Kek Seng, Remembering Penang - Photo Series Part Eight (Final)

Remembering Penang - Photo Series comes to an end with this final Part 8.  This time round, these set of photos of food and the coffee shop were taken at the well known Kek Seng Kopitiam at Penang Road.  I still remember this place with fond memories; whilst the food is still pretty good but not as good as before, this coffee shop itself hasn't changed much through the years. Time has pretty much stood still in Kek Seng; the wooden benches and tables have withstood the test of time (though one will spot some new chairs in place).  Nostalgia aplenty ...

ASSAM LAKSA

Homemade Siew Mai, Roadside Dim Sum Stall! Remembering Penang - Photo Series Part Six

(NON-HALAL)


Continuing Penang Photo Series...we now head off to Macalister Road.  I know what you're thinking, going there for the Char Kway Teow right?

Well, let's just say, we did eat Macalister Road's Char Kway Teow but it was not the main reason why we headed there.  The Char Kway Teow is not as good as before but still above average, hence not really the reason why we went there.  For what then? For this...

The roadside dim sum stall just outside the char kway teow place ... serving up simple HOME MADE assorted dim sum.  A big thanks to JC for bringing me to one of her fave stalls since childhood days.

Oh, how I miss these ... especially the lovely siew mai!

The "I Can't Believe There's Pork Burger Here" Post - Restoran D.U. Cafe, Kota Damansara

SADLY, DUE TO SUCH UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES ... THE STALL IS NO LONGER OPENED.  LET'S HOPE THE SIZZLE COMES BACK SOON ... ONE DAY.


(Non-Halal)

I wasn't even sure whether I was gonna post on this but something this good must be shared...Well, the craze over pork burgers is still going strong and some might even think this pork patty sandwiched between two buns is overrated but whatever it is...looks like the craze is still very much alive. From simple eateries to fancy restaurants, a pork burger is no longer a novelty on the menu but still a highlight nevertheless.  Yes, given the difference in dining experience in different establishments, prices for a pork burger differs - from as high as RM30 (served with fries and salad) and as low as about RM10.90++ (no sides) at one of my fave places for pork burger, Kissaten.  But now...thanks to ML, we have found a new place (new at least to us...).

Now, this was a first for me.  A burger stall located along D.U. Cafe in Kota Damansara ... selling . pork . burgers!!!

Well, not just pork burgers as you can read and just look at the prices!!!.  Japanese Curry Pork Burger (RM6.50), Cheese Chicken Burger (RM5.50), Crispy Chicken Burger (RM4.50), Black Pepper Lamb Burger (RM6.50) - OOOoooo, this I gotta try  next time!, Teriyaki Chicken Burger (RM5.50) and Teriyaki Pork Burger (RM5.50).  Yup, we can now treat ourselves to pork burgers at RM5.50 (and best part? No service and/or govt. tax!).

Nasi Lemak Panas Yati & Suri - The Tale of Two Colours, Selera Jaya 223 Petaling Jaya

From croissants in Quebec, I'm gonna get back to something dear to most Malaysians' hearts, Nasi Lemak!  I've been going to Selera Jaya 223 at Jalan 223, Petaling Jaya for quite awhile whenever I need a Nasi Lemak panas (hot as in temperature hot!) fix and I bring my friends there whenever they are desperately seeking susan Nasi Lemak panas too. I think the place is open 24 hours (stalls open at different hours though).

However, I have to psych myself up before I head over there everytime.  No, not because I want to down 5 packets of nasi lemak (my personal best was a max of 3 packets) but the barrage of "food recommendations" from the vendors/helpers and "advice" on where to seat! They would greet you enthusiastically, giving you names like, "Mee goreng...Nasi Lemak...Roti Canai...Murtabak....Tom Yam...Ayam Goreng...etc etc....  Excuse me, but my name isn't Murtabak, okay? LOL!  They would also call out to you, "Kawan, duduk sini (Friend, sit here)", "Mari duduk sini, ada kipas (Come sit here, there's a fan)", "Duduk sini, semua sedap! (Sit here, all delicious!").  That's because each vendor has a demarcated area where they can serve, so income is dependent on where customers choose to sit.

I normally just make my way straight through, without looking left or right with NO eye contact and just zoom in on my favourite area which is around the middle (it's further away from the crowd in front area which is usually more concentrated.

Nasi Lemak Panas Yati.  Packets of Nasi Lemak panas, wrapped in banana leaves and plain paper are placed before you on a plate and are usually snapped up fast (if not by you, by other patrons around you).  They are never cold but warm and sometimes still hot as it's freshly packed on the spot.  At times, demand exceeds supply and we have to wait for the helpers to pack them.

Nasi Lemak Panas Suri (I wonder if Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes know that somewhere in Malaysia, Suri is also famous for dishing out yummy Nasi Lemak?)

Kenny's Seafood Porridge @ SS2/4A, Petaling Jaya

I've been patronizing this area of late for several reasons :-

1) Uncle Cheng Special Beef Noodles - read post HERE
2) Mee Diau, Mee Jawa & Dumplings - read post HERE

and for something else that I've eaten now and then but have yet to post till now,

3) Kenny's Seafood Porridge

I didn't recall the stall having the "Kenny" sign on it during earlier times but now this stall has a name...

Kenny's Seafood Bubur (Porridge).  You can see Uncle Cheng's Special Beef Noodles shop on the left in the background.

Most of you would know that I'm not a fan of seafood, so I usually order the Special Porridge (RM5.50) each time I drop by Kenny's stall.  What's in the "special" porridge?

Century Egg, Spring Onions, Crispy Fried Anchovies (Ikan Bilis), Crispy Vermicelli, Peanuts, Squid, Fish (but I opted for Chicken instead of fish).

Lunching @ KTZ, Kepong

When I frequent the KTZ (Kei Tak Zek - "Remember To Eat") outlet in SS2 at night...I usually order my Shanghai Cheong Fun with baby shrimps (RM2.90)which is my fave ...eh, no pic though.  As for desserts (more like a drink)...I would order the Strawberry Blend with Gui Ling Gao (Herbal Jelly) - RM8.30 (see my 2007 post on this drink, it was RM7.80 back then, inflation!).  Of late, I discovered that I also like the Apple Citrus Green Tea (RM4), try it!

However, not too long ago, I went to Kepong to meet up with a old friend and we decided to have lunch at KTZ in Kepong.  The very first KTZ; where folks were first introduced to their signature icy desserts - until they opened more branches elsewhere. Located by the side of a busy and rather dusty road, folks would throng this place (including me) and I remember that I was disappointed a few times when their desserts were sold out when I dropped by after movie night! Blessed me then when KTZ opened in SS2.  However, I do feel that the food in KTZ Kepong outlet is better, not only in taste but also in presentation wise.  The SS2 outlet is so busy most of the times that I feel like they seem to concentrate on getting the food out quick to the customers and aren't really bothered with the way the food looks when it leaves the kitchen, which at times can be described as "almost mangled"!

I would say I hardly go to KTZ for lunch (more for drinks and snacks at night) and found myself ordering other items that I haven't tried before during the lunch in Kepong that day.  We ordered some side snacks as starters...

Salted Egg (RM3.70) - A mix of fish & meat paste with bits of carrots, deep fried and served - tasty and even better with the chilli sauce

Kampua Noodles @ Pasar Awam Kg Koh, Sitiawan

Continuing from my previous post...remember that we arrived at Yee Si too early and could only get the orders an hour later? Well, what did we do to kill time? Charles whisked us off for lunch at the Kampung Koh wet market. Check out Motormouth From Ipoh's post when he ate here too (with map and directions) during his food hunt in Sitiawan. This place opens for breakfast till lunch time (we were there around 2 plus and it was still operating).

Well known for dishing out home made Kampua Noodles (Foo Chow style) ... at the Pasar Awam Kg Koh at Jalan Simpang Dua

As we arrived for a late lunch, the lunch crowd had dispersed by then

Curry Chee Cheong Fun @ Golden KimWah, Damansara Kim PJ

I've been eating curry chee cheong fun from this stall for the longest time and finally get around to blogging about it.  This is seriously one of the best curry chee cheong fun I've tasted in Klang Valley - however do note, that the Yong Tow Foo here are priced slightly higher than usual for a coffeeshop stall (ranging from RM0.80 sen-RM1) but for me, it's worth it as it's really good.  Why? I would pin it down to the curry gravy.  Let me tell you, I have a friend who's from Ipoh (who is now overseas) and each time she comes visiting, she would make sure I take her to this place as it's one of her favourite. With all that good chee cheong fun from Ipoh, this says something!  By the way, the special lam mee from this stall is something I eat now and then too 'cos I love the sambal chilli that comes with it! However, the curry chee cheong fun with the additional yong tow foo win hands down! Check it out (available from morning till 2 plus pm)!

Try it! Great stuff ....

Golden KimWah 

Corner Shop 
Jalan SS20/10, 
Damansara Kim

47400 Petaling Jaya

Note : This is also the same coffeeshop where I go for my fave siew yoke (roast pork), Yik Kee - during evening from 4.30 pm onwards.  For lunch, you can get the same yummylicious siew yoke from Sun Yin Loong coffeeshop at Sunway Mas Commercial Centre (Jalan PJU 1/3G, corner shop) also in Petaling Jaya as they have recently opened a stall there.

Hitting Lot 10 Hutong On An Empty Stomach - Pt Two (Final)

(NON-HALAL)


Hahaha...some folks asked whether I ate up the whole of Hutong since I posted Part One. As much as I would like to, I couldn't possibly accomplish such a feat - even after I ate at Hutong over several occasions. So, let's continue with the other food I've tried ...

Soong Kee Beef Noodles

Hitting Lot 10 Hutong On An Empty Stomach - Pt One

(NON-HALAL)

By now much has been said about Lot 10 Hutong, the "swankier" and "pricier" food court where one can find the best of the best hawker fare which were handpicked by Tan Sri Francis Yeoh personally (from our home ground and even Singapore).  Does it live up to its hype? Yes and No.  Some of the fare here were mediocre while some did deliver albeit one can get the real version out on the streets at a lower price.  Of course, there's nothing like having the choice of so many "legen-dary" (been watching "How I Met Your Mother" too much! Hahaha..) street fare made available in a clean, comfortable air-conditioned environment and possibly rodent free too :p
  
It's a good place to bring your foreign friends to when they visit you as it's really like a one-stop center for famous food fare.  Just make sure you come here famished in preparation of all the various foods you would want to try ... believe me, it's a rather difficult task to choose with the sight and smell of food permeating the air.  Several stalls were either closed or no longer in business when I went there last.  I wonder if any have closed since then.  I must say, my first trip (I've been here several times) to Lot 10 Hutong was lovely not only as it was my first time eating there but because I met up with Ilene too :o).  Where to next Ilene?  Come on, Ilene ...

How To Eat Nasi Lemak @ Nasi Lemak Famous, Bangsar Kuala Lumpur

This was a while back when I followed Jason to Bangsar where we ate at Nasi Lemak Famous.  I was amused when he went through the process of getting ourselves a plate of this yummy delight as we joined the queue in the open air area...so while he was talking, I was taking photographs! :o)

Join the line and pick your side dishes...

Oh! You must have the fried chicken...it's good stuff!

To Ipoh We Go - A Tale of 5ive Floggers & 1 City (Part One)

Before Precious Pea left Malaysia to build a new life over in Melbourne, the few of us practically "swore" to make a trip to Ipoh together but it didn't materialise.  Well, not until Precious Pea left and returned for two months, to grace our shores again during Chinese New Year did we seriously plan for it ...

And so, we did it....making a one day trip to Ipoh finally when the five of us (Jackson, Jason, Andrine, Precious Pea and myself) set off towards our destination one early Saturday morning.  We had made a trip to Ipoh (sans Jason) previously during The Star's Drive For Food Contest back in 2007 and we looked forward to the trip this time round as a complete unit :o)

Our memorable trip back in 2007

Arriving around 9am, our first stop was Simee market for the delicious egg tarts (see my previous blog post on Choy Kee's stall).  I took it easy here while the rest of them went through the usual photo session of the place.

Ipoh folks enjoying their Saturday morning

Can you spot the floggers? ;o)

Friday Quick Bites - Kueh Teow Soup @ Soon Lee Coffeshop, PJ Old Town

Looking forward to the weekend, it's been a fast paced week - hence I'm putting up another one of my "Friday Quick Bites" post just before I turn in for the night! The food featured in this category is always a favourite of mine - great tasting food that I don't mind having time and time again.

This time round the spotlight is on a simple bowl of noodles....Kueh Teow Soup!

With shredded chicken, pork balls (which I requested for instead of fish balls) and the ever crucial chee yau char (crispy pork lard), this bowl of Kueh Teow Soup (Flat Noodle Soup) is simply delicious. Smooth kueh teow and flavourful soup that I just love slurping all up (not sure about the MSG part as I'm MSG tolerant! Hahaha....), I believe there's Fish Sauce it the stock though. Funny, for someone who doesn't like fish (Tigerfish, do note that I like you!), I absolutely fancy food that has fish sauce it it!. I'm sure there are quite a number of you who would agree that it's great as lots of customers throng this stall especially during peak hours. For those who are still unfamiliar with this, do make it a point to try it out. Yikes! I think I'm craving for a bowl of this Kueh Teow Soup now ....

Soon Lee Coffeeshop (around the corner after Public Bank)
Jalan 1/10
46000 Petaling Jaya
Selangor

Read The Star article on this stall HERE (GPS coordinates included - 03 05 136 N, 101 38 803 E)

P.S. Check out the Char Kuey Teow stall which is popular here too, I've tried it and it's good.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND FOLKS!

Ipoh Food Frenzy In 4.5 Hours, Dai Shu Geok - Part 1

When bro picked me up from the airport last Friday noon, he asked me to join him and Spare Change for a day trip to Ipoh on Monday. I wasn't too sure whether I would be coping well with the change of the hot climate and hours after being away for two months and told him that I'll let him know later.

Fast forward to Monday early morning....there I was, hopping into bro's car for a day trip. So, straight from San Francisco, I now bring you Ipoh food! We clocked in 7 food stops (there would have been more if not for some of the places being closed!) in total within 4.5 hours in Ipoh - no, we didn't eat at all of them, there were some stops for take away goodies. It will take me longer to blog on all the stops we made than the actual time spent in Ipoh that day! Hahaha...

First Stop - Dai Shu Geok (Big Tree Foot)

Having called Motormouth just the night before, he told me that he'll meet up with us for lunch but since we arrived during brunch time at around 11, he joined us at our intended first stop in Ipoh...curry noodles at Yee Fatt...which was closed (not open on Mondays). We then adjourned to the next venue suggested by Motormouth, Big Tree Foot - Dai Shu Geok.

Well, I have been to Dai Shu Geok during one of my earlier Ipoh visit but had gone to the newer extension rather than to the original spot. This time round, we chose the original as I've not eaten at this place yet. Well, we knew the most of the famous eating places in Ipoh would be packed since it was a public holiday but we had no idea how packed it would be till we arrived at this place.

It was a really busy, busy place - almost a madhouse (or mad shack!). There was an endless stream of customers lining up jostling for pole position to get to the goodies that were placed before them. I left the task of picking the Yong Tow Foo/Yong Liew to the over 6 foot tall Spare Change as he definitely had the advantage and could reach out with his longer hands too! Hey, whatever it takes to get 'em (I stood behind him, assisting in carrying the goodies laden bowls whenever we filled one up). It was a case of "you snooze, you lose"! On the side, one staff would be frying up batch after batch of Yong Liew while another would be busy cooking noodles, plate after plate, bowl after bowl.

Then proceed to the left if you're doing take away or to the right if you're eating there. A staff took our noodle orders and table number and placed the paper onto one of the three filled bowls we had, using one of the Yong Liew as a paperweight :o)

A closer look at the fried goodies - Yong Liew as those locals in Ipoh would call them

Yummy Treats @ Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur

What's this? Look at the folks, closely hovering over the stall. Why is this stall surrounded by folks who all seem very eager and anxious at the same time? Eager as one can get their hands on one of the better nyonya kuihs sold in Klang Valley and anxious (just like how EatingAsia felt) as they don't know whether there is still any left when it's their turn! Hahaha....

At times, there would be some waiting even before Ah Mun arrives, immediately surrounding him as he sets up his stall. He's been doing this for more than two decades, setting up his stall just outside Nam Chuan Coffeeshop in Lorong Ara Kiri 2, Lucky Gardens.

So, apart from going to Nam Chuan for my fave Sarawak Laksa, Abacus Seeds and Char Kway Teow, I will usually make a pit stop here too if I'm in lingering in the area as the kuih stall opens at around 3pm till all is sold out....which can be within two hours on a good day!

There's a rather wide variety of kuihs here as you can see. Gosh! What should I get? Such a dilemma! Hahaha....that's the usual thought running through my mind every single time I'm here as it's a rather tough decision with all the goodies right in front of you.


There's my fave ondeh-ondeh .... While googling this, I found out that the famous FatBoyBakes actually made ondeh-ondeh back in 2005, here's his post with recipe included!

Seng Yuen Fried Noodles, Kepong

Food Adventure Series - Kepong, Part Two

Sorry, been busy...so dropping an updated line to wish all readers and friends...

GONG XI FA CHAI,
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
&
SAFE JOURNEY

See you folks next week...

Having fed ourselves with duck satay earlier, Simon suggested we try out this place for fried noodles called Kou Lo Chow Fun (Cantonese for Tall Man's Fried Noodles) that he goes to once in awhile but not before he warned us that we might have to wait quite awhile before we get served as there's usually quite a crowd. I told him of my experience with Man Shook ("Slow Uncle")'s Fried Noodles in Jalan Tong Shin and about my 45 minutes wait for the order to arrive, so, I was prepared!

When we arrived at the coffeeshop lot, we were slightly taken aback to see the long line of tables on the shop pavement and five foot way - ALL TAKEN and with most still waiting for their order.

So, we made our way into the shop...I felt like I was transported back into time or had made my way to a little place out of town. There were only two empty tables left.

Even the work station (located right next to the cashier's counter!) where the "tea" guy prepares the drinks order looks so nostalgic that it made me think of my childhood days when I followed my parents to the old Bukit Bintang market(which had to make way for KL Plaza/Lot 10!) and would go for our usual kopi ping (iced coffee with milk) or cham (tea mixed with coffee) after buying vegetables, fish, chicken and sundries. Ahh....I miss those days, I miss my dear ol' Dad :o(

Sen Kee Duck Satay, Kepong

Food Adventure Series - Kepong, Part One


When Saturday arrived again and Jason mentioned about meeting up for dinner, I had in mind to trek into some unfamiliar territory for some good food hunting. With the recent post on Lim Kee, KampungBoyCityGal had left a comment to "remind" me that they stay nearby to us too. So, at around 7.40pm, the three of us (CityGal sans KampungBoy) headed off to "unknown" coordinates. Why unknown? Cos even at that very moment, we still had not decided where to eat! After Jason and I had our usual brotherly and sisterly "argument" in the car with CityGal sitting at the back thinking where to go to, I suggested that we go in search of Sen Kee's Duck Satay in Kepong and take it from there. Problem was, none of us knew where it was or how to get there. Reading road maps and making calls to friends (to the extent of not only asking them for help with directions but to also those who were at home to go online and get us the address from VKeong's post on Sen Kee!) yielded no answers.

We decided to throw caution to the wind and just started heading towards Kepong. Quarter way through, we suddenly remembered that Simon stays in Kepong and we called him to see if he knew where Sen Kee is and whether he wanted to join us. He couldn't really figure out the directions over the phone but decided to join us. We pulled over at Carrefour in Kepong and waited for him...by the time he got into my car, it was already 9.30pm!!! But nothing can faze us and with Simon leading us towards Taman Desa Jaya, we arrived ... Aaahhh! I don't know about the rest of them, but for me it was like "Eureka!" - felt like doing a little dance there and then! Hahaha...

It's actually just a little stall located outside a Legend Garden Restaurant and since we had no intention of eating Chinese dishes, the four of us decided to sit on the lone table outside and eat duck satay and nothing but the satay...all forty sticks of it!

At 60 sen (USD0.15!)a stick, one has a choice of chicken, duck or lamb.

CityGal at "work" with her new DSLR!

Lim Kee, Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, KL

(NON-HALAL)

Sometime in 2008, both Precious Pea and Teckiee who stayed near me initially moved further away. I felt a tinge of sadness (cue music from the violin! Hahaha...) as my days for "sudden" (read : ad hoc) food adventures came to an end. But of late, my grey clouds have been lifted and such adventures are back with Jason moving up to Petaling Jaya and staying a stone's throw away from me!

So, it was one weekend when we decided to take a drive to an unfamiliar territory and try out this place that Jason had read about. He told me that the place didn't have a signboard but is known as Lim Kee. I forgot to ask how that name came about! It was rather ad hoc and I didn't bring my camera and had to borrow Jason's (we actually took turns to take photos with the same camera-I think this is something only food bloggers would understand!) to take these set of pics.

Located at a shack behind Full Gospel Assembly (FGA) building, I didn't really know what to expect but was briefed by Jason they were well known for dishing out yummy stuff. When I saw the crowd and saw what they were eating, I knew we were going to have a good meal.

We arrived there during peak dinner time. Our orders were promptly taken though and we just followed whatever Penny, the lady boss/staff (we never ascertain who she was) recommended. We wanted to try this and that and that and this and I think we ended up ordering more than enough for the two of us :p

The cook busy at work - a very busy kitchen area. Check out the cook's Japanese slippers ;o)

Good Food Hunting In Ipoh, Part 4 - Final

Early next morning, we stopped by Canning Garden for our usual Chee Cheong Fun but JC and mom shared a plate and they decided to eat curry noodles at Yat Yat Seng in Ipoh Garden later. Before that, we headed off to the nearby Simee Market as I was told that the egg tarts from Choy Kee are delicious.

They looked really good but I thought the crust looked a bit too thick. So before we decided on how many we should pack, we ate one on the spot! Hahaha...Surprisingly, the thick appearance of the crust was an illusion as a bite into one of the egg tarts revealed the crust to be of many thin layers which were light and flaky. The egg custard part was smooth and aromatic. We packed a dozen of these babies back! Hahaha....

Good Food Hunting In Ipoh, Part 3

"The night wasn't over yet as we just had to get a bite of another delight that is only available at night and it was after all, our one and only last night in Ipoh that night!" - Last paragraph from Part 2

Now, this delight is one of the highlights of the Ipoh trip when all four of us unanimously agreed that it was a great delicious find! It's so good that I am going to just write this one item in Part 3 of my "Good Food Hunting In Ipoh". With a tip from Jason of Ipoh Mali Talak Sombong, we headed of to Pusat Makanan Man U at Jalan Raja Ekram for the last food stop of the night.

We came here to look for this stall...

Mr Wong and his two sons (occasionally) runs the popiah (fresh spring roll) stall. His two sons are such nice boys - they were so proud and happy to see me take pics of them, the stall and the food! :o) Mr Wong himself is also friendly and nice.