that Macau Street has been visited by several prominent artists and politicians over the course of 2 years.

At the helm of Macau Street's kitchen is a veteran chef from Hong Kong. Having received several months' worth of feedback from customers, the chef is revising the food menu in conjunction with the restaurant's 2-year anniversary. Although the food still revolves around Cantonese-style cooking, the taste is adjusted to suit the local palate.

The first dish is Deep-Fried Red Snapper (奶香红狮鱼). The fish is deep-fried to light crispiness, then dressed with spicy gravy and garnishes. While the gravy surely helps in terms of flavoring, the red snapper serves as the key appeal for this dish. Delectable and tender in texture, the fish is enjoyable overall.

The next dish is Tofu With Stuffed Scallop (干贝扒豆腐, RM25.00). Several pieces of soft bean curd are cut on the top, then stuffed with lovely filling made from scallops. The dish is topped with thick egg gravy which contains wolfberries (枸杞). Finally, juicy bok choy (小白菜) is served on the side.

The Portuguese Pumpkin Pot (葡国金瓜盅, RM38.00) uses a hollowed-out pumpkin as a bowl. Surrounded by sweet pumpkin flesh is creamy curry stew that contain shrimps and squids. Pumpkin that has been removed is not wasted either; it is used in the stew itself. The curry is highly gratifying, making this dish my personal favorite for the evening.

The mere sight of Charcoal Roast Pork Belly (炭烧脆皮烧腩, RM22.00) is impossible to ignore. Succulent slices of pork belly are roasted to absolute perfection. I think some kind of dipping sauce may help me to enjoy the pork even more.

Fried Squid & Winged Beans (四季炒苏东, RM18.00) is closer towards local Chinese cooking. Chopped winged beans (四棱豆) are stir-fried with squid and spicy minced shrimp. Overall, the spicy-savory sauce works well with juicy winged beans as well as springy squid.

In lieu of white rice, Claypot Prawn Rice (沙煲虾饭, RM40.00) is served. Presented in a large claypot, rice is cooked with savory meat stock so that it is aromatic and flavorful. The appeal of this dish is enhanced by several large shrimps on top. Stir-fried in sweet sauce, the plump shrimps are delectable indeed.

The Seafood Platter (海鲜四大天王, RM138.00) provides the ultimate seafood enjoyment. The "four kings" are represented by flower crabs (花蟹), shrimps (虾), scallops (带子) and clams (蛤蜊). These delicacies are brought together through the use of spicy shrimp paste.

For something light and delighting, try the restaurant's signature Macau Portuguese-Style Egg Tarts (澳门葡挞, RM4.80). Each order of tarts comes in 2 pieces, each boasting crumbly pastry crust with soft egg custard inside. I cannot recommend these tarts highly enough.

As for drinks, the Macau Milk Tea (澳门冰浸奶茶, RM5.80) is the restaurant's specialty. The tea is prepared from a customized formula of powder that is only available at Macau Street. While the drink's creaminess is quite commendable, I prefer the sweetness level to be toned down.

The cold version of Macau Milk Tea is served over a bowl of ice to keep the drink chilled without diluting tea flavor. Meanwhile, hot version (RM5.50) of this drink is also available.

Besides these newly-introduced dishes, Macau Street also offers special dishes on monthly basis. For this month, Sichuan Ma La Chicken (四川麻辣鸡) is available for mere RM2.00. This unbelievably-low price is available for customers who spend at least RM30.00 on other dishes - easily achieved when ordering food for 2 or more persons.

Name: Macau Street Restaurant (澳门街)
Address: 29C-01-05, Maritime Piazza, Persiaran Karpal Singh, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-291-2022
Business hours: 11:30am-3:00pm, 6:00pm-10:30pm, closed on Tuesdays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Macaustreet-restaurant-867148646633181
Coordinates: 5.39800 N, 100.32956 E
Directions: From Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu, take the Sungai Pinang exit and head east. Drive to the end of the road, then turn left. Maritime Piazza is within a short distance on the left, while Macau Street is one of the shops on the ground floor. Street parking and indoor mall parking are available.