Hiong Kong Restaurant @ Pudu Plaza

Today I'm going to introduce a very special place in the middle of KL city, the infamous Hiong Kong Restaurant. I didn't this place existed but according to my sister, this shop has be around for very very long time, and most of the KL boy will know it.

This Hiong Kong Restaurant is basically hidden in the basement of the Pudu Plaza, and I'm pretty sure majority of the Gen Y will never step foot inside this Pudu Plaza, that's why it remains a hidden gem. Is it any good? Well, it's not a place that you can just walk in and order your food, but you must pre-book your table and your dishes. For our case, we pre-booked months back in order to get our taste of the food in this place else they won't serve you! I've been told that the Chef here last time serve for some 5-star Restaurant and now he own this place serving a limited local area. Wow? Yea, wow. Let's find out what they've got.


If you are new to this place, I bet you wouldn't be able to find it, because it's located inside the Entertainment and F&B Zone! So look out for this entrance, left side is the CDs shop, and right side selling steamboat. Nostalgic right =)


As you walk till the end, you will see this. My first time seeing this, I shouted, WHAT'S THIS? A restaurant that need months of pre-booked and it's located beside the entertainment shop with a waist level wooden partition around the corridor of basement in a nearly abandoned shopping mall??? Sorry I kill the surprises for you guys reading it, but it's unbelievable...


This looks more like a proper restaurant, but it's not. The surrounding is weird and first time I'm seated in such place for a special lunch. However, if you pay a little attention, you will notice most of the patrons there are rich people. Designer bag, branded shirts and etc. It's not for the normal folks I think. Because it's expensive? Let's find out.

Ahza Burger House @ Bintulu, Sarawak

This round sharing a burger outlet again in Bintulu, Sarawak. It's called Ahza Burger House. Interesting about this place is that the owner makes their own patty instead of those frozen food. Hey, sounds very much like Burger Lab in Kuala Lumpur. Interesting, but is it any good? Let's see


Ahza Burger House operating from a home in Taman Tinggi. Stall located at the main door of the house, blocked by gate, and a few tables with romantic light setup, hehe.


This is the menu, all patties are home made except hot dog i suppose. Price is affordable although still more expensive than normal Ramly stall. I pick the Oozy Burger that cost RM11.00. Most expensive is always best eh, haha...

Best Fried Noodles @ Bintulu, Sarawak

Today I'm posing a special food post that's located so far away from my home, and it's worth my time to blog about it. There is no sign board, no names and this old couple operate from their home, I supposingly. You would just have to refer to my location coordination down there to find out where exactly is the shop, but we are talking about Bintulu, Sarawak here.


This is how the shop looks like, run down, no class, but promise you that this is the hidden gem in places like these, one of the best Fried Noodles they have in this shop.


Old and basic settings, dirty drain run along side of the house, and it's not a pretty side. There are even funny smells and occasion rats or cockroaches are not surprising sight.

Ben's @ Bangsar Shopping Centre, KL

My parents came to KL again, and we always cracking head trying to introduce some interesting foods for them as they are food lovers also like me =P This time round, my sister recommended Ben's located in Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC). Do not confuse BSC with the Bangsar Village though, BSC is the smaller mall located right at the top of the hill along Jalan Maarof. Let's see what they've got.


This is the Ben's entrance, pardon the blue hue on the wall, that's the glass colour fronting the restaurant, and it's located at the corner on level 3.


A quick shot of the restaurant from the outside, very nice and cozy setup, love it.

Breakfast @ Delicious, Midvalley

Lazy morning, decided to catch a brunch in Midvalley and drop by Delicious for a relax one. I think lots of people don't know that Delicious do serve breakfast set, as most normally come to Delicious only during Lunch / Dinner. Yes they serve breakfast, but any good? Let's see.



Good thing I love about breakfast in Delicious is that, plenty of seats and no need to queue unlike some famous breakfast outlet. Want to eat breakfast also stress...


Got myself a cold drinks to kick the mind up, and waited for my food.

Bubur Goreng Restaurant @ Klang

This round my family visited the special Bubur Goreng Restaurant in Taman Berkeley at Klang, attracted by the special dish as the restaurant name imply, Fried Porridge, that's very special. Off we go and Klang is quite far from KL basically, is it worth the travel? Let's find out.


Bubur Goreng Restaurant, hidden within dark streets of the Taman Berkeley in Klang. It's located just nearby the Federal Highway before turning into Hokkien Association. Nothing around, so parking is aplenty.


The usual Klang restaurant with nostalgic flooring and simply table chair setup. Non air-condition so it's slighly warm on hot day.

Penang White Curry Noodle by My Kuali

Been very busy recently, so just posting a random thought. I've heard lots of noise on the new instant noodle in the market, as you can guess, the Penang White Curry Noddle by My Kuali. So I've been hunting to try it out, but major supermarket always run out of stocks. I found it in one of the chinese medicine store in OUG.



I bought a pack of 4 for RM7.60, and it's basically one of the most expensive instant noodle in the market, not comparing with other imported variance though. How it taste like? It's pretty good, the noodles are ok, not soggy, the soup is creamy due to coconut milk, but it taste good. I don't like it though, with my comments following:

1. The noodles are normal, nothing special.
2. The soup base is too thick, and you really got to add more water but then it got wash out the taste. This is due to the creaminess from the coconut milk. I've not tried to exclude that, maybe someone should try and comment.
3. It's way to spicy. I'm tomyam lover but this is different. I nearly fall sick eating a pack in the first time. Subsequently I drink lots of water to clear up the heat.
4. The flavour is too strong, too much ajinomoto is the word?

It's good not doubt, but I think twice before trying on 2nd pack, in fact almost few months since I tried it, and I still don't dare to buy another pack. The reason why we eat instant noodle is to get fast meal and something to go around quick lifestyle. If I want something too strong flavour, I would've eaten outside.

This is purely personal taste bud preference, and my favorites remain with the below.

1. Thai Tom Yam Instant Noodle by PAMA
One of the best noodle and tomyam noodles in the market and remain my favourite. The springy noodle that don't get soggy, spicy and sour soup base is awesome. Only the portion is a little small, but good for a quick hit of tomyam crush.



2. Vegetarian Flavour Instant Noodle by Wei Wei A-Series
One of my favourite, very nice noodles but can get soggy if cook too long, and awesome soup base. The portion is big and it got my vote of the best normal soup base instant noodle. A little pricy is the trade off.


3. Mi Goreng Perisa Asli by Indomie
If fancy something dry, nothing beat the Indomie, they are the king of mi goreng instant noodle and it remain the best, enough said.



What you guys think? Do share your thoughts =)

Home Town Steamboat @ Sri Petaling

I'm staying nearby Sri Petaling and foodies would know that steamboat is famous in the area. Recently there is this steamboat restaurant that has been opening up aggressively around Klang Valley, so we decided to check it out.


Home Town Steamboat Restaurant, as of I'm writing now, they already have 8 outlets around the Klang Valley. That's very fast, considering they only open up their first Setapak branch in Year 2006. It looks a little empty because we went very early on weekdays, but assure you that it's packed on weekends, so you are reminded to make online booking to avoid waiting time.


Part of the interior, very clean and colourful decoration although most of the label does not mean anything.


As we leave, the shop is pretty empty, but they do have lots of tables and chairs, ensure that you will seated no matter the crowds.

Loam Mit Thai Seafood Restaurant @ Bandar Baharu

With my mum's village located nearby Penang, we always make our trips back there and at the same time find seafood while on the way. For those food lovers, they would know that there are lots of awesome seafood restaurant along the route from Ipoh to Penang as it's close to lots of fishing village, and today I will introduce you one of the shop that I think it is awesome.

I bring you to the ulu kampung place named Loam Mit Thai Seafood Restaurant.


The Loam Mit Thai Seafood Restaurant located in no where =P

Hey, this is not exactly what you expect? This is exactly what you should look for if you want to find some real fresh seafood in fishing village, that's how most of them looks like. If it's pretty, then it's probably commercialized to rip tourist off. These are what we can neighborhood restaurant, where if they charge expensive, they probably will close shop as they rely on locals to support them as well.

Khong Kee Yong Tau Fu @ Paramount Gardens

We are always on the lookout for healthy food and one of the favourite among KL people is Yong Tau Foo. The famous Ampang Yong Tau Foo is always too far for most of us, so here I introduce a closer place to satisfy your need.


Khong Kee Yong Tau Foo located at Taman Paramount, and by just looking at the signboard also you know that they have been here for very very long time! Long surviving old shop is always promising, because even with such décor also can survive, sure the food is good la!


Here is a shot of the shop, and surprisingly clean. Usual Malaysia Chinese style of table and red plastic chair. The place is well ventilated, but can be slightly hot during lunch time though. Because they actually cook in open area the back of the shop.

Departure Lounge @ Damansara Uptown

New Year 2014, and that come with new resolution to do better than 2013. Bringing you the first food blog of 2014, a breakfast place located in the Damansara Uptown. This area is mushrooming with lots of hip places recently, and more and more people frequented it during weekends, which normally it's a bit dead comparing to weekdays. That's definitely welcome, let's see what we got here.


Departure Lounge, such catchy name for a breakfast place, you might mistaken this place as not for food if you don't take a closer look. As you can see, they have espresso bar, breakfast, sandwiches and travel library. Travel library? Let's find out.


This is the open bar concept with cashier right behind the bar. Clean and sleek design, all well for a relaxing café.


Here is how it looks like on the inside of the café, they do have a few tables outside that's not air-conditioned to cater for smokers (not much of those love fresh air as it will be polluted with 2nd hand smokes. Clean wooden table, simple lightings, transparent comfortable plastic chair, just how you should start a day with healthy breakfast.

El Fresco @ Jaya Grocer, Empire Shopping Gallery

This time I would like to introduce a good outlet, and it's favourite for the local neighbourhood, a restaurant within the Jaya Grocer located inside the Empire Mall in Subang Jaya. For those that's not familiar with Empire Mall would normally find their lunch or dinner outside, the usual franchise name that you can recall. But if you fancy something special, and don't mind the lower privacy with good price and good food, take a walk into the Jaya Grocer.


Entrance of Jaya Grocer, and you can see the recommended restaurant right across the entrance.


Introducing El Fresco café, it's an open concept where they just decided to smack the kitchen and tables in the middle of the shopping mall. Something similar with what Jusco is doing all these while, but there is a huge difference in what they do here.


The special thing is, you can buy the raw meat from the Butchery or Seafood counters, and they will cook it for you for free! Hey, that sounded like a bargain, as you will notice their price is normal compare to other groceries, but you get to eat a chef alike cooking method for free. That sounds good for everyone. However, they only cook for free for item above RM20, and they do a surcharge of RM4 for anything below. So pick some bigger portion and share it out, simple.

my Burger Lab @ OUG

I've heard about my Burger Lab since like 2 years ago, and being a food blogger, I always wanted to try out the so-call new hip shop in the town. However, due to our baby in tow, and knowing long queue with cramp space is definitely not baby friendly, I've hold it up until now.

29th October 2013, second outlet of my Burger Lab opened up in OUG, surprised me as I'm just staying next garden. I told my wife about it, and we must try this out. Anyway I've been lacking of food materials for blog for quite long so just nice timing. Last week we managed to squeeze a dinner time out without our baby, and go for it. Let's see really how good it is.


Second outlet of my Burger Lab in OUG, they choose to open in a small row of shoplots without any attention and far from the hip area but good visibility from main road, wise choice, as they avoided the high traffic area with plenty of car parks for their shop alone. Simple dark contemporary paint job with a lighted logo, they are up for business.


ID can do wonders, once you are in the shop, you forgotten that this is an old shop that's nearly abandon before my Burger Lab take it over and do a revamp. The decoration is simple, table and chair is light, cramp but neat and tidy. Basically there is no noise absorption, everything bounce and it's noisier than pasar. Very true that it's not baby friendly, hardly any space for baby chair. This is the place where you order, eat and walk. Fast food style, local fast food style. 90% patrons are Gen Y, and if there are any Gen X there, they are brought by their son / daughter.

Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf @ Bangsar

Over the weekend, my parents are around and my sister decided to bring us to a special place, which I quickly grab my camera to cover it for my blog. My sister told us that it's in the Bangsar Village, so off we go, and we ended up in front of Village Grocer. What possibility available in the Village Grocer, so curious but we keep our mind open.

Good news, whole family here, means more food coverage for you guys!
Bad news, it's non-halal, sorry for those Muslim's friends.


Village Grocer is located at the ground floor in the Bangsar Village 1, they are one of the anchor tenant for the place since long time ago, and you won't miss it once at the hall way. Don't put off by this lousy quality photos, lighting problem, because it's old building, so light is low, and paint is old also. Check out the entire post, it's a good place.

As you can see, most of the people are waiting in front of the village grocer, and 75% of them are waiting for their seats for a lunch at the "special place". What place is that? And it's located within Village Grocer.


Then we went in and reached the small pink opening with a signboard, Three Little Pigs with The Big Bad Wolf! That's sure a catchy name for a restaurant, but is it good? Let's find out.

Check out the advertisement, The Wolf's Favourite, interesting =)

Nam Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat @ Singapore

Been staying in Singapore for almost a year, and finally reaching the end of the project cycle where I started to have some free time after normal working hours. I took the opportunity to get my colleagues to show me the good food in Singapore, as I'm really falling back in getting resources for my blog!

This time round, they brought me over for a special best fish head steamboat in Singapore, and being a Malaysian, I'm always skeptical over food quality in Singapore, but they will show me what's meaning of good food in Singapore. We went to the famous Nam Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat in the city center.


Nam Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat is located at the corner shop along the cross roads of North Bridge Road and Jalan Sultan. It looks old and nostalgic, perfect setup for a good original Fish Head Steamboat that I'm looking for in Singapore. Somehow those famous shop in such setting in city center of Singapore is normally good quality.


Nam Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat is quite famous in Singapore somehow as told by my colleagues. Let's see what they got.

Leo Star Restaurant @ Kuantan

Moving on, introducing another highlight of an oldie foot outlet in the town of Kuantan, named Leo Star. It's famous and known by local as "la cha mien" means dirty mee. Some other foodies relate the name to the mee served in a dirty place, of course normally famous and taste nice. However, for this case, the way the mee presented is "dirty" or you might call it messy. The way it's served also dirty and very messy, but maybe that's why it's nice and famous? Let's find out...


Leo Star Restaurant located along the shops facing the main road. We went on the weekend, and there are plenty of parking there, no worries.


This is the uncle posing for me to take photos, he is basically the one churning out all the nice "dirty mee" from this messy place. Pay some attention to the working table for the chef. I don't dare to go too near, his face like want to whack me =P

Choy Kee @ Karak New Village, Pahang

I planned a trip down to Kuantan earlier, so decided to do a little detour for some nice food along the route. After some survey, my friend recommended me to get some nice wild boar curry mee at Karak. Wild Boar Curry Mee is normal, available anywhere, what so special? Let's find out.


This is the place, Choy Kee, located just within the See Poi Lih Restaurant in the Karak New Village. It's not even a proper restaurant, just some chairs and tables setup along the five foot ways. It's the usual hawker setup in Malaysia, exactly how I like it. Such nostalgic feeling back in 60s or 70s.


Take a closer look, it is just a normal store serving wantan mee. What so special about this place? My friend told me that, the wild board is hunted fresh from the forest in the middle of the night, and cook on the spot to serve with the mee. I went like o_O" WOW! I've tried lots of wild boar wantan mee before, but hunt alive and serve immediately? Never, so it's a must try for me, guarantee freshness.

I talked to the boss, and he told me that they open from 1-2am until 6-7am! so he told me that if I happen to be on the highway in the wee hours, fresh wild boar is just a short detour away! How great, and I love it! Exactly what the old people said, early bird catches the worm! I might be posted to East Coast very soon, and such place exist to kill my hunger in the middle of the way is such beautiful.

River Nile Cafe & Bistro @ The Lost World of Tambun, Ipoh

With my job posting in Singapore, I'm running out of things to blog. I digged into my collection and surprisingly found this hidden gem that I missed out all the way from 2011. I doubted if I shall post it, because not sure if my experience still relevant or maybe the place has changed since my last visit. However decided to blog about it anyway, because it's a very nice place. An alternative dining place for folks in Ipoh, doubt many people know about it.


The place is located in the Lost World Tambun by Sunway City Ipoh. It's a little quiet here at night, but it's beautifully decorated and I love it.


This is the River Nile restaurant located within the Lost World Tambun, and looking at the photo alone, you would have to agree that it's a very nice place. The soothing lightings, beautiful plants, wooden table with Egyptian theme. Sunway obviously put lots of effort into this place. Those are the open air dining tables with bar for those that fancy some drinks and natural air.


There are internal section as well, fully air-conditioned with huge settings for lots of tables. The environment is very comfortable, and it's almost close to fine dining level, you will love it, and it's definitely a place for falling in love.

The Connoisseur Concerto @ Orchard Road, Singapore

This round, I will be covering a restaurant in the shopping mall along the Orchard Road in Singapore, giving some ideas on what price tag and quality to expect if you happen to be strolling there for a holiday. As we wandering around, we decided to find something that can't find in Malaysia, and this is not our choice initially, but we settled with it as we are tired, and it's time to feed our baby.


Choice we made, The Connoisseur Concerto, or simply called TCC as per photo above. They call themselves Art Boutique Cafe, and they specialise in coffee apparently. But somehow, the setup within the restaurant shows that it's more like a dining place than a coffee place, but it looks interesting enough for us to step in.

Lucky enough that with baby on tow, our dinner timing normally is earlier, and for that, we manage to escape the large crowd that swarmed the place with super long queue. Another usual sight for restaurant in Orchard at weekend dining hours.

Now let's see what they got to attract such a crowd.

Barossa Restaurant-Wine-Bar @ Holland Village, Singapore

I've been missing in action for a while from blogging because I'm transferred to Singapore for a short term job assignment since last August. Busy schedule, so didn't have much chance to hunt for good food in Singapore, but managed to get some last month when my wife & son come visit me. Taking the opportunity to taste some best food in Singapore. Introduced to Holland Village by my good friends, and I brought my wife & son over as well to find something nicer for both of us.

We longing for some good romantic Western food after separated for such long duration, and I decided on this corner restaurant along Holland Village.


Barossa Restaurant, taking up the corner lot along the famous Holland Village in Singapore. They also have a branch in Esplanade Mall, Singapore.


The restaurant is quite small, only manage to squeeze a few small tables in the shop, and the rest of teh tables are scattered along the corridor with open door concept. The lighting is nice, it's obviously designed for a good catchup and beer time with friends. We visited on Friday night, so there is this live music that only available in Holland Village Barossa every Thursday and Friday. Lucky night, some good foods, good drinks, and good music.

Let's go see what we ordered.