Vegetarian Sushi @ Shiang Hai Vegetarian Restaurant

Living close to Bandar Sunway, I have actually passed by this restaurant countless of times but frankl, it had never crossed my mind to give it a try until I saw an episode on 8TV's HoChiak! featuring their special vegetarian sushi. With the extra "special effects" thrown in (as seen on TV), the sushi looked absolutely enticing! And hence I resolved that a visit to Shiang Hai is a must! And I had; in fact a few times since.


A small dish of green apple slices with an unidentified topping (I think it might be their homemade vegetarian meat floss) are usually served as appetizer. Being both sweet and sour at the same time, it was a perfect appetizer.

Their vegetarian sushi was what enticed me to visit in the first place and I was pleased to see 2 pages of their menu being dedicated to it. Most of them are nicely named but by now, I have forgotten them. So I could only show their pictures...

Vegetarian Sushi with bean sprout (refer to picture on top). Rolled in what looked like a very thin "popia" skin, it tasted very green, very healthy. Dressed in their own homemade mayonaise-like dressing, it was yummy too.

But I would suggest that you love bean sprouts in the first place before trying it. I did, and even then I too, felt that it was a "little bit too green" towards the last couple of pieces.


This variation is highly likeable. Basically the same except the bean sprouts are replaced with shredded jicama (sengkuang) and added with vegetarian meat floss. Topped with the same addictive dressing , it was absolutely delicious!


This is quite similar to the above except it doesn't have green vegetables and it was rolled in "cheong fun" skin. Not as good as the above.


I think this was my least favourite among the other sushi I have tried so far at Shiang Hai. Basically sushi rice in bean curd skin, it was very ordinary although not in an unpleasant sort of way.


Besides the sushi, other dishes that I have tried at this outlet before include their thick and creamy Pumpkin Soup. Thumbs up to this one!


Deep Fried Shredded Pumpkin. Not bad but tasted rather like goreng ubi.


Nice yam cake. Loaded with chunks of yam, just the way I like it!


The Red Bean soup (tongshui). Not just red beans, it is also boiled with black beans and some other ingredients. A nice change from the plain old red bean tongshui.


The restaurant also has quite an extensive list of power juices named after all the zodiac signs. Some of them are rather uncommon such as this one which is a combination of orange juice with kale (I think). Do not balk at this combination, you will be surprise that it tasted very good!

Vegetarian sushis aren't the only stuff they serve. In fact, their menu is pretty comprehensive that include dishes that you could order with rice as well as individual single-serving meals. But for me, I will always go back for more of their healthy and yummy vegetarian sushi.

Shiang Hai Vegetarian Restaurant
(Facing the main road, across from Sunway Pyramid. Same row but towards the other end from McDonalds. A couple of shoplots away from the corner car showroom (I think it is MAZDA).
40-1, Ground Floor, Mentari Plaza,
Jalan PJS 8/2, Bandar Sunway,
Selangor.
Tel : 03 5621 1016

Steamed Fish Head in Paramount

Steamed Fish Head in Claypot
One of my regular haunts during lunchtime for a venue that is close to my office; and when I am in the mood for fish head. I am not sure the exact name of this restaurant but if I am not mistaken, it is called Paramount Fish Head Restaurant. It used to be called something else but I think there was a change of owner. Anyway, this place is located opposite Giant in Paramount and so it's pretty easy to locate.

The default order is usually Steamed Ginger Fish Head (which is pretty good, by the way) but on this day, we decided to ask the "si tao poh" (lady boss) for her recommendation. She recommended their Steamed Fish Head in Claypot. I reckoned that it must be good for I saw the dish on quite a number of tables so we went along with her recommendation.
When it arrived, it looked promising. It's not too different from the Steamed Ginger version. The paste on top of the fish with its gorgeous green hue tasted like a mix of pounded ginger, garlic and spring onion or maybe cilantro.

Whatever it is, it paired perfectly with the fish head. I guessed that the fish was also steamed with a dash of wine which resulted in an absolutely delicious and tummy-warming soup (or stock) at the bottom of the dish. I was slurping it all up non-stop. The fish was also fresh; its flesh tender yet firm, and sweet too.

A side dish of vegetables is usually ordered to accompany the fish head. In this case, we ordered "Sin Kong Tau Foo" (Stir-fried beancurd with assorted vegetables in thick gravy).

"Sin Kong Tau Foo" (Stir-fried beancurd with assorted vegetables in thick gravy).

Prices are pretty reasonable too. The total bill for the above dishes, and 2 plates of plain rice and drinks was around RM34. Not bad for a healthy, wholesome and satisfying lunch, eh?

More Light Bites @ Green Meadow SS2

3-style Steamed Sweet Potato Balls

Stumbled upon this 'little gem' of a place recently although I later discovered that (according to my colleagues) they have been operating for some time now but recently expanded to this recent location due to growing popularity. Green Meadow Cafe is its name and organic vegetarian is its game. (gee, sounds so cheesy...)
The menu looks good with a nice selection of dishes (although mostly are individual dishes). A selection of the more popular and house specialty dishes is shown on the placard.


Tempting as the more substantial dishes look, nothing can take my eyes away from these little snacks made from three of my favourite root vegetables; sweet potatoes, pumpkin and yam.

First to be served was the Pumpkin Cake.

When I saw this in the menu, I presumed it was the savoury pumpkin kueh. So when it arrived without any sauces, I immediately asked for some chili sauce. The waitress did a double-take before hurrying away to get some for me. I later understood why. The Pumpkin Cake is not the savoury type at all. Loaded with sprinkles of raisins and sunflower seeds, its glutinous texture and subtle sweetness make it more like a "nyonya-style kueh".

I was more impressed with the 3-style Steamed Sweet Potato Balls.

Individually coated in black and white sesame, grounded "peanut-y" powder and the last one which I failed to identify, they are ideal as healthy and nutritious snacks.

To end, the Or Nee (steamed yam pudding) was served.

Topped with some gingko nuts and red date, the Or Nee is a luscious dessert. Every bite of its velvety and creamy texture was a delight to the palate. If it's less oily, I would definitely indulge in it more often.

All in all, it was a pleasant experience. I look forward to trying other dishes on their menu next time.

Green Meadow Cafe
62-62C, SS2/67,
47300. Petaling Jaya.
Location Map here.

Pho Hoa (Health Concious Choice) at The Curve

Ice-blended Vietnamese drip coffee with avocaodo (RM7.90)
I tend to drop by at Pho Hoa whenever I can't think of anything else to eat at The Curve. This is because they make a mean ice-blended vietnamese drip coffee with avocado that is simply divine,

Vietnamese Chicken Salad (RM4.90 or 5.90)
and value-for-money vietnamese salads that are better than average and come in generous portion.

Vietnamese Grilled Beef Salad (RM4.90 or 5.90)

Their appetizers are not bad either, I usually go for

Summer Rolls (pretty ordinary but I like summer rolls), and also their steamed egg cake.

Do not be mistaken, this is not the usual Chinese steamed egg cake ("kai tan kou") but a savoury version. Filled with egg and minced chicken, it tasted rather appetizing and yummy when eaten warm. Rather filling as well.



Beef Pho and accompanying condiments
I have stolen bites from my friend's orders of Chicken Pho and Beef Pho and I have to say that the latter is much better than the former. Also, you get to choose your preferred cut of meat or even parts.

During one of my earlier visits, my friend urged me to try this drink, Blended Avocado Juice. Didn't quite like it, tasted somewhat bland to me and definitely lacked behind when compared to the Ice Blended Vietnamese Drip Coffee with avocado (pictured above).


Pho Hoa
(Health Concious Choice)
The Curve, Mutiara Damansara

Som Tum & Thai Salad in USJ Summit

Som tum (classic green papaya Thai salad)
I have a thing for som tum (classic green papaya Thai salad). In Bangkok, it's so easy to find a good one since they are like a staple to them. Just like our nasi lemak. Sadly in KL, it's not so easy to find good som tum.

However, recently I have found 2 which were pretty good for a "Made in Malaysia" version.


First one is a "no-name" restaurant on the first floor (or was it the 2nd?) in Summit USJ (use the escalator nearest to Black Canyon which is located on Ground Floor. It is located very near to the escalator) . Not sure if I can even call it a restaurant, it looks more like a food court. There's no proper signage except a banner that says "Thai Food". They have quite a selection of hawker-styled Thai food. This place is pretty hidden in a corner. In fact, I only discovered it by chance. When I was there, business was rather slow although it was during lunch time on a weekend. Probably due to the fact that not many people could have known about their presence.

Food here seems pretty authentic. Anyhow, my eyes were drawn to the som tum making station and I quickly ordered one (see pic above) and it was pretty good. The salad (RM4) here was well-seasoned and well-pounded and topped with generous sprinkles of crunchy anchovies and roasted peanuts. It packed quite a punch too even for me who loves spicy stuff and can usually tolerate high level of spiciness. My lips were pretty numbed after finishing the salad. But one can always asks the waiter to adjust the level of spiciness according to your preference.

Sweet mango with pandan-flavaoured sticky rice
To help reduce my "flaming lips" from consuming the som tum, I ordered the sweet mango with pandan-flavaoured sticky rice. It looked yummy but eeew..., bad choice. The mango was definitely not sweet. And I suspected that the coconut milk that they lathered on the dessert wasn't so fresh either. I couldn't tolerate more than a couple of mouthfuls.

In the same shopping complex, you can find Black Canyon (located on Ground Floor). If you have been to Bangkok, you will know that Black Canyon is pretty popular there and they have outlets all over the city. Over there, I like their version of pad thai very much. Over here, it is their Spicy Tuna Salad.

Spicy Tuna Salad
It tastes like som tum but without the green papaya and other vege. Only chunks of tuna and baby onions with lemongrass in a spicy and tangy light dressing. Very refreshing and very appetizing! Serving size is not consistent though. And sometimes they served this with more leafy salad greens on the side, other time, it's just ONE leaf (the picture in their menu portrayed otherwise). Sometimes, they serve this with whole raw baby chilli (cili padi) on the side, and other times, just a few stalks of dried chilli. But taste wise, it has been pretty consistent so far. Very nice indeed!

Iced Black Canyon Coffee
They have a pretty comprehensive coffee menu as well. Their coffees are not bad too.

MyCoffee Eats: Brunch @ Delicious Cafe

Duck & Pomelo Salad at Delicious

Been slacking lately. Both in posting and in baking. There are tons of pictures in my archive that I have yet to post. Slowly sorting them out now.

One of my favourite way to spend the morning on weekends is to have a long brunch at any of my favourite cafes or bistros. One of them is Delicious at Bangsar Village. There is almost no other better way to spend a late weekend morning than to chill out with a close friend over delicious food and coffees at one's favourite cafe/bistro.

I was there recently and saw that they had changed their menu a little. At the same time, I can't help but to notice that their breakfast menu is a lot similar to bills (a famous 'breakfast institution' in Sydney) which I went not too long ago. For example, among the dishes on the menu include ricotta pancakes as well as corn fritters.

Corned Beef Hash @ Delicious

My friend and I opted for something different. She ordered the Corned Beef Hash which was served with 2 sunnysides and some roasted baby tomatoes. I already had breakfast so I chose the Asian-influenced Duck & Pomelo Salad (see pic above) instead. Both were good although we thought that the breakfast dish was rather small portion for the price charged. I like my salad a lot. They were pretty generous with the duck slices. Coupled with lots of crushed peanuts and pomelo bits, it was truly scrumptious, especially if you are a salad lover like me.

Delicous Cafe
Ground Floor, Bangsar Village Shopping Center