Category Archives: LOCATION: KUALA LUMPUR

Petaling Street hor fun with shredded chicken and prawn wantan

Posted on by
1

It was a really hot Monday, and I had a meeting scheduled for 3.00pm, so when Pretty Pui suggested walking to Petaling Street because she was craving for hor fun (flat white noodles), I hesitated. But her pitiful looks brought out the compassionate side of me, and I gave in.The coffeeshop we were headed to was not the more popular hor fun place in Jalan Tun H.S.Lee. This place is located in the heart of Petaling Street opposite Tang City and Kiew Brothers and is known for dishing out a decent bowl of hor fun noodles, with the specialty being the prawn wantan.

I like the look of the coffeeshop. It was clean – you could almost see your reflection on the table, and there was a large mirror facing the entrance of the shop if you are into some preening, although I’m sure the greater purpose would be for some sort of feng shui.



The noodles came fast enough. I had ordered the hor fun in soup with shredded chicken, while the two girls got the dry and soupy version of hor fun with prawn wantan. Ecstatic Eeyore preferred the dry version of the hor fun with shredded chicken.

After seeing the girls’ glistening prawn wantan, I couldn’t resist the urge to order a bowl of wantans. Eight pieces cost about RM6.50. And the verdict? Ditch the hor fun, and get the wantan. The hor fun is not as smooth as the Ipoh version, and I must say that the KLCC foodcourt Ipoh kiosk has a better version. The prawn filling in the wantan had a nice crunch to it, although it was a little salty.

I went for my meeting that day, RM13 poorer, and with clothes drenched in sweat.

Precious Old China – Nyonya cuisine

Posted on by
2

My office is located near Petaling Street, and is a short walk away from one of my favourite restaurants, Old China Cafe. It’s not so much the food that appeals to me, but the feeling that I get when I push open the swinging wooden doors and find myself in the dark mirrored room with old chinese music playing in the background and a rickety old table fan in the far corner of the room. Perhaps it will be the subject of a future restaurant review.

But for now, my review is on its sister restaurant, Precious Old China. Located in Central Market KL, it seems to target the tourists rather than locals. But since I am no expert on property markets and locations, I shall keep my two cents worth to myself. BUT if one thinks of restaurants in Central Market as overpriced tourist traps, then he will regret his decision for not giving Precious Old China a chance to prove itself.

We decided to go to Precious Old China last Saturday night. Precious Old China serves predominantly Nyonya (Straits Chinese) food. And at times like this, I claim my “chinese heritage” by saying that this type of cuisine is the stuff my grandma used to cook.

For starters, we decided on the Ju Hu Char and Pie Tee (top hats). Both these dishes have the same type of base, i.e. shredded sengkuang and dried shrimps. The Ju Hu Char has an added ingredient, i.e. dried cuttlefish. The Ju Hu Char was served with lettuce, where one can make cute little popiahs by wrapping the ingredients, and sambal belacan, in the lettuce. I thought it was great, but Gard and Olav found the smell of either the cuttlefish or the sambal a little overpowering. Something about the smell of a barn….? The top hats were also DIY and the outer layer was nice and crunchy.

For our main course, we ordered Kari Kapitan (Chicken), Beef Rendang and Sweet and Sour Fish (Olav’s special request). The Kari Kapitan was rich and creamy, the beef rendang was tender and not too pedas, and the sweet and sour fish was up to Olav’s expectations. 🙂 Yummy bario rice, naturally coloured with blue sweetpea flowers and cooked in santan (coconut milk), was served together with the dishes.

I love the decor at Precious Old China. Uncoordinated antique furnishings, glass chandeliers and huge vases add an opulent touch to the restaurant.

Further information can be found on the website: www.oldchina.com.my.

After that very satisfying meal, we proceeded to SevenEightNine at the Ascott (see earlier review) and got ourselves drunk on cocktails.

Precious Old China

Restaurant & Bar, Lot 2, Mezzanine Floor, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur.

Reservation: 03-22737372Fax: 03-22745687

Mei King Restaurant, Pudu

Posted on by
1

Friday afternoon, and the Makan Club was undecided about what to eat. We had eaten Lard Noodles several times. And fish head noodles. And Pudu siew yoke. And Salak South char siew. So with our eyes closed and a finger pointed to the computer monitor, the decision was made. Lam mee it would be.

To get to Mei King restaurant, one has to battle the jam near the Pudu market roundabout. The next obstacle is finding a car park near enough to the restaurant. We were lucky enough to find a car park in front of the restaurant – beginner’s luck? 🙂 It wasn’t our first time to the place, but it had certainly been awhile since we last ate there.

Of course, when one goes to Mei King, one has to order the….lam mee! Small bowl – RM5. Big bowl – RM6. Pretty Pui had the curry version which I’m going to order the next time I go there. One can actually smell the lemongrass in the curry.

In addition to the lam mee, we also ordered the fried sui kow, sotong balls and stuffed foo chuk. Pretty and Barbie both enjoyed the fried sui kow although they felt that it would have been better if it were served hot.

May King

38, Jalan Yew, Off Jalan Pudu, KL.

Tel: 03-92223740

9.30am – 6pm (Closed Mondays)